Analytical Sciences - MSc
The Analytical Sciences MSc prepares graduates for professional careers in the analytical sector through a strong blend of science and workplace practice. The programme builds advanced technical expertise while developing skills in project planning, leadership and regulatory awareness within real laboratory settings. Taught by academics and industry specialists, the course combines theory with current professional practice to produce confident, work-ready analytical scientists.
Month of entry
- September
Mode of study
- Full time, Part time
Fees for 2026/27 academic year
- UK - Full time £11,700 per year. Part time £6,400 per year.
International - £18,200 per year.
Duration of study
- Full time - 1 year, Part time - 2 years
This course is no longer accepting applications from international students for the 2025/26 academic year.
Why study Analytical Sciences at Keele University?
Course summary
The Analytical Sciences MSc will transform your scientific knowledge into the technical expertise, commercial awareness and professional confidence required to excel as an analytical scientist. You will deepen your understanding of advanced analytical science and apply it in modern laboratory environments using industry-standard instrumentation. Through hands-on practical work, you will calibrate and operate equipment, analyse complex samples, interpret data, and evaluate the reliability and limitations of different techniques.
You will learn directly from active researchers and experienced practitioners, exploring how analytical chemistry drives innovation across research and industry. Through your independent research project, you will identify a problem, design and manage your own investigation, analyse your results, and present your findings in a Master’s-level thesis. In doing so, you will develop the autonomy, organisation and critical judgement expected in professional analytical roles.
A distinctive feature of this programme is its integration of science with business. Alongside mastering analytical techniques, you will examine regulatory frameworks, quality assurance and method validation within commercial laboratories. You will engage with bespoke business content designed specifically for scientists, developing skills in project planning, budgeting and market analysis while understanding how ideas progress from concept to commercial product. Throughout, you will strengthen your professional profile, refine your communication skills and build a network of industry contacts, preparing you for analytical roles in industry or academia.
Course structure
The information below is based on the full time, 180 credit MSc programme, with a September start. Our programme is available on both a full-time and part-time basis, enabling you to balance your studies with other personal or professional commitments. Whichever mode you choose, the programme begins in September. The full-time route is completed over one year, while the part-time option runs for two years.
Modules
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Compulsory modules
FSC-40043: Analytical Science – From Academia to Industry (15 credits)
This module is designed to aid the transition from the academic laboratory to one in industry. You will build on the analytical skills that you have developed so far and cover some of the key concepts that are important in an industrial laboratory. This will give you an insight to being an analytical scientist in industry. This module will be more hands on than lecture based, and the assessments are centred on activities that are carried out in industry.
CPS-40003: Analytical Science – Principles and Practice (30 credits)
This module is designed to give an individual all of the required information and skills in the field of analytical sciences needed to become an effective researcher within an academic or commercial environment. In the module you will expand your knowledge on the principles of a wide range of state-of-the-art analytical techniques currently being used in research and development by both academia and industry. You will gain practical skills on a number of these state-of-the-art analytical techniques.
CPS-40009: The Business of Science (15 credits)
Working in industry requires a significant amount of additional knowledge other than that required by the science alone. This module is designed to provide you with all of the required background material showing how research in industry is affected by external business factors. These factors may include the regulatory nature of the environment, the business cycle and budgeting. This module will introduce you to these factors and take them though the process from an initial idea to a commercial product.
CPS-40007: Professional Scientist Toolkit (30 credits)
This module is designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge required to become an effective researcher. Areas covered will include how research is funded/planned and how to identify gaps in the current knowledge using the scientific literature. This will include workshops on different approaches to data analysis and on research ethics, integrity and impact. Finally, you will look at how we communicate the findings of our research to different audiences to realise the maximum impact.
Entry requirements
The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.
Typical offer
Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.
Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
UK
2:2 degree in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Algeria
12/20 or Assez Bien degree in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Bahrain
Bachelor's degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.7/4.0 in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Bangladesh
60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in a science, maths or engineering subject from a public university or CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in a science, maths or engineering subject from a private university
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Canada
70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in a science, maths or engineering subject
OR
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
China
70% in a degree in a science, maths or engineering subject or 65% in a degree in a science, maths or engineering subject from a '211' university
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Egypt
Bachelor degree from a Public or Private University with 65%/CGPA = 2.7/Good degree in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Ghana
Second class degree in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Hong Kong
Bachelor's Honours degree with 2:2 or CGPA of 2.5 OR Bachelor Ordinary degree with a CGPA of 3.4 in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
India
55% or CGPA 6/10 in a degree of at least 3 years in a science, maths, or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Kenya
Second class degree in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Kuwait
Bachelor's degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.75/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nepal
60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nigeria
Second class degree in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Oman
Bachelor's degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.5/4.0 in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Pakistan
We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit Pakistan Country Page for more information
or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need an English language qualification (see below)
Qatar
Bachelor's degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.75/4.0 in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
South Africa
Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Sri Lanka
55% in a special bachelor's degree in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Turkey
A CGPA of 2.5/4.0 in a Bachelor degree (Lisans Diplomasi) in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
UAE
Bachelor's degree with a CGPA of 2.5/77%/B- in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Uganda
Second class degree in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
USA
Bachelor's degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.6 in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Zimbabwe
Second class degree in a science, maths or engineering subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
English language requirements
All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group B.
References
Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.
Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose
Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.
RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.
Professional qualifications and work experience
The majority of our courses will consider relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications at the appropriate level, as an alternative to an undergraduate degree for entry. The work experience should be for a sustained period and at a suitable level, based within a relevant sector to your chosen course.
Admissions staff will review your work experience and/or professional qualifications during the assessment of your application to ensure suitability in terms of relevancy, level and appropriate learning outcomes.
General information
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application. For international students, find out how we work with approved agents as part of our admissions process.
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Postgraduate funding and scholarships
Funding
Whether you're continuing from undergraduate study or returning to education, our dedicated financial support team is here to help.
Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2026 start date falls in the 2025/26 academic year. Please see the tuition fees archive for the 2025/26 fees.
Planning your funding
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our financial support team.
Scholarships
We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our scholarships and bursaries webpage for more information.
For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
Additional costs
You may incur optional costs which can enhance your learning experience (e.g., fieldwork or specialist equipment). Details are outlined below. For general information, see the university's additional costs information.
If students lose or require replacement PPE/laboratory items these are available at the cost of:
Laboratory Book - £2.00
Laboratory Glasses - £3.50
Laboratory Coat - £15
Teaching, learning and assessment
Your teaching is designed to reflect professional practice. You will learn through a blend of theory, application and real-world context, with business and regulatory considerations embedded throughout the programme.
Learning and teaching methods may include:
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Lectures and interactive lecture sessions
-
Guest lectures from industry professionals
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Practical laboratory classes using modern instrumentation
-
Problem-based learning and case studies based on real-world scenarios
-
Workshops in data analysis, research design and ethics
-
Group work and teamwork activities
-
Oral and poster presentations
-
Independent research project supervision
You will receive written and verbal feedback to support your progress and have regular opportunities to discuss your development with your Academic Mentor and module tutors in one-to-one meetings.
Assessment methods may include:
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Laboratory and technical reports
-
Industry-focused case study assignments
-
Literature reviews and regulatory analyses
-
Reflective portfolios
-
Oral and poster presentations
-
Independent research project and Master’s thesis
This varied approach ensures you graduate with the analytical expertise, commercial understanding and professional confidence.
