Triangle

Research overview

This MRes in Chemistry is a 12 month research-based masters leading to the award of a Master of Research. Students from countries that are not familiar with the MRes qualification may, alternatively, be awarded an MSc by Research.

  • Are you driven to find clean energy sources?
  • Do you want to help in the fight to develop new medicines?
  • Are you passionate about sustaining a growing population?

This full-time, project-based MRes will help you achieve your goals.

The research project is the focus of the programme. You will be part of the team collaborating and working within a dedicated scientific group. Working in a research environment, our academic experts will guide and mentor you. The twelve-month project allows you to make a valuable contribution to research. You’ll gain report writing skills and produce your own thesis with a maximum of 35,000 words, which will be assessed.

Research projects available

We conduct pioneering research across the whole spectrum of the chemical sciences. There are a variety of projects you can apply for grouped under four themes:

  • Synthesis and catalysis
  • Biological chemistry
  • Materials
  • Molecular bonding and spectroscopy

See full details of the projects available and supervising academics.

Support

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.

Exploring sustainable chemistry

Dr Miriam O'Duill brings her passion for research and commitment to sustainable chemistry to the forefront of our MRes programme. Hear about the dynamic interaction with the research group students, hands-on laboratory experiences and collaborative learning options.

Play video

Course content

The research project is the focus of the MRes. You will produce your own thesis of up to 35,000 words, which will be assessed.

Research themes, projects and supervisors

Synthesis and catalysis

  • Total Synthesis of the Marine Alkaloid Pinnarine and Related Natural Products.
  • Development of A Photochemically Driven, Modular, Asymmetric Synthesis of Azacycles.
  • Development of photochemical strategies for the functionalisation of alkenes using nitrogen-centred radicals.
  • Development of catalytic methods for the remote functionalisation of alcohols.
  • Total synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Neuro regenerative Natural Products.
  • Rational Design of New Reagents and Catalysts for amine synthesis and applications in pharmaceutical and alkaloid synthesis.
  • Concise synthesis of alkaloid-like molecules from pyridines.
  • Investigating reactivity inspired by terpene biosynthesis.
  • Computational organic reaction modelling and design.
  • Machine learning in organic reaction modelling.
  • From palladium to iodine - towards sustainable catalysis.
  • Late-stage fluorination of medical imaging probes.
  • Green Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Machine Learning for Process Control
  • Synthesis, Photochemistry and Spectroscopy
  • Development of new transition-metal-catalysed enantioselective reactions
  • Synthesis of novel conformationally restricted scaffolds
  • From 2D to 3D: Organobismuth reagents for the selective synthesis of complex molecules
  • Design, synthesis, and catalytic evaluation of new ligands for cross-coupling

 

Biological chemistry

  • Investigation of peptides and enzymes for polysaccharide degradation.
  • Molecular Modelling for Protein Folding and Drug Discovery.
  • Photochemical methods for peptide macrocyclisation: towards orally stable peptide therapeutics
  • Algae: Sustainable sources of high value compounds.

 

  • Development of a targeted drug delivery system for anti-cancer agents from a self-assembling protein nanocage
  • Generation and Evaluation of new scaffolds for tissue modelling and regenerative medicine based on self-assembling spider silk fibres or synthetic peptides.

 

Materials

  • Synthesis, analysis and application of nanomaterials for electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to value products.
  • Nanoparticles for catalysis of hydrogen production.
  • Renewable Monomers and Polymers; helping society make the best use of plastics.
  • Designing new approaches to 3-D printing of polymers.
  • Self-assembled metal-organic cages for catalysis, sensing, and drug delivery.
  • New synthetic strategies towards stimuli-responsive interlocked molecules to underpin the next generation of molecular machines.
  • Synthesis and characterisation of hybrid organic-inorganic clusters for coupled electrocatalysis
  • Computational modelling of heterogeneous catalysis
  • Development of electrolytes and additive for automotive batteries
  • Synthesis of redox molecules for organic batteries

Molecular bonding and spectroscopy

  • Quantum pseudohalides magnets.
  • Computational investigation of nets for spin liquids.
  • Introducing heterogeneous photocatalysts into flow chemistry processes
  • New avenues for C-C coupling reactions using heterogeneous photocatalysis
  • Oxidation Mechanisms of Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted by Plants and their Atmospheric Impacts
  • Computational modelling of solvation entropy.
  • Applications of atomic charge densities in quantum chemistry.
  • The study of ionic liquids for thermal transfer
  • The development of supported SILP based systems for decarbonised chemical processing

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.

Qualification2:2 in an MSci/MChem or BSc degree
Additional information

Applications are initially assessed and successful applicants are then invited to an interview. 

Qualification
Degree

2:2 in an MSci/MChem or BSc degree

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.

IELTS6.0 (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.

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.

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

The application procedure is straight forward and similar to a PhD. You can apply at any time. We recommend you contact potential supervisor(s) to find out more about the research projects available before making your application.

Please get in touch with the Postgraduate Admissions Tutor Professor Ross Denton (ross.denton@nottingham.ac.uk) if you have any questions or require more information about the projects available to Master of Research (MRes) students.

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

How to apply

Fees

QualificationMRes (Master of Research)
Home / UK£5,350
International£32,400 or £38,400 depending on the nature of your project

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).

Funding

You may be able to get a Postgraduate Masters Loan from the government. Check eligibility and how much you could get.

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 funding

Support

Graduate centres

Our graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.

Each space has areas for:

  • studying
  • socialising
  • computer work
  • seminars
  • kitchen facilities

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.

Play video

Where you will learn

Chemistry facilities

The School of Chemistry is committed to providing a sustainable teaching and research environment with significant investment in both its people and facilities. Recent examples include:

Careers

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

This programme is ideal for students who have already completed a BSc degree and want to gain skills, knowledge and experience in a research environment.

A research degree gives you transferable skills in communication, problem-solving, time management and analysis.

Previous postgraduates have taken up roles including:

  • Research Chemist, Pfizer USA

Others have pursued research careers doing PhDs here at Nottingham in the School of Pharmacy and the School of Chemistry.

90% of postgraduates in the School of Chemistry secured work or further study within 15 months of graduating. The average annual salary for these graduates was £30,053*

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time, postgraduate, home graduates within the UK.

Related courses

Chemistry PhD

Find a project in our research themes of molecular bonding and spectroscopy, materials, synthesis and catalysis, and biological chemistry.
View course

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.

  • 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 18 November 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.