MChem Chemistry with Placement

5 Years On Campus Accelerated-bachelors Program

Heriot Watt University Edinburgh

Program Overview

The MChem Chemistry with Placement degree at Heriot-Watt University gives you the perfect mix of in-depth chemistry knowledge and valuable real-world experience. You’ll not only explore the fascinating science behind molecules and reactions but also spend a year working in industry or abroad—gaining the kind of hands-on skills that employers truly value.

Curriculum Structure:
Year 1: You’ll start by building a strong foundation in chemistry through courses like Principles of Chemistry, Chemical Applications 1 & 2, and Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists. This first year helps you understand how chemistry explains the world around us while you develop key lab and problem-solving skills.

Year 2: You’ll dive deeper into the subject with modules such as Atomic & Molecular Structure and Chemical Bonding, Organic Structural Identification & Reaction Mechanisms, and Chemical Thermodynamics & Kinetics. These subjects reveal how atoms bond, how reactions happen, and how we can measure and predict chemical behaviour.

Year 3: This year strengthens your technical expertise with topics like Organometallic Chemistry and NMR Spectroscopy, Organic Reactions 1 & 2, and Applications of Chemical Kinetics. You’ll also explore how chemistry connects to fields like pharmaceuticals and materials science—helping you see the bigger picture of how chemistry shapes technology and innovation.

Year 4: You’ll take on advanced topics such as Modern Inorganic, Organic, and Physical Chemistry while completing your Chemistry Dissertation Project. It’s your chance to investigate a real scientific problem, sharpen your research skills, and show employers what you can do.

Year 5: Your final year is where everything comes together. You’ll focus on specialised subjects like Computer Simulations of Molecules and Analytical Chemistry, while completing your MChem Placement Project—spending a year in industry or abroad, gaining invaluable experience and building professional connections.

Focus Areas: Pharmaceutical chemistry, computational chemistry, biological chemistry, materials and nanoscience

Learning Outcomes: You’ll graduate with advanced chemical knowledge, strong practical and analytical skills, research experience, and the confidence to apply your learning to real-world challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Fully accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), meeting the standards for professional chemist status.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Heriot-Watt is ranked 1st in Scotland for Chemistry (Guardian University Guide 2020). Around 75% of graduates are employed and 20% go on to further study within 15 months of graduation, with an average salary of £24,000.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Heriot-Watt University, the MChem Chemistry with Placement program is all about learning by doing. From your very first year, you’ll spend time in modern chemistry labs, mastering real experimental techniques and using the same instruments and tools found in professional research and industry. As you progress, your skills go far beyond the classroom—you’ll design experiments, analyse data with specialist software, and eventually take your knowledge out into the real world through a year-long placement in the chemical industry or abroad. This mix of academic learning and real experience ensures you graduate ready to make an immediate impact in your career.

Here’s what that hands-on learning looks like in practice:

State-of-the-art laboratories equipped with advanced tools such as NMR spectrometers, single-crystal diffractometers, FTIR instruments, elemental micro-analysers, and melting point determination rigs—used throughout your degree.
A full industrial placement year that lets you work in the chemical, pharmaceutical, or materials sectors—applying your studies to real-world projects and gaining invaluable professional experience.
Extensive practical sessions built into nearly every module, where you’ll design experiments, analyse results, and sharpen your laboratory and teamwork skills.
Access to advanced research spaces within the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, giving you a taste of real chemical research and exposure to professional lab environments.
Specialist digital tools and software for molecular modelling, spectroscopy, and data analysis that mirror what chemists use in industry and academia.
Opportunities for collaborative and cross-disciplinary projects in the university’s GRID building—an innovative space that encourages teamwork between scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MChem Chemistry with Placement at Heriot-Watt University step confidently into the world of science and industry. Thanks to a degree that combines advanced chemistry knowledge with a full year of real-world experience, you’ll be ready for roles like chemical scientist, pharmaceutical researcher, materials developer, or environmental chemist. This program is designed to prepare you not just for your first job, but for a long and rewarding career in chemistry and beyond.

Here’s how Heriot-Watt helps you move from university to a successful career:

Dedicated career support: The Careers and Graduate Futures Service offers one-to-one career coaching, employer networking events, and access to Heriot-Watt’s global alumni network to connect you with potential employers.
Strong graduate outcomes: Around 75% of graduates are employed and 20% pursue further study within 15 months of graduation, with an average starting salary of £24,000.
Industry partnerships: Heriot-Watt works closely with major companies in the chemical, pharmaceutical, energy, and materials sectors, giving students access to real placement and research opportunities.
Professional recognition: The degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), adding long-term value to your qualification and supporting your route to becoming a Chartered Chemist (CChem).
Top employability ranking: Heriot-Watt is ranked 1st in Scotland for graduate employability, showing that its degrees truly prepare students for successful futures.

Further Academic Progression:
After graduating, you’ll have a strong foundation to continue your academic journey. Many students go on to pursue Master’s degrees in specialised areas such as pharmaceutical chemistry, materials science, or environmental chemistry, or advance to PhD research. Your placement year and dissertation experience give you the research confidence and technical expertise needed to thrive at postgraduate level.