About the programme

As a student of the MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences you take the first step on your career path within the Danish and international biotech, medico-tech and pharmaceutical industries. You will be part of a vibrant and international study environment connected to researchers and industry. You specialise in drug discovery, development, production or use, according to your interest.

What specialisations does the field of study offer?

You get the opportunity to tailor a two-year master’s programme focused on drug-oriented courses. You can specialise within Drug Discovery, where you get equipped to hunt for new effective pharmaceutical substances. Drug Development studying the release of the right amount of active substance at the right point in the right place in the body. Medicines and Society, focusing on the enormous impact medicines have on people and societies.

Why is this programme relevant?

In the pharmaceutical industry project-oriented teamwork in a combination of fields is typical. Someone with an MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences is ideal for this type of team effort and has the skills to build bridges between people with various specialist backgrounds. You will be in heavy demand in the pharmaceutical industry internationally and in the Danish biotech, medico-tech and pharmaceutical industries.

Admission and application

To apply for admission to this master's degree programme, you must have completed 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.

There are no bachelor’s degrees that give legal right of admission to the MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

If you hold one of the degrees listed below, you are considered to meet all academic admission requirements and have direct access to apply to the master’s degree programme in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

  • Bachelor’s degree in Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Copenhagen
  • Bachelor’s degree in Medicine with Industrial Specialisation at Aalborg University
  • Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at University of Copenhagen
  • Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry as a specialization under Molecular Biology at Aarhus University
  • Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology at Aarhus University and Roskilde University
  • Bachelor’s degree in Biomedicine at University of Southern Denmark
  • Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at University of Southern Denmark
  • Bachelor’s degree in Biology with minors in chemistry at University of Southern Denmark
  • Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biomedicine at University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University
  • Bachelor's degree in Chemistry at University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, Roskilde University, Aalborg University and University of Southern Denmark
  • Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy at University of Copenhagen
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering in Biotechnology at Technical University of Denmark
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology) at Aalborg University
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering in Human Life Sciences and Engineering at Technical University of Denmark

Please note that having a bachelor’s degree that fulfil the admission requirements does not guarantee you admission to the programme.

You must hold a bachelor’s degree in health, natural or technical sciences and meet the admission requirements in biological and chemical disciplines.

In your bachelor’s degree you must have accumulated:

  • At least 120 ECTS credits in chemical and/or biological disciplines
  • At least 15 ECTS credits in biochemistry and/or molecular biology and/or microbiology
  • At least 15 ECTS credits in chemistry subjects, of which at least 7.5 ECTS credits must be in organic chemistry

Please note that having a bachelor’s degree that fulfil the admission requirements does not guarantee you admission to the programme.

You must have earned your bachelor’s degree within a maximum of 5 years prior to the start of the first semester of the master’s programme, e.g. for the intake in the autumn of 2025, you must have graduated by September 2021 or thereafter. In exceptional circumstances the Admissions Committee may waive the graduation year requirement.

If your bachelor’s degree is too old, you can apply for an exemption from the graduation year requirement. If you choose to apply for an exemption, you must submit the following documents along with your application for admission:

  • A letter explaining how you have maintained your academic qualifications since graduation (e.g. relevant work, internships, further studies)
  • Relevant documentation (e.g work contracts, diplomas etc).

If you already have a master's degree from Denmark or another country, you can, in principle, only be admitted to a new degree programme if there are places available on the programme for which you are applying for admission.

Please read more about limitation on second degrees

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 credits of these courses/projects may be included.

Language requirements

To gain admission to a master's programme taught in English, all applicants must document qualifications on par with the Danish upper secondary school ‘English level B” with a weighted average of minimum 3 or ‘English level A’ with a weighted average of minimum 2 on the Danish grading scale.

We accept the following ways of documenting this:

An English taught qualifying upper secondary school diploma, bachelor’s degree or master’s degree from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK or Ireland will exempt you from the language requirement.

Applicants from countries in e.g. Asia and Africa where English is the official language of instruction, must also document English language proficiency by taking an English language test.

If you have not studied a full degree in English, you must:

  • Either document that you have passed Danish upper secondary school 'English level B' (Engelsk B) with the minimum weighted average grade of 3 on the Danish grading scale
  • Or document that you have passed Danish upper secondary school ‘English level A’ (Engelsk A) with the minimum weighted average grade of 2 on the Danish grading scale
  • Or document that you are holding a Nordic entrance examination with an English level which is considered comparable to a Danish B level in English by the Danish Agency of International Education. And with a weighted grade comparable to at least 3 on the Danish grading scale See a comparison of the Nordic subject levels and grades: Nordic subject levels (in Danish)
  • Or you must pass an IELTS Academic, TOEFL, Cambridge Advanced English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) test.

Name of documentationMinimum gradeDocumentation required

English level B

(Engelsk B)

Weighted average of 3
  • Danish Upper secondary school diploma
  • VUC diploma

English level A

(Engelsk A)

Weighted average of 2
  • Danish Upper secondary school diploma
  • VUC diploma

Please notice:

  • There is no period of limitation for validity of Danish upper secondary school 'English level A’' (Engelsk A) or ‘English level B’ (Engelsk B).
  • You must send us your documentation as soon as possible and no later than:
    • 1 June Non-EU, -EEA and -Swiss citizens
    • 15 August Danish, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens

Name of testMinimum scoreInformation required for online check of test

IELTS (academic)

IELTS Home Edition

6.5 (overall test score) 

6.5 (overall test score)

Only overall score will be considered.

