MChem CHEMISTRY WITH A YEAR ABROAD
MCHEM CHEMISTRY WITH A YEAR ABROAD
From the materials we make to the medicines we take, chemistry shapes our relationship with the world around us. So understanding how chemicals interact at a molecular level is not only fascinating, it’s also of critical importance.
Our Master’s course will provide the academic training you need to become a professional chemist. We are a leading centre for chemistry research in the UK, with 98% of our research ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014). Our cutting-edge research in chemical sciences underpins our teaching – through lectures, workshops, small group tutorials and practicals – ensuring your learning is at the forefront of scientific thought.
What’s more, by choosing to study abroad for a year, you’ll be exposed to teaching and research at an overseas university. The year will not only expand your academic approach to the subject, it will also be a valuable and rewarding experience both socially and culturally.
About
Following the central structure of our MChem Chemistry, this course allows you to spend a year studying overseas. The year abroad will not only expose you to different research and teaching techniques, it will also give you the opportunity to be absorbed into university life within a different culture.
You can choose from a broad range of partner universities in North America, Europe, Australasia, or Asia, where you’ll study advanced level modules from the core subjects of physical, inorganic and organic chemistry, as well as elective modules to suit your interests, all under the guidance of the Year Abroad director or your academic adviser.
A Master’s in Chemistry is the degree you should choose if you aspire to becoming a professional chemist. Our four-year Master’s course will give you the in-depth academic training you need to follow this career path.
A key benefit to our MChem course is the emphasis we place on laboratory-based teaching, and the development of practical skills. Your lab work will include synthesis of new compounds, characterisation of these compounds by spectroscopic methods, and the study of their individual properties.
In the final two years of your degree, you’ll tailor your study to specialise in the areas that reflect your interests and career aspirations. You’ll also undertake an individual research project.

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Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
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Placement Year and Study Abroad
You’ll spend your third year studying overseas in a university in North America, Australasia, or Asia, where you’ll study advanced core chemistry, as well as elective modules to further your interests. And you’ll have a Year Abroad director or academic adviser to guide you throughout.
For further details, visit the Study Abroad section of our website.

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After the Course
What are your career options after Chemistry?
A better question might be what career options are not open to you after chemistry, as you’ll see from the huge range of careers that our graduates have followed.
Our chemistry degrees provide the skills that employers are looking for – high level subject knowledge combined with problem solving, IT, analytical skills, instrumentation, time management, organisation, and team and individual work.
UEA Chemistry has been ranked 1st for career prospects in The Guardian 2020 and again 1st for graduate prospects in the Complete University Guide 2022.
Many of our graduates secure positions in emerging chemistry industries, such as Iceni Diagnostics (a UEA spin off company developing lateral flow test technology, including for Covid-19), and leading pharmaceutical companies (Glaxo SmithKline, AkzoNobel or Sanofi), chemical and advanced technology companies (Johnson Matthey, Dell or British Airways) with roles in research, management, product development and quality control.
Others have used their chemistry degree to pursue more diverse career options. These range from further research degrees (MSc or PhD) towards academic positions, to teaching training (PGCE) to become schoolteachers, through to careers in publishing (RSC and Wiley editors), computing (ANDigital) and even banking (Barclays), insurance (Aviva), and almost everything in between.
At UEA we have a great team to support graduates in securing excellent career starts through CareerCentral. In the School of Chemistry, our Director of Employability, Prof Richard Stephenson, coordinates internal and external events and makes sure that all additional key skills training elements are present in our curriculum from year 1, allowing Chemistry graduates to present a highly competitive CV. The skills training is embedded within our modules, especially in years 3 and 4, but, in addition, all students benefit from chemistry careers drop-in sessions and 1to1 guidance, plus chemistry specific employers events and fairs.
We also encourage our students to participate in the UEA award, which is a certificate from the University, recognising a range of extracurricular activities that students can undertake while at university, to help them develop other skills to become highly employable.
The Year in Industry option of the MChem degree provides extra practical experience in an industrial setting during your degree. We have strong links with industries in the UK and abroad. For example, in 2020, our students undertook placements in companies like AstraZeneca, OxfordBioMedica, Anglia DNA, Treatt, LGC, Makevale, Dermal, Airbus and Robinson Brothers, and one of our students went to ARCNL (Advance Research centre for Nanolithography) in Amsterdam.
To complement undergraduate studies, we offer a wide range of internships during the summer break (6-12 weeks) supported by the University and different funders, for students in their second and third year of their degrees. These provide additional opportunities to experience work and develop key skills in one of the many diverse research areas being pursued in the School of Chemistry.
“During the internship I have been exposed to a range of techniques such as bacterial transformation, recombinant protein expression and SDS-PAGE, all of which I would only have read about or been briefly introduced to in my undergraduate studies. I strongly suggest that if you are focused on research that you apply for as many experience opportunities as possible and refine your CV as best you can for that first interview.”- Jack Fendley, 2nd Year intern student, working on oligomerisation of the chlamydia protein TarP for cell invasion, with Dr Tharin Blumenschein over the summer 2021, funded by a Tim Pickup UEA Internship.
Career destinations
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
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Research scientist
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Healthcare
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Government
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Data analyst
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Academic
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Teacher

