MChem (Hons) Chemistry, Biological and Medicinal Chemistry (with a year abroad) Integrated Master's degree at the University of York
MChem (Hons) Chemistry, Biological and Medicinal Chemistry (with a year abroad) at University of York. The year-abroad element extends the standard chemistry degree by a year, giving you the chance to study chemistry within a different academic culture and institution before returning to York to complete your integrated Master's.
About this course
MChem (Hons) Chemistry, Biological and Medicinal Chemistry (with a year abroad) is an Integrated Master's degree (MChem (Hons)) at the University of York. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Chemistry graduates from this provider, 89% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 71% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £29,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Biological Sciences, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 60; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 89% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 97% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 7 modules
- Foundations of Chemistry 1Core
- Foundations of Chemistry 2Core
- Introductory Skills and Practical 1Core
- Foundations of Chemistry 3Core
- Foundations of Chemistry 4Core
- Introductory Skills and Practical 2Core
- Academic Integrity moduleCore
Module details
Covers essential skills and knowledge for independent study and high academic standards including academic integrity definition, referencing, interactive exercises and FAQs.
Year 2 6 modules
- Advanced Chemistry Concepts and Applications 1Core
- Advanced Chemistry Concepts and Applications 2Core
- Advanced Skills and Practical 1Core
- Advanced Chemistry Concepts and Applications 3Core
- Advanced Skills and Practical 2Core
- Genes to ProteinsCore
Module details
Provides a detailed overview of molecular biology which over the last 50 years has transformed biological chemistry.
Year 3 6 modules
- Frontiers of Chemistry 1Core
- Chemistry and DiseaseCore
Module details
Covers key aspects of medicinal chemistry and biomedicine to build advanced theoretical and applied knowledge for chemists and biochemists.
- Advanced Topics and PracticalCore
- Miniproject with Chemistry - Biology InterfaceCore
- Frontiers of Chemistry 2Core
- Frontiers of Chemistry 3Core
Year 4 3 modules
- Professional Research DevelopmentCore
- Advanced Research projectCore
Module details
Research project with a focus on biological or medicinal chemistry conducted at an overseas partner university. Recent projects have investigated: drugs for neurodegeneration, organic synthesis to develop novel fluorescent sensors, and structural studies of proteins from the malaria parasite P. falciparum.
- Research CommunicationCore
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
Across the four years you move through core theory in chemistry before applying that theory to biological and medicinal contexts. Early study builds the foundations of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry alongside the biological chemistry that underpins how molecules behave in living systems. As you progress, you work through research and methods training - the practical and analytical techniques used in a chemistry laboratory - and applied practice that connects theory to real chemical problems, including how drugs are designed and how they interact with biological targets. Specialist options let you shape your later years around particular interests, such as medicinal chemistry, biological chemistry or related areas within the broader chemistry curriculum. The year abroad is built into the structure of the degree, giving you a full year studying chemistry at another institution before returning for your final year at York. That final year centres on an independent project, where you carry out a substantial piece of research under supervision, and on professional skills that prepare you for work or further study in a chemical or biomedical field.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who is curious about the chemistry of living systems - why molecules behave as they do inside cells, how drugs are designed to hit specific biological targets, and what happens at the interface between chemistry and biology. You'll need patience for laboratory work and a willingness to sit with problems that don't resolve quickly, alongside a genuine interest in the theoretical side of chemistry that sits behind the practical results. Because this is a four-year course with a year spent studying abroad, it suits people who are open to living and studying in an unfamiliar setting, adapting to a different institution's teaching style, and building independence away from a familiar support network. Most students accepted onto this course arrive with A-levels or equivalent qualifications, typically within the 144-159 UCAS tariff range, though this reflects what past entrants held rather than a fixed requirement. If you're someone who enjoys sustained, cumulative learning - building from core theory towards an independent research project - and who wants a chemistry degree with a clear biological and medicinal focus, this is likely to feel like a good fit.
Careers & job market
Nationally, across Biological Sciences courses, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 60% of those working are in roles classed as highly skilled. These figures describe the national picture for the subject area rather than outcomes specific to this course or university. National earnings data (Graduate Outcomes/LEO) for the wider field show starting salaries in the region of £23,000 to £29,000 fifteen months after graduating, £20,400 to £28,800 after three years, and £25,075 to £35,400 after five years - again, national figures rather than a guarantee tied to this degree. The Chartered Chemist accreditation from the Royal Society of Chemistry is relevant here: it means the course meets the academic criteria that professional recognition as a Chartered Chemist requires, which can matter if you're aiming towards a career in the chemical, pharmaceutical or medicinal chemistry sectors. The independent project and year abroad both add to the kind of experience - research depth and international adaptability - that graduate employers and further-study routes in chemistry and biomedical fields tend to value.
University & format
The University of York is a public, Russell Group university founded in 1963, with around 17,155 students in total. It's and holds a Gold award for teaching quality under the Office for Students' TEF 2023. This MChem is a full-time, four-year integrated Master's degree (UCAS code F153), taught in English, combining study at York with a year abroad before you return to complete your final year and independent project on campus.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 100% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code F153). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at University of York →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Biological Sciences graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £29,000 | £25,000 – £33,000 | 60 |
| 3 years after | £28,500 | £25,000 – £34,000 | 145 |
| 5 years after | £34,000 | £30,000 – £43,000 | 180 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 60; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in biological sciences · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Biological Sciences nationally
National figures for Biological Sciences graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 60; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Biological Sciences courses at the same study level.
Compared with 771 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Natural and social science professionalsSOC 2020 211 · 26% of published destinations · ASHE median £44,243
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 170; response rate: 65%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Biological Sciences graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Biological Sciences graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- NHS & hospital labs
- Pharma & biotech
- Universities & institutes
- Public-health bodies
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Biological Sciences graduates.
Head of School, Biological Sciences - Strategic Leadership & GrowthUNIVERSITY OF READINGEducation-Focused Assistant Professor, Biological SciencesUniversity of BirminghamBiological Structures Data Engineer I/IIIambicBiological Structures Data Engineer I/IIIambic Therapeutics, IncCrop Geneticist The James Hutton Institute, Department of Cell & Molecular SciencesEuropean Plant Science OrganisationRegional Lead, Life Sciences FM, UK, Ireland & NordicsJLLIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
89% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £29,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.1 out of 10: NSS 88.1% · in work or study 89% · continued 97%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of York
Biological and sport sciences across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around The University of York
739 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Biological Sciences right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of York from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £32,350 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of York’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of York and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of York
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
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