Pharmaceutical Chemistry with a Year in Industry / Research BSc (Hons)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queen Mary University of London

Program Overview

This four-year degree gives you an exciting mix of chemistry, drug discovery, and hands-on experience in the real world. It’s perfect if you’re curious about how medicines are designed and developed and want a degree that combines lab work, problem-solving, and professional experience in industry or research.

Curriculum structure:
Year 1: You’ll start by building a strong foundation in chemistry. Through modules like Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry, Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry, States of Matter and Analytical Chemistry, and Foundations of Practical Chemistry, you’ll learn the building blocks of chemical science and develop essential lab skills that set you up for more advanced work later on.

Year 2: This year dives deeper into how chemistry is applied in the real world. Modules such as Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Structure & Reactivity in Organic Chemistry, Applied Spectroscopy, and Introductory Programming for Chemists teach you how molecules are made and analysed, how computational tools can help chemistry, and how your work connects to medicine development.

Year 3 (Industry/Research placement): You’ll step into a professional setting, either in industry or a research lab. This is your chance to experience real-world chemistry, work on meaningful projects, and gain skills like teamwork, project management, and professional problem-solving that will make you stand out when you graduate.

Year 4: Back at Queen Mary, you’ll take advanced modules like Advanced Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, and Professional Skills in Chemistry. You’ll also complete an independent research project, applying everything you’ve learned to a real scientific challenge, and preparing for your future career or further study.

Focus areas: Drug design and discovery, organic and inorganic chemistry, spectroscopy and analytical techniques, pharmaceutical manufacture and development, computational tools in chemistry, professional skills and industry placement

Learning outcomes: You’ll graduate with a deep understanding of chemical sciences, practical laboratory and analytical skills, insight into how medicines are developed, professional experience from your placement, and strong preparation for scientific careers or further study.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, giving graduates Associate Member status.

Reputation (employability rankings): Queen Mary’s chemistry research is highly regarded, ranked 8th in the UK for Research Impact and 9th for Research Output (REF 2021). Around 93% of graduates are in work or further study within six months of graduating.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Queen Mary, you won’t just be learning chemistry from books — you’ll be getting hands-on experience from day one. The programme is designed so that every student gains real laboratory skills, learns to use modern analytical instruments, and sees how chemistry is applied in the real world. With access to state-of-the-art facilities, expert guidance, and an industry placement year, you’ll graduate with experience that employers value. Here’s how your learning comes alive:

Work in modern teaching and research labs in the Joseph Priestley Building, designed to reflect the kind of labs used in the pharmaceutical industry.
Use specialist facilities like the X-ray crystallography lab and solid-state chemistry labs, giving you hands-on experience with techniques central to drug discovery.
Gain extensive practical experience with around 100 hours of lab work each year, building confidence and competence.
Take a year-long industry or research placement (Year 3) with support from advisers, letting you apply your knowledge in a real professional setting.
Explore digital tools and simulations, including lab simulations and augmented reality, to complement your hands-on work.
Develop computational skills through modules like Introductory Programming for Chemists, preparing you for data analysis in modern pharmaceutical research.
Complete an independent research project in your final year, applying your lab, analytical, and problem-solving skills to a real scientific question.

Progression & Future Opportunities

By the time you finish this degree, you’ll be ready to step confidently into exciting roles such as a pharmaceutical scientist in drug development, a formulation chemist in biotech or manufacturing, an analytical chemist in quality control, or even a data analyst in healthcare or chemical industries. Thanks to your hands-on lab experience, industry placement, and strong analytical skills, you’ll have a head start in both industry and research careers. Here’s how the programme sets you up for success:

Support from university services: The Careers & Enterprise team, along with the School of Physical & Chemical Sciences, offers one-to-one guidance, CV and cover letter workshops, interview prep, and help securing placements and graduate roles.
Employment stats & salary: Around 93% of graduates find work or continue studying within six months of graduation, with starting salaries averaging £26,924, which is above the national average.
University–industry partnerships: QMUL has strong links with major employers such as GlaxoSmithKline, Boots UK, and EY, giving students direct exposure to real-world professional environments.
Long-term accreditation value: The degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, granting Associate Member status — a mark of professional recognition that stays with you throughout your career.
Graduation outcomes: You’ll leave with not just a degree, but practical lab experience, a year in industry or research, strong analytical and computational skills, and a professional network from your placement — all of which make you highly employable.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re interested in continuing your studies, this degree provides an excellent foundation for Master’s or PhD programmes in areas like drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical formulation, or chemical analytics. You could also specialise further in fields such as bioinformatics, regulatory affairs, or industrial research and development. The hands-on experience and professional insight you gain through this programme give you a strong head start for advanced study or research.