About the programme
Admission and application
To apply for admission to this master's degree programme, you must have completed, or expect to complete, a qualifying bachelor’s degree or a similar Danish or international degree programme which is assessed to be relevant. Apply for admission via the application portal.
Below, you can read more about admission requirements and which documents to upload in the application portal.
Academic admission requirements
Here you'll find the different academic requirements depending on which qualifying degree you hold.
With a Bachelor's degree in
- Chemistry (kemi) from University of Copenhagen
you are granted legal right of admission and guaranteed a place on the Master’s programme in Chemistry if you apply in time to begin within 3 years of the completion of your Bachelor’s degree.
You meet all academic requirements if you hold one of the degrees listed below. Learn about when and how to apply. Note, however, that you still need to document that you meet the programme's language requirements.
- Chemistry (kemi) from University of Copenhagen (note, that if you apply in time to begin within 3 years of the completion of your Bachelor’s degree, you have legal right of admission to the Master's programme)
- Chemistry from Aarhus University or University of Southern Denmark
- Chemistry from Lund University, Stockholm University, University of Uppsala, University of Oslo, University of Tromsø, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, University of Iceland or University of Helsinki
- Medicinal Chemistry (medicinalkemi) from University of Copenhagen
- Medicinal Chemistry from Aarhus University
- Nanoscience from the University of Copenhagen
If you have a Bachelor’s degree other than those listed above, you must submit additional documentation along with your application so we can evaluate whether or not you meet the admission requirements. Learn about when and how to apply.
If you have a Bachelor’s degree, Professional Bachelor's degree or equivalent from Danish or international universities are qualified for admission if your programme includes the following:
- Each element must include experimental laboratory exercises including laboratory safety:
- General and inorganic chemistry - 20 ECTS minimum
- Organic chemistry including synthesis - 22.5 ECTS minimum
- Analytical chemistry and spectroscopy - 7.5 ECTS minimum
- Physical chemistry and physics including quantum chemistry - 20 ECTS minimum
- Mathematics - 15 ECTS minimum
The elements must account for a total of 85 ECTS minimum.
We may also admit applicants who, after an individual academic assessment, are deemed to possess educational qualifications equivalent to those required above.
Qualifying degree and other courses/projects
When we assess whether you meet the admission requirements for the Master's degree program, Danish legislation only allows us to assess your Bachelor's degree. Consequently, you cannot study supplementary courses between Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in order to meet the admission requirements.
If you have passed courses/projects before you complete the qualifying Bachelor's degree, these can be included in the assessment, even though they are not part of the Bachelor's degree program.
- It applies to courses/projects you have taken as single subjects and courses/projects you have taken as part of another study program.
- A maximum of 30 ECTS of these courses/projects may be included.
International Bachelor’s degree
You can only get an answer to whether or not your degree meets the admission requirement by applying for admission to the MSc Programme. Only the admission committee can evaluate whether you are qualified or not and they only do this once they have received your application.
Bachelor’s degree from Denmark
You are entitled to 1 pre-assessment for 1 study programme, where, based on an assessment of the documentation you have submitted, we will inform you whether you meet the admission requirements.
This is a service offered by SCIENCE, but it is not a service you have to make use of in order for you to apply for admission.
Language requirements
Unless you have a legal right of admission to the programme you are applying for, you are required to document proficiency in English.
Application deadlines
Study start in September
1 March at 23:59
Application deadline for Danish applicants and applicants from within the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Open for applications from 16 January. You will receive a reply by 10 June.
15 January at 23:59
Application deadline for applicants from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Open for applications from 15 November. You will receive a reply by 1 May.
Study start in February (legal right of admission only)
15 October at 23:59
Application deadline for Danish applicants and applicants from within the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Open for applications from 15 August. You will receive a reply by 10 December.
1 September at 23:59
Application deadline for applicants from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Open for applications from 1 July. You will receive a reply by 1 December.
How to apply
Choose the category below that fits you and read more about how to apply for admission. You will also find information about application deadlines and documentation on the websites.
Citizen in Denmark, EU EEA og Switzerland
Bachelor with legal right of admission
Bachelor’s degree from Denmark
International bachelor’s degree
Citizen in a country outside EU, EEA or Switzerland
Bachelor’s degree from Denmark
International bachelor’s degree
Prioritisation of applicants
If the number of qualified applicants to the programme exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be prioritised according to the following criteria:
- Total number of ECTS credits in relevant courses
- Grades in relevant courses
Relevant courses include courses in general and inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry and spectroscopy, chemical synthesis and physical chemistry (including quantum chemistry).
Limitation on second degrees
If you have already completed a Master's degree, please check out the rules concerning a second degree.