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Assessment for Year 1
We employ a range of assessment methods across our modules, evenly balanced between examinations and coursework.
Our methods include literature reviews, exams, essays, course tests, problem sheets, laboratory reports, and seminar presentations.
Assessment for Year 2
We employ a range of assessment methods across our modules, evenly balanced between examinations and coursework.
Our methods include literature reviews, exams, essays, course tests, problem sheets, laboratory reports, and seminar presentations.
Assessment for Year 4
We employ a range of assessment methods across our modules, evenly balanced between examinations and coursework.
Our methods include literature reviews, exams, essays, course tests, problem sheets, laboratory reports, and seminar presentations.
Assessment for Year 1
We employ a range of assessment methods across our modules, evenly balanced between examinations and coursework.
Our methods include literature reviews, exams, essays, course tests, problem sheets, laboratory reports, and seminar presentations.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. 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. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Assessment for Year 2
We employ a range of assessment methods across our modules, evenly balanced between examinations and coursework.
Our methods include literature reviews, exams, essays, course tests, problem sheets, laboratory reports, and seminar presentations.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. 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. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. 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. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Assessment for Year 4
We employ a range of assessment methods across our modules, evenly balanced between examinations and coursework.
Our methods include literature reviews, exams, essays, course tests, problem sheets, laboratory reports, and seminar presentations.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. 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. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Entry Requirements
A Levels
AAB or ABB with an A in the Extended Project including ChemistryT Levels
No acceptable pathways for 2022 entry.BTEC
DDD in Applied Science, or Applied Science (Medical Science) is acceptable. Excludes BTEC Public Services or Forensic Science.Scottish highers
AAAAA including ChemistryScottish highers advanced
BBC including ChemistryIrish leaving certificate
4 subjects at H2 and 2 subjects at H3 including ChemistryAccess course
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3 including 12 credits of ChemistryEuropean Baccalaureate
Overall 80% with at least 7 in ChemistryInternational Baccalaureate
33 points including HL5 in ChemistryGCSE offer
You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.Additional entry requirements
A-Level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted. Science A Levels must include a pass in the practical element.
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as
BSc Chemistry with a Foundation Year
BSc Biochemistry with a Foundation Year
Applicants without traditional A levels e.g. those with Access or BTEC qualifications may be asked to complete a chemistry test at the University during the summer. Information concerning the content of the chemistry test will be made available to such applicants.
INTO UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA
If you do not meet the academic and/or English requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO University of East Anglia offers guaranteed progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree:
International Foundation in Pharmacy Health and Life Science
International Foundation in Physical Sciences and Engineering
Alternative Entry Requirements
UEA recognises that some students take a mixture of International Baccalaureate IB or International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme IBCP study rather than the full diploma, taking Higher levels in addition to A levels and/or BTEC qualifications. At UEA we do consider a combination of qualifications for entry, provided a minimum of three qualifications are taken at a higher Level. In addition some degree programmes require specific subjects at a higher level.
Important note
Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
Students for whom english is a 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 all components) for year 1 entry
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IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components) for year 2 entry
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Please click here to see our full list.
INTO University of East Anglia
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
Interviews
Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Track. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.
Gap year
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
Intakes
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.

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Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
See our Tuition Fees page for further information.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds.
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course related costs
You are eligible for reduced fees during your year abroad. Further details are available on our Tuition Fee website.
There will be extra costs related to items such as travel and accommodation during your year abroad, which will vary depending on location.
View our information about Additional Course Fees.

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How to Apply
Applications need to be made via the Universities Colleges and Admissions Services (UCAS), using the UCAS Apply option.
UCAS Apply is an online application system that allows you to apply for full-time Undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom. It is made up of different sections that you need to complete. Your application does not have to be completed all at once. The application allows you to leave a section partially completed so you can return to it later and add to or edit any information you have entered. Once your application is complete, it is sent to UCAS so that they can process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.

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Career Options After Chemistry

We’re 4th for research impact!

UEA Award

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Career Options After Chemistry
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