Postgraduate Courses in Chemistry

If you’re looking to pursue a career in the field of chemistry, your search for the right postgraduate course starts here.

We have gathered information that might help you on your journey.

Take a look!

What is chemistry?

Chemistry is the science that deals with the properties, composition and structure of compounds and elements composed of atoms, molecules and ions. Chemistry is broken up into five sub-disciplines. They are Organic, Inorganic, Analytical, Physical and Biochemistry. 

Courses

There are many postgraduate courses in chemistry. Some offer the opportunity to study either full time or part time. Examples of courses available are:

Materials Chemistry

A postgraduate course in materials chemistry will allow students to gain an understanding of core areas such as polymer chemistry, inorganic materials chemistry, supramolecular chemistry and nanochemistry chemistry.

Chemistry: Secondary with Qualified Teacher Status

If you want to take your career into the education field, these courses will help develop teachers who can effectively teach students, help them to learn about the subject and inspire the next generation of teachers and potential scientists. A course like this one prepares students to teach Key Stage 3 and Stage 4 Chemistry as a component of the Secondary School curriculum. 

Pharmaceutical Chemistry 

These courses are aimed at graduates who wish to tailor their expertise to develop a career in the pharmaceutical industry. A main focus in such courses are areas such as formulation and medicinal chemistry as well as adapting the skills desired in the pharmaceutical industry. 

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements can differ from course to course and university to university. However, when looking for a postgraduate degree to suit you, you must have an undergraduate degree in chemistry or related fields such as chemical engineering, materials science, biochemistry and others similar. In some courses, a 2.1 degree is required while others may require a 2.2 degree. 

The requirements for each course will differ so it is important to research in detail. More information can be found online on university websites and course overviews. 

Job options

• Academic researcher
• Analytical chemist
• Chemical engineer
• Biotechnologist
• Clinical scientist 
• Research scientist 
• Teacher/Professor

Potential employers

• Pharmaceuticals
• Agrochemicals
• Petrochemicals
• Universities 
• Environmental consultancies 

Salary expectation 

Your salary depends completely on what route you take with your degree. For example, if you take the education route, a postdoctoral researchers’ salary can range from £27,000 to £39,000. If you took another route such as becoming a chemical engineer, you could earn up to £54,000 with experience. Salaries often increase with experience. 

Skills and requirements

• Strong communication skills – written and verbal 
• Strong research and analysis skills
• Problem solver
• Good time management and organisation skills
• Work well with others
• Trust your own initiative
• Knowledge of IT and technology
• An interest and understanding of chemistry