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Molecular Modelling MSc

There is a growing need by industry for staff trained in computational materials and molecular sciences. This multidisciplinary MSc will teach simulation tools used in a wide range of applications, including catalysis and energy materials, nanotechnology and drug design, and will provide transferable skills to other fields, thereby broadening employment prospects.

Covid-19 programme updates

Due to COVID-19, there may have been updates to this programme for the 2020 academic year. Where there has been an update, these are indicated with a red alert and a link which will provide further information.

Key information

Programme starts

September 2020

Modes and duration

Full time: 1 year

Application dates

All applicants
Open: 1 November 2019
Close: 11 August 2020

Tuition fees (2020/21)

UK/EU:
£13,740 (FT)
Overseas:
£30,100 (FT)


Note on fees: The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website.

Location: London, Bloomsbury

Entry requirements

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

English language requirements

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.

The English language level for this programme is: Standard

Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English

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

International students

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.

Select your country:

About this degree

Students will gain detailed knowledge and skills in materials and molecular modelling, focusing on the state-of-the art simulation techniques employed to research the molecular level properties that determine the macroscopic behaviour of matter. They will also gain key research skills and will learn the basic concepts that are transferable to business and entrepreneurship.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of a research project (90 credits), a literature review (30 credits), and four taught modules (15 credits each): "Simulation Methods in Materials Chemistry", "Frontiers in Materials Modelling", "Transferable Skills for Scientists" and a choice of three topics within "Topics in Modern Chemistry" to create a bespoke module tailored uniquely to their own interests.

Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Molecular Modelling.

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 is subject to change.

Compulsory modules

  • Molecular Modelling Research Project
  • Masters Literature Project
  • Simulation Methods in Materials Chemistry
  • Transferable Skills for Scientists
  • Frontiers in Materials Modelling
  • Topics in Modern Chemistry

Optional modules

Within the 15 credit flexible Topics in Modern Chemistry module, students will be able to choose to study several topics from a broad range of topics in Modern Chemistry. Students will therefore be able to create a bespoke module tailored uniquely to both their own interests and research area. 

Covid-19 module updates
Due to COVID-19, there may be updates to the modules for your chosen programme of study this year. Some modules may not be available or may need to be moved to a later term or year of study.  We have included these updates below:   Frontiers in Materials Modelling (CHEM0053) will be delivered in Term 1. All optional modules are suspended and replaced by a compulsory module: Topics in Modern Chemistry (CHEM0077). These updates are relevant for 2020-21 academic year only.  The full list of modules will be available in the module catalogue from late August.  From the first week of September, you will be invited to complete module selection from Portico, our student record system. There may need to be additional updates or changes to modules during the academic year to allow for new guidance from the UK Government and Public Health England. Your department shall keep you updated of these changes as they become available.  

Dissertation/report

All students undertake a computational research project, which culminates in a substantial dissertation of approximately 10,000 to 12,000 words. Students will also deliver an interim presentation and have an interim viva in relation to this.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and laboratory classes. Assessment is through unseen examination, coursework, individual and group projects, poster creation, presentation and the research project.

Covid-19 contact hours on campus
In Term One, while campus will be open, all the learning activity for the core content of your modules will take place online – including lectures, tutorials, seminars and assessments. By “core content” we mean everything you need to learn to complete the module successfully. In addition to these online contact hours, we will be offering some face-to-face educational activities for students on campus, and we will provide alternative online activities for those students unable to join us on campus. These activities, which will include contact with academic staff, will be relevant to your programme of study may include seminars, academic and employability skills workshops, small-group or individual tutorials, lab and practice-based teaching. UK Government safety guidelines will limit the amount of ‘in person’ activity we can offer and while it will vary from programme to programme, is likely to be no more than 1-2 hours per week. This will vary across departments, particularly if your programme includes laboratory/practical/studio/workshop sessions. You will be updated with more specific details as they are available and your timetable will indicate which sessions will be on campus and which will be available online.
Covid-19 practical component updates
Due to COVID-19, there may be changes to the availability of the practical components for your chosen programme. Any updates relate only to the 20/21 academic year and may not apply to all students across the programme depending on your year of study.  Your department will keep you updated if the practical component of your programme is able to occur and/or any alternative options available.   There may need to be additional updates or changes to the practical component during the academic year to allow for new guidance from the UK Government and/or Public Health England. Your department shall keep you updated of these changes as they become available. 
Covid-19 assessment updates
There may be changes to the format of assessments for modules in this programme due to COVID-19. These will be summarised for each module on the module catalogue from 17 August 2020.   If any changes to assessments need to be made during the academic year due to updates in government guidance, these will be communicated to you as soon as possible from your department.    
Communicating further Covid-19 mitigation plans
We are continuing to follow UK Government guidance, as well as the expertise of our researchers, including specialists in health, education, human behaviour and infection prevention, to make sure UCL is as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. If it becomes necessary to make further changes to your programme as a result of new guidance/regulations, UCL and your department will communicate these as soon as this becomes clear. We will keep you up-to-date with our plans throughout term one, so you have the information you need to be able to take decisions that are right for your circumstances. Please ensure that you keep in touch with your department by regularly checking your UCL emails, Moodle courses, the Coronavirus FAQs for Students page and any UCL online groups or social media you follow.

