Start date
22 September 2025
Duration
4 years inc. placement year
Places available (subject to change)
25
About the course
Reasons to study
- This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, providing you with industry-wide recognition regarding the quality of your qualification.
- Your learning will take place in new £18.2 million facilities such as our state of the art chemistry labs.
- Tailor your degree to your career ambitions: you can explore specialist options like medicinal chemistry or analytical science.
Known as the central science, chemistry provides a fundamental understanding of how the world works at a chemical level. Since the 1840s, Huddersfield has provided a strong chemistry education to its students, supporting the local textile and dyeing industries as a result. Today, you’re not limited just to these industries, as there are a range of specialisations to help enhance your chemistry education.
This advanced Chemistry with Industrial Experience MChem course is a great option for those looking to further their studies while also specialising and broadening their experience in industry. Along with gaining a deeper understanding of the core areas of organic, inorganic, physical chemistry and analytical science, you’ll be able to pursue more specialist interests during this course. Whether it’s chemical engineering or forensic science that fascinates you, this degree will help you achieve your career goals.
Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, this course prepares you for a variety of potentially exciting career opportunities where you can make an impact in areas such as chemical analysis, environmental consultancy, and healthcare.
You’ll be gaining real-world experience in this course by learning in our new £18.2-million facilities, which include chemical sciences labs, where you’ll be able to use instruments used in industry.
In addition to core modules designed to deepen your chemistry knowledge, you can choose from option modules such as biology for the chemical and forensic sciences, anthropocene and chemical engineering.
During your third year, you’ll secure a placement in an industry setting, where you’ll put your knowledge into practice and boost your employability.
Why study Chemistry with Industrial Experience MChem
You’ll be learning from the best in this course, as the University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. Our teaching staff also rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates (HESA 2022).
You could work in a variety of scientific areas, such as chemical analysis and manufacturing, pharmaceutics or petrochemicals.
Course detail
Core modules
Structure: From Atoms to Molecules and Materials
This module introduces you to the chemistry of the elements. Starting with the earliest known chemical events in the universe, this module discusses the elements, their origin, structure and properties before looking at the structure and bonding in and reactions of chemical compounds and encompasses a number of areas of (mostly) main group chemistry including, but not limited to, the constituents of the earth's crust and the chemistry of the atmosphere.
The Reactivity and Properties of Carbon Compounds
This module teaches you to recognise a range of functional groups and to name systematically compounds that contain them. Structure and bonding in organic compounds are discussed, as are the concepts of the octet rule, orbital hybridisation, formal charge, bond polarisation and resonance. The importance of molecular geometry is introduced and the basic principles of molecular conformation and of stereochemistry are covered. In preparation for the chemistry to follow, an integrated treatment of the 'language of chemical change' is presented. The ideas of mechanism and reaction intermediates are met, together with the curly arrow symbolism which chemists use to represent the electron movement inherent in chemical reactions. In the second half of the module, the chemistry of the principal functional groups is considered, using the ideas developed earlier. The lecture programme is reinforced by regular tutorials in which problems are worked. Running parallel to the lecture programme is a continuously assessed practical course that introduces you to the basic techniques of preparative organic chemistry.
Physical Chemistry 1
This module covers four areas of physical chemistry: Units, Conversions and the Properties of ideal and non-ideal Gases, Solution Chemistry of Acids, Bases and Salts, Reaction Kinetics and Catalysis, and Introductory Thermodynamics
Introduction to Analytical Science and Spectroscopy
This module aims to introduce students from diverse backgrounds to the range of skills required in modern analytical science and illustrate how analytical methodology underpins scientific investigation across the conventional discipline boundaries. The module will build on and develop your prior knowledge of analysis whilst not assuming any particular area of expertise and will also endeavour to improve your numerical, IT and communication skills by illustrating analytical methodology in the context of these key skill areas. This module also aims to develop your ability to obtain and interpret a wide range of spectroscopic data in a systematic and logical fashion. In this way you'll be taught to apply your knowledge to a wide range of new problems and in so doing develop your general problem solving skills. The module will be taught primarily by lectures and tutorials with illustrative practical work to highlight salient points from the lecture material.
