60 monthsProgramme duration
25,808 GBPTuition Fee/year
3Scholarships
SepStarting Month
Programme overview
Main Subject
Chemistry
Degree
Other
Study Level
Undergraduate
Study Mode
On Campus
Our MChem Medicinal Chemistry provides you with an opportunity to build a strong foundation in core chemistry disciplines — including chemical reactivity, molecular structure and bonding, spectroscopy and organic synthesis - Our BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry provides you with an opportunity to build a strong foundation in core chemistry disciplines — including chemical reactivity, molecular structure and bonding, spectroscopy and organic synthesis - whilst developing specialist expertise in biochemistry.
The MChem degree provides a clear and structured pathway into roles such as drug discovery scientist, pharmaceutical analyst, and toxicologist. Graduates are well-equipped for employment or for pursuing further study, including MSc and PhD programmes. This career-focused programme responds to growing demand for expertise in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, combining scientific depth with practical training to prepare you for a rewarding future in healthcare and life sciences.
Hands-on laboratory work is embedded throughout the course, developing your technical skills and reinforcing theoretical knowledge. You'll gain confidence in experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific communication — essential skills for careers in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
Reasons to study this programme:
*1st in Scotland and 7th in the UK based on teaching quality
The MChem degree provides a clear and structured pathway into roles such as drug discovery scientist, pharmaceutical analyst, and toxicologist. Graduates are well-equipped for employment or for pursuing further study, including MSc and PhD programmes. This career-focused programme responds to growing demand for expertise in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, combining scientific depth with practical training to prepare you for a rewarding future in healthcare and life sciences.
Hands-on laboratory work is embedded throughout the course, developing your technical skills and reinforcing theoretical knowledge. You'll gain confidence in experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific communication — essential skills for careers in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
Reasons to study this programme:
- Excellence in Rankings: We take pride in our ranking as the 1st in Scotland in the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.
- Comprehensive, customisable curriculum: Provides opportunity to specialise in several areas through optional courses, including molecular biology, medical microbiology, and cell & molecular biology.
- Supported learning: Delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and hands-on laboratory practicals and be assessed by coursework, examinations and a research project while receiving support and feedback throughout the programme.
- World-class facilities: Gain access to specialist equipment, computing software and labs including NMR Spectroscopy instruments, single crystal diffractometer, powder (wide-angle scattering) diffractometer, elemental microanalyser, FTIR and melting point determination equipment.
- Professional accreditation: Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
*1st in Scotland and 7th in the UK based on teaching quality
Programme overview
Main Subject
Chemistry
Degree
Other
Study Level
Undergraduate
Study Mode
On Campus
Our MChem Medicinal Chemistry provides you with an opportunity to build a strong foundation in core chemistry disciplines — including chemical reactivity, molecular structure and bonding, spectroscopy and organic synthesis - Our BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry provides you with an opportunity to build a strong foundation in core chemistry disciplines — including chemical reactivity, molecular structure and bonding, spectroscopy and organic synthesis - whilst developing specialist expertise in biochemistry.
The MChem degree provides a clear and structured pathway into roles such as drug discovery scientist, pharmaceutical analyst, and toxicologist. Graduates are well-equipped for employment or for pursuing further study, including MSc and PhD programmes. This career-focused programme responds to growing demand for expertise in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, combining scientific depth with practical training to prepare you for a rewarding future in healthcare and life sciences.
Hands-on laboratory work is embedded throughout the course, developing your technical skills and reinforcing theoretical knowledge. You'll gain confidence in experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific communication — essential skills for careers in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
Reasons to study this programme:
*1st in Scotland and 7th in the UK based on teaching quality
The MChem degree provides a clear and structured pathway into roles such as drug discovery scientist, pharmaceutical analyst, and toxicologist. Graduates are well-equipped for employment or for pursuing further study, including MSc and PhD programmes. This career-focused programme responds to growing demand for expertise in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, combining scientific depth with practical training to prepare you for a rewarding future in healthcare and life sciences.
Hands-on laboratory work is embedded throughout the course, developing your technical skills and reinforcing theoretical knowledge. You'll gain confidence in experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific communication — essential skills for careers in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
Reasons to study this programme:
- Excellence in Rankings: We take pride in our ranking as the 1st in Scotland in the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.
- Comprehensive, customisable curriculum: Provides opportunity to specialise in several areas through optional courses, including molecular biology, medical microbiology, and cell & molecular biology.
- Supported learning: Delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and hands-on laboratory practicals and be assessed by coursework, examinations and a research project while receiving support and feedback throughout the programme.
- World-class facilities: Gain access to specialist equipment, computing software and labs including NMR Spectroscopy instruments, single crystal diffractometer, powder (wide-angle scattering) diffractometer, elemental microanalyser, FTIR and melting point determination equipment.
- Professional accreditation: Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
*1st in Scotland and 7th in the UK based on teaching quality
Admission Requirements
30+
6+
79+
59+
169+
Standard entry requirements
Minimum entry requirements *
- Highers AAAB (over two sittings). Must include Chemistry at A, and one of Maths or Physics or Engineering Science at B.
- A-Levels BBB. Must include Chemistry at B, and either Maths or Physics at B.
- International Baccalaureate 30 points. Must include Chemistry at Higher Level 5 and either Maths or Physics at Higher Level 5.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DDM. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
- HNC A in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
- HND BB in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
- Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
Minimum entry requirements *
- Highers BBBC (over two sittings). Must include Chemistry at B, and one of Maths or Physics or Engineering Science at B.
- A-Levels BCC. Must include Chemistry and either Maths or Physics, with one required subject at B.
- International Baccalaureate 28 points. Must include Chemistry and Maths, both at Higher Level 5.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DMM. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
- HNC B in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
- HND BB. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
5 Years
Sep
Tuition fees
Domestic
9,790 GBP
International
25,808 GBP
Scholarships
IMechE Scholarships (for Mechanical Engineers)
IMechE Scholarships (for Mechanical Engineers)
Master
Bachelors
Open
Value
$21800
Deadline
31 Aug 2026
Application requirements
QS Event Attendance is NOT required
Entry requirements
Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University Expenses Bursary
Heriot-Watt University Expenses Bursary
Bachelors
Master
Open
Value
$525
Deadline
31 Aug 2026
Application requirements
QS Event Attendance is NOT required
Entry requirements
Heriot-Watt University
IMechE Scholarships (for Mechanical Engineers)
IMechE Scholarships (for Mechanical Engineers)
Bachelors
Master
Open
Value
$218000
Deadline
31 Aug 2026
Application requirements
QS Event Attendance is NOT required
Entry requirements
Heriot-Watt University
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