Admission statistics Chemistry 2023 | |
---|---|
Admitted | 41 |
Admission distribution (legal right/other) | 51% / 49% |
Applicants | 74 |
Age average | 24 |
Legal gender distribution (cpr. - m/f) | 51% / 49% |
Nationality (dk/international) | 54% / 46% |
Available spots | No |
Programme structure
During the MSc programme in Chemistry you learn to formulate, structure, and execute a research project involving the development and use of chemical methods. You work independently, both individually and in teams.
The programmer offers you four different specialisations: Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, or Physical and Computational Chemistry. You can also study Chemistry with a minor subject. The programme takes two years to complete. The first year consists of a series of compulsory and elective courses. In the second year, you will concentrate on your thesis.
Do a Project in Practice or Study Abroad
You can use some of your elective courses to do a Project in Practice in collaboration with a company or an organisation. You can also choose to study abroad as part of your programme. Read more here:
Master's thesis
You have 9 months to write your thesis. So, you get a full study year in the lab to concentrate on your subject of choice. Thus, you acquire in-depth knowledge of a specialised field at an internationally competitive level.
The thesis work is experimental in nature e.g., it must include experimental work or production of scientific work in terms of the generation of original data and/or original material.
You do your thesis work in a research group at the Department of Chemistry under the supervision of a researcher. You create a study plan and a description of your thesis work together with your supervisor.
You can also complete your thesis work in a private firm or public institution in Denmark or abroad. You will then be assigned an internal supervisor from the Department of Chemistry as well as an external supervisor from wherever you are performing your thesis work. Your graduate education is completed with an oral defence of your thesis conducted by an external examiner.
Specialisations
When you enroll in the programme you are required to choose between 5 specialisations. You can read about the specialisations below:
Graduates with a specialisation in analytical chemistry are in demand in research, at industrial production industries from energy over foods and pharmaceuticals to biotech and at environmental consultancies.
You learn to analyze chemical composition of samples, and to reveal how these were formed and how to improve their production. You'll get hands on experience in the lab using high end scientific instruments. Furthermore, you learn to select, develop, validate and assess chemical analyses.
During the specialisation, you will work with:
- Sampling theory and sample preparation methods, chromatography, mass spectrometry, and spectroscopic methods.
- Practical use of advanced analytical techniques for analysis of gas, liquid and solid samples.
- Quantitative and qualitative chemical analyses.
Upon graduation you'll have the competencies to plan and perform sampling, as well as to sample preparation of complex matrices. You will also be able to analyze simple and complex mixtures of chemicals and elements using modern chromatography, mass spectrometry and spectroscopy methods, and to perform data analysis for qualitative (identification) and quantitative (concentration measurements) analysis.
Denmark has one of the highest ratios of advanced scientific instruments to population, so jobs are plentiful in research, industry, biotech and consultancy. Among other things, you can find work within production or research in fields as plant breeding, foods, biotechnology, catalysis, and environmental chemistry.
The specialisation can be structured in two different ways, depending on whether you start in September or February:
Course table, Study Start in September
Compulsory courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 30 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Year 1
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Scientific Writing, Planning and Presentation | Experimental Analytical Chemistry: Method Development and Quality Assurance | Elective course | Elective course |
Advanced Analytical Chemistry - Sampling and Sample Preparation | Advanced Analytical Chemistry - Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry | Elective course | Elective course |
Year 2
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
Course table, Study Start in February
Compulsory courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 30 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
Study start in February is only for students with a reserved access to the programme. Read about reserved access here >>
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Year 1
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Elective course | Elective course | Scientific Writing, Planning and Presentation | Experimental Analytical Chemistry: Method Development and Quality Assurance |
Elective course | Elective course | Advanced Analytical Chemistry – Sampling and Sample Preparation | Advanced Analytical Chemistry - Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry |
Year 2
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
The specialisation in inorganic chemistry prepares you to take the lead in research and development. As a graduate you are able to develop new functional materials. For example, molecular electronics that allow computers to grow smaller using fewer elements harmful to nature, catalysts that allows industries to produce more and pollute less, or plastics that are lighter and stronger yet biodegradable.
A central aspect of developing new compounds and materials is to characterize the new molecules you have invented. This involves use of large scale research facilities such as the largest synchrotron facility in Europe, the European Spallation Source (ESS), which is currently being built just an hour’s drive away from Copenhagen. So studying for your M.Sc. in Copenhagen also gives you ample opportunity to develop your skills at planning and executing research programmes at large scale facilities.
Among other things, you will focus on inorganic and coordination chemistry, materials science and theoretical modelling of inorganic systems. Upon graduation you have the competencies to:
- use modern experimental techniques in inorganic chemistry.
- describe the most important experimental techniques applied in the characterization of inorganic compounds.
- describe and rationalize the most important periodic variation in the chemical and physical properties of the elements and their compounds.
