Why study this course?
Normally, for joint degree programmes, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. However, Chemistry with French MChem (Hons) joint degree programme has different entry requirements which are listed below.
All other aspects of the programme, including modules and teaching format, are the same as those listed on the Chemistry MChem and French MA pages.
For more information on joint honours degrees, contact the Admissions team or the School of Chemistry at chemug@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Course details
The MChem (Hons) in Chemistry with French will teach you the fundamentals of this central science, from the composition and properties of matter to using reactions to create new molecules and materials. You will learn about the critical role of chemistry in industries and new technologies, from pharmaceuticals to accessing drinkable water, and from efficient energy generation to sustainable food production.
Alongside your study of chemistry you will develop French language and communications skills to a high level of proficiency through the study of French and Francophone language, literature and culture.
Chemistry at St Andrews interfaces with biology, physics, mathematics, medicine and geology, making it a highly applicable subject to many areas of study.
The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits.
Ask a student
If you are interested in learning what it's like to be a student at St Andrews you can speak to one of our student ambassadors. They'll let you know about their top tips, best study spots, favourite traditions and more.
How it's taught
Teaching
-
The University's services and support teams can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities, as well as many other difficulties and challenges students might face while studying.
Modules
Course information may change. Module information and course content, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at the University of St Andrews. We display the most up-to-date information possible, but this could be from a previous academic year. For the latest module information, see the module catalogue.
-
Students will take the following compulsory first-year modules:
- French Language and Literature 1: develops language skills and offers a grounding in the literary and cultural tradition in France.
- Introductory Inorganic and Physical Chemistry: This module covers origin of the elements and the periodic table, atomic structure, shapes and properties of molecules, chemistry of the elements, properties of solutions, thermochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics, and mathematical tools for chemistry.
- French Language and Literature 2: promotes grammatical competence as well as written and spoken comprehension and production, whilst further pursuing the exploration of Francophone cultures. You will be taught how to read texts in their socio-cultural background and develop skills of literary criticism in French.
- Inorganic and Physical Chemistry 1: covers bonding in simple molecules, inorganic solids, chemistry of the first-row transition metals, properties of solids, states of matter, and introductory spectroscopy.
- Organic and Biological Chemistry 1: This module covers the structure and nomenclature of simple organic compounds, basic stereochemistry, fundamental organic reaction mechanisms, organic functional groups and their reactions, introductory bioorganic chemistry, and organic spectroscopy
Each of the compulsory sub-honours modules in chemistry involves a mixture of lecture-based and practical teaching.
-
Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules:
- Second Level French Language (1): consolidates and extends the analytical and linguistics skill acquired at first level.
- Second Level French Language (2): develops skills in spoken, aural and written French for a variety of academic and communication purposes and in different cultural contexts.
- Inorganic Chemistry 2: This module develops via lectures, tutorials, a group presentation and laboratory classes, students’ knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry across the breadth of the periodic table as preparation advanced studies.
- French Civilisation: from the Middle Ages to the Age of Enlightenment: This module will extend both your command of the language and your knowledge of French history and culture from the Middle Ages to the Age of Enlightenment.
- French Literature: From the Nineteenth to the Twenty-First Century: This module will focus on the diversity and developments of French/Francophone writing - in the different genres of the récit, poetry and postcolonial fiction - from the French Revolution of 1789 to the present day.
- French Civilisation: From the Nineteenth to the Twenty-First Century: This module will focus on the development of France's culture and on the evolution of its national identity since the French Revolution of 1789.
- Organic Chemistry 2 (French): covers methods for carbon-carbon bond formation and interconversion of functional groups, aromatic and heteroaromatic reactivity, retrosynthetic analysis, mechanistic biological chemistry and organic spectroscopy
- French Literature: from the Middle Ages to the Age of Enlightenment: This module will focus on the roots of France's literature and its evolution through the medieval and early modern periods. This module aims at giving you a sample of French writing through a focus on major authors of the past.
- Physical Chemistry 2: covers quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, molecular spectroscopy and diffraction, and advanced mathematical tools for chemistry.
Each of the compulsory sub-honours modules in chemistry involves a mixture of lecture-based and practical teaching.
-
The knowledge and skills in research and analysis that you gain during your first two years will prepare you to undertake more advanced and specialist modules in Chemistry alongside French modules during your final two years.
During years four and five, you will also carry out a Chemistry research project in one of the School's highly-rated research groups on a topic chosen in consultation with staff.
Fees and funding
- Scotland: Tuition fees are yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government.
- England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man: £9,535 (yet to be confirmed by the UK Government)
- EU and overseas: £33,250
More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.
Accommodation fees
Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.
Funding and scholarships
The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.
Entry requirements
The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.
For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject-specific entry requirements as outlined on their pages.
-
- Standard entry grades:
- AAAAB, including A in Chemistry, A in French and an A in one other subject from the following: Biology (or Human Biology), Computing Science, Economics, Geography, Mathematics, Physics.
- Minimum entry grades:
- AAAB, including A in Chemistry, A in French and an A in one other subject from the following: Biology (or Human Biology), Computing Science, Economics, Geography, Mathematics, Physics.
- Gateway entry grades:
- Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades, but meet the University's contextual criteria, may be interested in one of the University’s Gateway programmes.
