BSc (Hons) Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry with AI

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Manchester Metropolitan University

Program Overview

This exciting degree blends traditional chemistry with the latest in artificial intelligence, giving you the tools to shape the future of medicine and drug discovery. It’s perfect if you’re curious about chemistry and want to use AI to solve real-world pharmaceutical challenges.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll get a solid foundation in chemistry while also starting to explore computational skills. You’ll do hands-on lab work, learn data analysis, and get introduced to coding — setting you up to handle both molecules and machines.

Year 2
Your second year dives deeper into pharmaceutical chemistry. You’ll study organic and inorganic chemistry, explore how molecular structures affect drug action, and use spectroscopy and structural characterisation tools. Plus, you’ll start applying computational techniques to understand and predict chemical behaviour.

Year 3
In the final year, it’s all about bringing chemistry and AI together. You’ll work on advanced topics like machine learning for drug design, computer-based modelling, and a research project that lets you tackle real-world problems. By the end, you’ll be ready to use both lab skills and AI tools to make a tangible impact in medicine.

Focus Areas

Medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical drug design, AI & machine learning, data-driven drug discovery, lab techniques, computational modelling

Learning Outcomes

You’ll finish the course able to design and analyse pharmaceutical compounds, use AI to model chemical data, and carry out research projects that combine practical lab work with computational approaches.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The course is closely aligned with the pharmaceutical industry, giving you skills and experience that employers in drug discovery, pharma R&D, and biotech are looking for.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

Manchester Metropolitan University is ranked #643 in the QS World University Rankings. Students benefit from applied labs, real-world projects, and industry connections — all of which help you stand out to future employers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At MMU, you won’t just be reading about chemistry or AI — you’ll be doing it. From day one, you’ll get hands-on in the brand-new Dalton Building labs, where you can carry out experiments, explore molecular structures, and even test your own ideas. Alongside traditional chemistry techniques, you’ll use digital tools and AI-based software to analyse data, model molecules, and see how theory comes alive in practice. Group projects and research-style assignments give you the chance to collaborate, think critically, and solve real-world problems, just like professionals in the pharmaceutical industry.

Here’s a closer look at the opportunities and facilities you’ll use:

Modern Chemistry Laboratories: Fully equipped labs in the Dalton Building for synthesis, analysis, and practical experiments.
Computational & AI Tools: Apply AI and computational modelling to real chemical and pharmaceutical challenges.
Interdisciplinary Research Centres: Work alongside centres like the Advanced Materials & Digitalisation Innovation Centre for research projects that combine chemistry and AI.
Project Work: Engage in both individual and group research projects that mirror real-world drug discovery processes.
Field Equipment: Access specialized instruments for environmental and chemical sampling in your experiments.
Supportive Learning Spaces: Collaborate with peers and tutors using the department’s dedicated research and study facilities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this course leave MMU ready to take on exciting roles in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Typical jobs include drug discovery scientist, computational chemist, regulatory affairs specialist, or R&D project manager. With your chemistry knowledge combined with AI skills, you’ll be prepared for both lab-based and data-driven roles — or even to continue your studies in research-focused postgraduate programs.

Here’s how MMU helps you get there:

Career Support: The Careers Team is there every step of the way, helping you connect with employers, prepare applications, and take part in live projects and placements that mirror real industry work.
Employment Stats & Salary: Around 95% of graduates go on to work or study within 15 months of finishing. Starting salaries for chemistry graduates from MMU are typically £26,500, with a median of £32,000 within five years.
University–Industry Partnerships: MMU integrates live project work and work-integrated learning into your course, so you’ll gain real-world experience and build a network with potential employers.
Accreditation Value: Even without a formal professional accreditation for this specific AI-chemistry combination, the course is designed to give you the skills and experience that employers in pharma R&D and computational chemistry are looking for.
Graduate Outcomes: With employability embedded throughout the course, you’ll leave confident in your technical skills, teamwork, and professional abilities.

Further Academic Progression:
After your BSc, you could continue to a master’s (MSc) or PhD in areas such as computational drug design, cheminformatics, pharmaceutical sciences, or AI for health. MMU also offers professional pathways like the Chemical Scientist Degree Apprenticeship, allowing you to work in industry while gaining an advanced qualification.