PhD in Chemistry PhD / MSc (Res)

Applications are due 1 June, and tuition is £29,310 (full-time).

In the first year you complete 60-120 credits of taught modules while beginning your research and producing a scoping report and a first-year report. The second year adds around 40 taught credits, a literature review and a further progress report. In the third year you draft a thesis workplan, conduct the main research and present your findings at internal and external conferences.

Graduates move into research-intensive roles in academia, industry, government and policy organisations, or continue onto post-doctoral positions and specialist scientific careers.

The programme is based in the School of Chemistry’s new Molecular Sciences Building, offering collaboration with industrial and governmental partners and access to extensive research facilities.

The University of Birmingham, chartered in 1900, is a large, research-intensive redbrick university located in Edgbaston. It offers a broad spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and has a reputation for multidisciplinary research, substantial campus investment and strong academic staffing. With more than 34,000 students, including a sizeable international community, Birmingham combines historic strengths with modern facilities and a global outlook.

Research and teaching span the arts, sciences, engineering, medicine and social sciences, supported by major investments in campus infrastructure and academic appointments. The university promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through flagship fellowships and research initiatives, and many courses provide opportunities for placements, industry engagement and overseas study on its international campuses. Student support services include extensive academic development, career services and wellbeing provision tailored to an international cohort.

Life at Birmingham blends a vibrant campus with access to the city's cultural and professional resources, enabling students to pursue extracurricular activities, volunteering and professional networking. The institution’s global partnerships and growing research profile open doors for international collaborations and career pathways. Prospective international applicants should carefully check entry requirements, funding and application deadlines and contact the university’s international office for guidance on visas, scholarships and arrival planning.