Overview
Our Drug Chemistry MSc provides advanced training in modern organic and medicinal chemistry. It ranges from the conception to the production of novel drugs. You’ll study and experience the way modern small molecule medicine is developing.
You’ll gain hands-on experience of working within a medicinal chemistry team during your research project.
Newcastle University is a great place to study a medicinal chemistry degree. Our strengths include the following specialist topics:
- computational based drug design
- modern approaches to chemotherapy
You’ll develop drug design expertise as practised in the pharmaceutical industry and academia. You’ll also discover the modern and experimental therapies developing at Newcastle University’s Centre for Cancer.
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
MSc – Master of Science
An MSc is a taught Master’s degree. It usually involves the study of a science-related subject. It typically includes:
- subject-specific taught modules
- a dissertation or research project of approximately 15,000 – 18,000 words
You’ll usually study an MSc full-time over 12 months.
A Master of Science is typically awarded for the successful completion of 100 credits of taught modules and a 80-credit dissertation or research project.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications.
What you’ll learn
The Drug Chemistry MSc is delivered through the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. It includes:
- 100 credits of taught modules
- 80-credit practical project
You’ll gain knowledge in areas including:
- drug design
- metabolism
- toxicology
- synthetic organic chemistry
- computational medicinal chemistry
- applied bioinformatics
- biopharmaceuticals
- chemical biology
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Additional compulsory module information
You also take the following compulsory modules:
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology (10 credits)
- Theory and Practice of Chemotherapy (20 credits)
- Synthetic Methodology for Drugs (20 credits)
If you’ve graduated from Chemistry UG courses at Newcastle University you’ll take the following modules replacing Drug Metabolism and Toxicology and Theory and Practice of Chemotherapy:
- Biopharmaceuticals as Therapeutics (10 credits)
- Recent Advances in Chemistry Research (20 credits)
If you have a very strong background in Organic Chemistry, you may be able to replace Synthetic Methodology for Drugs with the following modules (after consultation with the Degree Programme Director):
- Selectivity and Stereocontrol in Organic Synthesis (10 credits)
- Pericyclic and radical reactions (10 credits)
How you’ll learn
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Computer assessment
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Professional skills assessments
- Oral presentation
- Practical lab report
- Problem-solving exercises
- Report
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 200 for Chemistry – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
Chemistry facilities
The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences has an outstanding range of facilities to support research and teaching, including:
- modern research laboratories and analytical services
- synthesis and characterisation of novel materials lab
- computational resources for performing molecular modelling
- NMR facilities include 300-700 MHz spectrometers
- glass-blowing, mechanical and electrical/electronic workshops
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:2 BSc honours degree, or international equivalent, in chemistry (or closely related, such as applied chemistry) or 2.1 honours degree (or international equivalent) in related courses containing a significant element of organic and medicinal chemistry such as:
- pharmacy
- pharmacology
- pharmaceutical sciences
- medicine
- biomedical sciences
