Applied Analytical Chemistry MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Analytical chemistry underpins many important commercial enterprises from jet engine development to food production and is applied to other academic disciplines such as Earth sciences, medicine, archaeology, pharmacy and forensics. This MSc seeks to train the next generation of analytical scientists in state-of-the-art methods and skills to tackle the challenges of this broad range of applications.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£16,000
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£39,800
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

This programme is designed to provide comprehensive training in analytical chemistry and its implementation. A thorough understanding of error analysis, data processing and data presentation will be at the foundation of this programme.

The programme will contain minimum formal instruction, but emphasise self-learning and originality of thought. Students will develop and demonstrate self-direction and innovation, and the independence required for continuing professional development.

Who this course is for

The programme is suitable for anyone interested in developing their skills or their career in the growing field of analytical chemistry, providing the entry requirements are satisfied.

What this course will give you

Using a non-traditional approach this programme will prioritise independent learning and research. Students also participate in peer-review assessment of posters and talks. Peer assessment is an important transferable skill that is used widely in industrial and academic environments.

Emphasis will be on designing appropriate analytical methodologies and the relevant underpinning data handling, analysis and interpretation. The physics and chemistry behind state-of-the-art measurement technologies, their methods and application limitations will also be prioritised.

UCL Chemistry is among the top departments in the UK for this subject area and is currently 5th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings for Chemistry 2024.

The programme is suitable for anyone interested in developing their skills or their career in the growing field of analytical chemistry, providing the entry requirements are satisfied.

The foundation of your career

This MSc seeks to train the next generation of analytical scientists in state-of-the-art methods and skills to tackle the challenges of a broad range of applications. Students are connected to industry partners through our teaching delivery (several of our guest speakers are from other universities and industry) and project participation, and receive important professional skills in a dedicated research and transferable skills module.

Employability

Graduates will be equipped for varied employment in industry and the public sector: analytical science techniques have a very broad range of applications in many sectors, ranging from forensics to global climate change and medicine to the automotive industry.

Networking

You will have opportunities to visit the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Royal Society (both situated in central London), to attend public lectures and meetings given by eminent national and international scientists. The student run ‘Chemical Physical Society’ which is the oldest student-run chemical society also holds weekly social events and scientific discussions and seminars on a variety of topical chemical and physical aspects. In addition, there are many scientific events offering networking opportunities organised by several societies across the college ranging from Life Science to Data Science.

Accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Accreditation of degree programmes by the Royal Society of Chemistry is a mark of assurance that teaching and learning meet the standards expected from a university. Furthermore, accredited programmes ensure the needs of employers and students are fulfilled.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of online and face-to-face lectures, seminars and workshops.

This degree emphasises self-learning and is delivered through individual and team-based tasks. The programme will focus on developing students’ knowledge of analytical methodology, philosophy and design.

Assessment is by presentations, vivas, and problem-solving coursework. There are no written exams for this programme.

The literature project is assessed by written dissertation. The research project is assessed by a written report, supervisor appraisal, an interim oral presentation with viva voce and poster presentation.

On average it is expected that a student spends 150 hours studying for each 15-credit module. This includes teaching time, private study and coursework. Modules are usually taught in weekly sessions which could be face-to-face or blended with online material.

In terms one and two, full-time students can typically expect 12 contact hours per teaching week through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, lab practicals and tutorials. Students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

In term three and the summer period, students will be embedded in a research group completing their Masters research project, spending an average of 36.5 hours per week working on their project.

Modules

The programme consists of five compulsory modules including a transferable skills for scientists module (15 credits), a literature project module (30 credits) and a research project module (90 credits). 

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Applied Analytical Chemistry.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £16,000
Tuition fees (2025/26) £39,800

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

There are no programme-specific costs.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

Students can be self-funded or find sponsorship from alternative sources, for instance via those shown on the UCL scholarships and funding pages.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Analytical Chemistry at graduate level
  • why you want to study Analytical Chemistry  at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging programme
  • what you expect to get out of the programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Got questions? Get in touch

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