Chemistry PhD / MPhil
The Department benefits from online subscriptions to a vast number of primary research journals and access to online databases to facilitate your literature searching. As part of your research training, you will be encouraged to attend conferences and present your results both within the Department and externally.
Why study with us?
I chose to study at the University of Liverpool because of its world-leading historical achievements within scientific research.
Phillip Inglesby - Chemistry PhD student
87.5%
of our impact is classified 'outstanding' (4*) in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021)
100
postgraduate research students.
3rd
in the UK for 'outstanding' (4*) research impact in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021)
Overview
Join us and you’ll be based in a state-of-the art environment that has a strong focus on novel interdisciplinary research. This is carried out by a set of inter-related groups specialising in:
- Energy and Catalysis
- Materials Chemistry
- Medicinal and Bio-nano Chemistry
- Functional Interfaces
- Theoretical and Computational Chemistry.
These groups carry out cutting-edge research in fast-moving fields such as nanotechnology and drug design. Often this involves collaboration with colleagues in other fields such as Biology, Materials Science and Physics.
As a postgraduate student you’ll be fully involved in our research activity. This will bring you into contact not only with new concepts, but also our prestigious partners, in academia, industry and research, worldwide.
Some illustrative titles of recent PhD theses are:
• Synthesis and applications of metal (IV) phosphates, phosphonates and their analogues in oxidation reactions using hydrogen peroxide
• The self-assembly of nanostructured gold dithiol systems
• The synthesis of nucleotide analogues using the Michaelis-Arbuzov Reaction
• Pulsed reaction studies of simple reactions on alumina supported rhodium
• Inhibitors of alpha-methylacyl-CoAracemase
• New robust and chiralmolecular frameworks.
Research groups
- Energy and Catalysis
- Materials Chemistry
- Medicinal and Bio-nano Chemistry
- Functional Interfaces
- Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
Study options and fees
The fees below reflect one year of study during the 2024/25 academic year
| MPhil / PhD | Duration | UK students | International Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 2-4 years | £4,786 |
|
| Part time | 4-6 years | £2,393 |
|
The fees stated in the table above exclude potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.
* Please note that if you are undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering the fee you pay, Band A or Band B, will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others e.g. if you are required to undertake laboratory work. You will be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter.
^ Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.
Entry requirements
Generally, the minimum qualifications for entry to MPhil or PhD study are a first or 2:1 class MChem degree, or their international equivalents, in Chemistry or a closely-related discipline. Applicants with good lower second class degrees may be accepted but each case is considered on its merits and depends on a suitable award being available.
An optional entry route is available for intending students who already have a research Masters degree and wish to go on to PhD, for which a minimum of two years of study is needed. It is possible to study full or part-time for an MPhil or PhD. Part-time study is arranged through enquiry on an individual basis and is useful where the intending student works in industry and wants to continue doing so while studying.
English language requirements
| IELTS Academic requirement - SELT and non-SELT | Overall 6.5 no band below 5.5 |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT requirement | Minimum 88 overall with L 17 W 17 R 17 and S 19 |
| C1 Advanced CAE requirement | Overall 176 with no less than 162 in any paper |
| PTE Academic requirement | 61 with minimum scores of 59 in each component |
| Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE II) | ISE II with an overall pass with merit in components |
| Cambridge IGCSE as a First Language | Grade C |
| Cambridge IGCSE as a Second Language | Grade B |
| Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Proficiency) | Overall 176 with 162 in components |
| Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced) | Overall 176 with 162 in components |
| Cambridge English Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced) | Overall 176 with 162 in components |
How to apply
Research degree applications can be made online. You'll also need to ensure that you have funding to cover all fees.
Applications are open all year round.
More about applying for research degrees
Before you apply, we recommend that you identify a supervisor and develop a research proposal
Find a supervisor
View supervisors in this area
Need help finding a supervisor? Contact us
- Mrs Marj Robson
- Email: spspgr@liverpool.ac.uk
- Phone: +44 (0)151 794 3370
Related studentships: self-funded and funded PhD projects
Related Doctoral Training Partnerships
Doctoral Training Partnerships support future researchers with funding and a rewarding learning environment where you can collaborate with leading researchers.
Find a scholarship
We offer a range of scholarships to help you meet the costs of studying a research degree.