Durham University - Undergraduate Pre-application Open Day
26 Jun 2026, 08:00
Durham
Course details
When you choose to study for a four-year MChem degree you will join a dynamic and focused learning community that is home to multiple research institutes, a range of first-class facilities and experts with close links to industry.
You will build strong foundations in inorganic, organic and physical chemistry and learn practical skills in our modern teaching laboratories. In your third year, you will continue to learn the core aspects of modern chemistry, and start to focus on the concepts and skills required in research.
You will learn how chemistry is the central science with learning interfaces with biosciences, earth sciences, engineering, physics and astronomy.
Why Durham University?
We are a dynamic and diverse international teaching and research community, equipped with modern laboratories and world-class facilities.
You will be exposed to cutting-edge analytical techniques and learn how they can be used to assist research and tackle global issues.
Gain the theoretical knowledge you need while developing your practical skills at our thriving centre of teaching and world-leading research.
You’ll be taught by internationally renowned research-active academics with a wide range of expertise.
Rankings
3rd in the UK Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
5th in the Guardian University Guide 2026
5th in the UK Complete University Guide 2026
Top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2026
Career Opportunities
Graduates are ready to either move straight into employment in a wide range of industries or advance into further studies and scientific research.
For current information please scroll to the bottom of the page for Provider Information and select Visit our Course Page under Course Contact Details.
Assessment is mainly by end-of-year examinations and coursework including laboratory reports, and essays. In your final year, you will submit your research-led project report and deliver an oral presentation.
The range of assessment methods is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the course content, test your capacity to solve problems, enhance your written and oral communication skills, and assess your ability to relate your learning to real-world scenarios.
In addition to the help provided by your subject lecturers, you can also access extensive support for your assessments through ASC, the Academic Skills Centre. See below for details: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/academic-skills-centre/
The following entry points are available for this course:
Durham has a long and proud history of welcoming students from countries across the globe. For further details please visit: https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/international/
International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year. For further details please visit: https://www.durhamisc.com/programmes/international-foundation-year
Discover what it's like to study Chemistry (International) at Durham University: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.
Specific subjects/grades required for entry:
Chemistry at grade A and Mathematics at grade A.
Applicants taking Science A-levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This refers only to English A Levels.
Other BTEC level 3 qualifications are also accepted in combination with each other or with other qualifications. See our website for more information on our BTEC qualification equivalencies.
Subject specific A-levels (or equivalent) also required for entry: Chemistry and Mathematics both at grade A.
Specific subjects/grades required for entry:
Chemistry and Mathematics both at grade A.
We normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. If you’ve not been able to take three Advanced Highers, then we’ll consider a combination of Advanced Highers and Highers, or just Highers (if your school doesn’t offer Advanced Highers at all).
Subject specifics required for entry: Chemistry and Mathematics.
Subject specifics required for entry: Chemistry and Mathematics.
666 at higher level including Chemistry and Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations).
Subject specifics required for entry: Chemistry and Mathematics.
Other level 3 Cambridge Technical qualifications are also accepted in combination with each other or with other qualifications. See our website for more information on our Cambridge technical qualification equivalencies.
Subject specific A-levels (or equivalent) also required for entry: Chemistry and Mathematics both at grade A.
T levels will be considered on a case-by-case basis where the subject area aligns with the course applied to. Please note that additional A levels or equivalent may be required to study certain courses.
If you’re interested in applying, then please Ask Us and we’ll see if we’re able to consider this for you: www.durham.ac.uk/study/ask-us/
If you’re taking other qualifications not listed above, please check our qualification pages to see if we accept these: www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/entry-requirements/
If you have a non-standard academic profile, then ask us about it here: www.durham.ac.uk/study/ask-us/
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
English Language requirementshttps://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/
Our contextual offer for this programme is A level AAB (or equivalent) which includes Mathematics and Chemistry both at grade A (or equivalent).
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Home Students.
The tuition fees for 2027/28 will increase to £10,050. Please note that these figures remain subject to parliamentary approval.
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
Durham University will charge home rate tuition fees up to the maximum allowed by the UK Government. Should the UK Government choose to increase the maximum tuition fee allowed in the second and subsequent years of your course, Durham University will raise tuition fees in line with UK Government policy and approvals.
International and EU Students.
The tuition fees shown for international and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees are subject to an annual inflationary increase. In deciding the annual level of increase the University will take into account inflationary pressures on the costs of delivery. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of 6% or the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or International tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Durham University offers a range of scholarship opportunities to academically well-qualified and highly motivated students. For further details, including deadlines for application, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/scholarships/
Phone:0191 334 1000
The Palatine Centre
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3LE
At Durham University