Expand+HOW TO APPLY
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Find a supervisor
If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the releva...

Hide-HOW TO APPLY
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Find a supervisor
If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.

You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.

Expand+Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information ca...

Hide-Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.

International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Expand+OVERVIEW
The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering aims to promote sustainable processes and materials to meet the energy and healthcare demands of the future. The School is expanding rapidly and this is creating many new and exciting researc...

Hide-OVERVIEW
The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering aims to promote sustainable processes and materials to meet the energy and healthcare demands of the future. The School is expanding rapidly and this is creating many new and exciting research opportunities with over £15m being invested to develop and expand the core research areas of catalysis, biological and medicinal chemistry, and materials.

Mode of study / duration

Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).

Expand+Research Information
Associated Research
Much of our research falls under the broad headings of Healthcare and Sustainability, examples of recent funded projects include development of novel antibiotics and reduction of single use plastics. The Sch...

Hide-Research Information
Associated Research
Much of our research falls under the broad headings of Healthcare and Sustainability, examples of recent funded projects include development of novel antibiotics and reduction of single use plastics. The School also leads the EU-funded Bryden Centre for renewable energy research, the industry-led Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) as well as our world-leading QUILL ionic liquids research centre. Students trained in our School are equipped with the skills that allow them to go out and make a real difference in the world.

Our areas of interest include adventurous research at the cutting edge of catalysis (where chemistry meets other disciplines, especially engineering, innovative Molecular Materials and Functional Materials), ionic liquid technology (‘super solvents' which do not form vapours and can be used as non-polluting alternatives to conventional solvents) and Synthesis and Biological Organic Chemistry (working to deliver compounds addressing the regulation of cellular functions).

QUILL (Queen's University Ionic Liquid Laboratories): the largest multidisciplinary research group in the world centred on ionic liquid technology, whose work on ‘super solvents' (which do not form vapours and can be used as non-polluting alternatives to conventional solvents) was voted ‘Most Important British Innovation of the 21st Century' in 2013.

All of our research groups have significant links with researchers and institutions globally, and there are opportunities for collaboration, study visits, etc.

We have extensive links with industry, meaning that employment prospects for our graduates are excellent.

Much of our research is interdisciplinary, and our students can broaden their experience and knowledge by working with researchers from other disciplines (eg biologists, physicists).