Additional costs

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Accessibility

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

Funding

Students can be self-funded or find sponsorship from funding agencies such as research councils, the European Union, industry or charities.

There are also a number of Graduate School Scholarships and departmental bursaries and prizes available.

Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.

Brown Family Bursary

Note:
This scheme is now closed for 2020/21
Value:
£15,000 (1 year)
Eligibility:
UK
Criteria:
Based on both academic merit and financial need

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)

Note:
Applications for this scholarship are now closed for 2020/21
Value:
Full fees, flights, stipend, and other allowances (1 year)
Eligibility:
Overseas
Criteria:
Based on both academic merit and financial need

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

Careers

There are increasing career opportunities in the field of molecular modelling in sectors including sustainable energy, catalysis, nanotechnology, biomedical materials and pharmaceuticals. This MSc will train students in the skills necessary for future employment in the industrial and public sector communities, together with specific training in career development and transferable skills.

The majority of students on the programme have moved on to PhD study.

Employability

The training provided by this program will enable the student to enter into a wide range of fields. Students may continue in academia to complete a PhD or pursue teaching as a profession. Students with the skills obtained during this study are highly sought after by the industrial sector, including IT, sustainable energy, catalysis, nanotechnology, biomedical materials and pharmaceuticals. Students are very likely to be welcome in the financial sector.

Why study this degree at UCL?

UCL Chemistry has a world-leading position in materials and molecular modelling research; is part of the Thomas Young Centre for the theory and simulation of Materials; has access to the Materials and Molecular Modelling Hub that hosts national compute resources (the architecture of which was specifically chosen for materials and molecular modelling simulations); and is where the meetings of the High Performance Computing (HPC) Materials Chemistry Consortium (with members in over 80 research teams based in 30 UK institutions) are held.

Materials and molecular modelling techniques are having increasing impact in the industrial sector, as evidenced by the partnership between UCL's Industrial Doctorate Centre in Molecular Modelling and Materials Science and a range of national and international industrial sponsors.

This multidisciplinary programme offers a wide range of options (within Topics of Modern Chemistry), thereby enabling each student to tailor the programme to their own needs and interests.

Department: Chemistry

Application and next steps

Applications

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 £80 for online applications and £105 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.

Who can apply?

This programme will appeal to a wide range of students with a science or engineering background who wish to develop the skills necessary to work in molecular modelling both nationally and internationally.

Application deadlines

All applicants
11 August 2020

For more information see our Applications page.

Apply now

What are we looking for?

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Molecular Modelling at graduate level. Please elaborate on the motivational factors that have drawn you to our subject. We anticipate that applicants from many different first-degree backgrounds will participate in the programme and we would like you to explain how your own background leads you to this MSc
  • why you want to study Molecular Modelling at UCL. Tell us how UCL can help to improve your career path and give an indication of your willingness to participate in the wider UCL activities in the subject during your time here
  • how your academic background meets the demands of a challenging programme. The MSc is a broadening degree which will lead you into areas that lie outside your first-degree subject. How comfortable are you with that?
  • what would you like to be able to do following your Master's?

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.

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.

Page last modified on 18 August 2020


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