MChem, 4 years, UCAS: F151
Typical A level offer: AAB
Subject overview
Why chemistry?
Chemistry is fundamental: it is the enabling science that underlies many advances of modern society from genetics to human health and from environmental control to information technology. A chemistry degree allows you to understand and to contribute to our future.
Chemistry is challenging: understanding the very fabric of matter is both stimulating and rewarding. Studying chemistry gives you the confidence to attack and solve problems of many kinds.
Chemistry graduates are prepared for careers in the chemical industry, education and related professions. More fundamentally, the subject helps you develop skills attractive to any employer, such as problem solving, critical understanding and communication of ideas.
Why chemistry at Sussex?
Chemistry at Sussex was ranked 1st (97 per cent) and 5th (89 per cent) in the academic support and personal development categories. Our faculty are dedicated to excellence in both teaching and research and this is acknowledged by our students: we scored 92 per cent in the teaching category of the 2012 National Student Survey (NSS).
Chemistry at Sussex was ranked in the top 15 in the UK in The Times Good University Guide 2013 and in the top 25 in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2014 and The Complete University Guide 2014.
Chemistry at Sussex is renowned for its world-leading research. We have had two Nobel laureates on our faculty in the recent past and in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), 95 per cent of our chemistry research was rated as recognised internationally or higher, and over half rated as internationally excellent or higher. You can apply for a summer placement to get involved in research from Year 1. As an MChem student, you will be a member of a research team exploring the frontiers of chemical knowledge.
Our BSc/MChem in Chemistry and MChem in Chemistry (with an industrial placement year) are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and incorporate the most up-to-date scientific advances. Accredited courses satisfy the academic requirements for the award of Chartered Chemist (CChem). Sussex and the RSC have strong links with the local community and beyond.
The optional industrial placement year available to MChem students will allow you to experience a year working in industry, and will equip you with a range of transferable skills, enhancing your employability.
We have an active student chemical society called C60, which will help you network through events, trips and other activities.
MChem or BSc?
At Sussex, we offer four-year MChem and three-year BSc Chemistry degrees. The first three years are core to both degrees and MChem students have the option to study abroad or spend up to one year away from the University on an industrial placement, in addition to fourth-year modules and a year-long research project enabling you to gain cutting-edge lab experience and deepen your knowledge in specialist topics at the forefront of chemical research.
There are several opportunities, up until the beginning of your third year, to transfer from the BSc to the MChem (providing you achieve a minimum threshold) or from the MChem to the BSc. This gives you a great deal of flexibility, enabling you to take your studies as far as you wish. The BSc degree is for you if you wish to study the full breadth of chemistry as a route to a range of other careers. An MChem degree is aimed at students who wish to become professional chemists and specialise in particular areas at the frontiers of chemical knowledge.
Applicants unsure about whether to do an MChem or a BSc should opt initially for the MChem. If your eventual A level grades meet the offer level for a BSc but not an MChem, we will automatically offer you a place on the BSc degree.
Programme content
A good understanding of the basic principles of physical, inorganic and organic chemistry is key to modern thinking in drug discovery and design. This course is for you if you wish to specialise in medicinal chemistry and modern drug discovery and aim for a career in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
This course comprises modern principles of drug design and current methods that are actively applied in successful research groups. Sussex has unique expertise in this area: our world-leading scientists in the Translational Drug Discovery Group work closely with industry experts in their field.
The degree involves an initial two years of intensive study in chemistry, covering all the principles of organic, inorganic, physical and applied chemistry. This is followed by two years of specialist study in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. In the final year, the extended project will take the form of either a placement opportunity within a biotech/pharmaceutical company or working as part of a live drug discovery project ongoing at the University.
This course is subject to validation.
Entry requirements
Sussex welcomes applications from students of all ages who show evidence of the academic maturity and broad educational background that suggests readiness to study at degree level. For most students, this will mean formal public examinations; details of some of the most common qualifications we accept are shown below. If you are an overseas student, refer to Applicants from outside the UK.
All teaching at Sussex is in the English language. If your first language is not English, you will also need to demonstrate that you meet our English language requirements.
A level
Typical offer: AAB
Specific entry requirements: A levels must include Chemistry, at least grade B. Successful applicants will also need GCSE (or equivalent) Mathematics and either Chemistry or Double Science, with at least grade B.
International Baccalaureate
Typical offer: 35 points overall
Specific entry requirements: Higher Levels must include Chemistry, with a grade of 6.
For more information refer to International Baccalaureate.
Other qualifications
Access to HE Diploma
Typical offer: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher.
Specific entry requirements: The Access to HE Diploma will need to be in Science and contain substantial amounts of Level 3 credit in Chemistry. Applicants may wish to consider taking A level Chemistry in addition to the Access to HE Diploma. You will also need GCSE (or equivalent) Mathematics and either Chemistry or Double Science, grade B.
For more information refer to Access to HE Diploma.
Advanced Diploma
Typical offer: Pass with grade A in the Diploma and A in the Additional and Specialist Learning.
Specific entry requirements: The Additional and Specialist Learning must be an A-level in Chemistry. Successful applicants will also need GCSE (or equivalent) Mathematics and either Chemistry or Double Science, grade B.
For more information refer to Advanced Diploma.
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma
Typical offer: DDD
Specific entry requirements: Successful applicants will need an A-level in Chemistry, grade B, in addition to the BTEC National Diploma; as well as GCSE (or equivalent) Mathematics and either Chemistry or Double Science, grade B.
For more information refer to BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.
European Baccalaureate
Typical offer: Overall result of 80%
Specific entry requirements: Evidence of existing academic ability in Chemistry is essential (normally with a final grade of at least 8.0).