- apply electronic structure models to inorganic systems.
The specialisation can be structured in two different ways, depending on whether you start in September or February:
Course table, Study Start in September
Compulsory courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 30 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Year 1
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Methods and Modelling in Inorganic Chemistry | Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry | ||
Elective course | Elective course | Elective course | Elective course |
Year 2
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
Course table, Study Start in February
Compulsory courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 30 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
Study start in February is only for students with a reserved access to the programme. Read about reserved access here >>
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Year 1
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry | Methods and Modelling in Inorganic Chemistry | ||
Elective course | Elective course | Elective course | Elective course |
Year 2
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
New medicines, smart materials, better fuels, brighter pigments, perfumes and more. With a specialisation in organic synthesis you will be trained to invent and develop new organic compounds. You acquire a deep insight into what can and cannot be produced in an organic chemistry laboratory. You also get hands on experience with advanced techniques and equipment for producing small molecules.
Among other things, you learn to:
- elucidate the reaction mechanisms of desired and undesired organic reactions.
- work independently with specialized equipment and advanced synthesis methods.
- work with synthetic chemistry under inert atmosphere, anhydrous conditions and extreme conditions (temperature, pressure, etc.).
- work with various types of chromatographic purification methods.
- organize, describe, execute and optimize multistep syntheses on large and small scales.
When you graduate, you'll have the competencies to analyze reactions on the basis of physical organic chemistry. You are also able to analyze complex synthetic problems and plan a feasible synthesis. These are competencies that are sought after by the private sector, not least the pharmaceutical industry.
The specialisation can be structured in two different ways, depending on whether you start in September or February:
Course table, Study Start in September
Compulsory courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 30 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Year 1
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Elective course | Elective course | Elective course | Elective course |
Reactions and Synthesis in Medicinal Chemistry | Organic Chemistry |
Year 2
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
Course table, Study Start in February
Compulsory courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 30 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
Study start in February is only for students with a reserved access to the programme. Read about reserved access here >>
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Year 1
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Elective course | Elective course | Elective course | Elective course |
Organic Chemistry | Reactions and Synthesis in Medicinal Chemistry |
Year 2
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
The physical and computational chemistry specialisation focus on fundamental forces in chemistry as well as questions such as how atmospheric phenomena relates to climate change, or how we store solar energy.
You can involve yourself in anything from full scale investigations of atmospheric phenomena to analysis and spectroscopic experimentation in the laboratory and predictive theoretical and computational chemistry. You can investigate the forces acting between single atoms in a molecule, and draw inferences to the macroscopic interactions that governs entire planetary atmospheric systems.
You will learn to:
- use methods and software within the field of computational chemistry e.g., high level programming and machine learning.
- use experimental and theoretical advanced physical chemical methods.
- use experimental techniques within gas, liquid, and solid phase spectroscopy.
- use basic spectroscopic instruments and to describe different techniques and the theory behind them.
With a specialisation in physical and computational chemistry you have an expertise in spectroscopy and physical chemistry, which is in demand in high tech industries, environmental agencies, consulting companies and the biomedical industry. Your insight into high level programming and data mining also makes you sought after by the IT-sector as well as in finance and banking.
The specialisation can be structured in two different ways, depending on whether you start in September or February:
Course table, Study Start in September
Compulsory courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 30 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Year 1
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Elective course | Elective course | Elective course | Elective course |
Computational Chemistry | Advanced Vibrational Spectroscopy | Advanced Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Microscopy |
Year 2
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
Course table, Study Start in February
Compulsory courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 30 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
Study start in February is only for students with a reserved access to the programme. Read about reserved access here >>
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Year 1
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Elective course | Elective course | Elective course | Elective course |
Advanced Vibrational Spectroscopy | Advanced Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Microscopy | Computational Chemistry |
Year 2
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Thesis |
Please note: The MSc in Chemistry with a minor subject is only for applicants with a Danish Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry including the required courses from the minor subject. The minor subject consists of courses taught in Danish, where the first part is compulsory in the Bachelor’s degree, and the remaining is part of the MSc.
You can study chemistry with a minor subject if you want to acquire the competences to teach or disseminate both subjects. This enables you to teach in Danish upper secondary schools. Furthermore, you will be qualified to work in e.g., chemical, phamaceutical, high-tech, or consulting companies, as well as within the public sector, universities, or sector research institutes. You will also have the prerequisites for further studies e.g., a PhD programme.
The programme can be structured in different ways depending on whether your minor subject is within or outside the field of science, and whether you start in September or February. Below, you will find examples of course tables showing the study structure if you start in September or February with a minor subject within the field of science.
See the full programme overview, description of the admission requirements, as well as the knowledge, competences, and skills you obtain in the curriculum for Chemistry with a Minor Subject.