Data Handling
This module provides an introduction to the use of computers in the chemical sciences for word processing, data handling and chemical drawing. The module also gives an introduction to the use of molecular modelling software for the understanding of chemical and physical properties of molecules. It will also consolidate the mathematical ability of students entering the course from a variety of backgrounds and provides the essential groundwork in this subject area.
Techniques of Practical Chemistry
The module provides an introduction to practical chemistry in the major branches of the subject through structured practical exercises. It will be taught in the laboratory and sessions will usually begin with some formal teaching from staff in charge, followed by students carrying out practical and other exercises either alone, or in pairs. Laboratory safety, basic laboratory techniques, data recording and the use of routine equipment will be taught. Research skills and ethics will be included. As the module proceeds the experiments will illustrate the principles taught in lectures.
Core modules:
Inorganic Chemistry 2
This module will build on the theory covered in the module Inorganic Chemistry 1, looking primarily at the chemistry of transition metal (d-block) elements. The concepts of coordination chemistry and the bonding in complexes will be introduced, and how the optical and magnetic properties demonstrated by complexes can be explained by Crystal Field Theory. More advanced aspects of coordination chemistry will be introduced, including chelates, macrocycles, organometallic and supramolecular species. The behaviour of solid materials will also be discussed, focussing on band theory to explain semiconductor properties, the effect of defects on properties, and basic crystal structures. The practical component of the module incorporates techniques for the synthesis and characterisation of metal complexes.
Organic Chemistry 2
This module provides coverage of the more important methods of forming carbon-carbon single and double bonds. Following on from year 1 carbonyl chemistry, some more advanced aspects of carbonyl chemistry will be discussed. Main-group elements and their role in synthesis will also be considered. Retrosynthetic analysis will be introduced in the context of carbonyl chemistry and will be developed to enable you to plan some complex multistep syntheses. The synthesis and reactions of the main classes of simple heterocyclic compounds will be covered. The chemistry of other biologically-important compounds such as carbohydrates amino acids will also be detailed. More advanced aspects of stereochemistry are covered, and the relationship between conformation and reactivity is explored. The module has a practical component which focuses on the use of more advanced techniques for the preparation, isolation and analysis (IR and NMR) of target molecules. A part of the practical session is devoted to the isolation of stereochemically pure products.
Physical Chemistry 2
This module covers six topics: equilibrium and dynamic electrochemistry, phase equilibria, colloids and colloidal suspensions, colligative properties, kinetics of composite reactions and quantum theory – basic principles and simple applications. With the exception of quantum theory, material in the other areas builds on that presented in year 1.
Analytical Science 2
In this module you'll have the opportunity to consolidate the interpretative skills learnt in the module Analytical Science 1 and extend these to the analysis of spectra from more complex organic molecules. The majority of samples encountered in analytical science are mixtures, you'll be introduced to the basics of the most widely used forms of chromatography and a number of application areas of each will be described including the application of combined separation and spectroscopic techniques. Additionally you'll be introduced to a selection of instrumental analyses including atomic spectroscopy, thermal methods and electrochemical techniques, and statistical methodology which provide solutions to many of the analytical problems which are encountered in modern society. This module aims to develop your abilities in these directions to enable you to design an analytical process whilst further developing your IT, communication and numerical skills.
