Tackle current and future scientific challenges with research in Chemistry at Birmingham. You'll enter a high quality research environment that will provide you with the best starting point for your future career.
You’ll receive an excellent research experience at Birmingham. While becoming an expert in your chosen research field, you'll develop a diverse range of skills to equip you for a research career in science. You'll also develop key transferable skills that will be invaluable for pursuing a career in any discipline.
The best thing about my course was the quality of teaching I received. I also personally really enjoyed getting involved in the sporting activities at the University.
You will mainly be based in the School of Chemistry, but many of our research projects involve collaboration with industrial and government organisations. You are expected to undertake both Taught Modules (120 credits) and Research as part of this programme.
You'll undertake around 60-120 of your required 120 credits.
This will be alongside starting your research. You'll complete a Scoping report 3 months into the programme and a First Year Report at around 8 months in.
You'll complete around 40 credits of taught modules.
You'll also complete a literature review and a First Year Report at around 16-20 months in.
You'll complete a Thesis workplan and then begin work on your thesis, concluding your research in the process. You'll attend and present at more internal and external conferences by this point.
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Birmingham is ranked 76th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, maintaining our position in the top 100 universities globally and placing us 11th amongst UK universities.
100 postgraduate students and postdoctoral research fellows carrying out exciting research across a broad range of chemical disciplines
Join a high-quality research environment that will provide you with the best starting point for your future career
Make a real contribution to tackle challenges faced by chemists today. Join a thriving research department carrying out research across a range of chemical disciplines. You'll find your niche in a research-led school with a units in Molecular Synthesis and Biological Chemistry, Interactions, Interfaces and Sensing, Materials Chemistry. As a research-led School, which has received significant recent investment for research infrastructure, you'll work in a high quality research environment that provides its researchers with the best base for quality research.
The Birmingham Doctoral Programme is a structured research experience co-ordinated by the University Doctoral School. It offers world-class supervision, a tailored development framework, and real-world engagement opportunities that prepare you to flourish, whatever your future holds.
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly postgraduate students to get their thoughts on our courses, stunning campus and life in a vibrant and cultural city.
This is a research-based PhD programme seeking to recruit excellent researchers to assist us in building our quality portfolio.
Monthly meetings are held between PhD students and their supervisors to support your progress. Workshops may also be held as part of group-specific training. Ongoing laboratory work is required as part of many PhDs, with some computational-based projects omitting this.
At Birmingham, you can apply for an advertised PhD or propose your own research. An advertised PhD is typically part of an established research project and is usually funded by the University or another funding body.
If you want to pursue your own research project, you can apply to our research programmes to propose this. This is self-funded, although scholarships are available.
Find a PhD project that suits your interests by using our FindAPhD tool.
If you’d rather propose your own research, the first step is to find your supervisor. We encourage you to browse the biographies of faculty members to familiarise yourself with the research going on in your preferred areas. Each of these contains detailed information on research interests, current projects and recent publications.
When you apply, you can suggest one or two potential supervisors, who you think might be a good fit for you. However, this is not essential. If you know what you want to work on, but are unsure on supervisors, you can indicate this in your application and the PhD programme co-directors will study your proposal in detail, and judge who is best suited to be your supervisory team.
Research in the School of Chemistry covers a wide range of areas including materials, molecular synthesis, chemistry for biodiscovery and medicine, computational chemistry and physical chemistry.
Find out more about these research themes research themes.
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
in a relevant subject (e.g. Chemical/ Biochemical Engineering or any Physical Sciences subject) or a first degree of a lower classification, along with an MSc or evidence of substantial relevant industrial experience.
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
For this course we require IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:
If you are proposing your own research topic, you will need to submit a research proposal. It’s a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.
Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions and the methods you intend to use. The broader importance of this project for society, policymakers and businesses should also be covered.
You should also comment on the potential impact and importance of your intended research and on how your work would interact with current trends in your academic field. It should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department.
If you are unsure if you meet our entry requirements, you can also contact the admissions department to discuss whether your application would be considered.
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, supervision, assessment and includes membership to the Guild of Students.
Full-time
Part-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2026 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
These are most common in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) subjects, but they can sometimes be available for pre-defined research projects in the arts, humanities or social sciences. These may be advertised as fully funded (with fees and a stipend) or competition funded, meaning the projects compete against other projects at each institution.
You devise your own PhD topic, find and consult with a potential supervisor, explore funding opportunities, write a research proposal and apply to the relevant programme. Our Postgraduate Scholarships and Funding database lists all available funding.
A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.
A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.
To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
If you are applying to an ‘advertised PhD’, please check the details of the specific research project for application deadlines.
If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round. However, if you wish to start in September, we would strongly encourage you to apply by 1 June. Whilst you are still welcome to apply after this date, it is important to allow time for us to review your application.
If you are seeking funding, please be aware that the majority of funding opportunities have deadlines in early spring so we would encourage you to apply as early as possible.
We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
International students applying for this programme will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before the University can issue you with a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). We recommend that you apply for your ATAS certificate as soon as you receive an offer from us.
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate research programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please speak to our team.
Prepare to face the world with upon completion of your research. Through your time with us, you will not only have acquired the diverse range of skills that equip you for a research career in science, but also have developed key transferable skills that will be invaluable for pursuing a career in any discipline.
At Birmingham, we prepare our researchers to make an impact across every sector of society. Our PhD graduates are global change-makers: advancing knowledge, shaping policy, leading industries, and educating future generations.
You'll benefit from dedicated careers support tailored to your unique paths. Our expert team of Careers Advisers, including a dedicated postgraduate research adviser, offer one-to-one guidance to help researchers navigate career decisions both within and beyond academia.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one to one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters.
We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Find out why we are the most targeted UK university by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2025) by meeting some of our successful alumni.
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll have a variety of choices of accommodation. Stay with us in our dedicated postgraduate halls or explore a wide range of private accommodation close to campus.
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham is a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.
Find new perspectives. Hear first-hand about life at Birmingham from our students, past and present.
Student
Chemistry
PhD Chemistry student at the University of Birmingham
Student
Chemistry
Beatrice is doing a PhD in lithium ion battery recycling and up-cycling with Dr Phoebe Allan as part of the Faraday Institution ReLiB project.
Student
Chemistry
Lukmanul is doing a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Birmingham with a research area on sustainable and degradable polymers.
Student
Chemistry
Steven's research involves investigating trends between analogues of the SAM cofactor that is used in many biological processes.
Alumni
Chemistry
Matthew is a graduate of BSc Chemistry with Analytical Science (1998) and PhD Chemistry (2001)
Alumni
Chemistry
John is a graduate of BSc Chemistry (1971) and PhD Chemistry (1974)
