Chemistry (with an industrial placement year) MChem

4 Years On Campus Accelerated-bachelors Program

University of Sussex

Program Overview

If you love chemistry and want to see how it works in the real world, this four‑year MChem with an industrial placement is perfect for you. It combines a deep dive into organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry with a full year working in a company — so you graduate with both knowledge and experience that employers value.

Curriculum structure:
Year 1: You’ll start by building a solid foundation in chemistry, learning about atoms and molecules, and getting hands-on in labs with modules like Chemistry Laboratory 1, Electrons in Atoms and Molecules, and Transferrable Skills for Chemists. By the spring, you’ll tackle Chemistry Laboratory 2, Physical Chemistry of Molecules and Materials, and Reactivity of Organic Compounds, gaining real experimental experience while exploring how elements and compounds behave.

Year 2: This year gets more exciting as you develop deeper lab and analytical skills. You’ll study modules like Core Laboratory Skills for Chemists 1, Researching and Communicating Chemistry, and Structure Determination in Organic and Inorganic Chemistry. In the spring, you’ll explore Coordination and Organometallic Chemistry, Mechanism in Organic and Biological Chemistry, and Phases, Transitions and Reaction Kinetics, giving you a strong mix of theory and practical chemistry.

Year 3 (Placement Year): Here’s where things get real — you’ll spend up to a year in a company, applying everything you’ve learned in a professional environment. Whether it’s a pharmaceutical giant, a materials company, or a research lab, you’ll work on meaningful projects while completing supported distance-learning modules. This experience is fantastic for building your CV and making industry connections.

Year 4 (Integrated Masters year): Back at Sussex, you’ll focus on advanced research and your own project. You can choose from options like Chemistry of Functional Materials and other specialized modules, preparing you for either a high-level career in industry or further research.

Focus areas:
Organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, lab techniques, instrumentation, data analysis, teamwork, and industrial experience.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of the program, you’ll be confident designing and conducting experiments, interpreting complex data, working in teams, communicating your results, and applying your skills in real-world industrial or research settings.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry — this means your degree meets the academic requirements for Chartered Chemist (CChem).

Reputation (employability rankings):

4th in the UK for graduate prospects in Chemistry (Complete University Guide 2026)
8th in the UK for the impact of Chemistry research (Times Higher Education REF 2021)
Top 5 in the UK for Chemistry (The Guardian University Guide 2026)

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From the moment you step into the Chemistry department at Sussex, it’s all about getting hands-on. You’ll work with real instruments, collect genuine experimental data, and see chemistry in action rather than just reading about it in textbooks. The department is packed with state-of-the-art facilities, and the highlight of the course is the industrial placement year, where you’ll take your skills into a real company and experience what it’s like to be a professional chemist.

Here’s how you’ll gain practical experience and make the most of the facilities:

Work in fully equipped teaching and research labs, including the NMR suite (400 MHz, 500 MHz, 600 MHz) and mass spectrometry centre.
Access specialist equipment for advanced chemistry, like glove boxes for air- and moisture-sensitive reactions, high-vacuum lines, and FTIR probes.
Spend a full year on an industrial placement in the UK or Europe, applying your chemistry knowledge in a real-world workplace and building valuable professional contacts.
Carry out a substantial research project during your integrated Masters year, collaborating with academics whose own research feeds directly into your learning.
Learn to use modern digital tools and software for data acquisition and analysis, sharpening your technical and analytical skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

When you graduate from this MChem, you won’t just have a degree — you’ll have real-world experience, practical skills, and a network that sets you apart. Many of our graduates step into roles as medicinal chemists, materials scientists, R&D chemists, or technology consultants, ready to make an impact in industry or research. The industrial placement year gives you the confidence to hit the ground running, knowing what it’s like to work in a professional environment. Here’s how Sussex helps you achieve that:

Progression & Future Opportunities:

Career support: Sussex Careers & Entrepreneurship team offers one-to-one consultations, the Career Lab for exploring options, help with CVs, interviews, and finding internships or placements.
Work experience & employability: 86% of Sussex undergraduates complete work experience by the end of their course, giving you a real advantage in the job market.
Industry connections: Students have completed placements with top companies like Pfizer, AkzoNobel, and GSK, gaining hands-on experience in leading chemical and pharmaceutical firms.
Professional accreditation: The degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, meeting the academic requirements for Chartered Chemist (CChem) status — a credential that can boost your long-term career.
Graduation outcomes: Our graduates go on to exciting roles in chemistry, materials science, environmental science, technology consulting, or further research, including PhD programs.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue learning, this MChem sets you up perfectly for postgraduate study. You could pursue a PhD in areas like organic, inorganic, physical, or computational chemistry, or specialise further in materials science, drug discovery, or environmental chemistry. The research skills you develop in your final-year project and the industry experience from your placement make you highly competitive for advanced study and professional roles.