Chemical Physics MChemPhys

At Edinburgh, you won’t just study Chemical Physics — you’ll live it. From your first week, you’ll be in world-class laboratories learning how to handle real scientific instruments, collect and analyse data, and work alongside other budding scientists. As you progress, you’ll move from guided lab experiments to tackling open-ended research questions, using the same facilities and software that professional researchers depend on.

Here’s how you’ll gain those hands-on skills and experiences throughout your degree:

• Weekly lab sessions from day one: You’ll start with Chemistry 1A and Physics 1A: Foundations, both packed with practical experiments that teach you the fundamentals of measurement, analysis, and data recording.

• Programming and data skills: In Programming and Data Analysis or Experimental Physics 2, you’ll learn to handle large datasets, use simulation software, and write code — tools that today’s scientists rely on daily.

• Advanced chemical physics lab training: By Year 3, courses like CP3 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CHPH09005) challenge you with real experimental problems, mirroring the kind of work done in professional research labs.

• Research-grade facilities: You’ll study in the state-of-the-art Nucleus Building at the King’s Buildings campus, surrounded by modern teaching and research labs shared between the Schools of Chemistry and Physics & Astronomy.

• High-tech analysis tools: You’ll have access to the Edinburgh Materials and Micro-Analysis Centre (EMMAC), which houses precision instruments used for materials and molecular investigations.

• Final-year research or industry project: You’ll take on a major project — often within an active research group or industry partner — giving you experience in real-world problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation.

Graduating from Edinburgh with a Chemical Physics degree opens doors to a wide range of exciting careers. Many alumni find themselves in research labs, cutting-edge materials and energy industries, or even data-driven roles in finance and consulting. Typical positions include: Research Scientist, Data Analyst, Process Engineer, and Quantitative Analyst. Here’s how the University helps you turn your degree into a career:

• Careers support: The University’s Careers Service offers one‑to‑one guidance, workshops, mock interviews, careers fairs, and online resources — support is available throughout your studies and for two years after graduation.

• Employment stats & salary: Edinburgh chemistry graduates enjoy excellent outcomes — 96% in work or further study within 15 months, with median salaries around £38,590 in science and chemical roles.

• Industry links: Through Edinburgh Innovations and the School of Chemistry, you can connect with industry partners on funded projects, consultancy work, and networking opportunities — giving your learning real-world context.

• Accreditation advantage: Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and the Institute of Physics (IoP), your degree meets professional standards, boosting your employability worldwide.

• Career versatility: Graduates move into sectors like renewable energy, aerospace, nuclear science, pharmaceuticals, and also apply their analytical skills in finance, marketing, and tech industries.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re passionate about research or want to specialise further, this degree sets you up perfectly for postgraduate study — from a master’s degree or postgraduate diploma to a PhD. You could continue in research, explore advanced scientific roles, or even branch into interdisciplinary fields, knowing you have a strong, recognised foundation in both chemistry and physics.