How to Apply for Postgraduate study in Chemistry
The School of Chemistry is recognised as one of the leading Chemistry research institutions in the UK and is consistently ranked inside the top 10 UK Chemistry Departments. This was reflected by our rating of 5 in the 2001 research assessment exercise. St Andrews University was rated the 5th best University in the UK by both the Guardian University Guide (2009) and the Times Good University Guide (2009). The Guardian University Guide (2009) also rated the St Andrews University School of Chemistry as providing the best undergraduate chemistry course in the UK. This high ranking reflects the high quality nature of our courses, our excellent teaching and the good results and careers our students achieve as a result of studying at St Andrews.
Chemistry research at St Andrews and Edinburgh has recently combined to form EaStCHEM, which is a world-class research grouping based at both St Andrews and Edinburgh. By combining the strengths, facilities and the training opportunites of both St Andrews and Edinburgh, we have made PhD study in EaStCHEM an even more attractive option. Both universities are equipped with all the facilities you would expect of a leading European research school, but students also have access to more specialised research equipment being developed at both sites. Research in EaStCHEM covers the full breadth of Chemistry including its interfaces with biology and physics.
At St Andrews we offer PhD and MPhil degrees obtained by research on an agreed project of appropriate originality carried out under the supervision of a chosen member of staff. These degrees also include elements of skills development and course work.
As part of EaStCHEM, St Andrews runs an exciting and challenging graduate school, which provides high quality support and opportunities for graduate research across all areas of Chemistry, as well as training students for their working life. Graduates have access to state of the art facilities within Chemistry and in the associated interdisciplinary research centres. Support is available for UK, EU and international students; we typically have places for around 100 PhD students per year.
Students are given the opportunity to develop a variety of skills in chemistry and transferable skills in other areas
- Oral presentations
- Paper and report writing
- Leadership and team working
- Public engagement with science
- Health and Safety
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On completion our students are well placed for employment in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, research, education, government or commerce.
Opportunities for 2010-11
St Andrews Chemistry Postgraduate Open Day:
Friday 12th February 2010
Interested in studying for a Chemistry PhD in St Andrews? Come to the Open Day to visit the department and talk to prospective PhD supervisors. Further Information.
Ph.D. Studentships
A large number of fully-funded Ph.D. Studentships are available throughout 2010 and into 2011.
Most of the funded places are earmarked for UK and EU citizens, and therefore candidates should be UK or EU citizens and hold, or expect to obtain, a 1st class or 2.1 B.Sc. or M.Chem. degree, or its European equivalent. Funded studentships cover all fees (at the UK/EU rate), and a full stipend (£12900 per year tax-free for 2009 starts).
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EaStCHEM Centre for Cancer Medicinal Chemistry
EaStCHEM, the joint chemistry research school of the Universities of Edinburgh and St Andrews, has recently been awarded substantial funding by Cancer Research UK to establish a cancer medicinal chemistry training centre. The centre provides post-graduate training in medicinal and cancer-related chemistry. It has the aim of training the best students to pursue a career in cancer research and medicinal chemistry, either in academia or industry. PhD studentships are available for working on specific projects related to cancer medicinal chemistry. Studentships will either be at St Andrews or Edinburgh.
Information on Research Projects for Postgraduate Study at St Andrews
- You can download a brochure describing our Postgraduate Programmes of study, together with the postgraduate prospectus for 2010.
- Interested students should first consult staff webpages or the EaStCHEM's research strengths page for a list of themes and links to research interests pages of members of staff. You can view staff research interests by clicking on the photo of the staff member on the staff list webpage. Many staff also maintain their own research group pages which provide more details about their research. Some current PhD projects are listed on FindAPhD.com and jobs.ac.uk.
- If you wish, you may arrange an informal visit or attend a postgraduate visiting day before submitting a formal application, or you can attend one of our EaStCHEM Postgraduate Recruitment Fairs(see home page for details).
- You can find out what it is like to live in St Andrews by consulting the links on our admissions pages and the University PG admissions site.
Initial enquiries
If you have any queries or would like to request a hard copy of the application form and/or brochure please contact Chemistry Postgraduate Admissions (email address: chempg@st-andrews.ac.uk). Informal enquiries can also be made to Dr Manfred Buck (mb45@st-andrews.ac.uk), Convener of Chemistry Postgraduate Studies. The formal application procedure is given below. For initial contact, applicants are welcome to e-mail their CV to the addresses above along with an e-mail explaining their main interests to find out what opportunities are currently available. We invite many suitable qualified applicants to visit the School and meet potential supervisors (with reasonable travel expenses supported by the School of Chemistry).
Formal applications: electronic application
- Complete the online university application form. (Click on "Apply online for this course" link in right-hand column. You need to complete free registration with the Prospects site first.)
- Email to chempg@st-andrews.ac.uk the completed chemistry visit form indicating preferred dates to visit St. Andrews, research interests, and/or the names of 4-5 potential supervisors that you would like to meet if invited to visit (this does not commit you to just these supervisors).
- Email to chempg@st-andrews.ac.uk a full CV*
- Email to chempg@st-andrews.ac.uk copies (scans) of any completed degree certificates or transcripts
Formal applications: postal application
Send all the information in hard copy to Postgraduate Admissions Office, University of St Andrews, St Katharine's West, 16 The Scores, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AX, Scotland. Include in your envelope the following:
- The completed university application form
- The completed chemistry visit form indicating preferred dates to visit St. Andrews, research interests, and/or the names of 4-5 potential supervisors that you would like to meet if invited to visit (this does not commit you to just these supervisors).
- A full CV*
- Photocopies of any completed degree certificates or transcripts.
*The CV should include the candidate's nationality, any information that relates to qualifications gained or courses currently being studied (e.g. end of year results), and a summary of any research in which the candidate has participated. The names and full contact details of two academic referees are also required.
EaStCHEM@Edinburgh
To apply for postgraduate study at our EaStCHEM partners, Edinburgh University Department of Chemistry, please consult the EaStCHEM site or the Edinburgh Chemistry Graduate School website.
Information for Current Postgraduate Students
The Convener of the School Postgraduate Committee is Dr Manfred Buck, who has overall responsibility for the administration of postgraduate matters in the School. Postgraduate teaching and assessment is coordinated by Dr Petr Kilian. The School Postgraduate Secretary, Mrs Carolyn Busby, supports postgraduate administration.
- Dr Manfred Buck: Purdie Building, Rm 101b, Tel: 7232, Email: mb45@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Dr Petr Kilian: Purdie Building, Rm 341, Tel: 7304, Email: pk7@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Mrs Carolyn Busby: Purdie Building, General Office, Rm 211, Tel: 3801, Email: cmb20@standrews.ac.uk
- Other members of the postgraduate committee are Dr Andrew D Smith (recruitment) and Dr Paul A Wright.
Last updated:26 January, 2010
