BSC (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology

Undergraduate Entry Requirements 

Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 75% or above in their previous academic qualifications.

English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
• TOEFL: Overall score of 90 with a minimum of 19 in each section.
• PTE: Overall score of 63 with a minimum of 59 in each section.
• DET: Overall score of 120 with no section score below 110 is required.

Students must provide:

• academic marksheets & transcripts
• letters of recommendation
• a personal statement - SOP
• passport
• other supporting documents as required by the university.

It's important to note that entry requirements can vary by program and may change over time. Additionally, some programs may have additional requirements, such as interviews, portfolios, or work experience.

UCD offers various scholarships and financial aid options specifically designed to support international students pursuing their education at the university. These scholarships aim to recognize academic excellence, promote diversity, and alleviate the financial burden for deserving students. 

UCD Global Excellence Graduate Scholarship: This merit-based scholarship is awarded to high-achieving international students applying for eligible full-time master's programs. It covers a percentage of the tuition fees for the duration of the program.

UCD Global Undergraduate Scholarship: Intended for non-EU students, this scholarship is based on academic performance and offers financial assistance towards tuition fees for the duration of undergraduate studies.

UCD Ad Astra Academic Scholarship: This prestigious scholarship is awarded to outstanding students with exceptional academic achievements and offers financial support along with enrichment opportunities.

Sports Scholarships: For students who excel in sports, UCD offers scholarships to support their academic pursuits while actively participating in sports at a competitive level.

Government and External Scholarships: UCD collaborates with various governments, organizations, and foundations worldwide to offer additional scholarship opportunities for international students based on specific criteria and partnerships.

Graduates of the BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology program at University College Dublin (UCD) have a wide range of career opportunities available to them in various sectors related to pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, drug discovery, and academia.

Medicinal Chemist: Medicinal chemists work in pharmaceutical companies, research institutes, or government agencies, designing and synthesizing new chemical compounds with therapeutic potential. They use principles of organic chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmacology to develop drug candidates and optimize their potency, selectivity, and safety profiles.

Drug Discovery Scientist: Drug discovery scientists play a key role in identifying and validating new drug targets, screening chemical libraries for lead compounds, and optimizing drug candidates for clinical development. They work in interdisciplinary teams, using high-throughput screening, computational modeling, and structure-based drug design techniques to identify promising drug candidates for various diseases.

Pharmacologist: Pharmacologists study the effects of drugs on biological systems, investigating their mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. They work in pharmaceutical companies, regulatory agencies, or academic institutions, conducting preclinical studies, designing clinical trials, and evaluating the safety and efficacy of drugs for human use.

Biotechnology Researcher: Biotechnology researchers work in biotechnology companies, academic institutions, or research laboratories, applying principles of molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry to develop new biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, or diagnostic assays. They may specialize in areas such as protein engineering, gene therapy, or immunology.

Clinical Research Scientist: Clinical research scientists conduct clinical trials to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of new drugs and medical treatments. They work in pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, or academic medical centers, designing clinical trial protocols, collecting and analyzing clinical data, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

Chemical Biology Specialist: Chemical biology specialists study the interactions between small molecules and biological systems to understand disease mechanisms and identify new therapeutic targets. They work in academia, pharmaceutical companies, or research institutes, using chemical probes, imaging techniques, and genomic tools to elucidate biological pathways and develop new treatments for diseases.

Regulatory Affairs Specialist: Regulatory affairs specialists ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for the approval and marketing of pharmaceutical products. They work in pharmaceutical companies, regulatory agencies, or consulting firms, preparing regulatory submissions, managing regulatory processes, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and guidelines.

Academic Researcher: Many graduates pursue careers as academic researchers, working in universities, research institutes, or government laboratories. They conduct basic or applied research in medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, or drug discovery, publishing scientific papers, securing research funding, and mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.