MChem or BSc URGENT

f45

right, I'd like to do a chemistry degree and I'm undergraduate i assume as im currently at a 6th form doing a-levels.

What's the difference between MChem and Bsc, is one better to have than the other? etc

These "M" degrees tend to be masters don't they so am i looking at postgraduate??

Is Mchem harder but more rewarding???

Definitely go for MChem over BSc. Most chemistry employers now prefer this undergraduate Masters degree as the extra year of study can make a real difference - this could be a year spent on a research project or working in industry or something similar. It certainly should make you more employable or could lead to further postgraduate study/research (e.g. PhD) as well.

Many universities now recruit to MChem or BSc simply depending on how good your A level results are likely to be. Some only recruit to MChem or MSci but do allow you to swap to BSc if you choose to or they recommend it if your marks suggest you will struggle with the additional year.

So go for it and apply for MChem - if one of your chosen universities doesn't think you are up to managing the MChem then they will probably offer you a place on the BSc instead.

Have you got any particular universities in mind yet?

Reply 5

f45

OP

Aethelred

Definitely go for MChem over BSc. Most chemistry employers now prefer this undergraduate Masters degree as the extra year of study can make a real difference - this could be a year spent on a research project or working in industry or something similar. It certainly should make you more employable or could lead to further postgraduate study/research (e.g. PhD) as well.

Many universities now recruit to MChem or BSc simply depending on how good your A level results are likely to be. Some only recruit to MChem or MSci but do allow you to swap to BSc if you choose to or they recommend it if your marks suggest you will struggle with the additional year.

So go for it and apply for MChem - if one of your chosen universities doesn't think you are up to managing the MChem then they will probably offer you a place on the BSc instead.

Have you got any particular universities in mind yet?

The entry requirements for mchem seem to be around ABB, which seems quite steep. Did you say I could apply for MChem not get those entry requirements and get those of the BSc and be offered a aplace kinda thing?

Reply 6

smith50

6

what do know need to know to pass a first year degree in chemistry

Reply 7

f45

The entry requirements for mchem seem to be around ABB, which seems quite steep. Did you say I could apply for MChem not get those entry requirements and get those of the BSc and be offered a aplace kinda thing?

It probably depends on your predicted grades and what subjects you are doing. A university might make an offer for the MChem if you might achieve those grades. Or they might just offer you a place for BSc if your predicted grades are much lower than their standard offer for MChem. Alternatively they can make you the standard MChem offer and then on results day, if you fail to reach the standard they need for MChem, they could still offer you a place on the BSc instead. It depends on which universities you are considering and what your predicted grades are really.

I would always recommend applying for the longer course (the MChem) as it is much easier to swap to the shorter course (BSc) rather than trying to increase the length of your course. Easier in both terms of within the university and for your student finance, I mean.

I'd suggest going to some Open Days and talking to some Chemistry Admissions Tutors - tell them you are considering the MChem and what your subjects are and what grades you think you will get and see what they say.

Reply 8

andysmith25

f45

The entry requirements for mchem seem to be around ABB, which seems quite steep. Did you say I could apply for MChem not get those entry requirements and get those of the BSc and be offered a aplace kinda thing?

I applied for MChem at Sussex, and the offer was ABB, but I was told that if I didn't make that, but got BBB, I would be automatically put onto the BSc

Reply 9

smith50

6

i need to know any books to read for a mchem degree for chemistry i am starting next year

Reply 10

Chris.111

MChem definitely. I'm gonna start my MChem in October. If your not sure whether you want to do BSc or MChem, most unis advise you to do MChem. As people have already said, you can always change, but this decision should usually be made by the 2nd year. Also most unis offer the same entry requirements for both the MChem and BSc.

Reply 11

BigDave56

1

I applied to Exeter for BSc in Phys as I thought it could be a good insurance choice. They offered with a ABB and when I was interviewed, they questioned as to whether I would rather do a MSci. The offer would have been the same. So don't assume that if you miss a grade, you will be offered a BSc instead (even though Brum and Leicester do). As others have said before, MSc is better to get sorted for funding rather than BSc and ask for more money.

Reply 12

wizz_kid

16

whats so urgent about it?

