Chemistry - MRes
Advance your critical understanding of chemical sciences literature, research and reporting. Our Chemistry MRes allows you to learn through hands-on research training, with a Chemistry Research Project in an area of interest to you, choosing from a range of chemical research disciplines.
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.
Fees
Duration of study
- Full time: 1 year | Part time: 2 years
This course is no longer accepting applications from international students for the 2026/27 academic year.
Why study Chemistry at Keele University?
About the course
Learning is facilitated through hands-on research training and the completion of a final written thesis. You will experience research-led teaching to compliment your chosen Chemistry research discipline which will derive from organic, inorganic, physical and chemical biology subject areas, along with the teaching of relevant research techniques.
You will have the opportunity to acquire postgraduate-level research and employability skills across a range of disciplines within Chemistry, providing a strong background for a research career in either academia or industry or for further study (PhD).
Chemistry at Keele conducts internationally recognised fundamental research in many areas, ranging across the traditional core subsets of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry and chemical biology. As a postgraduate student on the MRes in Chemistry course, you will benefit from our expertise in these areas and our collaborative research links within academia and industry.
Course structure
The MRes in Chemistry programme runs full time (FT) over one academic year (September to August). The programme totals 180 credits, comprising modules delivered and completed over the year.
Please note, as a part-time student, the structure of the programme may vary.
What you will study
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
MRes Chemistry Research Project (120 Credits)
This module is a compulsory part of the MRes programme and is a 120 credit project, which spans the length of the module, in an area of interest to you. Projects are available across the range of chemical research disciplines, and may include (but are not limited to) organic and inorganic synthetic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, analytical chemistry, materials chemistry, physical chemistry and spectroscopy, and theoretical chemistry. You will perform a range of research activities including designing and carrying out experiments, analysing experimental data, surveying relevant literature and comparing results to published work. You will also prepare a literature review in a field relevant to your research project which will act as the basis from which to design your independent research project and interpret your results. At the end of the project, you will present your results and analysis in an oral examination and a dissertation.
Advanced Research Training for Chemists (60 Credits)
This module will give you the tools to succeed in research by increasing your critical understanding of appropriate chemical sciences literature, the research process, and provide key theoretical understanding in topics related to your research project. In addition, the module will reinforce your knowledge with tools for preparation of chemical structures, graphics, referencing, and other relevant components of a professionally written scientific report.
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 chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Algeria
12/20 or Assez Bien degree in chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant 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 chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant 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 chemistry or a related 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 chemistry or a related subject from a private university
or
demonstrated professional or relevant 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 chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
China
70% in a degree in chemistry or a related subject
or
65% in a degree in chemistry or a related subject from a '211' university
or
demonstrated professional or relevant 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 chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Ghana
Second class degree in chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant 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 chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant 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 chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Kenya
Second class degree in chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant 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 chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant 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 chemistry or a related subject
or
65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nigeria
Second class degree in chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant 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 chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Pakistan
We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our 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 chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant 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 chemistry or a related subject
or
Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Sri Lanka
55% in a Special Bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant 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 chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant 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 chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Uganda
Second class degree in chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant 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 chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Zimbabwe
Second class degree in chemistry or a related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Successful applicants will be interviewed by the proposed research project supervisor, who they will have made prior contact with before applying for the course, and a member of the MRes programme team or another appropriate member of chemistry staff.
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 C.
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.
Postgraduate funding and scholarshipsFees, funding and scholarships
Fees
2027/28 academic year
For start dates between September 2027 and July 2028.
| Type of study | Fees (per year) |
|---|---|
| UK - full time | £12,200 |
| UK - part time | £6,100 |
| International - full time | £23,900 |
For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
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.
Scholarships
We know that understanding what support is available for postgraduate students is an important step in planning your future and we are committed to rewarding excellence and potential.
Visit our scholarships and bursaries webpage to find out more about our scholarships, including:
- Keele Global Scholarship – up to £5000 tuition fee discount for international students (2027/28)
- Keele Graduate Scholarship – up to £3000 tuition fee discount for home students (2027/28)
Terms and conditions apply.
Additional costs
There are no additional costs for this course. However, students may incur general expenses related to university study, such as for printing, textbooks and other materials. Students who undertake a placement may be responsible for additional costs, such as travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs. For further information, please refer to the additional costs information.
Teaching, learning and assessment
A dynamic group of staff with a broad range of expertise teach on the programme and supervise research projects. They bring a wealth of experience acquired through fundamental and applied research across a diverse range of areas. Some current staff members are internationally recognised leaders in their field and manage research groups comprising postgraduate researchers and postdoctoral researchers, some of whom contribute to the teaching on the programme.
Learning and teaching methods used on the programme may include:
- Lectures, lecture breaks and self-tests
- Screencasts and recorded lectures
- Demonstrations
- Detailed personalised and generic written and face-to-face feedback
- Electronic submission and return of marked coursework (with feedback)
- Audio feedback
- Screencast feedback
- Research projects
- Problem classes and workshops
- IT instruction (spread sheets, word-processing, chemical structure drawing, databases, textbook resources, information retrieval and literature searching)
- Information literacy activities
- Computer-aided learning (simulations and animations, online activities and exercises)
- Chemical Sciences Seminar Series
- Use of e-learning/the Keele Learning Environment (KLE)
In addition to the above, you will also be provided with regular opportunities to talk through particular areas of difficulty, and any special learning needs they may have, with your Academic Mentor or module lecturers on a one-to-one basis.
Assessment
The following list is representative of the variety of assessment methods that may be used on the programme:
- Unseen problem solving
- Oral examinations
- Information retrieval exercises
- Research projects and reports
- Research proposals
- Oral and poster presentations and reports
