Medicinal Chemistry with Pharmacology with Research in Industry MChem

4 Years On Campus Accelerated-bachelors Program

University of Liverpool

Program Overview

If you’re passionate about chemistry and curious about how drugs are designed and tested, this MChem programme is perfect for you. It combines advanced medicinal chemistry and pharmacology with real-world research experience, including a professional industrial placement, so you graduate ready to make an impact in pharmaceuticals or drug discovery.

Curriculum structure:

Year 1
The first year builds your foundations in chemistry while introducing you to the exciting world of medicinal chemistry and biology. You’ll explore modules like Core Chemistry 1A & 1B to understand structures, bonding, and reactions, and Introductory Medicinal Chemistry and Physiology, alongside hands-on lab work that strengthens your analytical, practical, and digital skills.

Year 2
In the second year, you dive deeper into how chemistry and biology come together to create new drugs. Modules like Drug Discovery and Development, Core Chemistry 2A & 2B, and Drug Design Principles teach you how molecules are designed, tested, and developed, while you refine your lab and research skills.

Year 3
This year is all about advanced, specialised knowledge and preparing for your final research project. You’ll study Further Medicinal Chemistry, Advanced Practical Skills, and optional modules like Catalysis or Advanced Healthcare Technologies, giving you a taste of the cutting-edge science shaping today’s pharmaceutical industry.

Year 4
The final year puts you in a real-world research environment. Through your External Research Project and modules like Advanced Synthesis Methods or Advanced Drug Discovery, you’ll apply everything you’ve learned on a professional placement, gaining experience that makes your CV stand out.

Focus areas: Drug design and development, medicinal and analytical chemistry, pharmacology, digital and sustainable chemistry, industrial research experience.

Learning outcomes: Graduate ready to apply advanced chemistry and medicinal chemistry techniques, work confidently in research or industry, solve problems, communicate effectively, and step into professional chemistry roles.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Programme is aligned with Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) standards and awaiting reaccreditation.

Reputation (employability rankings): Around 90% of Liverpool chemistry graduates are in work or further study within 15 months, with average starting salaries of £29,000 rising to £32,000 within five years.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From day one, you won’t just be sitting in lectures—you’ll be getting hands-on in state-of-the-art labs, exploring how chemistry and biology come together to create new medicines. You’ll learn by doing: synthesising molecules, analysing reactions, modelling compounds digitally, and working on projects that mirror real pharmaceutical research. By the final year, you’ll even step into an industrial placement, gaining genuine professional experience that makes your degree stand out.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Work in the University’s Central Teaching Laboratories, designed for both undergraduate learning and advanced research.
Use digital chemistry and computational modelling tools to visualise molecules, predict reactions, and bring theoretical chemistry to life.
Take on mini-research projects in Year 3, working closely with academic staff to explore real-world drug design challenges.
Complete a paid industrial placement in your final year, experiencing medicinal chemistry in a professional setting with leading pharmaceutical companies.
Build teamwork and communication skills through group projects, presentations, and peer-based activities embedded throughout the course.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from this programme opens doors to exciting careers where chemistry and biology meet real-world impact. Many of our students move into roles such as Analytical Scientist, Research Scientist, Development Chemist, or Formulation Scientist, working in pharmaceuticals, biotech, or chemical industries. You’ll leave Liverpool not just with knowledge, but with practical experience that makes you highly employable:

Here’s how the university helps you get there:

Careers and Employability Service – guidance on career planning, CVs, interview prep, networking, and connecting with employers in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors.
Strong links with industry – past students have gained placements and jobs with companies like AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Unilever, and Ineos, giving you valuable contacts and experience.
Graduates are highly employable – surveys show that most chemistry graduates find meaningful work where they can use their degree skills, with starting salaries typically around £29,000, rising to £32,000 within five years.
Industrial placement experience – your final year includes a paid placement in a medicinal chemistry environment, giving you hands-on, professional experience before you graduate.
Professional recognition – the programme is aligned with the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) standards, enhancing your qualification’s value in the professional world.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue studying, you could pursue a Master’s or PhD in medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, drug design, or related research areas. Your research skills, lab experience, and industrial placement make you well-prepared to step into advanced study or high-level research roles.

Additional Information & Requirements

A-level - ABB including two science A levels: Chemistry and a second science.
Applicants with the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) are eligible for a reduction in grade requirements. For this course, the offer is BBB with A in the EPQ.
Applicants need two science A-levels including Chemistry (A in Chemistry if it’s the only science), plus a pass in any required practical assessments for Chemistry, Biology, Geology, or Physics.
IB - 32 points overall with at least 5 in HL Chemistry and 5 in another HL science (or 6 in HL Chemistry if no other science), or pass IB Diploma with 6,5,5 in 3 HL subjects including Chemistry and another science.
GCSE - 4/C in English and 4/C in Mathematics
English language requirements - IELTS - 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 or TOEFL iBT - 78 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
India - Standard X and XII with 70–85% in the best four core subjects (including English), excluding non-academic subjects.
USA - High school diploma with a GPA of 3.0 plus one of the following: 3 AP exams (4, 4, 4 to 5, 5, 5), or 2 AP exams plus an externally-assessed qualification, or 2 AP exams plus an Honors/College-level class (B+ or higher).First-year university completion with a good GPA may also be considered for entry.