For more information refer to European Baccalaureate.
Finnish Ylioppilastutkinto
Typical offer: Overall average result in the final matriculation examinations of at least 6.5.
Specific entry requirements: Evidence of existing academic ability in Chemistry is essential.
French Baccalauréat
Typical offer: Overall final result of at least 13.5/20
Specific entry requirements: Successful students will need to be taking the science strand within the French Baccalauréat with a good result (12/20) in Chemistry.
German Abitur
Typical offer: Overall result of 1.5 or better
Specific entry requirements: Successful applicants will need a very good final result in Chemistry (at least 12/15).
Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher level)
Typical offer: AAAABB
Specific entry requirements: Highers will need to include Chemistry, normally grade A.
Italian Diploma di Maturità or Diploma Pass di Esame di Stato
Typical offer: Final Diploma mark of at least 92/100
Specific entry requirements: Evidence of existing academic ability in Chemistry is essential.
Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers
Typical offer: AAABB
Specific entry requirements: Highers must include Chemistry, grade B. Ideally, applicants will also have an Advanced Higher in Chemistry (grade B). Successful applicants will also need Mathematics and Chemistry at Standard Grade, grade 2.
For more information refer to Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers.
Spanish Titulo de Bachillerato (LOGSE)
Typical offer: Overall average result of at least 8.5
Specific entry requirements: Evidence of existing academic ability in Chemistry is essential.
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma
Typical offer: Pass the Core plus at least AA in two A-levels
Specific entry requirements: A levels must include Chemistry. Successful applicants will also need GCSE (or eqvivalent) Mathematics and either Chemistry or Double Science, grade B.
For more information refer to Welsh Baccalaureate.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with not less than 6.0 in each section. Internet-based TOEFL with 88 overall, with at least 20 in Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking and 23 in Writing.
For more information, refer to alternative English language requirements.
For more information about the admissions process at Sussex:
Undergraduate Admissions,
Sussex House,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 678416
F +44 (0)1273 678545
E ug.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
Related subjects
Fees and funding
Fees
Home/EU students: £9,0001
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £9,0002
Overseas students: £16,2003
1 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
2 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
3 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
To find out about your fee status, living expenses and other costs, visit further financial information.
Funding
The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.
To find out more about funding and part-time work, visit further financial information.
Care Leavers Award (2013)
Region: UK
Level: UG
Application deadline: 31 July 2014
For students have been in council care before starting at Sussex.
First-Generation Scholars Scheme (2013)
Region: UK
Level: UG
Application deadline: 13 June 2014
The scheme is targeted to help students from relatively low income families – ie those whose family income is up to £42,611.
First-Generation Scholars Scheme EU Student Award (2013)
Region: Europe (Non UK)
Level: UG
Application deadline: 13 June 2014
£3,000 fee waiver for UG Non-UK EU students whose family income is below £25,000
Mrs Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship (2013)
Region: UK
Level: UG
Application deadline: 19 October 2013
£5000 paid over the length of the course
Careers and profiles
Career opportunities
The degree will equip you with both a solid grounding and high-level skills in chemistry, enabling you to work successfully in the medicinal chemistry and drug discovery industries. As a graduate, you will not only be able to pursue career options open to mainstream chemistry graduates, including research degrees in pure organic chemistry, but you will also be equipped to enter medicinal chemistry research positions in any sector.
Careers and employability
For employers, it’s not so much what you know, but what you can do with your knowledge that counts. The experience and skills you’ll acquire during and beyond your studies will make you an attractive prospect. Initiatives such as SussexPlus, delivered by the Careers and Employability Centre, help you turn your skills to your career advantage. It’s good to know that 94 per cent of our graduates are in work or further study (Which? University).
For more information on the full range of initiatives that make up our career and employability plan for students, visit Careers and alumni.
Contact our School
School of Life Sciences
The School of Life Sciences provides an exciting and attractive environment for learning and research, with a thriving international community of students and academics.
How do I find out more?
For more information, contact:
School of Life Sciences,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9QJ, UK
E lifesci@sussex.ac.uk
T +44 (0)1273 678057
Chemistry
Visit us
Campus tours
We offer weekly guided campus tours.
Mature students at Sussex: information sessions
If you are 21 or over, and thinking about starting an undergraduate degree at Sussex, you may want to attend one of our mature student information sessions. Running between October and December, they include guidance on how to approach your application, finance and welfare advice, plus a guided campus tour with one of our current mature students.
Self-guided visits
If you are unable to make any of the visit opportunities listed, drop in Monday to Friday year round and collect a self-guided tour pack from Sussex House reception.
Go to Visit us and Open Days to book onto one of our tours.
Hannah's perspective
'Studying at Sussex gave me so many opportunities to really throw myself into university life, and being taught by enthusiastic academic staff who are involved in ground-breaking research meant that the education I received was second to none.
'Coming to an Open Day gave me a great insight into both academic and social life at Sussex. Working here means that I now get to tell others about my experiences and share all the great things about the University. And if you can’t make it to our Open Days, we’ve other opportunities to visit, or you can visit our Facebook page and our Visit us and Open Days pages.'
Hannah Steele
Graduate Intern, Student Recruitment Services
Aaron-Leslie's perspective
'Leaving home to study at Sussex was an exciting new experience, and settling in came naturally with all the different activities on campus throughout the year. There are loads of facilities available on your doorstep, both the Library and the gym are only ever a short walk away.
'My experience at Sussex has been amazing. It's a really friendly campus, the academics are helpful, and Brighton is just around the corner. I now work as a student ambassador, and help out at Open Days, sharing all the things I've grown to love about Sussex!'
Aaron-Leslie Williams
BSc in Mathematics