MChem (Hons) Chemistry, Green Principles and Sustainable Processes · University of YorkIntegrated Master's degree · 4 years
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MChem (Hons) Chemistry, Green Principles and Sustainable Processes Integrated Master's degree at the University of York

MChem (Hons) Chemistry, Green Principles and Sustainable Processes at University of York. Rather than treating sustainability as a bolt-on topic, the course threads green chemistry principles through the study of core chemical theory, giving students a lens through which to view synthesis, catalysis and process design from the…

MChem (Hons)
Award
4
Years
Full-time
Study mode
89%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

MChem (Hons) Chemistry, Green Principles and Sustainable Processes 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 Physics & Chemistry, see the sections below.

Course evidence score

The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.

9.1
/ 10
Exceptional
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent88

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)

Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Excellent89

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)

Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional97

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 IntegrityCore
    Module details

    Covers essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard; defines academic integrity and academic misconduct; explains why and when you should reference source material and other people's work; provides interactive exercises and answers to FAQs and links to useful resources

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
  • Green and Sustainable ChemistryCore
    Module details

    Introduces the foundations for a range of chemical processes with a focus on limiting environmental impact

Year 3 6 modules
  • Frontiers of Chemistry 1Core
  • Atmospheric Chemistry, Climate Change and Net ZeroCore
    Module details

    Explores how chemistry will be at the centre of finding solutions to the climate problem

  • Advanced Topics and PracticalCore
  • Miniproject with Sustainable Advanced SynthesisCore
  • Frontiers of Chemistry 2Core
  • Frontiers of Chemistry 3Core
Year 4 3 modules
  • Professional Research DevelopmentCore
  • Advanced Research ProjectCore
    Module details

    Research project undertaken in one of the laboratories with access to state-of-the-art instrumentation; related to green or sustainable chemistry, which may be undertaken in the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence

  • 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

The course is structured to build steadily in depth and independence. Early on, students concentrate on core theory, the fundamental principles of physical, organic and inorganic chemistry that underpin everything else. Alongside this sits an introduction to research & methods, where students learn how chemists actually generate and test knowledge, including the techniques and instrumentation used in modern laboratories. As the degree progresses, applied practice becomes more prominent, giving students the chance to work with real chemical problems rather than only textbook examples. Students can then move into specialist options, such as green chemistry, sustainable process design, and related areas that connect chemical theory to environmental impact. The degree's Master's-level status means there is also space for an independent project, a sustained piece of original research carried out individually and supervised by academic staff, alongside ongoing development of professional skills, the kind of communication, project management and lab-based competencies that employers and further research both require. Together, these elements are designed to take students from grounded chemical understanding through to genuine research capability by the end of the four years.

Who it's for

This course suits someone who is curious about chemistry at a molecular level but also uneasy about the environmental cost of conventional chemical industries, and who wants to spend several years working out how the two concerns fit together. It will suit students who enjoy problem-solving in the laboratory as much as on paper, and who don't mind the slower, more exploratory pace of a four-year integrated Master's rather than a standard three-year degree, the extra year is really an invitation to go deeper, culminating in independent research, so it appeals to those who like the idea of designing and running their own project rather than only following set practicals. Given the typical entry profile, most successful applicants arrive with A-levels or equivalent, commonly in the 144–159 UCAS tariff range, so a solid grounding in chemistry and related sciences is expected. Beyond grades, the course rewards patience, methodical thinking, and a genuine interest in sustainability as a scientific and technical challenge rather than just a slogan, students who thrive here tend to be the sort who ask not just "does this reaction work" but "could this reaction be done better, cleaner, or with less waste."

Careers & job market

Chemistry graduates who complete this kind of integrated Master's leave with both the depth of subject knowledge and the Chartered Chemist-aligned accreditation that many employers and professional bodies look for. Nationally, across Physics & Chemistry courses, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 75% of those in work are in roles classed as highly skilled, figures that reflect the national Graduate Outcomes picture for the subject area rather than anything specific to this course or a guarantee for any individual. Similarly, national earnings data (LEO) for graduates in this field show typical starting salaries 15 months after graduation of £26,500–£34,000, rising to £24,650–£34,800 after three years and £30,600–£43,200 after five years; these are broad national ranges, not promises, and individual outcomes vary considerably depending on sector, location and role. Around 90% of students nationally continue past their first year of study, which gives some indication of how manageable and engaging degrees in this field tend to be once students get going. For this specific course, the combination of sustainability specialisation and Chartered Chemist accreditation is likely to be most relevant to graduates aiming at chemical industry roles, environmental or process chemistry, further research, or doctoral study.

University & format

The MChem (Hons) Chemistry, Green Principles and Sustainable Processes is delivered full-time over four years at the University of York, a public, research-intensive Russell Group university founded in 1963 with a total student population of 17,155. Teaching quality has been rated Gold under the Office for Students' TEF 2023 framework, and the university is. The course is taught in English and carries UCAS code F193. Entry data show that all recent accepted students held A-levels or equivalent, most commonly within the 144–159 UCAS tariff band, though this reflects the profile of recent entrants rather than a fixed requirement.

Student satisfaction

How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.

The teaching on my course
92%
Learning opportunities
88%
Assessment and feedback
80%
Academic Support
95%
Organisation and management
82%
Learning resources
93%
Student voice
87%

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.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

Published entryAAA*/AAB typical offer

Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.

Entry & how to get in

Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of AAA*/AAB. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent100% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 144 - 159 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Professionally accreditedAccredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for fully meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem)
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check the University of York's official course page for the current offer.

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

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent100%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Competitive entry

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.

Add your grades to see where you land

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

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.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesA*AAA-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeF193quote this on your application
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course (code F193). One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write 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.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results 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.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask University of York whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Homeup to £9,790 / yr
Internationalset by the university

Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.

Check fees at University of York →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 4 years

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.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All University of York funding →
No verified named award is shown for this provider yet.

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.

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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.

Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What Physics & Chemistry graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate earnings: this course

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£29,000£25,000 – £33,00060
3 years after£28,500£25,000 – £34,000145
5 years after£34,000£30,000 – £43,000180

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

89%
in work or further study 15 months on
71%
in highly skilled work or study
97%
continue past their first year
74%
find their work meaningful
61%
say work fits their future plans
  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in physics & chemistry · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Physics & Chemistry nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£29,000
£26,500 – £34,000
After 3 years LEO
£28,500
£24,650 – £34,800
After 5 years LEO
£34,000
£30,600 – £43,200
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £23,000 – £44,500

National figures for Physics & Chemistry 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.

89 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

63% working9% working and studying17% in further study71% in highly skilled work or study

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 Physics & Chemistry courses at the same study level.

This course £34,000Peer median £36,000Middle 50% £32,000–£38,500
38th percentile

Compared with 886 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 Physics & Chemistry graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Physics & Chemistry courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
75%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

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 Physics & Chemistry graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • Research institutes
  • Energy & manufacturing
  • Universities
  • Government labs

Is 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

All students22,345
International18.6%
Aged 25+18.7%

Physical sciences across the UK

Students64,325
Aged 25+17.8%

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.

Violent Crime 233Anti Social Behaviour 199Shoplifting 102Public Order 55Criminal Damage Arson 34

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is Physics & Chemistry 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 set per course by University of York; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. 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.

Common questions

Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 144 - 159 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by the University of York. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
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 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. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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