The course covers all the fundamental physical, organic and inorganic chemistry of a chemistry degree course. Particular emphasis is given to topics relevant to analytical chemistry – a major employment field for graduate chemists – including specialist lectures and laboratory work. In the final year of the MChem course, a substantial research project is undertaken on a topic at the forefront of analytical chemistry research, usually in a health or forensic related context. If you take a sandwich course, after Year 2 you will spend a year working in a laboratory of an industrial company or public authority.

Recent graduates have found employment in major pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca, GSK, Pfizer and 3M, instrument manufacturers such as CETAC and ESI, scientific research and consulting companies such as LGC and EffecTech, and public bodies such as the Environment Agency and the NHS. Others have gone on to various universities for further study and research.