Chemistry with French MChem (Hons) 2025 entry

Normally, for joint degree programmes, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. However, Chemistry with French MChem (Hons) joint degree programme has different entry requirements which are listed below.

All other aspects of the programme, including modules and teaching format, are the same as those listed on the Chemistry MChem and French MA pages. 

For more information on joint honours degrees email admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk or contact the School of Chemistry at chemug@st-andrews.ac.uk

UCAS code
F1RD
Start date
September 2025
End date
September 2030
Duration
Five years full time
School
School of Chemistry

Entry requirements

The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject-specific entry requirements as outlined on their pages.

  • Standard entry grades:
    AAAAB, including A in Chemistry, A in French and an A in one other subject from the following: Biology (or Human Biology), Computing Science, Economics, Geography, Mathematics, Physics.
    Minimum entry grades:
    AAAB, including A in Chemistry, A in French and an A in one other subject from the following: Biology (or Human Biology), Computing Science, Economics, Geography, Mathematics, Physics.
    Gateway entry grades:
    Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades, but meet the University's contextual criteria, may be interested in one of the University’s Gateway programmes.
  • Standard entry grades:
    AAA, including A in Chemistry and an A in French.
    Minimum entry grades:
    AAB, including A in Chemistry and an A in French.
  • Standard entry grades:
    38 (HL 6,6,6), including HL6 in Chemistry, HL6 in French and HL6 in one of the following subjects: Biology, Computer Science, Economics, Geography, Mathematics, Physics.
    Minimum entry grades:
    36 (HL 6,6,5), including HL6 in Chemistry, HL6 in French and HL5 in one of the following subjects: Biology, Computer Science, Economics, Geography, Mathematics, Physics.

General entry requirements

All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.

  • SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:

    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Computing science
    • Geography
    • Applications of Mathematics
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Psychology.
  • GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:

    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Computing Science
    • Geography
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Psychology.

Other qualifications

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.

More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements web page.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

Applicants must have studied Chemistry and French at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level, IB Higher Level, or equivalent. Preference may be given to candidates offering strong science qualifications.

International applicants

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability.

Course details

The MChem (Hons) in Chemistry with French will teach you the fundamentals of this central science, from the composition and properties of matter to using reactions to create new molecules and materials. You will learn about the critical role of chemistry in industries and new technologies, from pharmaceuticals to accessing drinkable water, and from efficient energy generation to sustainable food production.

Alongside your study of chemistry you will develop French language and communications skills to a high level of proficiency through the study of French and Francophone language, literature and culture.

Chemistry at St Andrews interfaces with biology, physics, mathematics, medicine and geology, making it a highly applicable subject to many areas of study.

The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure web page.

Modules

Students will take the following compulsory first-year modules:

  • Introductory Inorganic and Physical Chemistry: covers origin of the elements and the periodic table, atomic structure, shapes and properties of molecules, chemistry of the elements, properties of solutions, thermochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics, and mathematical tools for chemistry.
  • Inorganic and Physical Chemistry 1: covers bonding in simple molecules, inorganic solids, chemistry of the first-row transition metals, properties of solids, states of matter, and introductory spectroscopy.
  • Organic and Biological Chemistry 1: covers the structure and nomenclature of simple organic compounds, basic stereochemistry, fundamental organic reaction mechanisms, organic functional groups and their reactions, introductory bioorganic chemistry, and organic spectroscopy.
  • French Language and Literature 1: aims to bridge the gulf between school and university French studies by developing language skills, offering a grounding in literary and cultural traditions in France and the francophone world.
  • French Language and Literature 2: aims to ensure grammatical competence and promote comprehension and production in written and spoken modes, and to teach the reading of francophone literary texts and films in their socio-cultural background and develop basic skills of literary criticism.

Each of the compulsory sub-honours modules in chemistry involves a mixture of lecture-based and practical teaching.

Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules:

  • Inorganic Chemistry 2: covers metal complexes and organometallics, descriptive transition-metal chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, solid-state chemistry and descriptive main-group chemistry.
  • Organic Chemistry 2 (French): covers methods forcarbon-carbon bond formation, interconversion of functional groups, aromatic and heteroaromatic reactivity, mechanistic biological chemistry and organic spectroscopy.
  • Physical Chemistry 2: covers quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, molecular spectroscopy and diffraction, and advanced mathematical tools for chemistry.
  • Second Level French Language (1): designed to consolidate and extend the analytical and linguistic skills, understand better how the language works, how it is used and how to analyse it.
  • Second Level French Language (2): develop your skills in spoken, aural and written French for a variety of academic and communication purposes and in different cultural contexts. This will prepare you directly for the linguistic requirements of the year abroad as well as the analytical skills required at honours level.

Each of the compulsory sub-honours modules in chemistry involves a mixture of lecture-based and practical teaching.

The knowledge and skills in research and analysis that you gain during your first two years will prepare you to undertake more advanced and specialist modules in Chemistry alongside French modules during your final two years.

During years four and five, you will also carry out a Chemistry research project in one of the School's highly-rated research groups on a topic chosen in consultation with staff.

The modules above are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course. Please see the module catalogue for more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment.

Teaching

Fees

Scotland
£1,820

England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man

Following the decision of the UK Government to raise undergraduate tuition fees and maintenance loans in line with inflation from April 2025, we are reviewing the consequences of that decision for fees payable by students from the rest of the UK who have chosen to study in Scotland. We will update the information on this page as soon as possible.

EU and overseas
£31,670

More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.