Practical Chemistry
This module builds on the practical experience gained in the first year and is closely linked to the associated lecture material in modules Inorganic Chemistry 2, Organic Chemistry 2, Physical Chemistry 2 and Analytical Science 2. You'll have the opportunity to use more advanced experimental techniques and instrumentation. Exercises will involve an information search, recording, and interpretation of results. Each exercise may involve more than a single week of practical work and draw on different subject areas. The exercises will involve synthesis, investigation, and characterization and appropriate literature searches. Research skills and record keeping will be included. You'll also have the opportunity to carry out a mini-project and will be given an outline scheme from which you must produce your own detailed experimental plan in a workshop environment which will be vetted before you begin practical work. A permanent record will be kept of observations and data measurements made as the project proceeds. Weekly planning meetings will be held to assess the progress of the work. At the end of the project another workshop session will be held in which to analyse and interpret the results by discussion with peers before resorting to seeking advice from the lecturer.
Option modules:
Choose one of the following-
Chemical Engineering 1
This module introduces you to the industrial manufacture of important chemicals and to core chemical engineering skills of formulating and solving material and energy balances on chemical systems. It introduces the principles of operation and analysis of operations in chemical processes. It develops skills in manipulating laws of conservation of mass and energy, in order to understand individual operations and their interactions within chemical processes. It also introduces the use of computer software packages including chemical engineering simulation software.
Forensic Biology Awareness
This module provides an introduction to selected topics in modern biology, suitable for students of forensic science and chemistry, and provides a basis for further study for those whose interests lie at the interface of the biological and chemical sciences. The module starts with an introduction to the structure and function of biological macromolecules and includes a basic account of the covalent and non-covalent aspects of protein structure. Subsequently an introduction to enzyme structure and function is given followed by an outline of basic metabolism. The module covers the elements of cellular and molecular biology including sufficient to understand such techniques as gene cloning, PCR and DNA fingerprinting. The concluding part of the module provides coverage of the systems of the human body most relevant to students of forensic science and medicinal chemistry, namely; blood and the cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal tract, the liver and the kidney.
Anthropocene
This module introduces you to the concept of the anthropocene – the epoch of human influence. It will focus on the global impacts of human population on earth systems including atmosphere, soil and water systems. A case study approach will be taken focusing on major issues such as climate change, energy generation, ozone depletion, air quality, mining and ore processing, xenobiotics, water resource and land management.
Crime Scene and Forensic Examinations
An overview of commonly encountered evidence types at crime scenes will be provided, with a focus on crime scene specific issues, such as location, recovery, packaging contamination, health and safety. In addition, the forensic significance of the evidence will be discussed reflecting the new roles of the crime scene practitioner in formulating submission strategies, as well as crime scene management. Crime scene examination strategies will be covered, along with strategies to preserve the continuity and integrity of the evidence and information obtained, as well as photography. An introduction to the legal system will be provided along with report production and defending witness statements in a mock court of law. A series of practical will also be provided where the students place the theory in to practice. You will also be introduced to Digital Forensics and Cyber Crime.
Core modules:
Supervised Training
Training will normally take place across a 48-week period in a suitable organisation, usually a university laboratory. The exact nature of the training will vary depending on the specific background and demands of individual students and the opportunities available within the differing laboratory environments. Assistance is provided to help you find a suitable laboratory research position. Once a position is secured, you'll be instructed about the assessment criteria of the module via a workshop. You'll usually be appraised up to twice a year by a University tutor. This module provides an opportunity for you to experience research within a laboratory related to your chosen pathway and at the same time improves your technical, social and transferable skills. The practical content of this module differs from that in the Investigative Project Module in that it is the your day-to-day laboratory work that is assessed and not a specific project. You are also assessed on your laboratory note-book keeping and on the production of training portfolio that reflects the demands of continuing professional development and reflective practice.
Research Project
You'll carry out a substantial research project, under supervision, in an industrial or academic research environment, during the course of Year 3 of the MChem/MSci integrated Master’s degrees. The subject of the research may be any relevant and topical area of chemistry, forensic or pharmaceutical science, but must be agreed in advance between you, your project supervisor and the University course or module leader.
