Key Information
- Duration: Full-time, 36 months
- Start dates & application deadlines:
- Starting January 2027 – Apply before Oct 2026
Overview
The topics being investigated on this Physical Organic Chemistry degree offered at Cardiff University are extremely wide ranging, stretching from the development of new methods for catalysing reactions, through the development of better understanding of organic reactions in aqueous solutions, to the development of biosensors and the directed assembly of functional multicomponent systems.
Underpinning this breadth of applications is the detailed, quantitative understanding of the fundamental properties and reactions and interactions of organic molecules.
Skills developed
- Synthesis of novel organic and/or biological molecules.
- Physical and biophysical analysis methods
- Wide range of quantitative measurements and data analysis techniques.
- Computational techniques, including molecular mechanics, quantum chemistry and molecular dynamics simulations.
Distinctive features
- Research in physical organic chemistry offers a unique combination of physical and (synthetic) organic chemistry, in combination with applied mathematics for data analysis.
- Strong interdisciplinary collaborations support projects across traditional subject divisions.
- The laboratories of the EPSRC-funded Physical Organic Chemistry Centre were opened in 2007.
- Extensive collaborations internationally including with groups in Europe, Japan and the United States; a number of projects allow placements abroad.
- The Physical Organic Chemistry Centre maintains very strong ties with other Physical Organic Chemistry groups in the UK and worldwide.
Programme Structure
Available research specialisations within this area:
- Design and synthesis of sequence-specific DNA biosensors
- Study of reaction mechanisms of homogeneous catalysts
- Directed assembly of functional multicomponent nanostructures
- Racemisation of drug-like chiral centres
- Mechanistic studies of nanoparticle catalysis
Admission Requirements
Academic requirements
GPA: Your GPA, or Grade Point Average, is a number that indicates how well or how high you scored in your courses on average. Usually a GPA scales between 1.0 and 4.0, however different countries and universities can have different grading systems. Lower Second Class.
English requirements
- TOEFL iBT: 90. TOEFL iBT® is accepted by more than 13,000 universities and other institutions in over 160 countries. The test can be taken at a test center or at home. The test measures your English-language abilities in an academic setting. The score refers to the total score of 4 subjects (writing, listening, speaking, and reading), each subject has a range of 0 - 30.
- PTE Academic: 69. PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) is a language test that enables students to demonstrate their writing, listening, speaking, and reading skills when applying to study in English. The score refers to a total score which ranges between 10 and 90.
- IELTS: 6.5. The International English Language Test System (IELTS) tests your English-language proficiency on a scale of 1 – 9. The score refers to the combined average score of 4 subjects (writing, listening, speaking, and reading).
Other requirements
Applicants are required to have a BSc 2.2 or above, or equivalent, in Chemistry or in a related subject.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
- International: 50,857 AUD / year ≈ 26,700 GBP / year
- Domestic: 9,535 AUD / year ≈ 5,006 GBP / year
Part-time tuition fees: £2,503
Living costs
Cardiff, United Kingdom: 1,196-2,030 AUD / month. The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.