Accommodation fees

Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.

Joint Honours degrees

You can also take Chemistry with French as part of a joint Honours degree in which you will take core modules of your chosen subjects.

Course name UCAS code
Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and ChemistryC761
Bachelor of Science (Honours) Chemistry and Earth SciencesFF16
Bachelor of Science (Honours) Chemistry and MathematicsFG11
Master in Science (Honours) Chemistry and PhysicsFF13
Master of Arts (Honours) Ancient History and FrenchRVD1
Master of Arts (Honours) Ancient History and French (With Integrated Year Abroad)RV1D
Master of Arts (Honours) Arabic and FrenchRT16
Master of Arts (Honours) Arabic and French (With Integrated Year Abroad)RTC6
Master of Arts (Honours) Art History and FrenchRV13
Master of Arts (Honours) Art History and French (With Integrated Year Abroad)RVC3
Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and FrenchRV16
Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and French (With Integrated Year Abroad)RVC6
Master of Arts (Honours) Chinese Studies and FrenchCH06
Master of Arts (Honours) Chinese Studies and French (With Integrated Year Abroad)CW06
Master of Arts (Honours) Classical Studies and FrenchRQ18
Master of Arts (Honours) Classical Studies and French (With Integrated Year Abroad)RQC8
Master of Arts (Honours) Classics and FrenchQR81
Master of Arts (Honours) Classics and French (With Integrated Year Abroad)QR8C
Master of Arts (Honours) Comparative Literature and FrenchQR21
Master of Arts (Honours) Comparative Literature and French (With Integrated Year Abroad)QR2C
Master of Arts (Honours) English and FrenchQR31
Master of Arts (Honours) English and French (With Integrated Year Abroad)QRH1
Master of Arts (Honours) Film Studies and FrenchPR31
Master of Arts (Honours) Film Studies and French (With Integrated Year Abroad)PR3C
Master of Arts (Honours) French and GeographyLR71
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Geography (With Integrated Year Abroad)LRR1
Master of Arts (Honours) French and GermanRR12
Master of Arts (Honours) French and German (With Integrated Year Abroad)RRC2
Master of Arts (Honours) French and GreekQR71
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Greek (With Integrated Year Abroad)RQ17
Master of Arts (Honours) French and HebrewQR41
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Hebrew (With Integrated Year Abroad)QR91
Master of Arts (Honours) French and International RelationsLR21
Master of Arts (Honours) French and International Relations (With Integrated Year Abroad)LRF1
Master of Arts (Honours) French and ItalianRR13
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Italian (With Integrated Year Abroad)RR31
Master of Arts (Honours) French and LatinQR61
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Latin (With Integrated Year Abroad)QRP1
Master of Arts (Honours) French and ManagementNR21
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Management (with Integrated Year Abroad)NRF1
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Medieval HistoryRVC1
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Medieval History (With Integrated Year Abroad)RVCC
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Modern HistoryRV11
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Modern History (With Integrated Year Abroad)RVCD
Master of Arts (Honours) French and PersianR2T7
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Persian (With Integrated Year Abroad)RIT6
Master of Arts (Honours) French and PhilosophyRV15
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Philosophy (With Integrated Year Abroad)RVC5
Master of Arts (Honours) French and PsychologyCR81
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Psychology (With Integrated Year Abroad)CR8C
Master of Arts (Honours) French and RussianRR17
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Russian (With Integrated Year Abroad)RRC7
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Social AnthropologyLR61
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Social Anthropology (With Integrated Year Abroad)LRP1
Master of Arts (Honours) French and SpanishRR14
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Spanish (With Integrated Year Abroad)RRC4
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Theological StudiesVR61
Master of Arts (Honours) French and Theological Studies (With Integrated Year Abroad)VRP1

"With" degrees

You can take Chemistry with French as part of a "with" Honours degree in which the majority of the course deals with the first name subject. St Andrews offers the following "with" degrees in Chemistry with French:

  • Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology with French (With Integrated Year Abroad) - UCAS code C1R1
  • Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology with French - UCAS code CCR1
  • Bachelor of Science (Honours) Chemistry with French (With Integrated Year Abroad) - UCAS code F1RC
  • Bachelor of Science (Honours) Chemistry with French - UCAS code F1R1
  • Master in Chemistry (Honours) Chemistry with French with External Placement - UCAS code F1RA
  • Master in Chemistry (Honours) Chemistry with Mathematics - UCAS code F1G1

"With" degrees taken with French are also available 'With Integrated Year Abroad'.

Careers

St Andrews chemistry graduates have an employment rate of over 95% and are in demand by large multinational and grassroots companies alike. Chemistry with French degrees provide a range of highly desirable skills that are prized by employers across numerous sectors, including:

  • problem-solving
  • numeracy
  • data handling
  • teamwork
  • oral and written communication in both English and French

In addition to your chemistry knowledge, your high level training in the French language opens further opportunities for working in the francophone world. St Andrews Chemistry with French graduates move into a wide range of employment both in the chemical and allied industries, as well as sectors outside physical sciences.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

What to do next

Online information events

Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run. There are also sessions available for parents and college counsellors.

Undergraduate visiting days

We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online or in-person visiting days.

Contact us

Phone
+44 (0)1334 46 3800
Email
chemistry@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address
School of Chemistry
Purdie Building
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9ST

School of Chemistry website

Discover Uni

Discover Uni provides official statistics about higher education courses taken from national surveys and data collected from universities and colleges about all their students. You can use this data to compare information for different degree programmes to help you make a decision about what and where to study.