LIFE AS AN CHEMISTRY STUDENT
Step inside the student experience: View a sample timetable, explore subject videos, and hear first-hand from current students.
YOUR SAMPLE TIMETABLE
Want to know what you can you look forward to as a chemistry student at Manchester? Take a look at the example timetable below.
Please note this is a sample timetable and is only included to give you an idea of how your time might be spent in first year. Units may be subject to change and availability. Students are issued their personal timetable upon enrolment of the course.
MONDAY
10am-4pm: Practical Chemistry Lab Work
TUESDAY
12-1pm: Fundamentals of Biochemistry Lecture
2-3pm: Peer-assisted Support Sessions (PASS) with Second Years
2-4pm: Chemists Toolkit Workshop
4-5pm: Introductory Chemistry Lecture
WEDNESDAY
9-10pm: Introductory Chemistry Workshop 11am-12pm: Introductory Chemistry Tutorial Afternoon: No Timetable Societies/Sport Activities
THURSDAY
11am-12pm: Introductory Chemistry Workshop
12pm-1pm: Fundamentals of Biochemistry Lecture
FRIDAY
1-2pm: Introductory Chemistry Lecture
3-4pm: Chemist's Toolkit Maths Workshop
SOCIETIES
Enhance your student experience by joining ChemSoc, a society for all Chemists at Manchester. Attend lectures and workshops, socials and sporting events.
TIME IN THE LAB
Dr Carl Poree explains how your time in the laboratory will evolve across your Chemistry degree.
From your very first practical session, you’ll begin building the core techniques and confidence that every chemist needs. As you progress, your laboratory work becomes increasingly independent and intellectually challenging, empowering you to design, refine, and carry out your own experiments.
By the end of your degree, you won’t just be following instructions — you’ll be thinking and working like a professional chemist, equipped with the practical expertise and self-assurance to tackle real scientific problems independently.
"I’ve really enjoyed my time here, the ups, the downs, the successful reactions and the almost explosions. From making things that have literally never been made before, to shooting X-rays at crystals that I’ve made to figure out what atoms my crystal has. The air - and moisture - sensitivity of my molecules, makes the atmosphere my biggest enemy when it comes to synthesis. I’ve been able to learn really niche skills, specifically keeping air sensitive conditions and dealing with quite harmful chemicals (and surviving)."
Modinat Tijani
MChem (Hons) Chemistry with International Study