-
- Standard entry grades:
- AAA, including A in Chemistry and an A in French.
- Minimum entry grades:
- AAB, including A in Chemistry and an A in French.
-
- Standard entry grades:
- 38 (HL 6,6,6), including HL6 in Chemistry, HL6 in French and HL6 in one of the following subjects: Biology, Computer Science, Economics, Geography, Mathematics, Physics.
- Minimum entry grades:
- 36 (HL 6,6,5), including HL6 in Chemistry, HL6 in French and HL5 in one of the following subjects: Biology, Computer Science, Economics, Geography, Mathematics, Physics.
General entry requirements
All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.
-
SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing science
- Geography
- Applications of Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
-
GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing Science
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
Other qualifications
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.
More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University's entry requirements web page.
Do I need to have studied this subject before?
Applicants must have studied Chemistry and French at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level, IB Higher Level, or equivalent. Preference may be given to candidates offering strong science qualifications.
International applicants
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability.
Joint Honours degrees
You can also take Chemistry with French as part of a joint Honours degree in which you will take core modules of your chosen subjects.
| Course name | UCAS code |
|---|---|
| Ancient History and French (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RV1D |
| Arabic and French (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RTC6 |
| Art History and French (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RVC3 |
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Chemistry | C761 |
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) Chemistry and Earth Sciences | FF16 |
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) Chemistry and Mathematics | FG11 |
| Biblical Studies and French (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RVC6 |
| Chinese Studies and French (With Integrated Year Abroad) | CW06 |
| Classical Studies and French (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RQC8 |
| Classics and French (With Integrated Year Abroad) | QR8C |
| Comparative Literature and French (With Integrated Year Abroad) | QR2C |
| English and French (With Integrated Year Abroad) | QRH1 |
| Film Studies and French (With Integrated Year Abroad) | PR3C |
| French and Geography (With Integrated Year Abroad) | LRR1 |
| French and German (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RRC2 |
| French and Greek (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RQ17 |
| French and Hebrew (With Integrated Year Abroad) | QR91 |
| French and International Relations (With Integrated Year Abroad) | LRF1 |
| French and Italian (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RR31 |
| French and Latin (With Integrated Year Abroad) | QRP1 |
| French and Management (With Integrated Year Abroad) | NRF1 |
| French and Medieval History (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RVCC |
| French and Modern History (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RVCD |
| French and Persian (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RIT6 |
| French and Philosophy (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RVC5 |
| French and Psychology (With Integrated Year Abroad) | CR8C |
| French and Russian (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RRC7 |
| French and Social Anthropology (With Integrated Year Abroad) | LRP1 |
| French and Spanish (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RRC4 |
| French and Theological Studies (With Integrated Year Abroad) | VRP1 |
| Master in Science (Honours) Chemistry and Physics | FF13 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Ancient History and French | RVD1 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Arabic and French | RT16 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Art History and French | RV13 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and French | RV16 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Chinese Studies and French | CH06 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Classical Studies and French | RQ18 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Classics and French | QR81 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Comparative Literature and French | QR21 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) English and French | QR31 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Film Studies and French | PR31 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and Geography | LR71 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and German | RR12 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and Greek | QR71 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and Hebrew | QR41 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and International Relations | LR21 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and Italian | RR13 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and Latin | QR61 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and Management | NR21 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and Medieval History | RVC1 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and Modern History | RV11 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and Persian | R2T7 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and Philosophy | RV15 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and Psychology | CR81 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and Russian | RR17 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and Social Anthropology | LR61 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and Spanish | RR14 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and Theological Studies | VR61 |
"With" degrees
You can take Chemistry with French as part of a "with" Honours degree in which the majority of the course deals with the first name subject. St Andrews offers the following "with" degrees in Chemistry with French:
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology with French - UCAS code CCR1
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) Chemistry with French - UCAS code F1R1
- Biology with French (With Integrated Year Abroad) - UCAS code C1R1
- Chemistry with French (With External Placement) - UCAS code F1RA
- Chemistry with French (With Integrated Year Abroad) - UCAS code F1RC
- Master in Chemistry (Honours) Chemistry with Mathematics - UCAS code F1G1
"With" degrees taken with French are also available 'With Integrated Year Abroad'.
Careers
St Andrews chemistry graduates have an employment rate of over 95% and are in demand by large multinational and grassroots companies alike. Chemistry with French degrees provide a range of highly desirable skills that are prized by employers across numerous sectors, including:
- problem-solving
- numeracy
- data handling
- teamwork
- oral and written communication in both English and French
In addition to your chemistry knowledge, your high level training in the French language opens further opportunities for working in the francophone world. St Andrews Chemistry with French graduates move into a wide range of employment both in the chemical and allied industries, as well as sectors outside physical sciences.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
What to do next
Online information events
Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run. There are also sessions available for parents and college counsellors.
Undergraduate visiting days
We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online or in-person visiting days.
Contact us
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 3800
- chemistry@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- School of Chemistry
Purdie Building
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9ST
Discover Uni
Discover Uni provides official statistics about higher education courses taken from national surveys and data collected from universities and colleges about all their students. You can use this data to compare information for different degree programmes to help you make a decision about what and where to study.