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Subject: Chemistry
Materials Chemistry MSc
Awards: MSc
Study modes: Full-time
Programme website: Materials Chemistry
Online information sessions: 29 January
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Materials Chemistry has emerged as an important sub-discipline within Chemistry. It cross-cuts the traditional Organic/Inorganic/Physical boundaries of Chemistry and overlaps many disciplines from Engineering to the Biosciences.
Materials chemists now have a leading role in areas such as microelectronics, polymer science, catalysis and nanotechnology. They also make an important contribution to areas of more traditional chemistry such as the pharmaceutical sector where understanding the 'physical properties' of intermediates and products is now recognised as essential in optimising the synthesis and properties of pharmaceutically active ingredients in medicines.
The degree consists of advanced lecture courses such as:
Chemistry of Functional Materials
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Advanced Physical Chemistry
These are studied concurrently with a predominantly practical based course offering an introduction to research methods.
Students then proceed to a period of full-time research project work leading to the submission of their Master's dissertation.
Lectures are given by leading researchers in the area of materials chemistry. The lecture courses are supported by tutorial sessions and assessed by examination in April/May.
The Introduction to Research Methods course includes an exciting problem solving exercise where you learn important skills such as Communicating Science, Innovation, Dealing with Intellectual Property and Grant Application Writing, together with a literature survey and written report, defining the scope of the subsequent individual research project work.
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
MSc Materials Chemistry 1 Year Full-time Programme structure 2019/20
On completion of the course, you should have developed a depth of comprehension and critique in the core elements of your subject area, including:
Critical analysis and management of data.
Judging the relationship between theory and methodology.
Assessment of the appropriate methods of data collection/analysis to address the research question.
Assessment of relevance of previous studies.
Critical thinking.
Additionally you will have enhanced your professional/practical skills through:
Experience of research design and management.
Advanced instrumentation or techniques.
Production of scientific reports.
You will also have had the opportunity to develop transferable skills such as:
Written, visual and oral delivery and dissemination of research findings.
Interpersonal and communication skills.
Computing proficiency.
Organisation skills.
A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in chemistry or a closely related discipline with a strong chemistry component e.g. chemical engineering or materials science.
We may also consider a UK 2:2 honours degree, or its international equivalent, with relevant work experience and supportive references.
Applicants should have a strong chemistry background with at least three continuous years of chemistry subjects throughout their degree. We may accept fewer chemistry courses if applicants have a strong science background e.g. mathematics/physics.
Applicants should also have completed a minimum of first year university level mathematics, e.g. calculus or linear algebra.
(*Revised 1 October 2019 to correct the published requirements. Updated to include the requirement for university-level mathematics.)
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
Entry requirements by country
You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component
TOEFL-iBT: total 92 with at least 20 in each section
PTE Academic: total 61 with at least 56 in each of the Communicative Skills scores
CAE and CPE: total 176 with at least 169 in each paper
Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
UKVI list of majority English speaking countries
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries.
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
MSc Materials Chemistry 1 Year Full-time Tuition fees
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK's governments. The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on your programme, the duration of your studies, and your residency status. (Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.)
UK government and other external funding
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
Programme Secretary, Claire Dickson
Contact: chemistry.pgt@ed.ac.uk
Joseph Black Building
The King's Buildings Campus
EH9 3JJ
Programme: Materials Chemistry
School: Chemistry
College: Science & Engineering
Prospectus: Chemistry prospectus (PDF)
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
MSc Materials Chemistry - 1 Year (Full-time)
Select your start date14 September 2020
We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.
You must submit one reference with your application.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
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This article was published on 19 Sep, 2019
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