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Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry

Course details
  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry is a highly flexible degree programme covering a wide range of courses taught by chemists, pharmacists, biologists and industrial medicinal chemists. It provides a strong foundation in core chemistry, supplemented by specialist knowledge of medicinal chemistry.

In addition to core chemistry units you will take top-rated courses such as foundation biology, medicinal biochemistry and a number of courses on drug discovery and development from experts within chemistry and other Faculties.

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
F150
Institution code:
M20
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
AAA

AAA, including Chemistry and at least one other science or mathematics subject.

Subjects considered to be science/mathematics subjects are Biology, Physics, Mathematics, and Further Mathematics.

If you do not have the required grades or subjects you may want to consider our integrated foundation year .

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A-level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive.

Typical Contextual Offer: AAB, including A in Chemistry and B or above in at least one other science or mathematics subject.

Subjects considered to be science/mathematics subjects are Biology, Physics, Mathematics, and Further Mathematics.

Find out more about contextual admissions .

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A-level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive.

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements below

Contextual offers are available for applicants who:

- live in the UK and will be under the age of 21 on 1 September of the year they will start their course; and
- live in an area of disadvantage or with low progression into higher education; and
- have attended a UK school or college for their GCSEs or A-levels (or equivalent qualifications) that has performed below the national average over multiple years.

See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD

We consider the National Extended Diploma in Applied Science with grades DDD. Please note that acceptability is dependent upon completing specific modules.

The Biomedical Sciences pathway is not suitable for entry.

The Analytical and Forensic Science pathway is suitable, but the following specific modules must be completed:

Group A Optional Units must include:
- Applications of Inorganic Chemistry
- Applications of Organic Chemistry

Group B Optional Units must include:
- Industrial Chemical Reactions

We highly recommend students take the module in Practical Chemical Analysis in Group A. The Physical Science pathway is suitable, but following specific modules must be completed:

Group A Optional Units must include:
- Applications of Inorganic Chemistry
- Industrial Chemical Reactions

Group B Optional units must include:
- Applications of Organic Chemistry

We highly recommend students take the module in Practical Chemical Analysis in Group A.

Access to HE Diploma

Each application is considered individually. Applicants should contact the Admissions Office to discuss their particular circumstances.

In general, we require 60 credits overall with 45 graded credits at Level 3, which must include a minimum of 15 credits in Chemistry and 15 credits in another science (mathematics, physics or biology).

All 45 graded credits must be at Distinction grade.

Scottish Higher

Scottish Advanced Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations:

Three Advanced Highers with grades AAB, including A in Chemistry and B or above in at least one other science or mathematics subject.

Or

Two Advanced Highers with grade A in Chemistry and grade B in one other science or mathematics subject and two Highers with grades AA in additional subjects.

English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification, please contact the Department Admissions Team.

AS

AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD

We consider the National Diploma in Applied Science with grades DD when taken with a science A-level, preferably Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Biology, with grade A.

Please note that acceptability is dependent upon completing specific modules. Please refer to subject-specific criteria for the Extended Diploma in Applied Science above.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
D

We consider the National Foundation Diploma in any subject for entry with grade D when taken with two A-levels with grades AA, including Chemistry and one other science or mathematics subject.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

We consider the National Extended Certificate in any subject for entry with grade D when taken with two A-levels with grades AA, including Chemistry and one other science or mathematics subject.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Not accepted

Scottish Advanced Higher

Scottish Advanced Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations:

Three Advanced Highers with grades AAB, including A in Chemistry and B or above in at least one other science or mathematics subject.

Or

Two Advanced Highers with grade A in Chemistry and grade B in one other science or mathematics subject and two Highers with grades AA in additional subjects.

English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification, please contact the Department Admissions Team.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
36 points

36 points overall with 6,6,6 at Higher Level, including Chemistry and at least one other science or mathematics subject.

We will accept Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate/WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales qualification.

We would consider this qualification alongside a minimum of two A-levels, including Chemistry and at least one other science or mathematics subject at the required grades.

The minimum grade required for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate/WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales qualification will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A-level entry requirements.

Extended Project

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. A number of our academic Departments may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education, typically a minimum of five GCSEs/iGCSEs, including acceptable levels of literacy and numeracy, equivalent to at least grade 4/C in GCSE/iGCSE English Language, including grade 1 or 2 in the oral exam component if applicable, and grade 6/B in GCSE/iGCSE Mathematics. 

GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/iGCSE English Language.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

We consider all the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Qualifications (CTEC) at Distinction grade alongside two A-levels (or equivalent) at grades AA, including Chemistry and one other science or mathematics subject. Entry requirements will depend upon the type of CTEC qualification being studied alongside the A-levels.

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma

We consider all the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Qualifications (CTEC) at Distinction grade alongside two A-levels (or equivalent) at grades AA, including Chemistry and one other science or mathematics subject. Entry requirements will depend upon the type of CTEC qualification being studied alongside the A Levels.

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma

We consider all the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Qualifications (CTEC) at Distinction grade alongside two A-levels (or equivalent) at grades AA, including Chemistry and one other science or mathematics subject. Entry requirements will depend upon the type of CTEC qualification being studied alongside the A Levels.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate

We consider all the Cambridge Level 3 Technical Qualifications (CTEC) at Distinction grade alongside two A-levels (or equivalent) at grades AA, including Chemistry and one other science or mathematics subject. Entry requirements will depend upon the type of CTEC qualification being studied alongside the A Levels.

T Level
Not accepted

The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme.

Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester International Foundation Programme in are required to achieve grades AAA, including Chemistry and at least one other science or mathematics subject, and grade B in English for Academic Purposes (EAP).

Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation Programme are required to achieve AAA, including Chemistry and at least one other science or mathematics subject, and grade B in English for Academic Purposes (EAP).

Applicants studying other Foundation programmes should contact the Department Admissions Team to check if their qualification is recognised for entry to this programme and for specific entry requirements.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.56.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any component
TOEFL (iBT)9090 overall with no subscore below 20
All applicants to the University (from the UK and overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either: - GCSE/IGCSE English Language grade 4/C, - IELTS 6.5 overall with no sub-skill below 6.0, - TOEFL iBT 90 overall with no sub-score below 20. We do not accept TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition, or; - An acceptable equivalent qualification . Where specified, we also require grade 1 or 2 in the Oral Exam component of the IGCSE English Language (first or second language) qualification. Please note that if you hold English as a Second Language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. If you need to improve your English language skills to meet the entry requirements for your academic course, the University Centre for Academic English (UCAE) summer pre-sessional courses can help. Check if your academic course offers the option of taking a pre-sessional course on the UCAE page . The UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) requires that every student requiring a visa to study in the UK must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language (Common European Framework (CEFR) B2 level) to be granted a Student Route visa (previously known as a Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. In addition, our academic Schools/Departments may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency above the B2 level.

Acceptable English Language Qualificationshttps://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/admissions/language-requirements/

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We operate contextual admissions meaning many applicants receive an offer and are admitted at least one grade below standard entry requirements. Entry requirements for applicants meeting contextual admissions criteria are listed next to the standard entry requirements on course profiles.

Contextual admissions means we consider your application in context helping us to ensure everyone has a fair chance of getting into Manchester. The data we use is automatically provided on your UCAS form.

Learn more on the University of Manchester website

Historical entry grades data

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.

Not enough data available

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.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

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.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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