Our MChem Medicinal Chemistry provides you with an opportunity to build a strong foundation in core chemistry disciplines — including chemical reactivity, molecular structure and bonding, spectroscopy and organic synthesis - Our BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry provides you with an opportunity to build a strong foundation in core chemistry disciplines — including chemical reactivity, molecular structure and bonding, spectroscopy and organic synthesis - whilst developing specialist expertise in biochemistry.

The MChem degree provides a clear and structured pathway into roles such as drug discovery scientist, pharmaceutical analyst, and toxicologist. Graduates are well-equipped for employment or for pursuing further study, including MSc and PhD programmes. This career-focused programme responds to growing demand for expertise in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, combining scientific depth with practical training to prepare you for a rewarding future in healthcare and life sciences.

Hands-on laboratory work is embedded throughout the course, developing your technical skills and reinforcing theoretical knowledge. You'll gain confidence in experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific communication — essential skills for careers in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

Reasons to study this programme:

Excellence in Rankings: We take pride in our ranking as the 1st in Scotland in the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.

Comprehensive, customisable curriculum: Provides opportunity to specialise in several areas through optional courses, including molecular biology, medical microbiology, and cell & molecular biology.

Supported learning: Delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and hands-on laboratory practicals and be assessed by coursework, examinations and a research project while receiving support and feedback throughout the programme.

World-class facilities: Gain access to specialist equipment, computing software and labs including NMR Spectroscopy instruments, single crystal diffractometer, powder (wide-angle scattering) diffractometer, elemental microanalyser, FTIR and melting point determination equipment.

Professional accreditation: Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).

*1st in Scotland and 7th in the UK based on teaching quality

Your student experience

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Our expertise

Our expertiseYour learning environmentCustomise your learningAccreditation

Your learning will be informed by research-active staff with expertise in pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry. Heriot-Watt has a long-standing reputation in this field, supported by academics who are internationally recognised in synthetic chemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and pharmacology. Staff contributing to the programme are based across the Institute of Chemical Sciences (ICS) and the Institute of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering (IB3).

Teaching is directly informed by research, including work on drug design and delivery, and underpinned by excellent facilities such as a continuum flow lab for automating chemical synthesis. The Medicinal Chemistry programme draws upon established pharmaceutical expertise at Heriot-Watt, whilst interdisciplinary biological sciences links will further enrich your learning.

Research in ICS is divided into three main research groupings:

Dynamics and Structure

Materials Chemistry

Molecular Chemistry

The research and industry focused nature of this undergraduate programme ensures your studies remain innovative and up to date with current and emerging trends.

Course content

September Intake - Edinburgh

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Mandatory September

Principles of Chemistry

Introductory Chemistry Lab and Skills 1

Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 1

Introductory Biology 1

Mandatory January

Chemical Reactivity

Introductory Chemistry Lab and Skills 2

Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 2

Introductory Biology 2

Disclaimer

The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.

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Teaching staff

Programme Leader

Graeme Barker

Associate ProfessorSee more

Arno Kraft

Dominic Willcox

Assistant ProfessorSee more

Hendrik Nahler

Global Head of Discipline - Chemistry and Assistant ProfessorSee more

New RSC book by our Deputy Head of Chemistry: a lively, historically rich introduction to boron

I'm proud to present Boron: In Search of the Real Fifth Element, published by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Boron sits at a fascinating crossroads of the Periodic Table, and this book—built on material from my Edinburgh Fringe shows—brings the element to life with stories that range from the glass-making shortages of World War I to how boron impurities in nuclear reactors shaped outcomes in World War II. Written for A‑level and Advanced Higher students, chemistry undergraduates and the curious public, it reflects our department’s commitment to rigorous research, lively public engagement and teaching that connects historical insight with modern chemical understanding.Dr Stephen M. Mansell

Deputy Head of ChemistrySee more

Fees and funding

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September 2027 intake tuition fees

Scotland

Paid by SAAS

England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland

International

Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.

International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).

Scholarships and bursaries

Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales

In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:

Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)View details

Entry requirements

If joining us in September 2027, please see the entry requirements below. Heriot-Watt offers different entry requirements, depending on your background.

Standard entry requirements

Highers AAAB (over two sittings). Must include Chemistry at A, and one of Maths or Physics or Engineering Science at B.

A-Levels BBB. Must include Chemistry at B, and either Maths or Physics at B.

International Baccalaureate 30 points. Must include Chemistry at Higher Level 5 and either Maths or Physics at Higher Level 5.

BTEC Extended Diploma DDM. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.

HNC A in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.

HND BB in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.

Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.

Minimum entry requirements *

Highers BBBC (over two sittings). Must include Chemistry at B, and one of Maths or Physics or Engineering Science at B.

A-Levels BCC. Must include Chemistry and either Maths or Physics, with one required subject at B.

International Baccalaureate 28 points. Must include Chemistry and Maths, both at Higher Level 5.

BTEC Extended Diploma DMM. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.

HNC B in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.

HND BB. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.

* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish and Rest of UK status students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:

live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20) or POLAR4 Quintile 1 regions (RUK)

or are care experienced.

We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements.

Additional information

For all years, applications are welcomed from holders of non-school qualifications, mature candidates and overseas students.

If you do not see your qualifications here please contact us at studywithus@hw.ac.uk

For applicants studying HNC, HND or BTEC qualifications, when submitting your application please ensure you list in full all the units you are currently studying, as specific units (e.g. in Maths) may be required.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.

The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.

Please see our detailed English language requirements.

Why Heriot-Watt

We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.

At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).

Employability

Work and study

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Potential career paths

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