Chemistry (Mchem) Universities

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  1. cowshi's Avatar
    • Junior Member
    • Posts: 29
    Chemistry (Mchem) Universities
    I had a look around at Universities and here's a few I picked out:

    Durham
    Manchester
    Newcastle
    Leeds
    Nottingham

    Each of them, apart from Durham require AAB-ABB at A-Level (with chemistry of course). Durham requires A*AA.

    I'm not sure if I will be able to achieve that. but I certainly believe I can achieve the AAB or ABB.

    I heard that Durham's chemistry department really is excellent, hence the high requirements, but I doubt I will be able to make those. So, is a chemistry Mchem at Newcastle, Leeds, etc, decent? Is there a massive difference between Durham and the others in studying for Chemistry?

    I had a look at this: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/...uide-chemistry

    And it seems Manchester is quite high up, however Newcastle is quite low down, although the percentage of people with a career after 6 months is 79%, quite high. And can someone explain to me the 'value-added score/10' and how the Guardian rate these Universities.
  2. JMaydom's Avatar
    • Benevolent Member
    • Posts: 847
    Re: Chemistry (Mchem) Universities
    It'd be better to apply to oxbridge instead of durham. Durham doesn't usually score particularly highly in chemistry, and Oxford only looks for AAA.

    Besides I think they're both better places to live, and it's less public schoolish at oxbridge
  3. AnythingButChardonnay's Avatar
    • TSR Demigod
    Re: Chemistry (Mchem) Universities
    Imperial? You get MSci ARCS rather than 'MChem'

    AAA.

    6th or 8th best university in the world. But only 13th in the country according to the Grundiad...lol. I see they rank us 26th for Chemistry too. Haha.
  4. fortransexual's Avatar
    • Full Member
    • Posts: 122
    Re: Chemistry (Mchem) Universities
    (Original post by cowshi)
    I had a look around at Universities and here's a few I picked out:

    Durham
    Manchester
    Newcastle
    Leeds
    Nottingham

    Each of them, apart from Durham require AAB-ABB at A-Level (with chemistry of course). Durham requires A*AA.

    I'm not sure if I will be able to achieve that. but I certainly believe I can achieve the AAB or ABB.

    I heard that Durham's chemistry department really is excellent, hence the high requirements, but I doubt I will be able to make those. So, is a chemistry Mchem at Newcastle, Leeds, etc, decent? Is there a massive difference between Durham and the others in studying for Chemistry?

    I had a look at this: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/...uide-chemistry

    And it seems Manchester is quite high up, however Newcastle is quite low down, although the percentage of people with a career after 6 months is 79%, quite high. And can someone explain to me the 'value-added score/10' and how the Guardian rate these Universities.
    Considered Bristol? Probably the third best chem department in the UK in terms of the research going on there + facilities - it's certainly better than durham
  5. Teabo's Avatar
    • Banned
    • Location: London Posts: 2,341
    Re: Chemistry (Mchem) Universities
    Manchester is brilliant, a lot of very well established Chemists there, Clayden, Proctor, and soon to have David Leigh, one of the worlds most famous and best Supramolecular chemists.

    Imperial, is also excellent. And as has been said, Bristol is also excellent, they have their ChemLabs scheme, which is very well funded and also has many excellent scientists.

    I went to UCL and I'd say avoid it like the plague despite the university's world reputation..

    Oxbridge and Imperial normally require Maths as one of your Alevels, but are very worth applying for if you can.

    OP, can you tell us what Alevels you're currently taking?
  6. pascal_evans's Avatar
    • Junior Member
    • Posts: 26
    Re: Chemistry (Mchem) Universities
    I have just come back from the Bristol open day and the facilities are AMAZING possibly on par with oxford. Their new labs are fantastic as they are designed for the course using equipment other companies would like the students to be proficient at using. The only trouble I have is deciding between Oxford and Bristol
  7. Dudeintheuk's Avatar
    • New Member
    • Posts: 10
    The labs at Warwick are far superior to Bristol, so check out Warwick Chemistry. They have expanded greatly the last few years with a major intake of world leading academics and over 30 million GBP in infrastructure investment