Reply 13

User69701

daniel_williams

I've spoken to a few employers on their view of the MChem vs. MSc. in chemistry and to be fair they prefer the MSc.

Do you know if MSc degrees are accreditted by the RSC? Their webstie only mentions MChems. It would be something to consider. Although I agree that an MSc is better either way, from a recognised uni at any rate.

I have been told that people who get a distinction (essentially 70% with a few more conditions) in their MSc get to transfer onto a pHd, and study for 2 more years whereas MChems who recieve a 1st still need three.

Reply 14

daniel_williams

15

JayB124

Do you know if MSc degrees are accreditted by the RSC? Their webstie only mentions MChems. It would be something to consider. Although I agree that an MSc is better either way, from a recognised uni at any rate.

I have been told that people who get a distinction (essentially 70% with a few more conditions) in their MSc get to transfer onto a pHd, and study for 2 more years whereas MChems who recieve a 1st still need three.

MSc's are accredited by the RSC, as for the 2 years on top of a MSc i think you'll find its 3 years regardless and in some cases a PhD can last up to 4 years maybe more.

Reply 15

User69701

daniel_williams

MSc's are accredited by the RSC, as for the 2 years on top of a MSc i think you'll find its 3 years regardless and in some cases a PhD can last up to 4 years maybe more.

Might just be Liverpool Uni that do the 2 year thing but you really have to be super.

Reply 16

JayB124

Do you know if MSc degrees are accreditted by the RSC? Their webstie only mentions MChems. It would be something to consider. Although I agree that an MSc is better either way, from a recognised uni at any rate.

I have been told that people who get a distinction (essentially 70% with a few more conditions) in their MSc get to transfer onto a pHd, and study for 2 more years whereas MChems who recieve a 1st still need three.

An MSc is really not better either way. It largely depends on what you want to do after you get the qualification. If you want to do a PhD the most normal route is to do an MChem and then straight into a PhD provided you get an upper second or first class honours degree. However, the vast majority of MChem degrees involve extra research project(s) - if this isn't the case where you are considering then it wont be so attractive for carrying on to a PhD. I'd consider this aspect carefully when choosing where you do your MChem.

Some people use an MSc after a BSc to work towards applying for a PhD - this can be useful if you get a lower second class degree initially as people will sometimes regard it as 'adding a class' to your degree and hence will consider you for a PhD. However, this will not mean you can do a PhD in two years - you will still need to spend a further 3 years in total.

Most highly ranked Chemistry departments will now prefer a high quality MChem qualification for those applying for PhDs. As someone else said above, one important factor is that MChem degrees are undergraduate degrees and are therefore funded by your local authority for 4 years study. However, an MSc is a postgraduate degree and therefore does not attract any funding - you will have to find a scholarship or other funding for the cost of the tuition and other fees and well as living costs. A PhD is also obviously a postgraduate degree but there are usually more opportunities to get funding for those as research councils will fund 'studentships' to cover the full costs of fees and living expenses for 3-4 years. These are awarded to the University who then decides who to appoint to the post and you are treated more like an employee in terms of receiving a salary while you carry out the research.

Sorry this has got so long but I hope it helps.

Reply 17

User69701

Aethelred

However, this will not mean you can do a PhD in two years - you will still need to spend a further 3 years in total.

Liverpool admission pHd page:

"... the optional route that students who hold a research MSc degree, may study for a further two years in order to satisfy the requirements for the award of a PhD degree."

It would depend on the institution and how they structure their masters and their first year pHd courses. I have heard Reading do the same. These aren't the best Unis in the world but they are still very good in their speciality fields.

Reply 18

ChemistBoy

16

JayB124

Liverpool admission pHd page:

"... the optional route that students who hold a research MSc degree, may study for a further two years in order to satisfy the requirements for the award of a PhD degree."

It would depend on the institution and how they structure their masters and their first year pHd courses. I have heard Reading do the same. These aren't the best Unis in the world but they are still very good in their speciality fields.

But Liverpool don't require an MChem or MSc to enter a PhD directly anyway. The issue really is that some universities do require that level of qualification and by not doing an MChem or MSci you would increase the cost of going on to a PhD at those institution (which include a significant number of good chemistry departments such as Imperial College). Thus it is fair to say that just doing a BSc would limit your choices on purely financial grounds later on.

Reply 19