Business Aspects of Science
This module is designed for those students who are in Year 3 of an Integrated MChem or MSci. Part of this module is specific to the organisation in which you'll be working and involves you carrying out a review of the organisation and a review of the sector that the organisation operates in (e.g. the pharmaceutical industry, analytical service providers or the higher education sector). Alongside this, you'll have the opportunity to carry out a series of assignments designed to improve your wider understanding of certain aspects of science-based businesses such as green chemistry/environmental issues, project planning and marketing.
Scientific Communication
This module is taken by students during Year 3 of an integrated Masters' degree and covers three aspects of communication of importance in science; the ability to read and understand scientific journal papers, the ability to write a scientific journal paper and the ability to give oral presentations.
Advanced General Chemistry
This module comprises three strands of chemistry. The inorganic aspect focuses upon the chemistry of the lanthanides and actinides. The occurrence, history, separation and nature of these elements will be discussed. The main part of the work will concentrate on the more contemporary chemistry of these elements such as their use as MRI contrast agents and luminescent properties. The organic section will cover the three main groups of biomolecules including amino acids, proteins and peptides; nucleotides and oligonucleotides; carbohydrates and polysaccharides. The section will focus on the use of small modules as building blocks for the development of biologically active molecules and will introduce requirements for consideration of protection and deprotection strategies and convergent and divergent synthesis techniques. The physical chemistry section will cover some theoretical aspects of the topic, namely spectroscopy and molecular reaction dynamics. Three types of spectroscopy, namely rotational, vibrational and electronic, will be discussed. In each case the nature of the excitations involved, the selection rules which must be applied, and the relationship with structural parameters will be studied.
Core modules:
Research Project
A chemically-based independent research programme. Academic supervisors will outline the aims of the project and direct you to the most recent literature. Before undertaking experimentation, you'll be expected to undertake a comprehensive review of the literature related to your project and to evaluate this literature. You'll then have the opportunity to plan your project in light of the current state of the field of research. You'll be given some advice on research methods but will be expected to lead the planning yourself. Your project will be expected to show depth and involve advanced laboratory and instrumental techniques. Your project will also be open ended and you'll be expected to review progress regularly and modify research plans accordingly. Group projects will also be encouraged, though you'll also work independently. You'll be required to outline your research plans via an oral at a mini-conference in the early stages of the project and then present your results, interpretation and conclusions on a poster, which you'll defend at a poster day once the project is completed.
Targeted Synthesis of Organic Compounds
This module draws together the basic concepts of synthesis and reaction mechanisms in the context of providing methods for designing suitable synthetic routes to target compounds and also extends the range of reaction types to include pericyclic reactions. The module also introduces contemporary preparative methods for the synthesis of organic compounds. Further aspects relating to designing a synthesis and the connection between design and retrosynthetic principles are covered. The selectivity of reactions and the concepts of regio-, chemo-, stereo- and enantioselectivity are developed and expanded as are the rules governing pericyclic reactions. The reaction mechanism component draws together concepts in both physical and mechanistic organic chemistry; this section of the course covers those techniques that can be used to differentiate between mechanistic types. The use of product analysis, activation parameters, linear free energy relationships and isotope effects to determine reaction mechanisms are included.
Surfaces, Polymers and Theoretical Chemistry
This module covers various aspects of advanced physical chemistry. Polymers are an industrially important material with applications in clothing, structural materials, coatings, data storage, etc. This module covers aspects of their synthesis and relates their chemical and structural properties to their applications. The properties of surfaces and the interaction of gas molecules with surfaces will be discussed. Different theories of adsorption will also be compared. The kinetics of surface reactions will be related to the mechanism of the reaction. The application of surface science type measurements in developing an understanding of how atoms and molecules adsorb on surfaces will be covered. Central to chemistry is being able to relate observation made in the laboratory to behaviour at the atomistic level and equally to use the interaction of atoms and molecules to derive quantities that can be measured at the macro-level. Thus statistical thermodynamics will be introduced and used to derive fundamental properties. Atomistic modelling also provides a view into the molecular world and after reviewing the fundamentals of quantum mechanics, the methods for approximating multi electron systems will be introduced and the applications in computational chemistry explored. The module will also provide you with a good knowledge in interfaces and catalysis, the principles of theoretical chemistry and further develop problem solving skills, especially to unfamiliar problems.