    This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App
  8. Holby_fanatic's Avatar
    • The most beautiful squashed slug you've ever seen
    • Location: York
    • Posts: 2,484
    Re: Chemistry (Mchem) Universities
    Have you looked at York?
    I'm going in September to do an MChem in Chemistry and the department really is excellent!
  9. cpchem's Avatar
    • Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
    • Location: Bristol
    Re: Chemistry (Mchem) Universities
    (Original post by pascal_evans)
    I have just come back from the Bristol open day and the facilities are AMAZING possibly on par with oxford. Their new labs are fantastic as they are designed for the course using equipment other companies would like the students to be proficient at using. The only trouble I have is deciding between Oxford and Bristol
    As an Oxford graduate, and a PhD student at Bristol (both in chemistry, obviously...), I'd have to recommend the undergraduate course at Oxford as better. The teaching labs aren't as shiny and new (in fact, the core of the organic teaching labs date from the 1910s-1920s!), but that's of pretty marginal importance.
  10. pascal_evans's Avatar
    • Junior Member
    • Posts: 26
    Re: Chemistry (Mchem) Universities
    (Original post by cpchem)
    As an Oxford graduate, and a PhD student at Bristol (both in chemistry, obviously...), I'd have to recommend the undergraduate course at Oxford as better. The teaching labs aren't as shiny and new (in fact, the core of the organic teaching labs date from the 1910s-1920s!), but that's of pretty marginal importance.
    oh cool, i am interested in doing a PhD in chemistry too what is your opinion on the bristol ChemLabs scheme?
  11. Podcaster's Avatar
    • Banned
    • Posts: 751
    • Warning points: 1000
    (Original post by Teabo)
    Manchester is brilliant, a lot of very well established Chemists there, Clayden, Proctor, and soon to have David Leigh, one of the worlds most famous and best Supramolecular chemists.

    Imperial, is also excellent. And as has been said, Bristol is also excellent, they have their ChemLabs scheme, which is very well funded and also has many excellent scientists.

    I went to UCL and I'd say avoid it like the plague despite the university's world reputation..

    Oxbridge and Imperial normally require Maths as one of your Alevels, but are very worth applying for if you can.

    OP, can you tell us what Alevels you're currently taking?
    What's wrong with ucl chem department?

    This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my HTC Desire C
  12. gingersubmarine's Avatar
    • New Member
    • Posts: 4
    Re: Chemistry (Mchem) Universities
    Anyone knows something about Leicester? I'm planning on applying there next year
  13. lisawilliams's Avatar
    • New Member
    • Posts: 1
    Re: Chemistry (Mchem) Universities
    University of Manchester is really great. Just finished my first year of the MChem degree and loved it
  14. beautywithbrains's Avatar
    • Full Member
    • Posts: 106
    Re:Chemistry (Mchem) Universities
    (Original post by lisawilliams)
    University of Manchester is really great. Just finished my first year of the MChem degree and loved it
    What's it like? I'm applying for this degree this year?? Is there many difficulties and is it a big jump from a levels?


    Posted from TSR Mobile
  15. lmfw's Avatar
    • Exalted Member
    • Posts: 284
    Re: Chemistry (Mchem) Universities
    (Original post by beautywithbrains)
    What's it like? I'm applying for this degree this year?? Is there many difficulties and is it a big jump from a levels?


    Posted from TSR Mobile
    Hi - same person just a different account.

    MChem at the University of Manchester is really good. Whilst I'm aware that the University of Manchester School of Chemistry isn't the top chemistry department in the UK, the School of Chemistry is the third best school in the whole of University of Manchester (third to Electrical Engineering and the School of Education).

    I really enjoyed my first year. The lectures are great and UoM has incredible research facilities and great lecturers (you will be lectured by the authors of some of the top chemistry textbooks)



    The first year of MChem is fairly straight forward and its pretty easy to make the jump from A level to degree level. The first semester is mainly just making sure everybody is on the same track so not too much material above A level standard is lectured. Obviously it gets more difficult for the second semester but it's still very manageable.

    I would really recommend taking the "MChem Chemistry with Industrial Experience" course and aim to secure a student placement for your third year. The experience will be invaluable and you'll find yourself much more employable than those who haven't taken the industrial year.

    Any more questions I'm more than happy to answer!
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