Medicinal Chemistry BSc (Hons)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Surrey

Program Overview

If you’ve ever been curious about how new medicines are discovered and developed, the Medicinal Chemistry BSc (Hons) at the University of Surrey is made for you. You’ll get to explore the science behind drugs, understand how molecules interact with the body, and gain the skills to turn ideas into real-world solutions in pharmaceuticals, biotech, or research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
The first year is all about laying the groundwork. You’ll learn the basics of chemistry, like how organic molecules behave and how elements combine, through modules such as Organic Structure, Reactivity and Functional Groups and Structure, Bonding and Reactions of Inorganic Compounds. You’ll spend plenty of time in labs building practical skills and start using computer modeling to visualize molecules and reactions — it’s like seeing chemistry come to life.

Year 2:
In your second year, things get even more exciting as you focus on how chemistry meets biology. Modules like Bioorganic Chemistry and Drug Discovery introduce you to the molecules that make life tick and show you how scientists target them to design new medicines. You’ll also deepen your skills in computational chemistry, predicting how molecules behave and designing potential drugs on the computer — all while honing your lab techniques further.

Year 3:
By your final year, you’re diving into advanced medicinal chemistry. The Medicinal Chemistry module lets you study drug design in detail, from understanding structure-activity relationships to planning synthetic routes for real molecules. You can also explore optional topics like Computer Modelling or advanced inorganic chemistry. If you opt for the four-year version, a Professional Training Year gives you hands-on experience in a real pharmaceutical or biotech setting — a chance to see the science in action and boost your employability.

Focus Areas

Drug discovery, understanding how molecules interact with biological targets, designing and testing new drugs, computational chemistry, lab-based synthesis, sustainability, ethics.

Learning Outcomes

You’ll graduate ready to design and analyze drugs, think critically about research, plan experiments confidently, work well in teams or independently, communicate scientific ideas clearly, and transfer your skills into industry or further study.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), giving you a solid foundation to work toward becoming a Chartered Chemist. The optional professional placement year also helps you gain valuable real-world experience.

Reputation (Employability / Outcomes)

Surrey’s chemistry graduates are in high demand — 96% are employed or in further study within 15 months of graduating. With small class sizes and supportive staff, you’ll always have guidance and mentorship while building the skills employers really value.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Surrey, studying Medicinal Chemistry isn’t just about lectures and textbooks — it’s about getting hands-on experience from day one. You’ll spend plenty of time in state-of-the-art labs, using real instruments and equipment to explore the chemistry behind medicines. The programme also offers opportunities to work on team projects, use industry-standard software, and even take a full year in an industrial placement, giving you a real taste of working in drug discovery. You’ll come away not just with knowledge, but with practical skills that employers value. Here’s how you’ll get that experience:

Cutting-edge laboratories: Work in the Joseph Kenyon Laboratory and other dedicated spaces, equipped with synthesis labs, analytical instruments, and a Formulations & Materials Laboratory.
Advanced instruments: Gain hands-on experience with NMR spectrometers, X-ray diffractometers, GC-MS, HPLC, LC-MS, ICP-MS, and more.
Digital chemistry tools: Learn to use specialist software like ChemDraw and access scientific databases like Reaxys, Web of Science, and Scopus.
Team-based projects: Collaborate with classmates on experiments, reports, and presentations, building both lab and communication skills.
Final-year research project: Undertake your own small research project in one of Surrey’s research-active groups, applying cutting-edge techniques to real scientific questions.
Professional Training Year (Placement): Optionally, spend a full year in industry, contributing to real drug discovery projects and gaining invaluable work experience.
Industry engagement: Attend guest lectures, workshops, and Industry Days to meet professionals and learn first-hand what working in medicinal chemistry is like.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from Surrey’s Medicinal Chemistry BSc opens doors to exciting careers in pharmaceuticals, biotech, and research. Many graduates go on to work as pharmaceutical researchers, process chemists, computational chemists, or quality control scientists, putting their chemistry knowledge straight into practice. With Surrey’s strong focus on employability, you’ll leave not just with a degree, but with real-world skills and experiences that employers love:

Here’s how Surrey supports you every step of the way:

University Careers & Employability Services: Surrey’s Professional Training Year helps you secure a year in industry, giving hands-on experience and often leading directly to job offers.
Excellent employment outcomes: 96% of Surrey chemistry and chemical engineering graduates are employed or in further study within 15 months, with an average starting salary around £32,600.
Industry connections: You’ll benefit from placements and links with companies like AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, LGC, and PerkinElmer, giving you real insight into how medicinal chemistry works in the professional world.
Accreditation that matters: The Royal Society of Chemistry accredits this degree, which helps set you on the path to becoming a Chartered Chemist (CChem).
Diverse career paths: Graduates go into research, analytical chemistry, quality assurance, government, or even finance and consulting, using their problem-solving skills in many industries.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to keep studying, Surrey offers excellent options. You could continue onto a Master’s or PhD, benefiting from research-active staff and cutting-edge facilities. There’s also the integrated MChem route, letting you earn a master’s-level qualification in four years while building stronger research and professional experience.