BSc Medicinal Chemistry

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queens University Belfast

Program Overview

The BSc in Medicinal Chemistry at Queen’s University Belfast is all about exploring how medicines are designed, developed, and work in the body. It’s perfect for curious minds who love chemistry, biology, and want to make a real impact on healthcare through drug discovery.

Curriculum structure:

Year 1: Your first year lays the groundwork. You’ll dive into Organic Chemistry 1, Inorganic Chemistry 1, Physical Theory, and Molecular Basis of Life for Medicinal Chemists. Alongside this, Introductory Mathematics for Chemists and Engineers will sharpen your problem-solving skills. You’ll also get hands-on in labs, learning practical chemistry and molecular biology skills that will stick with you throughout the degree.
Year 2: Year two gets more exciting. You’ll explore Structural Chemistry, Organic Chemistry 2, Inorganic Chemistry 2, Physical Chemistry 2, Industrial and Green Chemistry, and Principles of Medicinal Chemistry. This is where you start to understand how molecules are built and behave, how drugs are designed, and the science behind making medicines safe and effective.
Year 3: In your final year, you’ll really take the lead. Modules like Advanced Practical Work in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry 3, Inorganic Chemistry 3, Drug Development, and Computational Chemistry in Drug Discovery and Design will push your skills further. You’ll also complete a major research project, giving you a taste of real-world drug discovery and allowing you to apply everything you’ve learned.

Focus areas:
Designing and creating new medicines, understanding molecular structure and function, combining chemistry with biology, and tackling real-world drug development challenges.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of this degree, you’ll be able to design and analyse molecules, understand how drugs interact with the body, perform advanced lab and computational work, and communicate your results clearly—ready for a career in industry or research.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This program is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Chemistry in Ireland, giving you a strong head start if you want to become a Chartered Chemist.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Queen’s University Belfast is part of the Russell Group and is highly regarded for graduate employability. Many chemistry graduates move quickly into skilled roles in industry or continue into research.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Queen’s, Medicinal Chemistry isn’t just about lectures and textbooks—you’ll be hands-on from day one. You’ll work in modern, fully equipped labs, getting experience with real instruments, real data, and real drug-design problems. Whether it’s small-group tutorials, supervised research projects, or computational simulations, the programme ensures you’re actively applying what you learn in practical settings. You’ll gain confidence with industry-standard tools, collaborate with classmates, and develop the lab skills and critical thinking needed for a career in medicinal chemistry.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

State-of-the-art labs: Work with HPLC, GC, mass spectrometry, FT‑IR, UV‑Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy in QUB’s modern chemistry labs.
Research projects: In Year 3, take the lead on your own medicinal-chemistry project, from synthesis to analysis, under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
Computational tools: Use specialized software for drug discovery, molecular modelling, and interpreting NMR spectra—giving you experience with the digital tools used in industry.
Small-group tutorials: Regular seminars and workshops let you present findings, analyse data, and get hands-on guidance from staff.
Progressive lab experience: From Year 1 practicals to full-day advanced labs in Years 2–3, you’ll build strong skills in synthetic chemistry, analytical techniques, and drug development.

Every step of the way, you’ll be learning by doing, preparing you for real-world roles in pharmaceuticals, research, or further study.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this programme leave ready to step straight into exciting careers in pharmaceuticals, chemical research, healthcare diagnostics, or analytical labs. Whether you see yourself as a drug designer, laboratory scientist, research assistant, or technical specialist, this degree gives you the skills and confidence to succeed. Here’s what that means in practice:

Careers support: Queen’s dedicated Careers, Employability & Skills team offers one-on-one guidance, access to the MyFuture job portal, and ongoing support even after graduation.
Graduate outcomes: Around 93% of chemistry graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing the degree.
Industry connections: The School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering has partnerships with leading companies like Almac Discovery, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Randox, giving you opportunities for placements, projects, and networking.
Accreditation advantage: The degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Chemistry in Ireland, which helps if you want to pursue Chartered Chemist (CChem) status later.
Versatile career paths: Graduates can work in pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, publishing, teaching, or move on to advanced study.

Further Academic Progression:
After your BSc, you could continue with a taught MSc in Pharmaceutical Analysis or related fields, or pursue an MPhil/PhD in medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, or chemical/biomedical research. Queen’s strong research profile means you’ll have access to world-class labs and supervisors for advanced study.

Additional Information & Requirements

All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification
A-level - BBB, including Chemistry and a second Science subject, plus GCSE Mathematics at grade C/4 or above.
Acceptable second Science subjects - Biology, Computer Science, ICT (not Applied), Environmental Science, Environmental Technology, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Nutrition & Food Science, Physics, Technology & Design.
IB - 32 points overall, including 6,5,5 at Higher Level with Higher Level Chemistry and a second Science subject, plus GCSE Mathematics grade C/4 (or Standard Level Mathematics grade 4 in place of the GCSE requirement).
IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component
TOEFL iBT - 80 overall, with minimum scores of Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, and Writing 17.
India – Minimum 75% overall in Standard XII, with 75% or higher in Chemistry, and 70% in English (from CBSE, CISCE, or State Boards: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal) accepted in place of IELTS.
India - JEE Main or Advanced scores may be considered alongside Standard XII results if Chemistry marks are below the minimum requirement, provided the overall Standard XII percentage meets the University’s requirement and at least 60% is achieved in the key subject, Chemistry.
Applicants will be required to provide an official Digilocker verification of their Standard XII grades/certificates. Applicants who have completed CBSE qualifications should provide their Admit Card ID number.
USA - B+ or higher in three Grade 12 Honours/College classes, or AP scores of 4,4,4 in three subjects, or IB Higher Level 5+ in three subjects.
USA - Minimum SAT 1290 (620 Maths, 650 Evidence-Based Reading & Writing) or ACT 27, including Chemistry as a pre-requisite; conditional offers are accepted if exams have not yet been completed.