Course table, Study Start in September, Minor Subject Within the Field of Science
Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Minor subject: 45 ECTS
Master's thesis: 30 ECTS
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Year 1
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Minor subject | Minor subject | Minor subject | Minor subject |
Minor subject | Minor subject | Kemiske undervisningsforsøg | Restricted elective course |
Year 2
Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Restricted elective course | Videregående fagdidaktik i naturvidenskabelige fag | Thesis | |
Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course |
Course table, Study Start in February, Minor Subject Within the Field of Science
Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Minor subject: 45 ECTS
Master's thesis: 30 ECTS
Study start in February is only for students with a reserved access to the programme. Read about reserved access here >>
One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.
Year 1
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Minor subject | Minor subject | Minor subject | Minor subject |
Minor subject | Minor subject | Restricted elective course | Videregående fagdidaktik i naturvidenskabelige fag |
Year 2
Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 1 | Block 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Kemiske undervisningsforsøg | Restricted elective course | Thesis | |
Restricted elective course | Restricted elective course |
Restricted Elective Courses
Choose your restricted elective courses from the list below. Click on each course for a detailed description.
- Advanced Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Microscopy
- Advanced Vibrational Spectroscopy
- Air Pollution and Health
- Analytical Chemistry
- Computational Chemistry
- Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry
- Heterocyclic Chemistry
- Methods and Modelling in Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Reactions and Synthesis in Medicinal Chemistry
- Scientific Writing, Planning and Presentation
- Structural Tools in Nanoscience
- Project in Practice
Curriculum
Learn more about the programme in the:
Curriculum for MSc in ChemistryShared section of the curriculum
Please note: The programme curriculum is for the current academic year. A revised curriculum for the coming academic year will follow.
Video: Ida and Laia talk about the study programme in Chemistry
Career opportunities
The Chemistry MSc programme combines teaching and scientific research under the supervision of an experienced researcher. This gives you a detailed understanding of the science behind chemical research and the methods used.
You enroll in a research-based programme, and your professors and tutors are all top class. Some have written the textbooks you will use. Some have discovered the synthesis paths you will learn. All are involved in research that is published in top tier periodicals.
Competence description
As a graduate, you’ll have the competencies to:
- manage complex research and development situations.
- investigate and synthesize available knowledge in a field of chemistry.
- evaluate chemical methods, their capabilities, and limitations.
- discuss the application of chemical results in an industrial, societal, and ethical context.
Employment
Chemists are in demand all over the world. In research, development, and analytical laboratories in the private as well as the public sector.
You can work as an advisor in both private firms and public institutions, teach at university or High School level or work within the media. Or you can use the insights from studying chemistry to start your own business.
Student life
High quality education in English, a flexible study structure, excellent facilities, an international study environment, attractive and green campus areas, and the opportunity to experience life in Copenhagen, the cool capital of Denmark. These are some of the qualities about studying at Faculty of Science (SCIENCE) at University of Copenhagen that you can expect.
Throughout the year, various social activities are arranged for all SCIENCE students and for international students specifically. These activities include:
- Introduction Days for new students
- A welcome programme for international students
- International dinners, courses, and lectures
- Sports activities such as fun runs or bicycle races
- Career workshops
Students live in residence halls outside campus or share a flat in the Copenhagen area. You will find that the relatively small size of Copenhagen makes it easy to get around, even by bike.
Where Will I be Studying?
The Chemistry programme is primarily based at North Campus.
The University’s North Campus is centrally located. It is home to scientific, pharmaceutical and health science research, and neighbour to the Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Metropolitan University College, and Fælledparken.
Many exciting building activities are going on at the campus areas at the moment, including the construction of a new Natural History Museum and the Niels Bohr Building. Furthermore, North Campus is part of a coherent district of science, health and interdisciplinarity – Innovation District Copenhagen – which is being developed these years.
You can read more about campus life at the university here:
Here you will find some useful links and videos about student life and housing in Copenhagen, and the welcome programme for international students at Faculty of Science.
- Information about living in Copenhagen – plus practical information on housing, civil registration number, residence permit and more
- General information on student life and studying at University of Copenhagen
- Housing Foundation Copenhagen is an independent entity which assists international students and researchers at University of Copenhagen in finding accommodation. Visit Housing Foundation Copenhagen here
Video: Study Science at University of Copenhagen
Meet Elizabeth and Alex who study at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. See what it is like to live and study in Denmark.
Video: SCIENCE Welcome Programme
The SCIENCE Welcome Programme is a great way for international students to be introduced to the Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen.
Contact student guidance
Contact SCIENCE Student Service
Do you have questions about the programme structure, study or career opportunities, admission requirements or application procedure, please feel free to contact SCIENCE Student Services.
Contact SCIENCE Student ServicesLocation
- Faculty of Science, North Campus, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 København Ø.