PhD Chemistry: The University of Manchester

Course description

The School has particular strengths in biological chemistry and organic synthesis, computational and theoretical chemistry, materials chemistry (inorganic and polymer), magnetic resonance and structural chemistry, radiochemistry and environmental chemistry and nanoscience. State-of-the-art equipment, new laboratories and first-rate spectroscopic services support and compliment these activities. Each student has at least one supervisor and an advisor with pastoral responsibility.

In addition to superb research facilities, postgraduates in the school have a graduate common room and use of a computer cluster. You receive training in health and safety, fire fighting, library skills and written and oral presentation skills. If you do not have a masters degree you take taught course units in chemistry.

Module details

You are required to attend 8-12 research and career management training programmes from a choice of 22 course units. These include project management, time management, quantitative methods, psychometric tests, presentation skills, how to write a thesis. You are also required to attend research colloquia which are presented by guest speakers and run on a weekly basis throughout the undergraduate teaching calendar.

Career opportunities

The vast majority of PhD graduates remain in chemistry and secure positions in industry (eg pharmaceutical, specialty chemicals, polymers) or as postdoctoral research workers in the UK or abroad. Many of the graduates progress into middle and higher management positions within related companies. Some of the graduates decide on a teaching career and follow up their second degree with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview: The standard academic entry requirements for a Masters programme will be a Lower Second UK honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant science or engineering discipline. For a Doctorate level programme (e.g. PhD) it will be an Upper Second UK honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant science or engineering discipline.

English language: In addition, students will need to be able to demonstrate competency in the English language and students who do not already possess a recognised English Language qualification will need to take a test such as IELTS or TOEFL and attain a minimum of IELTS 6.5 (with no sub test < 5.5), TOEFL 570 with 5.0 in the TWE (Test of Written English) or CBTOEFL 230 with 5.0 in the TWE. Other English Language qualifications/tests can be considered including those offered by the University's Language Teaching Centre.