MChem Medicinal Chemistry with a Year in Industry

This MChem programme is perfect for anyone passionate about chemistry and the way it impacts human health. You’ll learn how drugs are designed, tested, and developed, while gaining a full year of hands-on experience in industry—so you graduate not just with knowledge, but real-world skills.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Your first year lays the foundations in chemistry and biology. You’ll explore Organic Chemistry Level 1, Inorganic Chemistry Level 1, Physical Theory, and Molecular Basis of Life for Medicinal Chemists. These modules help you understand how molecules behave, how reactions happen, and how chemistry connects to living systems—all while getting comfortable in the lab.

Year 2:
In the second year, you’ll dive deeper into the science behind medicines. Modules like Structural Chemistry, Organic Chemistry 2, Inorganic Chemistry 2, Physical Chemistry 2, Industrial and Green Chemistry, and Principles of Medicinal Chemistry will give you the tools to analyse molecular interactions and start thinking like a drug designer.

Year 3:
Year three is all about advanced skills and hands-on research. You’ll study Advanced Practical Work in Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry 3, Organic Chemistry 3, Drug Development, and Computational Chemistry in Drug Discovery and Design. You’ll apply what you’ve learned to real-world problems, doing lab work, computational projects, and preparing for your industry year.

Year 4:
This is your “year in industry,” where you step out of the classroom and into a professional setting. Working in a pharmaceutical or biotech company, you’ll gain invaluable experience, seeing firsthand how chemistry drives drug discovery and development.

Year 5:
Back at Queen’s, your final year focuses on independent research. You’ll undertake a major project and explore modules like Chemical Research Project (in Medicinal Chemistry), Frontiers in Drug Development, Advanced Organic Synthesis, and optional advanced topics. By the end, you’ll have hands-on research experience, problem-solving skills, and a portfolio of work that sets you apart.

Focus areas

medicinal chemistry · drug design · organic synthesis · analytical and physical chemistry · biochemistry · industry-based research

Learning outcomes

You’ll graduate able to design and synthesise drug-like molecules, interpret complex data from lab experiments, use computational methods in drug discovery, plan and execute research projects, and communicate your findings confidently to both scientists and the public.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The programme is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and the Institute of Chemistry in Ireland, meeting the academic requirements for Chartered Chemist (CChem) status.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Queen’s University Belfast ranks 202nd globally in the QS World University Rankings 2024 and is well-known for research excellence and graduate employability. Impressively, 93% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their course.