Applied Organometallic and Coordination Chemistry
The module will build upon previously encountered material on structure and bonding in inorganic chemistry and will include symmetry and group theory, transition metal organometallic chemistry, electron deficiency and clusters. Reaction mechanisms at transition metal sites will be covered with an emphasis on how these apply in industrially relevant catalytic processes. The module will also cover NMR spectroscopy methods for the characterisation and dynamic study of inorganic systems. The module will also cover the photophysical and photochemical properties of transition metal complexes as well as bioinorganic chemistry and the pharmaceutical applications of metal complexes. An emphasis will be placed on recent cutting-edge developments in the literature.
Option modules:
Choose one from a list which may include-
Analytical Science 3
In this module the basic description of separation science provided earlier in the course will be expanded and extended. Recent developments in the subject will be discussed in terms of basic chromatographic theory. The application of separation methods to the identification and quantification of drugs and their metabolites in toxicological samples will be discussed. The metabolism of drugs, in so far as this process impinges upon the analytical methodology employed in toxicological analysis, together with the effects of sample type and their storage will be highlighted.
Interpretation of Forensic Evidence
This module covers the forensic investigation of evidence building on material delivered in the second year modules. The material covered will also include general forensic science principles and how they are applied to investigations. Such principles include Bayesian Inference and these will also be applied to biological and non-biological evidence types such as forensic genetics, body fluid identification, taphonomy, impressions, drugs and toxicology.
Forensic Science and the Law
The relationship between the forensic scientist and the justice system will be explored with a view to addressing aspects of criminal and civil law. Aspects of presentation of evidence as well as the role and responsibility of the expert witness will also be explored. The requirements of quality systems will be considered within context of presenting robust evidence; as well as the considerations of ethical practice. Quality Assurance procedures and importance of standard operating procedures in relation to accreditation will be explored (i.e. ISO17020 and ISO17025).
Analytical Science 4
In this module you'll be provided with an overview of contemporary spectroscopic techniques and their relevant areas of application. In mass spectrometry you'll be introduced to the range of ionisation and scanning techniques and the ways in which the coupling of chromatographic methods with mass spectrometry can enhance and extend the capabilities of both methods. In NMR you'll have the opportunity to consider a range of advanced experimental methods to enhance the quality of the analytical information which can be obtained. Modern electroanalysis is a powerful and versatile analytical tool for investigating a wide range of analytical problems. This module will introduce you to a selection of these methods and will illustrate the practicalities, uses and limitations of these techniques. Sensor technologies represent a rapidly expanding area of analytical science. The module aims to familiarise you with the wide range of fields, which contribute to sensor developments, and then to reinforce this knowledge with pertinent examples such as glucose monitoring systems for diabetics.
Chemical Engineering 2
This module provides an introduction to separation processes based on the principles of mass transfer with or without chemical reactions, method of operation, phase equilibria and separating agents used in these operations. It also provides the basis for the building of simple mathematical models to represent the operation of the mass transfer-based separation processes, such as distillation, gas absorption, liquid-liquid extraction.
Sustainable Industrial Systems
This module encourages you to develop your knowledge and understanding of sustainable development in industrial systems and to provide approaches to design and assess for sustainability. The module also encompasses large scale experimental work relevant to industrial practice in relation to sustainability. It aims to introduce the concepts of sustainability and carbon and water footprints and provide an overview renewable energy processes and carbon capture technologies. It also examines selected examples in detail, looks at process integration methodologies in design for sustainability and introduces techno-economic and life cycle assessments. The module also enables you to gain experience in experimental group work involving large scale equipment relevant to the technologies, industries and methodologies introduced in the module.
