Chemistry

Our MChem options is a 5-year chemistry degree with options to explore a variety of specialisms with Royal Society of Chemistry Accreditation. Learn more. Heriot-Watt University is ranked 1st in Scotland and 7th in UK* for Chemistry by the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.

This five-year MChem degree is designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers by providing a strong foundation in core chemistry, alongside specialist topics such as pharmaceuticals, computational chemistry, biology, and materials science. Throughout the programme, you’ll develop valuable practical and digital skills through hands-on laboratory experience and modernised lab teaching. This broad scientific training enhances your employability across diverse sectors, from pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to research and industry.

During the undergraduate degree, you’ll study a comprehensive chemistry curriculum covering chemical reactivity, atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, thermodynamics, kinetics, organic synthesis, inorganic chemistry and catalysts, as well as advanced techniques such as multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. You will gain a broad and balanced foundation of chemical knowledge and practical skills and apply this to create solutions for theoretical and practical problems in chemistry.