MRes Advanced Molecular Synthesis
Study the latest approaches designed to automate, analyse and understand synthetic processes.
Key information
Duration: 1 year full-time
Start date: October 2022
ECTS: 90 credits
Overview
Our MRes in Advanced Molecular Synthesis focuses on the challenge of designing molecules and synthesising them in an efficient manner on a meaningful timescale. The ability to do this has the potential to unlock new opportunities to address societal challenges.
At present, the efficiency and speed of synthesis remain a bottleneck in the development of many compounds for use in fields as diverse as healthcare, agrochemicals, molecular optics and smart materials.
This multidisciplinary programme will combine a nine-month project of original research with courses and training in the latest approaches designed to automate, analyse and understand synthetic processes.
You will gain a strong understanding of the rational design and efficient synthesis of organic and inorganic compounds alongside the knowledge needed to bridge the current technological gap between academic and industrial research laboratories.
You will have access to the facilities at the recently established 'Dial-a-Molecule' Grand Challenge institute Centre for Rapid Online Analysis of Reactions (ROAR) at our new Molecular Sciences Research Hub (MSRH) at White City.
Study programme
In contrast to MSc programmes, the ethos of the MRes course is to focus on learning through research, regular research meetings, as well as interactive workshops and group work based on independent research and critical evaluation. Workshops may cover topics such as software carpentry and data analytics.
The material will be delivered by academics and industry partners, who are experts in the design and application of synthesis in a modern context.
You will also have access to non-assessed elements. These may cover topics such as advanced stereochemistry, synthesis and biosynthesis, kinetics, design of experiments and data science.
Taught modules
In the first term, lecture courses and workshops will provide small-group training.
Lecture courses will provide core knowledge on the topics of Fundamental Reactive Intermediates, and Advanced Process Design. Optional courses include Advanced Catalysis; Advanced Stereochemistry, Synthesis and Biosynthesis; and Sustainable Chemistry.
A series of workshops on Data Analytics will introduce the concepts for the increasingly data-driven discipline.
Journal clubs will encourage you to critically analyse developments from the recent literature. Further optional training courses will be available through the year, including reaction kinetics and design-of-experiments (DOE).
Research project
You will be able to choose your own, unique research project from a wide selection of project descriptions, circulated before the start of the course.
Each project will last nine months and be jointly supervised by academics/industry partners with different but complementary expertise. This will ensure a strongly multidisciplinary flavour to the projects.
Careers
Graduates can expect to receive training in all of the necessary skills and experience required to apply cutting-edge synthetic approaches in commercial and academic laboratories.
The extensive research project is a strong foundation for further study to PhD level.
Structure
This page reflects the latest version of the curriculum for this year of entry. However, this information is subject to change.
The curriculum of this programme is currently being reviewed as part of a College-wide process to introduce a standardised modular structure. As a result, the content and assessment structures of this course may change for this year of entry.
We recommend you check this page before finalising your application and again before accepting your offer. We will update this page as soon as any changes are confirmed by the College.
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about any changes made.
Page last reviewed on 25 October 2021.
Structure
Taught modules
Core
You take all of the following:
- Two assessed lecture courses (Fundamental Reactive Intermediates and Advanced Process Design)
- Journal Clubs
- Data Analytics Workshop
Optional
You also have access to non-assessed elements, such as those listed below.
This list is indicative of the options you can expect.
- Advanced Catalysis Lectures
- Advanced Stereochemistry, Synthesis and Biosynthesis Lectures
- Sustainable Chemistry Lectures
Research project
You undertake a nine-month research project, which includes the following elements:
- Research proposal
- Dissertation
- Oral exam
- Oral presentation
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
- Research project
- Journal clubs
- Workshop
- Core lectures
- Optional lectures
- Seminars
- Weekly meetings
Assessment methods
- Coursework
- Dissertation
- Oral examination
- Presentations
- Written examinations
- Written reports
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Admissions
Minimum academic requirement
Our minimum requirement is a 2.1 degree in chemistry or chemical engineering.
International qualifications
We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications.
The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a UK qualification.
For guidance see our Country Index though please note that the standards listed are the minimum for entry to the College, and not specifically this Department.
If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team.
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.
Competence standards
Our competence standards highlight the core skills students should be able to demonstrate by the end of this course.
View the Department of Chemistry's competence standards [pdf]
We believe in providing the widest practicable access to all of our degree programmes and will make reasonable adjustments wherever possible to support your study. For more information, please contact the Department using the contact details below.
Department of Chemistry
T: +44 (0)20 7594 5864
E: d.pappoe@imperial.ac.uk
How to apply
Making an application
Apply online
All applicants must apply online.
Visit our Admissions website for details on the application process.
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can usually choose up to two courses.
Application fee
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course:
- £80 for taught Master's applications (excluding MBAs)
- £135 for MBA applications
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas or research courses, such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
ATAS certificate (overseas candidates)
An ATAS certificate is required for all visa-nationals, with the exception of EEA/Swiss nationals and nationals of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the USA.
To apply for an ATAS certificate online, you will need your programme’s Common Aggregation Hierarchy (CAH) code and ‘descriptor’, as well as your university supervisor name. For this course, these are:
| CAH code | Descriptor | Supervisor name |
|---|---|---|
| CAH07-02-01 | chemistry | Professor Oscar Ces |
Your student visa application, or extension of stay, will automatically be refused if you need an ATAS certificate and cannot provide one.
For further guidance on obtaining an ATAS certificate please see the information on our International Student Support website.
ATAS course description
The description of the MRes course that you should use in your ATAS application is the below:
- Title of the research: Advanced Molecular Synthesis
- Description: The MRes course in Advanced Molecular synthesis at Imperial College London is designed to improve the students understanding and experience in all areas of synthesis with an emphasis on modern approaches and techniques, as well as the hardware and software tools. The research will be based in a multidisciplinary area, supervised by academics who are experts in this field. The student will be exploring rational design and efficient synthesis of both organic and inorganic compounds. To achieve this, academics who work closely with industrial partners will guide the students through journal clubs and workshops to critically analyse the benefits and drawbacks of a range of approaches to synthesis. This training will be accompanied by hands-on use of the state-of-the-art, world-leading facilities available within Imperial College London.
Tuition fees and funding
The level of tuition fees you pay is based on your fee status, which we assess based on UK government legislation.
Find out more about fees and funding opportunities.
Tuition fees
Home rate of tuition
2022 entry
£12,800
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Home fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
UKCISA has also provided some information in response to Questions for students starting their course from the 1 August 2021.
Overseas rate of tuition
2022 entry
£35,400
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Overseas fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
Postgraduate Master's loan
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For 2022-23 entry, the maximum amount is £11,836. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students to support you through your studies.
See what opportunities you may be eligible for:
Accommodation and living costs
Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.
You can compare costs across our different accommodation options on our Accommodation website.
A rough guide to what you might expect to spend to live in reasonable comfort in London is available on our Fees and Funding website.
Further information
Got a question?
Dr Mike Ray and Dr Dipa Gurung
T: +44 (0)20 7594 2678 and +44 (0)20 7594 1241
E: chemres@imperial.ac.uk
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