Soil Contamination and Ecological Restoration
This module focuses on understanding soil properties and their importance in ecological processes. We look at how nutrients and contaminants are held in or are transmitted through the soil for plant uptake and transfer through the ecosystem ultimately impacting on human health. Examples of soil contamination are used to illustrate the challenges that soil pollutants represent to ecosystems and how such locations can be restored. Remediation and restoration of damaged land is a complex task which draws on a variety of different techniques. This module covers soil contaminants, their environmental behaviour and what risk they pose to humans and ecosystems. You'll learn a variety of techniques which can be used to determine concentrations of contaminants within the soil matrix and be able to identify the most appropriate remediation and restoration techniques. You will be introduced to the process of site risk assessment (Phase 1 and Phase 2 site investigation) and ecological field surveys. It is expected that you'll be able to analyse soil properties, determine contamination levels and implement a planting strategy to restore ecological diversity. This module will appeal to anyone interested in understanding environmental pollution and its ecological impacts. It is designed to ensure that you are capable of pursuing the numerous career opportunities available with local authorities and environmental consultancies who both deal with restoration of contaminated/degraded sites.
You’ll have the opportunity to gain practical skills throughout the course and gain hands-on experience using a wide range of experimental techniques and instrumentation. You’ll spend the third year in industry, learning more about chemistry in the real world as well as undertaking an industrially relevant research project. The final year includes advanced topics in chemistry and a substantial research project in one of the areas of expertise within the department, which include medicinal and synthetic chemistry, catalysis, supramolecular chemistry, analytical chemistry and forensic science.
On average 35.5%* of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors (either face to face or online) in lectures, seminars, tutorials etc.
*based on 2023/2024 timetables
You’ll be taught through a series of lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals and directed reading, as well as experiential learning whilst on placement. Assessment will include written exams and coursework including problem solving assignments, laboratory reports, short tests, essays, and oral and poster presentations.
Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.
Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.
Huddersfield is the UK’s only university where 100% of the permanent teaching staff are fellows of the Higher Education Academy.*
*permanent staff, after probation: some recently appointed colleagues will only obtain recognition in the months after their arrival in Huddersfield, once they have started teaching.
Further information
The teaching year normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Whilst on placement in Year 3, you'll be expected to follow the working practice of your placement or research position provider. Timetables are normally available one month before registration. As this is a full-time course you may have to attend every day of the week.
Your course is made up of modules and each module is worth a number of credits. Each year you study modules to the value of 120 credits, adding up to 480 credits in total for an Integrated Masters' qualification. These credits can come from a combination of core, compulsory and optional modules but please note that optional modules may not run if we do not have enough students interested.
If you achieve 120 credits for the current stage you are at, you may progress to the next stage of your course, subject to any professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.
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The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.
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Further proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.
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We are joint first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 23 since 2008 (2024 data).
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We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).
Read more about academic staff at the University of Huddersfield
At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive a GPA certificate from the University of Huddersfield, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.
Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.
*full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees.
Entry requirements
BBB-BCCat A Level including a minimum grade B in Chemistry. The endorsement for practical work is an essential part of Science A Level study, and is a requirement for entry to our degree course. |
120-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications including a minimum grade B in Chemistry at A Level. |
DDM-DMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science. |
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If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Science Extended Degree (BCF0).
If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.
Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.
Facilities
Student support
At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.
Important information
Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons
When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by our terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations and associated policies. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.
Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons
Changes to a course you have applied for but are not yet enrolled on
If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment. We may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will discuss with you other suitable courses we can transfer your application to. If you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.
Changes to your course after you enrol as a student
Changes to option modules:
Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have an equivalent range of options to that advertised for the course. We will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.
Major changes:
We will only make major changes to non-optional modules on a course if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change is a change that substantially changes the outcomes, or a significant part of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum. For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators or a commissioning or accrediting body. We may also make changes to improve the course in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback or to ensure you are being taught current best practice. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment, or pandemics.
Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but may happen sooner in an emergency. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.
In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed in accordance with the student protection plan.
The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.