Chemistry with French

Chemistry is the central science, connecting physics and biology through the study of matter, its properties, and the reactions through which substances are transformed into new materials. From the pharmaceutical compounds that treat disease to the polymers that shape everyday life, the catalysts that enable cleaner industrial processes, and the molecules that store and transmit energy, chemistry is at the heart of the technologies that define the modern world. Adding French to the degree gives you the linguistic and cultural access to engage with the French-speaking scientific world and to work internationally.

At St Andrews this five-year full-time MChem degree teaches you the fundamentals of chemistry, from the composition and properties of matter to the synthesis of new molecules and materials. You will learn about chemistry's critical role in pharmaceuticals, water purification, energy generation, sustainable food production, and many other areas of vital importance. The programme is research-led and interfaces naturally with biology, physics, mathematics, medicine, and geology, giving you a genuinely broad scientific education.

A year abroad is embedded in the degree, allowing you to study in a French-speaking academic environment and develop the linguistic fluency and international perspective that complement your scientific training. The typical entry tariff of 216 points reflects the demands of studying two rigorous disciplines simultaneously at a research-intensive institution.

Graduates go on to careers in pharmaceutical research, chemical engineering, materials science, environmental science, agrochemicals, and academic research. The combination of chemistry and French is particularly valuable for careers in international research collaborations, French pharmaceutical and chemical companies, European regulatory bodies, and science communication. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study, including doctoral research in chemistry or materials science, and professional qualification through the Royal Society of Chemistry.