Medicinal Chemistry with Pharmacology MChem at University of Liverpool

This four-year programme will give you a broad and detailed understanding of every aspect of advanced medicinal chemistry and Pharmacology. On completion you will be ready to embark on a PhD in either chemistry or pharmacology or on a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

All our programmes have a common chemistry core which provides a good measure of flexibility and choice for you during the first two years. This programme shares this common chemistry core but you devote around 25% of your time to studying pharmacology and biomedical sciences.

The first two years of this programme are identical to the first year of the BSc Medicinal Chemistry (F1B2) programme. There are no optional modules, instead students take designated modules in biomedical and biological sciences and medicinal chemistry. These first two years progress rapidly, with a mix of theory and practical modules to give you a solid grounding in the subject.

Since students enter the Department with a wide range of experience in mathematics (which is essential for studying chemistry to a high level) we provide a flexible tiered maths for chemistry course allowing you to develop your skills at your own pace.

In Year Three, you continue with the Inorganic and Organic sections of the MChem Chemistry (F102) programme but instead of physical chemistry, you take designated pharmacology modules. You will start to apply your knowledge of chemistry and pharmacology to pharmaceutical problems, with particular reference to drug design and development.

Your final year brings you to the frontiers of chemistry and pharmacology and the basic concepts of both subjects are fully integrated. You will take core organic chemistry modules as well as core Pharmacology modules such as drug metabolism and drug response, and cancer pharmacology.

Chemical research is particularly important in Year Four and involves you conducting a significant project with a strong medicinal chemistry theme as a member of one of the research groups in the Department.

Career prospects

Our graduates develop a wide range of skills including numeracy, problem solving and IT in addition to scientific skills.

Visits to the Department by leading companies such as GlaxoSmithKline and Unilever ensure that you make contact with prospective employers at key stages in your final year. Graduates find employment in many areas, from the pharmaceutical industry to business management. Typical careers of our graduates include assistant analyst, development chemist, research assistant, and site chemist. 

Recent employers

• GlaxoSmithKline
• Unilever
• IOTA Nanosolutions Ltd
• Perstorp Caprolactones
• Shell
• Towers Watson
• United Utilities