Chemistry PhD
- Full-time: Up to 4 years
- Part-time: Up to 8 years
- Start date: Multiple available
- UK fees: £5,350
- International fees: £32,400 or £38,400 depending on the nature of your project
Research overview
Join a School that is finding solutions to global problems through cutting-edge research. We are working in a wide range of areas including cleaner energy, sustainable synthesis, new materials health care and drug discovery. We are looking for passionate research students to help us make a difference to people and the environment.
Join a thriving research environment with 160 postgraduate students and 60 post-doctoral fellows from all corners of the globe.
Our research themes are:
For more in-depth information about our research themes, view our individual webpages where you will find about more about supervisors and alumni as well as current and previous research.
Centre for Doctoral Training
These are the current CDTs and DTPs at Nottingham that have projects related to chemistry. There are a number of PhD studentships available each year in a wide range of research areas.
Course content
A PhD is an independent in-depth research project. You will be able to develop additional skills through training programmes to help you complete your PhD. See the support section for more details.
In each year you will have regular meetings with your supervisor and an annual review.
Assessment
You will complete a written thesis of up to 100,000 words, with expert support and advice from your academic supervisor(s). You will also take a verbal examination called a viva voce where you explain your project in-depth to an examination panel.
Past PhD projects
These have included:
- Chemical Synthesis of Bioactive Natural products
- Design and Development of Novel Catalysts
- Sustainable Synthetic Chemistry
- Novel Polymers From Terpenes
- Industrial Exploitation of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
- Synthesis of Antimalarial Compound Using a Simple and Flexible Photo Reactor
- Nanoscale manipulation using TEM
- Chlorotoxin as a Drug Delivery System to Treat Glioblastoma Multiforme
- A Computational Screening of Porous Materials for Biogas Upgrading
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
| Degree | 2:1 in an MSci/MChem or equivalent |
| Additional information | Applications are initially assessed and successful applicants are then invited to an interview. |
| Degree | 2:1 in an MSci/MChem or equivalent |
| International and EU equivalents | We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world. For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages. |
| Additional information | Applications are initially assessed and successful applicants are then invited to an interview. If you're not in the UK then this can be done through a video call. |
| IELTS | 6.0 (5.5 in each element) |
| English language requirements | As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. |
Meeting our English language requirements
If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.
If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.
For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.
Visa restrictions
International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.
We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.
We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.
If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us.
Applying
We strongly encourage all applicants to contact potential supervisors directly to discuss current projects and funding opportunities. Please visit our staff pages and research themes:
You do not need to provide a research proposal when applying to the School of Chemistry.
On the research details page of the application form, you can enter the area of chemistry you're interested in and the name of a potential supervisor.
Fees
| Home / UK | £5,350 |
| International | £32,400 or £38,400 depending on the nature of your project. An assessment will be made on receipt of your project proposal and confirmed in your offer letter. For details, contact chem.admissions@nottingham.ac.uk. |
Additional information for international students
If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).
These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).
Additional costs
All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.
As a student on this course, we do not anticipate any extra significant costs, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses. You should be able to access most of the books and journals you’ll need through our libraries. A laptop may be helpful but it isn't essential. The school provides personal protective equipment. The school also supports with funding to cover conference attendance.
Funding
Home and EU applicants
We offer a number of projects each year which are funded by:
- the school and university
- industry partners
- charities
- centres of doctoral training (CDTs)
- doctoral training partnerships (DTPs)
Some of the funded projects the school offers are posted on the studentship jobs website.
CDTs/DTPs
These are the current CDTs and DTPs at Nottingham that have projects related to chemistry:
International applicants
If you need funding please discuss this with your potential supervisor. We can help you to see if there is funding available from your home country.
There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.
Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.
Postgraduate fundingSupport
You will have at least 10 documented meetings with your supervisor a year but you can typically expect to see them daily or weekly.
Other school staff are available to support you:
- Director of Postgraduate Studies
- Senior Tutor (for pastoral support)
- Welfare Manager
- Disability Liaison Officer
The school has a postgraduate forum run by students to discuss anything related to their studies.
We have a student-run society called ChemSoc. They organise academic and social activities.
Researcher training and development
The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.
Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.
Student support
You will have access to a range of support services, including:
- academic and disability support
- childcare services
- counselling service
- faith support
- financial support
- mental health and wellbeing support
- visa and immigration advice
- welfare support
Students' Union
Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer.
There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:
- international students
- black and minority ethnic students
- students who identify as women
- students with disabilities
- LGBT+ students
SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.
Where you will learn
University Park Campus
University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.
Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.
You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.
Where you will learn
Chemistry PGR facilities
We have equipment including mass spectrometers, high-field NMR, solid-state NMR, lasers, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffractometers.
You could be working in the School of Chemistry Building, the GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratory or the Biodiscovery Institute.
Where you will learn
Jubilee Campus
Jubilee Campus has eco-friendly buildings, alongside green spaces, wildlife and a lake.
This campus is home to our business, education and computer science schools, as well as a sports centre and student accommodation.
You can walk to University Park Campus in around 20 minutes or catch a free hopper bus. Nottingham city centre is 20 minutes away by public bus.
Where you will learn
University Park Campus
University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.
Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.
You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.
Where you will learn
Chemistry PGR facilities
We have equipment including mass spectrometers, high-field NMR, solid-state NMR, lasers, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffractometers.
You could be working in the School of Chemistry Building, the GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratory or the Biodiscovery Institute.
Where you will learn
Jubilee Campus
Jubilee Campus has eco-friendly buildings, alongside green spaces, wildlife and a lake.
This campus is home to our business, education and computer science schools, as well as a sports centre and student accommodation.
You can walk to University Park Campus in around 20 minutes or catch a free hopper bus. Nottingham city centre is 20 minutes away by public bus.
Where you will learn
University Park Campus
University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.
Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.
You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.
The group I work in focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern enzymatic reactions, particularly in the case of metallo-enzymes. The current research is centred on the interaction between polysaccharide-active enzymes and their natural substrates for applications in the fields of biofuel production and sustainable chemistry.”
Dr Luisa Ciano, School of Chemistry
Research Excellence Framework
The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.
- 97% of the School of Chemistry's research activity was judged to be 'internationally excellent' or 'world-leading'
- 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
- 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
- 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**
*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.
This content was last updated on 01 July 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.