Medicinal and Biological Chemistry MChem

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Chemistry

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

FC1R

Award

MChem

Duration of study

4 years, 5 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

King's Buildings campus

Start date

September 2026

School

School of Chemistry

College

College of Science and Engineering

Study abroad

Available

Accreditation

Available

Placement

Available

Second year entry

Available

Open days and events

About the degree programme

Medicinal and Biological Chemistry aims to understand biological mechanisms and processes of atoms and molecules.

The importance of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry

Through understanding the tools of synthetic chemistry and genetic manipulation, we can design and deliver pharmaceutical interventions.

You will learn how new insights into the molecular basis of diseases are being combined with advances in chemistry, biology and nanotechnology.

You will understand how these advances are helping to create new generations of innovative therapeutics.

This degree programme provides the framework for understanding how biological molecules work together in networks and pathways. This comes from a solid foundation in chemistry, cell and molecular biology, from the basics to the cutting-edge of today's research.

The programme focuses on the range of analytical and experimental skills necessary to practice the subject. It also provides insight into research through a final-year research project.

Studying chemistry at the University of Edinburgh

What do our students think?

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme takes 5 years to complete.

If you are eligible for a direct entry into the second year, this programme takes 4 years to complete.

Programme rankings

  • 6th in the Complete University Guide 2025
  • 7th in The Times Good University Guide 2025
  • 12th in the UK in The Guardian Subject Rankings 2025

Programme benefits

  • All our chemistry programmes are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
  • You will have the opportunity to combine the study of chemistry with a wide range of other subjects in Years 1 and 2.
  • The School of Chemistry scored 75% in the National Student Survey 2024 for overall student satisfaction.

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for MChem (Hons) Medicinal and Biological Chemistry

View the tuition fees for one academic year of MChem (Hons) Medicinal and Biological Chemistry.

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

You will need a white lab coat, which cost £15 in 2024.

You should also buy three core textbooks in Year 1, which cost around £185 in 2024.

If you are on placement, you may have to spend money on travel. If you are on industrial placement, you will be paid a salary by your host company.

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

Featured funding

Chemistry Tercentenary Access Bursary

Access bursaries have been available for UK students of outstanding potential who started their studies in 2023, 2024 and 2025 academic years at the School of Chemistry. Please check the website for the latest opportunities.

Value: £2,000 per year

What you will study

In the early years, you will study core courses in chemistry and mathematics.

In addition, there is also a flexible curriculum to suit your personal interests. This means you may be able to combine courses in other sciences, arts or humanities with your core chemistry content. This flexibility means you may be able to potentially transfer to an alternative degree programme within science or engineering at the end of Year 1.

You will specialise in medicinal and biological chemistry from Year 2 onwards.

You will specialise in Year 4, through your combination of advanced lecture course topics. You will also develop greater leadership and organisational skills through group-based learning and open-ended projects.

In your final year, you will gain hands-on experience of research and carry out an in-depth individual research project with a choice of location and context.

Second year entry

We have incorporated flexibility into our programme structures. These include the option to change between Bachelors or Masters and potentially choosing entry into Year 1 or Year 2. You can discuss this with your student support adviser and academic cohort lead early in Semester 1.

You will spend about a third of Year 1 in:

  • chemistry lectures
  • laboratory classes in the state of the art Nucleus building
  • tutorials with a high staff-to-student ratio

You will also take a mathematics course.

You can choose the rest of your curriculum from a wide range of courses offered by the University.

Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You will continue with your chemistry course, which will take up about a third of your time.

You will also take:

  • Biological Chemistry 2
  • Chemical Pharmacology 2
  • Data-Driven Chemistry

You can select one option course in Year 2.

Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You will study two lecture-based chemistry courses that provide a foundation for the remaining honours years.

You will also take a laboratory course to develop your practical skills.

Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

In your penultimate year, you will take three lecture courses and choose two more courses from a range of advanced topics.

You will also take a laboratory-based research training course to prepare for your final year project.

Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You can do one of the following:

  • work on a project in one of our cutting-edge research groups
  • join a research group in one of our partner universities around the world
  • apply to take a paid industrial placement at one of our industrial partner companies
Find Year 5 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Study abroad

You can include a year-long placement with one of our partner chemistry departments at a range of universities overseas.

