MSc Analytical Chemistry

Study Mode Full-time
Year of Entry 2025/26
Student in lab coat

MSc

Analytical Chemistry

Work in cutting-edge facilities, gaining the skills and knowledge you need to work as an analytical scientist - employing classical and modern techniques.

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: £10,620 for the course
    International/EU: £17,725 for the course

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    1 Year

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    City Campus

  • Date

    When do I start?

    September 2025


Course summary

  • Develop the expertise you need to work as an analytical chemist, alongside renowned active researchers.
  • Operate cutting-edge, industry-standard analytical lab instruments.
  • Learn to obtain and interpret analytical information using a variety of products.
  • Apply experimental design techniques and use statistical methods for data evaluation.
  • Attain a solid grounding in laboratory quality management.

On this course, you'll advance your knowledge of analytical chemistry, and learn how it can be applied to different industries. You gain experience and understanding of key techniques in separation sciences, including liquid and gas chromatography, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, such as atomic absorption and emission, NMR and IR and how analytical technologies can be applied to solve complex biological problems.


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How you learn

Your lecturer's view
Watch professional lead for chemistry and forensic science, Dr Thomas Bassindale, talk about this course.

Throughout the course, you’ll undertake practical work and research in state-of-the-art laboratories and teaching laboratories which prepare you for industry. Our researchers are renowned specialists in analytical chemistry — and are active in their field. This provides you with not only the day-to-day experience needed for employment in the field, but with useful contacts.

You gain experience and understanding of key techniques in separation sciences, including liquid and gas chromatography, and atomic and molecular spectroscopy, such as atomic absorption and emission, NMR and IR. Modules may include Forensic Drug Analysis, Innovations in Analytical Science and Advanced Laboratory and Research Methods.

You learn through

  • lectures and seminars
  • a programme of laboratory classes
  • full semester research project

Course leaders and tutors

Robert Bradshaw
Robert Bradshaw
Senior Lecturer in Analytical Science. Co-Placement Lead for Department of Biosciences and Chemistry.

Robert is a lecturer in Analytical Science specialising in Mass Spectrometry

Applied learning

Laboratory experience and research project

To supplement the classroom activities there is a programme of laboratory classes. Your laboratory work is carried out in our teaching laboratories which are extensively equipped with the latest models of analytical instruments, such as HPLCs and GCs. This is supplemented by access to our research facilities where you have access to more sophisticated equipment, such as NMR and a suite of various types of mass spectrometers.

You will have the opportunity to conduct a semester-long investigative research project within the biomedical field. This work will take place in cutting-edge, industry-standard laboratories and teaching labs under the supervision of world-renowned active research staff.

This work will be aligned with the current research interests of an academic member of staff within our specialist Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre. The project will include a critical review of the literature relevant to your research project, the development of a project proposal, design of research methods and the analysis, presentation and interpretation of experimental data.


Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in:

  • academic or industrial research
  • quality assurance
  • analytical laboratories
  • the pharmaceutical industry

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work in:

  • methods development
  • drug development
  • public healthcare
  • pharmaceuticals
  • academia

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour 


City Campus map
Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Learn more about your department

Biosciences and Chemistry Facilities Tour

Take a look around the biosciences and chemistry facilities at Sheffield Hallam University with senior lecturer and recruitment lead Dr Susan Campbell.

Department page

Equipment and facilities

On this course you work with

  • industry-standard analytical equipment such as HPLC, NMR or GC
  • cutting edge research instrumentation, such as in our mass spectrometry suite

Entry requirements

All students

A 2:1 in a relevant Honours degree is normally accepted as the entry requirement for the course. Applicants with a 2:2 are also actively encouraged to apply and will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants with alternative qualifications with academic attainment or skills in subjects which are directly relevant to the course will also be considered

If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Modules

Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Advanced Laboratory And Research Practice
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Applied Laboratory Practice
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Forensic Drug Analysis
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Innovations In Analytical Science
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Research Project
Credits 60
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Separation And Detection Science
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Exam(60%)
The Analytical Approach
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Exam(60%)

Elective modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Advanced Mass Spectrometry
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Advanced Organic Spectroscopy
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Exam(60%)
Fundamentals Of Mass Spectrometry
Credits 15
Assessment Exam(100%)
Surface Analysis And Related Techniques
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Exam(60%)

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £10,620 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,725 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.

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Postgraduate student loans

Up to £12,471 is available in 2024/25 for home students on most masters courses.

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Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Biosciences and Chemistry (PDF, 131.3KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

 

How do I apply?

You apply for this course via our online application form.

Apply for September 2025

You can also use the application form above to apply for future years of entry.

Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

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Why choose us?

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Teaching

We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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Accommodation

We guarantee to find you an affordable place to live that’s close to campus and comes with all bills included

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Employment

95% of our UK graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey)

Where next?

Find out more about Sheffield Hallam's postgraduate opportunities and community.

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Information for international students

Information for international students including entry requirements by country and funding.

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