Chemistry with Industrial Placement MSci

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Nottingham

Program Overview

This four-year MSci degree gives you a strong foundation in chemistry while also letting you experience life in a real industrial lab. It’s perfect for curious, hands-on students who want to apply their chemistry knowledge to solve real-world problems and gain professional experience before graduation.

Curriculum structure:
Year 1 – You’ll start by building a solid grounding in chemistry with modules like Exploring the Periodic Table, Organic Molecules and Mechanisms, and Analytical and Mathematical Methods in Chemistry. Alongside hands-on practical labs, you’ll learn the essential principles of sustainability and chemical innovation, giving you the tools to think like a professional chemist right from the start.

Year 2 – This year deepens your understanding of how chemicals behave and interact. Modules like Synthesis and Spectroscopy, Structure, Bonding and Reactivity, and Sustainable Products and Processes will help you connect theory with practice, while optional courses like Atmospheric Chemistry or Python for Chemical Sciences let you explore your own interests in environment or computational chemistry.

Year 3 – The highlight of this program is your industrial placement. Through modules such as Industry Project: Planning and Literature and Industry Project: Implementation and Results, you’ll step into a professional lab, tackle real projects, and see how chemistry works in the real world. This hands-on experience helps you develop professional skills that set you apart when you graduate.

Year 4 – Your final year focuses on research and specialization. The Chemistry Research Project lets you investigate a topic in depth, while options like Functional Materials, Contemporary Organic Synthesis, or AI for Drug Design allow you to explore cutting-edge areas in chemistry and prepare for a career in research, industry, or innovation.

Focus areas: Industrial placements, sustainable chemistry, advanced chemical research, real-world applications

Learning outcomes: Graduates gain strong laboratory and analytical skills, problem-solving ability, and experience applying chemistry in professional and industrial contexts. You’ll be ready to tackle research, innovation, or careers in chemistry-related industries.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry; meets requirements for Chartered Chemist (CChem) status.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Nottingham is ranked among the Top 100 worldwide and Top 10 in the UK for Chemistry (QS World University Rankings 2025). Nearly 9 in 10 graduates find employment or further study within 15 months, with starting salaries averaging £26,216.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Nottingham, learning chemistry isn’t just about lectures and textbooks — it’s about getting hands-on, real-world experience from day one. You’ll work in state-of-the-art labs, use advanced instruments, and tackle projects that mirror the challenges faced by chemists in industry and research. Whether you’re running experiments, modelling molecules, or collaborating on group projects, you’ll build the skills that employers and researchers are looking for.

Some of the key experiential learning opportunities include:

Industrial Placement (Year 3): Spend several months working in a real chemical industry environment, applying your skills to real projects, building professional contacts, and gaining valuable workplace experience.
Advanced Laboratory Facilities: Learn in labs like the GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry, equipped with cutting-edge instruments for synthesis, analysis, and materials testing.
Specialist Instrumentation: Access NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, powder XRD, and ToF-SIMS facilities used by professional chemists every day.
Digital and Computational Tools: Gain experience with chemical modelling, data analysis, and software applications that prepare you for modern research and industry.
Group Projects and Problem-Based Learning: Collaborate with peers on practical experiments and research-style challenges, honing teamwork and communication skills.
Research-Led Learning: Learn directly from internationally recognised researchers working in green chemistry, AI-driven discovery, and other cutting-edge areas.
Career and Placement Support: Benefit from workshops, employer events, and alumni networking to translate your practical experience into job-ready skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from this course means stepping into the world as a confident, work-ready chemist. You’ll have the skills and experience to take on roles such as a Process Chemist, R&D Scientist, Product Development Chemist, or Regulatory Affairs Specialist. With your industrial placement experience and hands-on training, you’ll stand out to employers from day one:

University support for your career: Nottingham’s Careers and Employability Service offers one-to-one coaching, workshops, and direct connections to graduate recruiters. You’ll also have access to employer events and networking opportunities with top companies.
Employment stats & salary: 100% of graduates from this course find work or continue studying within 15 months of finishing, with average starting salaries around £30,500.
University–industry connections: Your Year 3 placement places you in real chemical industry roles — recent students have worked at companies like GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca, giving you invaluable professional experience.
Long-term accreditation value: The course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, meaning you meet the academic requirements for becoming a Chartered Chemist (CChem).
Graduation outcomes: You’ll leave not just with chemistry knowledge but with real-world problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills, giving you a head start in your career.

Further Academic Progression:
If you decide to continue your studies, this degree is a perfect springboard to postgraduate research. You could pursue an MSc or PhD in areas like materials chemistry, sustainable chemistry, pharmaceuticals, or chemical engineering. Your Year 4 research project equips you with the skills and independence needed for advanced study, setting you up for success in a research or academic career.