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Cardiff University
School of Chemistry
About us
From biofuels and clean water to developing new pharmaceuticals, chemistry is vital for tackling society’s most urgent challenges. At Cardiff University’s School of Chemistry, sustainability is high on our agenda, reflected by our landmark research into catalysis for a greener future.
In 2016, we were awarded a rare and prestigious Regius Professorship – the first in Wales - by Her Majesty the Queen, recognising our long track record of exceptionally high quality research and teaching. Professor Graham Hutchings, Director of our Cardiff Catalysis Institute, currently holds the title of Regius Professor. One of the world’s leading authorities on catalysis and a Fellow of the Royal Society, Professor Hutchings made the landmark discovery that gold is a remarkable catalyst for certain reactions. Our Director of Research, Professor Stuart Taylor, is the recipient of the 2023 Royal Society of Chemistry’s Environment Prize for his pioneering work creating catalysts that help the environment.
In the REF 2021 research assessment exercise we were ranked 12th in the UK for the impact of our research in addressing major challenges facing society, the economy and our environment. 99% of our submission was deemed world-leading or internationally excellent, showing the strength of our research expertise.
Location and facilities
The School of Chemistry is just a short walk from the centre of Wales’s vibrant capital city. A two-hour train journey to London, Cardiff is also ideally situated for easy access to the Welsh coastline and national parks.
Located in the University’s iconic, traditional Main Building, our research facilities also include the Cardiff Catalysis Institute based in the state-of-the-art Translational Research Hub, where scientists work with commercial partners across sectors including energy, advanced materials, transport, communication and healthcare. Our School is home to a friendly, international community of teaching and research staff, over 80 postdoctoral and technical staff and more than 250 students.
Opposite the School of Chemistry is the new Centre for Student Life, the hub for student support and careers services, as well as the Students’ Union, (rated 2nd in the UK by 2022 WhatUni Student Choice Awards for Best Students’ Union).
Postgraduate taught courses
We offer two postgraduate taught courses, with a number of funding and scholarship opportunities.
MSc Advanced Chemistry
Designed to prepare you for a career in academia, industry or government, this course deepens your knowledge of how chemistry impacts the world.
Based around a set of core modules, it also offers a broad variety of optional modules in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, helping you to focus on your areas of interest. You will explore topics including biological chemistry, medicinal chemistry and catalysis through a combination of lectures, seminars, problem-solving workshops, tutorials and practical lab-based work.
“The MSc Advanced Chemistry course has been one of the best decisions I have made academically as it allowed me to maintain an interdisciplinary skill set, so I could specialise in the areas I enjoy the most while still being able to cover a wide range of material at a very high level of depth. The options available have given me a wide range of skills that I can apply to a PhD in a variety of fields.”
Andrew Ions, 2023 student
YouTube: MSc Advanced Chemistry – Hear from our student
MSc Medicinal Chemistry
This course provides advanced training in modern organic and medicinal chemistry from the conception to the production of novel drugs and can be taken on a one-year full-time or three-year part-time basis.
You will study aspects of medicinal chemistry exploring the links between disease, mechanisms of action and the development of safe, effective commercial drugs – pursuing these topics across a number of major health areas such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases, neuropharmacology and inflammation.
“Studying the MSc in Medicinal Chemistry at Cardiff University has been a truly rewarding experience for me. The course was structured exceptionally well and covered all aspects of drug molecule application and analysis in great detail. I found the academic staff to be incredibly supportive, friendly, and patient, always willing to answer my questions and check on my project progress. The course also provided an opportunity for me to develop my skills in advanced synthetic techniques through practical sessions, including the use of automated flash chromatography. Overall, this course has offered me an in-depth and comprehensive learning experience that I recommend.”
Hiroki Nakahara, 2023 student
YouTube: MSc Medicinal Chemistry – Hear from our student
Postgraduate research courses
We have MPhil and PhDs available in areas such as:
- Catalysis
- Biological Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Synthesis
- Physical Organic Chemistry
- Solid State Materials
- Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
YouTube: Postgraduate research courses
Contact details
School Admissions Office
Web: www.cardiff.ac.uk/chemistry
Email: chemistry@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)29 2087 4023
School of Chemistry
Cardiff University
Main Building
Park Place
Cardiff
CF10 3AT
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