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Chemistry, Pharmacology and Drug Discovery at UEA
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Find out moreMSc Advanced Organic Chemistry with a Placement Year
Key details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2027
Course options
Other Start Dates
Gain a competitive edge with a placement year
This course is also available with an integrated placement year, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable UK industry experience alongside your master's degree
Other Start Dates
Course Overview
Why MSc Advanced Organic Chemistry with a placement year at UEA?
Take your organic chemistry expertise to the next level through advanced training, hands-on research and professional experience. Strengthen your practical skills to prepare for a career in industry or research.
Why choose UEA
- Cutting-edge research: Work on an original research project in an active research group using the latest instrumentation.
- Advanced expertise: Develop your knowledge of modern organic chemistry alongside real-world problem-solving skills valued by employers.
- Exciting placements: Spend a placement year gaining practical experience and developing skills to enhance your future career
What is MSc Advanced Organic Chemistry with a Placement Year?
Train to be at the forefront of organic chemistry and prepare for a career in industry or PhD study. You’ll explore organic chemistry and its interdisciplinary connections with catalysis, advanced materials science, biochemistry and medicinal chemistry. Through advanced lectures and seminars, you’ll study areas including synthesis, stereochemistry, medicinal chemistry, natural products, catalysis, organometallics and spectroscopy.
You’ll gain hands-on experience in advanced synthesis techniques and undertake a substantial original research project. Working alongside experienced supervisors and researchers, you’ll develop the practical and analytical skills needed for advanced research.
Your research will address current challenges and contribute to new knowledge, with opportunities to publish your work and support innovation where possible. You’ll also gain valuable industry experience through a compulsory work placement in your second year, applying your knowledge and developing professional skills in a real-world setting. You’ll receive dedicated support to help you secure a relevant placement and make the most of the experience.
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Placement Year
An industry work placement is a compulsory part of the programme and takes place in your second year. During the first semester, you’ll continue with the structured employability programme while looking for a suitable placement.
Placements typically last eight to ten months and are usually with a UK organisation. You’ll have dedicated support from the University and our award-winning placement partner, from identifying suitable opportunities through to securing your placement.
While finding a placement is ultimately your responsibility, you won’t have to do it alone. Your academic team and our specialist placement partner will provide guidance throughout the process, helping you develop your applications, prepare for interviews and improve your chances of securing a paid placement in a relevant sector.
If you’re unable to secure a placement, or don’t meet the academic requirements for the placement route, you’ll instead complete three employer-led industry projects with different UK organisations through one of UEA’s placement partners. You’ll work on live business challenges, gaining practical experience and developing professional skills that you can take into your future career.
Whichever route you follow, you’ll graduate with valuable, career-focused experience to enhance your CV and support your career development.
Find out more about the Placement Year.
Careers
Career Pathways
With a MSc in Advanced Organic Chemistry with a Placement Year, you could develop a career as a:
- Research and Development Chemist: Develop and test new chemicals, materials and processes across the chemical industry
- Medicinal Chemist: Design and develop new compounds for potential use in medicines and pharmaceutical products
- Cosmetic Scientist: Develop and test formulations and ingredients for cosmetic and personal care products
- Process Chemist: Develop efficient and sustainable processes for producing chemicals and other products at scale
- Synthetic Chemist: Design and synthesise chemical compounds for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other specialist industries
Career Support
At UEA, Career Central supports you with finding job opportunities, including internships. You can access online resources and receive support and guidance from the very start of your studies. In our school, the Director of Employability also coordinates internal and external employability events. Employability relevant transferable skills are embedded in our curriculum. You’ll benefit from careers drop-in sessions and one-to-one guidance, plus employer events and fairs.
After the Course
You’ll graduate with the advanced knowledge, practical skills and research experience to pursue a rewarding career in the chemical industry. Alternatively, you could continue your studies with a PhD in organic chemistry. Our graduates have an excellent track record, progressing to a wide range of roles across industry and academia.
Study and Modules
Structure
During this course, you'll take general and advanced lecture courses. We specifically select subject areas to enhance your training on techniques and knowledge that are in high demand in the medicinal/pharmaceutical, agrochemical, advanced technology, specialty, and fine organic chemicals industries.
You'll study subjects such as synthesis, stereochemistry, medicinal chemistry and natural products, catalysis, organometallics, and spectroscopy through advanced lectures and seminars, each assessed by short answer coursework (problem solving) exercises.
There is a large laboratory component of the course, which runs throughout the working year. You’ll start with a programme of advanced laboratory exercises and experiments designed to provide realistic training in experimental chemistry by building on basic preparative skills.
Following this, you’ll work on a research project, which will be assessed through a written dissertation and oral presentation. Some examples of previous dissertation titles include:
- Gold catalysed syntheses of complex heterocyclic systems
- Fluorescent labelling of nanobody fragments for ultrafast detection of viral particles
- Extending the utility of palladium in cross-coupling reactions
- Allylic amine kinetic resolution
- New organic materials based on phthalocyanines and porphyrins
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
In your second year, you’ll put your skills into practice through one or more real-world placements. You’ll gain valuable industry experience, build professional connections and develop the skills to stand out to future employers.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
You’ll learn from experienced lecturers and research group leaders alongside students studying integrated Master’s courses and postgraduate researchers in organic chemistry.
During your laboratory training, you’ll benefit from direct supervision from experienced researchers and faculty supervisors. Your supervisors will also lead your seminars and direct the research project (dissertation) element of your course and independent study. Alongside your formal teaching, you’ll join an organic chemistry research group led by experienced supervisors. This will give you the chance to develop your research training and fully integrate into the graduate student community. You’ll also have frequent one-to-one meetings with your supervisor.
Assessment
A key part of the assessment for this course will be your original research project. You’ll get support throughout your research from an experienced supervisor, who will also guide you in preparing your final dissertation and presentation.
Alongside this, you’ll hand in periodic coursework to help us assess your understanding of lecture material and write short reports to help us assess your laboratory training.
You’ll get written feedback on your work as well as direct feedback sessions with your faculty leader to give you the chance to ask questions and agree on areas to focus on.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2.
Degree Subject
Chemistry or a related joint discipline (depending on content).
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Chemistry or a related joint discipline (depending on content).
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in each component)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
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UK Students: £15,800
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International Students: £32,200
If you choose to take this course with a placement year, your tuition fees for the first year will be as shown above. An additional fee of £3,500 will apply for the placement year (see our FAQs page for further details).
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships(opens in a new window); please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see additional course fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form(opens in a new window).
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk(opens in a new window)
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.