Year abroad locations include:

  • USA
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Singapore
  • Hong Kong
  • Taiwan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • many European countries

Study and Work Away Service

Placements

You can include a full-year paid placement in industry or take a research project with one of our partner universities around the world as part of your MChem programme.

Your placement will form the final year of your programme.

Placements may be in the UK or overseas and include research institutes or companies such as:

  • Unilever
  • Akzo Nobel
  • Glaxo Smith Kline
  • Astra Zeneca
  • Procter and Gamble

Each year, around 75% of MChem students carry out one of these industrial or year abroad placements.

If you do not take one of these options, you will complete a final year research project with one of our cutting-edge research groups in Edinburgh.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will be taught through:

  • lectures
  • laboratory classes
  • problem-solving workshops
  • tutorials with a high staff-to-student ratio
How long should I study?

In your first two years, you will have 20 hours per week of timetabled study.

You should also dedicate 15 hours to prepare for:

  • tutorials
  • writing lab reports
  • private study

In later years, you will experience more practical learning and research project work.

What skills will I gain?

All our programmes include:

  • training, practice, and feedback in communication skills
  • teamwork and collaboration
  • exposure to the latest technology of scientific information retrieval and organisation

As you produce posters, reports and a final year thesis, you will develop skills in:

  • written communication
  • report writing
  • IT
  • oral presentation skills (from formal presentations)

You will also gain practical skills and learn about the safety aspects of laboratory work and risk assessment as part of the programme.

You will build on these skills through a full-time research project in the final year, carried out either in an academic or industrial context.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of:

  • coursework
  • reports on laboratory practicals
  • presentations
  • exams
  • assessment of your final year research project

This is an example of what your timetable could look like in Semester 1 of Year 1 of chemistry if you took, for example, biology as your outside subject. There is flexibility in the other courses you can study. You can discuss this with your academic cohort lead and student adviser.

You have to do 20 credits of Chemistry 1A, 20 credits of mathematics and then an optional 20 credits of electives (Biology 1A in this example).

Monday
  • 9am to 9:50am Chemistry 1A (lecture)
  • 2:10pm to 3pm Biology 1A: Variation (lecture)
  • 3:30pm to 5pm Chemistry 1A (tutorial)
Tuesday
  • 9am to 9:50am Biology 1A (lecture)
  • 12:10pm to 1pm Mathematics for the Natural Sciences 1A (lecture)
  • 2:10pm to 5pm Chemistry 1A (lab session)
Wednesday
  • 9am to 9:50am Chemistry 1A (lecture)
  • 10am to 10:50am Mathematics for the Natural Sciences 1A (workshop)
  • 2:10pm to 4pm Biology 1A (workshop)
Thursday
  • 9am to 9:50am Chemistry 1A (lecture)
  • 10am to 1pm Biology 1A (practical)
  • 1:10pm to 2pm Mathematics for the Natural Sciences (lecture)
Friday
  • 9am to 9:50am Chemistry 1A (lecture)
  • 10am to 10:50am Mathematics for the Natural Sciences (lecture)
  • 2:10pm to 3pm Biology 1A (lecture)

Support for your studies

You will be assigned a student adviser, who is part of the Chemistry Student Support Team. This will be your named contact in the school which means you can contact them for support throughout your studies. Your adviser will help you matriculate each year and enrol you on your option courses.

Your student adviser is there to meet with you throughout the year if you would like to discuss any questions or worries you may have during your studies. They will listen non-judgementally and will work with you to provide any information, advice and support you need. They can also signpost you to specialist support services and staff.

You can contact them by email, Microsoft Teams and in person throughout the year for support.

Academic support and guidance

You will also be assigned an academic cohort lead. This is an academic member of staff in the school who is familiar with your area of study.

Throughout the year, your cohort lead will meet with you and your fellow classmates (your ‘cohort’) to support your academic development through drop-ins, study skills advice as well as events and activities specific to your degree.

Where you will study

Study location

All teaching and labs are based at the King's Buildings campus with Year 1 chemistry labs taking place in the Nucleus building.

