Chemistry PhD

Key information

Full-time - 4 years

Start dates:
July 2024
October 2024
January 2025
April 2025

Part-time - 8 years

Start dates:
July 2024
October 2024
January 2025
April 2025

Why choose this programme

As a PhD Chemistry student at Surrey, you will be part of a research-active school, with a strong track-record of employability and research excellence.

Our School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering has a small to medium-sized PhD cohort and is home to an intimate and collegiate working community. The small group sizes mean you’ll receive close and careful supervision, with easy access to all the help and support you need to succeed.

Our research interests span much of the discipline of chemistry. Many of the research themes are aimed at solving real-world problems, from supplying clean energy and addressing microplastic pollution, to the discovery of new drugs and drug delivery systems, and analysing ever more challenging forensic samples. This focus will provide you with the opportunity to undertake research with the potential to benefit society.

Much of our research is published in leading global academic journals, allowing our PhD students to witness the impact their work has in their field of research. Our students have an excellent record of winning prizes for oral and poster presentations at scientific meetings, not only within the University but at national and international levels. We encourage all our PhD students to attend and present at meetings.

We have an excellent graduate employability record: 100 per cent of our chemistry postgraduate research students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2023, HESA).

Postgraduate Research at Surrey

Frequently asked questions about doing a PhD

What you will study

Our PhD Chemistry will deepen your understanding of the latest advances in synthetic and medicinal chemistry, natural products chemistry, materials and polymer chemistry, inorganic chemistry, fuel cell research, nanotechnology, and environmental, forensic and computational chemistry. A suitable project can be proposed or outlined by your supervisor. It must be a novel piece of research that is expected to take the subject forward and ultimately contribute to the advancement of chemical knowledge.

Research takes place over most of a three-year period and is generally laboratory-based. A thesis or dissertation is written during the last few months. Throughout the writing process, both during the PhD and for the final submission, you can count on the help and support of your supervisor.

There are formal and informal University and School induction programmes during the first few months, depending on the nature of the research. There are regular formal reviews at six-month intervals to ensure progress is maintained.

As a PhD student, you’ll be expected to develop real critical analysis skills, to interpret novel results and change how we think about the field, even if this is on a small scale. Initially, this is likely to be very much in consultation with your supervisor, but as your PhD progresses, you’ll increasingly apply these skills independently and will become an expert in your field.

Chemistry is the archetypal laboratory science, but not all research takes place exclusively in a traditional laboratory. Many projects involve computational studies, field work and interaction with other institutions and industry.

You’ll develop your laboratory skills and become familiar with a wide range of advanced instrumentation. You’ll also develop excellent reasoning and presentation skills. As part of this, you’ll be expected to present your progress at various opportunities and to defend your work where necessary, for example, at the confirmation exam.

We encourage you to contact a supervisor before you apply for this course to discuss what projects they can offer or whether they are the right person to supervise a project you have in mind.

Assessment

Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.

Research support

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a first or upper second-class (2:1) UK degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent overseas qualification), or a lower-second (2:2) UK degree plus a good UK masters degree - distinction normally required (or equivalent overseas qualification).

International entry requirements by country

English language requirements

IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category.

These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept. 

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Application requirements

Applicants are advised to contact potential supervisors before they submit an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our application guidance.

After registration

Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.

Selection process

Selection is based on applicants:

  • Meeting the expected entry requirements
  • Being shortlisted through the application screening process
  • Completing a successful interview
  • Providing suitable references.

Fees

Start date: July 2024

Full-time

UK
£4,712
Overseas
£24,100

Part-time

UK
£2,356
Overseas
£12,100

Start date: October 2024

Full-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£26,200

Part-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£13,100

Start date: January 2025

Full-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£26,200

Part-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£13,100

Start date: April 2025

Full-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£26,200

Part-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£13,100
  • Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100 (subject to legal requirements).
  • Any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).

View the list of fees for all postgraduate research courses.

Additional costs

There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey.

Funding

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

Apply online

If you are applying for a studentship to work on a particular project, please provide details of the project instead of a research proposal.

Read our application guidance for further information on applying.

Code of practice for research degrees

Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.

Download the code of practice for research degrees (PDF).

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.

We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:

  • First when we make an offer.
  • Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).

View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.

Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.

It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.

Course location and contact details

Campus location

Stag Hill

Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught. 

University of Surrey Admissions

Contact Admissions Team

Address

University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH