Chemistry (with Industrial Placement) MChem Hons

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Lancaster University

Program Overview

This MChem degree at Lancaster gives you a solid foundation across all areas of chemistry—organic, inorganic, and physical—while giving you the chance to experience real-world chemistry in an industrial setting. It’s perfect for students who are curious about how chemistry drives innovation in industries like pharmaceuticals, materials, and energy, and who want to graduate with hands-on experience already under their belt.

Curriculum structure:

Year 1
Your first year is all about building a strong base. Modules like Fundamental Chemistry A & B introduce you to the essentials: atoms, molecules, bonding, thermodynamics, and kinetics, alongside a bit of organic and inorganic chemistry. You’ll also get hands-on experience in Fundamental Practical Chemistry, while Fundamental Science Concepts for Chemists links your studies to real-world applications and introduces maths and sustainability in chemistry.

Year 2
In your second year, you dive deeper into the chemical world. Modules such as Further Inorganic and Materials Chemistry, Further Organic Chemistry, and Further Physical Chemistry cover advanced topics like organometallics, quantum chemistry, spectroscopy, and reaction kinetics. You’ll also sharpen your practical skills through Further Chemistry and Practical Skills A/B, preparing you for more independent work.

Year 3
Year three is when you start thinking like a researcher. You’ll take on a major research project, supported by staff and postgraduates, exploring a real chemical question. Alongside this, Advanced Physical Chemistry and Advanced Synthetic Chemistry introduce you to computational chemistry, reaction dynamics, asymmetric synthesis, and catalysis.

Year 4 (Industrial Placement + Masters-level work)
Your final year is a game-changer: a full-year industrial placement where you put everything you’ve learned into practice. You’ll also complete Masters-level modules and a substantial research project. By the end, you’ll have real-world experience, advanced research skills, and the confidence to hit the ground running in your career.

Focus areas:
Organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, materials chemistry, sustainable and industrial chemistry, practical lab and computational skills.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of this degree, you’ll be able to tackle complex chemical problems, design and conduct experiments, interpret data with confidence, communicate results clearly, and apply your skills in an industrial or research setting.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This program is fully accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, meaning your degree sets you on the path to becoming a Chartered Chemist.

Reputation (employability rankings):

Ranked 7th for Chemistry in the Guardian University Guide 2026.
98% of students praised teaching and academic support in the 2025 National Student Survey.
Lancaster chemistry graduates enjoy strong starting salaries, with a median of £25,750 (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Lancaster, learning chemistry isn’t just about lectures and textbooks — it’s about getting your hands on real experiments, solving problems, and seeing how chemistry works in the real world. From your very first year, you’ll be working in purpose-built laboratories, using advanced equipment, and learning how to handle data, analyse results, and communicate findings like a professional chemist. By your fourth year, you’ll take what you’ve learned and apply it in an industrial setting, gaining real workplace experience that sets you apart after graduation. Along the way, you’ll also develop computational and digital skills, work on group projects, and take part in independent research — all designed to give you practical confidence and industry-ready expertise:

Access to state-of-the-art research labs, including Synthetic Chemistry Labs, Physical & Analytical Labs, and a Computational Chemistry Lab equipped with modelling software.
Use of advanced instrumentation such as mass spectrometry suites, multiple NMR machines (liquid and solid-state), and other analytical tools for real chemical analysis.
Hands-on experience with computational chemistry tools and software for data analysis, literature searching, and chemical modelling.
A full-year industrial placement in your fourth year, giving you the chance to work in a real chemistry company or research lab, applying your skills in a professional environment.
Opportunities for independent research projects alongside staff and postgraduates, moving from guided experiments to open-ended investigations.
Group projects and collaborative lab work that build teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Industry engagement events, workshops, and support to help you prepare for competitive placements and future careers.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from Lancaster’s MChem with Industrial Placement means you’ll leave with not just a deep understanding of chemistry, but also real-world experience and professional confidence. Many graduates step directly into roles like Research Scientist, Analytical Chemist, or Quality Technologist, with the skills to make an impact in pharmaceuticals, materials, or chemical industries. The industrial placement year really gives you a head start in your career, connecting what you’ve learned in the lab with what employers are looking for:

Support from the university: The Chemistry Department has a dedicated Industrial Placement Programme Officer who guides you from Year 2 onwards, helping you find placements, prepare applications, and succeed in interviews.
Employment stats & salary: Lancaster chemistry graduates enjoy a median starting salary of £25,750, with around 90% going on to work or continue studying within 15 months of graduation.
University–industry partnerships: The department’s Industrial Partners scheme links students with leading companies, offering insight events, networking, and placement opportunities that can lead directly to jobs.
Accreditation value: This degree is fully accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, opening doors to professional recognition as an Associate Member and eventually Chartered Chemist status.
Graduation outcomes: Alumni have gone on to careers as Forensic Laboratory Scientists, Formulating Scientists at global firms like Unilever, Quality Technologists, and more.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re looking to specialise further, you could continue your studies with a master’s (MSc) or doctoral (PhD) in areas such as materials chemistry, pharmaceutical development, or computational chemistry. Alternatively, you could branch into applied postgraduate courses in patent law, teaching, or environmental consultancy, all building on the strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills you develop during the MChem.