Course contact details
Admissions Office
Email:studywithus@hw.ac.uk
Phone:0131 451 3376
Heriot-Watt University
Riccarton
Edinburgh
EH14 4AS
Medicinal Chemistry
- Master of Chemistry (with Honours)
- 4 to 5 years
- Full-Time
- 13 September 2027
- Undergraduate
- Edinburgh Campus
Course summary
This career-focused MChem Medicinal Chemistry degree has been developed to equip students with the necessary expertise to excel in pharmaceutical and drug development settings. Whether your interests lie in understanding how medicines work at the molecular level, discovering new therapeutic compounds, or contributing to the fight against devastating diseases, the programme provides a focused, modern curriculum tailored to those ambitions. From day one, you will follow a chemistry curriculum that builds strong foundations in core areas such as chemical reactivity, molecular structure and bonding, and organic synthesis. As you progress through the degree, your learning will be increasingly focused on topics central to medicinal chemistry, including pharmacology, drug design, molecular modelling and the use of machine learning in drug discovery, as well as pharmaceutical analysis.
You will benefit from extensive hands-on laboratory experience, with practical classes designed to develop your technical skills and reinforce theoretical learning. Laboratory work is a key feature throughout the programme, allowing you to build confidence in experimental design, data analysis, and communication — all crucial for a successful career in the pharmaceutical sciences. In year 5, you’ll specialise further through an in-depth research project aligned with your interests and career goals. Chemistry graduates from Heriot-Watt University have a good reputation with employers who appreciate this unique combination of skills and knowledge, and alumni have secured roles with organisations including Veranova, GSK, Charles River Laboratories and Novo Nordisk. You’ll also be well prepared for postgraduate research to study for a PhD.
In addition to career pathways that directly use your practical skills and chemical knowledge, you can apply your problem-solving abilities, numeracy and other transferable graduate skills to various roles beyond chemistry. The broad range of skills involved in a chemistry degree means chemistry graduates are in high demand in other employment sectors, ranging from environmental protection to education, law and finance.
How to apply
Apply by
13 January 2027
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:
- F1M2
- Institution code:
- H24
- Campus name:
- Edinburgh Campus
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A levelBBB
including Chemistry and Maths/Physics for entry to Year 1.
T Level
We will consider T Levels as suitable for entry to our degree programmes, however, certain subject requirements may be required for entry to specific programmes. Where this is not evident as part of the T Level studies, we may ask for additional qualifications.
UCAS TariffNot accepted
Scottish HNCPass
HNC in a relevant subject (including sufficient Maths and Chemistry) with A in graded unit for entry to Year 1.
Scottish HNDPass
HND in relevant subject (including sufficient Maths and Chemistry) with BB in graded units for entry to Year 1.
Scottish HigherAAAB
including A in Chemistry and B in Maths/Physics/Engineering Science
GCSE/National 4/National 5
It is also a requirement of every applicant to have English and Mathematics at a minimum of National 5 Grade C or GCSE Grade C or 4 (or equivalent)
International Baccalaureate Diploma ProgrammeOffer: 30
with Higher Level Chemistry and Mathematics/Physics at 5 for entry to Year 1.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)DDM
in a relevant subject (including sufficient Chemistry and Maths) for entry to Year 1.
Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6)Pass
We accept Foundation Apprenticeships in combination with other qualifications such as SQA Highers and Advanced Highers.
We are always welcome to transfer students, including considering advanced entry to Year 3 for students with strong academic performance. Applicants interested in this route should be in touch directly with our Admissions team.
We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK, Europe and International countries. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for further information on the entry requirements for these.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A level BCC
including Chemistry and Maths/Physics for entry to Year 1.
T Level
We will consider T Levels as suitable for entry to our degree programmes, however, certain subject requirements may be required for entry to specific programmes. Where this is not evident as part of the T Level studies, we may ask for additional qualifications.
Scottish HNC Pass
HNC in a relevant subject (including sufficient Maths and Chemistry) with A in graded unit for entry to Year 1.
Scottish HND Pass
HND in relevant subject (including sufficient Maths and Chemistry) with BB in graded units for entry to Year 1.
Scottish Higher BBBC
including A in Chemistry and B in Maths/Physics/Engineering Science
GCSE/National 4/National 5
It is also a requirement of every applicant to have English and Mathematics at a minimum of National 5 Grade C or GCSE Grade C or 4 (or equivalent)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DMM
in a relevant subject (including sufficient Chemistry and Maths) for entry to Year 1.
Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6) Pass
We accept Foundation Apprenticeships in combination with other qualifications such as SQA Highers and Advanced Highers.
English language requirements
Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not previously been educated in English must provide evidence of their English language ability to ensure they can cope with the demands of a Heriot-Watt programme taught and assessed in English. Further information about the English language tests, school-level qualifications and Heriot-Watt English language programmes currently accepted as proof of English proficiency can be found on our website.https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/how-to-apply/entry-requirements/english-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 realise that not everyone has an equal opportunity to evidence their full potential from school or college qualifications alone, so we use all the information you provide on your application form to assess both your current achievements and potential to thrive at university. Our minimum entry levels apply to MD20, POLAR 4 Q1 and care experienced students. Students from other widening access backgrounds may get an adjusted offer which is slightly lower than our standard entry requirements.
International entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications from the UK, Europe, and countries worldwide. If your qualification is not listed on https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/international-students/study-in-the-uk/information-for-your-country, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for further information about entry requirements.
Some qualifications may be suitable for direct entry to Year 2, allowing you to complete your degree in three years. If your qualifications are not suitable for direct entry to one of our undergraduate programmes, we may be able to offer you a place on one of our Foundation programmes.
As an international student, you are likely to require a Student Visa to study in the UK. Please see the FAQ section on our website at https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/how-to-apply/international-students for further information about the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) process required for a Student Visa application. https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/international-students/study-in-the-uk/information-for-your-country
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 available
Historical entry grades data is not currently available for Heriot-Watt University - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.
Historical entry grades report
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland | £9790 | |
| Scotland | £1820 | |
| EU & International | £25808 |
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
Subject to confirmation
Related courses
At Heriot-Watt University
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