research

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Chemistry research degrees

Postgraduate - Research

MSc by Thesis PhD

Looking for a funded PhD?

Check out our current PhD scholarship opportunities now

About our programmes

By choosing Chemistry as a postgraduate at Hull you will be joining a vibrant and forward-thinking research community. You can study at a variety of levels, right up to PhD. You will join established research groups and find that we combine research expertise and cutting-edge facilities to deliver a unique experience. We pride ourselves on supporting our postgraduate students to make sure that you achieve your full potential. One of the University’s distinctive features is its strong research culture of collaboration and interdisciplinary working. The department and its researchers work together with, among others, biologists, clinicians, engineers (including chemical engineers), environmental scientists and, through the Hull York Medical School, with medics, on a variety of projects and initiatives.

We have some of the best-developed research links and industrial collaborations of any chemistry department in the UK – including projects with local, regional, national and global chemical companies such as: AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson-Matthey, Pfizer, Reckitt-Benckiser, Schlumberger and Unilever. The department’s research is commercially exploited in terms of patents, licensing and spin-out companies such as Chemtrix, Kingston Chemicals, Polar OLED and Sporomex. The Institute for Chemistry in Industry operates a long established materials analysis consultancy focused on manufacturing industries in the Hull and Humber Region and their associated supply chains.

Apply for research programmes in Chemistry

Details

Open for admission in 2024/25

Qualification Full time Part time
MSc by Thesis 1 year* 2 years*
PhD 3 years* 5 years*

* The length of programme registration will be longer as it includes the maximum writing-up phase.

Start in January, May or September

Research

Our academic experts welcome postgraduate research applications across a broad range of topics. If you are interested in a research project with us, please have a look at the list below for guidance about the research areas in which the department can offer supervision.

Initial inquiries should be made to the member of staff whom you would like to supervise your research.

  • Analytical sciences

  • Medicinal and imaging chemistry

  • Synthesis and catalysis

  • Materials chemistry 

"I was given the opportunity to present my research at international conferences in Portugal, Spain and Germany. My highlights were the prizes and scientific recognition I received for my presentations."

Christina Roggatz, PhD Chemistry

"The supervisors at the University of Hull are excellent, always making time for students. There are plenty of opportunities to present your work here as well as at other universities, which helps grow your professional network."

David Miller-Shakesby, PhD Chemistry, MChem Chemistry

Fees and funding

Home


Full time:
£4,712 per year

Part time: £2,356 per year

International


Full time:
£19,950 per year

These fees are for all research degree programmes on this page. For courses lasting more than one year, annual increases apply. For more information, please visit the fees and funding page. 

Postgraduate research programme structures


PhD

  • Full-time: 3 years of research, with up to 12 months writing up if required
  • Part-time: 5 years of research, with up to 20 months of writing up if required

Masters

  • Full-time: one year of research, with up to 12 months writing up if required
  • Part-time: 2 years of research, with up to 24 months of writing up if required

Writing-up and thesis submission


A standard full-time PhD programme comprised three years of research plus up to 12 months of writing-up. Part-time is five years plus up to 20 months writing-up if needed. Full-time standard Masters programmes are comprised one year of research plus up to 12 months of writing-up if needed; and part time Masters programmes have two years of research with up to two years of writing-up.

For full-time students, the writing-up phase typically takes about three months but may be extended to one year without further paperwork. For part-time students, writing-up typically takes one year, but may be extended to two years without further paperwork. The maximum writing-up period is included in your overall programme length, which means that international PGRs will not need to apply for an additional visa to cover the writing-up phase.

If you need to move into the writing-up period of your research degree, you must enrol for this phase and you will be liable to pay a continuation fee.

The fees for the writing-up period for 2023/24 are:

Full time

  • Writing-up fee £345
  • Rebate for submission within first 3 months of the research period end date 100%
  • Rebate for submission between 4- 6 months of the research period end date 50%
  • Rebate for submission between 7-9 months of the research period end date 25%

Part time

  • Continuation Fee £170
  • Rebate for submission within first 3 months of the research period end date 100%
  • Rebate for submission between 4- 6 months of the research period end date 50%
  • Rebate for submission between 7-9 months of the research period end date 25%

Thesis submission timelines


It is expected that you will submit your thesis within the timeframes outlined below:

Masters degrees

  • Submission by one year and 3 months full-time.
  • Submission by 2 years and 6 months part-time.

Doctoral degrees

  • Submission by 3 years and 3 months full-time.
  • Submission by 5 years and 6 months for part-time.

Doctoral Loan

UK students who haven’t secured a scholarship can take out a Doctoral Loan to help with tuition fees and living costs. They provide up to £29,390 for full-time and part-time PhDs in all subject areas.

EU students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 must have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to get student finance. Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Additional costs

There are some extra costs that you may have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make. The list below has some examples, and any extra costs will vary:

  • Student visas (international students).
  • Books (you’ll have access to many books through the University library, but you may want to buy your own copies).
  • Optional conference/field/archive/library trips (Faculties support some travel and conference attendance financially. Details vary. Please check with the Department/School to which you are applying).
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want to buy your own).
  • Printing and photocopying (There is a printing allowance in place for all students, currently £20 a year. Some Faculties grant PGR students access to printing and photocopying as staff. Please check with the Department/School to which you are applying).
  • Professional-body membership.
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography).

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel and food – to name just a few.

Some postgraduate research students may be asked to pay a bench fee in addition to the tuition fee to cover additional costs of their research project. If such a fee is levied for additional project-specific costs, not included in the tuition fee, you will receive further information during the application process.

For information about bursaries and how to fund your studies see our money page, or take a look at our PhD scholarships page for specific funded PhD opportunities.

Watch: find out more about postgraduate study at the University of Hull.

The University’s Postgraduate Training Scheme (PGTS) provides a range of generic and discipline-specific modules to support research students through their programme.

The library has an exclusive lounge for postgraduate research students and a dedicated Skills Team to provide a wide range of study and research skills help.

The Doctoral College provides support to postgraduate research students. Offering skills development opportunities and dedicated facilities, the school is here to help you achieve your potential.

Research at Hull tackles big challenges and makes an impact on lives globally, every day. Our current research portfolio spans everything from health to habitats, food to flooding and supply chain to slavery.

Entry requirements

You should normally have, or expect to obtain, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in chemistry or a related discipline appropriate to your intended research.

Please contact your prospective supervisor in the first instance. Once a member of staff has agreed to supervise your research project in principle, please make a formal application.

International students

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

  • For 2024 entry, this course requires IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each competency.
  • For 2025 entry, this course requires IELTS 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in each competency.

See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by this University.

If your English currently does not reach the University's required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

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