The King's Buildings campus is around 15 minutes from central Edinburgh by bus.

Academic facilities

You will have access to:

  • research laboratories
  • the University's libraries
  • computer facilities

Find out more about the Nucleus Building

Virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the School of Chemistry and explore our facilities and campus on the University's Virtual Visit site.

Take a virtual tour of the School of Chemistry

View panoramas of the School of Chemistry

Accreditation

This degree programme is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). It fulfils the academic requirements for Chartered Chemist (CChem).

RSC development information for Chartered Chemists

Royal Society of Chemistry accredited degree

Career paths

A degree in chemistry is a wise choice for your future employability and earning potential.

Employability of chemistry graduates

Medicinal and Biological Chemistry graduates find careers in a range of technology sectors and industries, such as:

  • chemical
  • pharmaceutical
  • biotechnological

They also use their strong numerical, problem-solving and analytical skills in sectors such as:

  • business
  • banking
  • accountancy
  • marketing
  • advertising

Careers Service

The Careers Service works closely with students and staff within the school to help you to:

  • review what you have done
  • explore your options
  • plan next steps
  • chart progress along the way

Support, which you can access throughout your studies and for two years after graduation, includes:

  • tailored careers advice
  • one-to-one appointments and practice interviews
  • a comprehensive range of workshops and careers fairs
  • access to a range of online resources
  • help to find work while you study and after you graduate

Visit the Careers Service website

Further study

Many of our graduates progress to a higher degree, typically a PhD.

Graduate profiles

Read our undergraduate alumni profiles to find out more about their student experience and their careers.

School of Chemistry graduate profiles

Our global alumni network

We have a diverse community of alumni spread across the world. In the School of Chemistry, we provide opportunities for you to connect with this global network during your studies through panel discussions, workshops and dedicated online communities.

From getting to know Edinburgh to transitioning to life after graduation, you will benefit from the valuable insights of our supportive School of Chemistry alumni.

Corrie Scott

Degree: MChem Medicinal and Biological Chemistry

Year of graduation: 2019

I chose to come to Edinburgh as for me it was a perfect place to combine getting a great degree alongside an amazing sporting university, especially for my sport. The University enabled me to balance both my swimming and academic ambitions by allowing me to take time out of university to focus on major competitions like the Commonwealth Games which allowed me to win a bronze medal at Glasgow 2014 during my university career.

The ability to do a year in industry placement during my degree allowed me to develop confidence as to what kind of role best suited me and hence, what kind of jobs I would like to apply for post-university.

Alumni profile Corrie Scott

Sam Shand

Degree: MChem Medicinal and Biological Chemistry

Year of graduation: 2015

For me, the experience of being a student really got going once I had established a core group of course pals by the end of 1st year. I remember always thinking the teaching and lab sessions were top quality and engaging, though the standout feature of the programme was definitely pastoral care.

The personal highlight of the course was the year abroad at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. Between researching, experiencing Singapore and travelling the region, it was a perspective-changing experience which really helped me understand the type of person I am - I would recommend it to everyone! Some of my fellow-travellers during that year at NTU are now some of my dearest friends.

Alumni profile Sam Shand

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents  

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

What our students say

The chemistry programme here is tailored for the future of science, with programming and data analysis taught from year 1. I feel well-prepared for my 5th year in either industry or academia because of excellent teaching and opportunities to harness my transferable skills.

Vilte Juozokaite 4th year MChem Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, President of the Chemistry Society (ChemSoc)

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sports clubs

Chemistry Society (ChemSoc)

The Chemistry Society (ChemSoc) is here to catalyse the bond formation between chemists alike. The society organises both academic talks and social events, with an end of semester ceilidh and games night with professors being hits in previous years.

You will be able to meet like-minded peers in mixer events and be a part of the oldest chemistry society in the world. ChemSoc also organise the iconic end of year ChemBall.

ChemSoc

Chemistry Academic Families (CAcFams)

Chemistry Academic Families (CAcFams) is an inter-year group where you are sorted into families with 'parents' from Year 3 and Year 4.

It is a great opportunity for you to get involved in the chemistry community and meet chemistry students from both your year and other years who will be able to give advice on all aspects of university life.

CAcFams

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

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It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

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