Chemistry

Learn the science that drives the world around us – from designing new materials to keeping the air we breathe pure, from creating medicines to building efficient ways to generate energy.

At St Andrews, you will be prepared for a career in chemical-related industries such as fuels, pharmaceuticals and fragrances. You will also be able to concentrate on our key chemical specialities: 

  • materials chemistry 
  • medicinal chemistry 
  • molecular chemistry 
  • nanotechnology 
  • catalysis and surface science.  
Scientist holding up bottle

Undergraduate

Postgraduate taught

Postgraduate research

The School of Chemistry offers PhD, MSc (Res) and MPhil programmes. Research in chemistry is focused on five broad themes: 

To apply, you should first identify and contact a potential supervisor you would like to work with in your intended research area. See research staff by chemistry theme.

“I think it is incredible to learn about the subject from leading experts in the field, and to have them help us along when we are in laboratories and lectures. We are given the tools to undertake projects on our own at a very early stage in our academic careers so by the time we graduate we will be skilled to enter industrial laboratories and pursue postgraduate research with ease.”

Sarah
Sarah
- New York, USA

Awards

First in the UK for chemistry

Guardian University Guide 2023

Second in Scotland and fourth in the UK for chemistry

The Complete University Guide 2023

99% of research activity rated 3* or 4*

Most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021)