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Materials Chemistry

Course details
  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 14 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Gilmorehill (Main) Campus

Course summary

Materials chemistry is focused on studying the role chemistry can play in areas such as nanotechnology, electronics, polymers and energy storage. Materials chemists study how fundamental knowledge of chemistry could be put into practical applications.

You will learn, from practical hands-on experiences, comprehensive lecture courses presented by leading researchers and study of advanced analytical methods, what it takes to make materials of the future.

Programme structure

Year 1

Topics include:

  • the periodic table & main group chemistry

  • transition metal chemistry

  • organic chemistry

  • chemical kinetics

  • states of matter

  • chemical energy changes

  • aqueous equilibria & pH

  • macromolecules

Year 2

  • The topics covered include:

  • molecular thermodynamics

  • organic stereochemistry

  • quantum mechanics and chemical bonding

  • organometallic chemistry

  • main group chemistry

  • enols and enolates

  • spectroscopy

  • solids and surfaces

  • aromatic chemistry

  • coordination chemistry

  • organic synthesis

  • electrochemistry

  • applied organic chemistry.

You will also study other subjects in years 1 and 2.

Years 3, 4 and 5

If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4) you will study advanced topics including nanomaterials, organic electronics & photonics, advance materials characterisation, catalysis, supramolecular & polymer chemistry, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, as well as main group and transition metal chemistry.

In your final year you will undertake a research project at the frontiers of the subject with energy, organic LEDs and solar cells, or photonics applications, for example making a Li-ion battery and testing it for electrochemical performance.

You can take Materials Chemistry as an MSci degree which includes an additional work placement year in the UK or overseas, between the third and final years of the degree.

Career prospects

Our chemistry graduates are employed as chemists working in research, process development and analysis, as well as in management, marketing, environmental control, patents and finance. Recently they have been employed by:

  • EDF Energy

  • Quotient Clinical

  • Reckitt Benckiser

  • Sterling Medical Innovation

  • Synergy Outsourcing

Modules

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Chemistry, Royal Society of

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:
F108
Institution code:
G28
Campus name:
Gilmorehill (Main) Campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Open days

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
ABB-BBB

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher

Please refer to the University of Glasgow website for Scottish SQA Higher entry requirements linked here. Once you follow the link, please select your degree programme of interest and refer to the 'Entry Requirements' tab on the individual degree webpage: https://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/

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

The University welcomes applications from candidates who have sat BTEC National Diploma (Level 3) Qualifications. Please refer to the University of Glasgow website for BTEC entry requirements linked here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/how-to-apply-for-an-undergraduate-degree/entry-requirements/admissions-guidance/#btec

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Please refer to the University of Glasgow website for International Baccalaureate entry requirements linked here. Once you follow the link, please select your degree programme of interest and refer to the 'Entry Requirements' tab on the individual degree webpage: https://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/

For the most up to date and detailed entry requirements including any subject-specific requirements, please refer to the University of Glasgow website: www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees https://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/materialschemistry/?utm_source=ucas&utm_medium=profile&utm_campaign=mar-cose-ug&utm_content=matchem-msci-entryreq#tab=entry

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.56.5 with no subtests under 6. We accept IELTS One Skill Retake. Tests must have been taken within 2.5 years of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements with a single test.
TOEFL (iBT)9090 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21. Tests must have been taken within 2.5 years of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements.
PTE Academic5959 with minimum 59 in all subtests. Tests must have been taken within 2.5 years of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge English Proficiency176 overall, no subtest less than 169. Tests must have been taken within 2.5 year sof start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge English Advanced176 overall, no subtest less than 169. Tests must have been taken within 2.5 year sof start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. We do recognise that some applicants may already have a good command of English through education and work experience. However, in line with UKVI requirements, we must insist on a satisfactory English language test. You can also meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school. Please note that these are the University’s standard requirements and for some courses these may be higher. Applicants should always check the specific requirements for their chosen course.https://www.gla.ac.uk/international/englishlanguage/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.

Our contextual admissions approach could mean that you may be eligible for adjusted grades. Please review our website for more information on our widening access priorities at www.gla.ac.uk/study/wp.

The entry requirements for a programme will be detailed in your offer. If you meet these conditions, you are guaranteed a place on the programme.

Our programmes may require specific grades in mandatory subjects. Please review our programme pages on our website for more information.

Learn more on the University of Glasgow 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

Please refer to the fees information listed on our website - https://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees/

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