University College London, University of London

What you'll study

Research themes cover physical, organic, inorganic and computational chemistry. Specific research areas listed by the department include:

• Biocatalysis and synthetic biology
• Bionanotechnology
• Chemical biology and drug discovery
• Chemical modification and synthesis of proteins and complex peptides
• Chemical sensors and gas-phase electrochemistry
• Chemistry in interst...

Students learn technical laboratory and research skills from supervisors and group members, attend group meetings and departmental seminars, and are encouraged to present at internal and external conferences. Progress is assessed by an upgrade from MPhil to PhD and, on completion, by an oral examination of the thesis by internal and external examiners.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally hold a UK Master’s in Chemistry, or an MSci or MChem with upper second-class honours, or an overseas qualification of equivalent standard. Candidates holding only a Bachelor’s degree are not normally accepted except in exceptional circumstances. English language requirements and ATAS clearance may apply; international applicants should consult country-specific equivalency information provided by the department.

Career prospects

Graduates move into academic and non-academic roles. Department survey data report 88% of graduates in work or further study 15 months after graduation. Approximately 26% continue in postdoctoral or university staff positions, ~15% enter industrial scientific research and ~14% take manufacturing-related roles; others move into IT, telecoms, accountancy, law, publishing and teaching. Recent alumni have taken postdoctoral posts at institutions such as Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, Stanford and Geneva, and roles in industry and national laboratories.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Funding and scholarship details are not listed on this page; prospective applicants should check departmental and university funding pages. The published UK tuition fee for 2026/27 is 6,400 for this programme; applications are accepted on a rolling basis and should be submitted at least three months before your preferred start date.