TRF Number (Test Report Form Number)

TOEFL

  1. Internet-based test (IBT)
  2. TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition
  3. ITP TOEFL-test

(MyBest Scores are not accepted)

83

83                                                   

560

Registration number
Cambridge Advanced (CAE)Passed at level C1 or C2ID-number and Secret Number
Cambridge ProficiencyPassed at level C1 or C2ID-number and Secret Number

Please notice:

  • IELTS and TOEFL tests older than 2 years are not accepted (counted from the programme application deadline). There is no period of limitation for validity of the Cambridge tests.
  • If you have not yet completed a language test by the programme application deadline, please upload a document in which you explain when you will be forwarding the results. You are required to send us your test score as soon as possible and in no case later than: 
    • 1 June Non-EU, -EEA and -Swiss citizens 
    • 15 August Danish, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens

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.

How to apply

Choose your category and read how you apply for admission. You can also find information about deadlines and documentation requirements. 

Please note that you must also select according to your citizenship:

  • Citizen from Denmark, EU, EEA or Switzerland (EU)
  • Citizen from countries outside EU, EEA or Switzerland (NON-EU)

How we assess your application

The programme accepts a maximum of 50 students. One third of the seats may be reserved for students outside of the EU/EEA.

If the number of qualified applicants to the programme exceeds the number of places available, qualified applicants will be prioritised according to the following criteria:

  • Grade point average from the bachelor's degree
  • Relevant internships and/or work and relevant stays abroad
Admission statistics Pharmaceutical Sciences 2023
Admitted 41
Admission distribution (legal right/other) 0% / 100%
Applicants 196
Age average 23
Legal gender distribution (cpr. - m/f) 22% / 78%
Nationality (dk/international) 2% / 98%
Available spots No

Programme structure

The MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences is a 2-year programme taught in English, and there are approximately 50 students in a year.

The programme is known for its cooperation with industry, since there is a close concentration of biotech and pharmaceutical companies in the region. Medicon Valley, as the hub is called, is home to almost 300 ‘life science’ companies.

Teaching forms are lectures, case-based groupwork, laboratory work and research projects.

Depending on the study track you select, these are the approximate numbers.

  • 50 % mandatory courses
  • 25 % elective courses
  • 25% thesis 

The programme is focused on drug-oriented courses. You must select one of the following three tracks: 

  1. Drug Discovery, where you get equipped to hunt for new effective pharmaceutical substances.
  2. Drug Development studying the release of the right amount of active substance at the right point in the right place in the body.
  3. Medicines and Society, focusing on the enormous impact medicines have on people and societies.

Each track offers great flexibility regarding elective courses and projects, which enables students to create a specialised academic profile.

All three tracks begin with the compulsory courses in:

  • Drug Discovery and Development
  • Pharmaceutics and Drug Development
  • Principles of Pharmacology

These three courses form a common scientific basis regardless of which track you have chosen.

You then follow three compulsory courses specific to your track, which give you a defined scientific profile.

Once you have selected your track, you can select courses from the other two tracks as electives.

The flexibility in choosing electives gives you the opportunity to either focus on similar topics or broaden your educational programme.

As part of your electives, you can choose to do a short internship or research project either at the University of Copenhagen or at, for instance, a medical company. 

As part of your electives, you can choose to do a short internship or research project either at the University of Copenhagen or at, for instance, a medical company. 

Read more about the Individualised Study Unit

It is possible to study abroad during your degree. Your third semester is best suited for studying abroad. Alternatively, you can choose to write part of your thesis abroad. It is also possible to take a summer course in place of an elective.

Why Study Abroad?

A main objective of studying abroad is to further widen your academic knowledge and network. You are also likely to benefit socially and culturally.

It is a good idea to seek advice from lecturers and the student guidance when planning your studies abroad to find out where to go and how to structure your academic programme. Your lecturers may have academic inputs, international contacts, and may also be able to provide you with references which can prove useful.

Exchange Agreements

The University of Copenhagen has an extensive number of exchange agreements with universities world wide.

Information about partner universities specific to Pharmaceutical Sciences is available through the International Relations Office at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.

Student Mobility at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Researchers at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and the Faculty of Science offer a wide range of thesis subjects that enables you to tailor a programme matching your personal interests.

You can carry out your thesis project in a research group at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, The Department of Pharmacy or any other relevant department at the university . There are also excellent opportunities to write your industry-based thesis in Denmark or abroad.

Many research groups involved with the programme enjoy close cooperation with pharmaceutical companies based on the Danish side of Medicon Valley. This cooperation is a key element of several programme courses as well as thesis-related work. The close contact established during the programme is also expected to play an important role in the transition from study to professional career.

Master's projects under Drug Design and PharmacologyMedicon Valley

Student Interviews

Career opportunities

The pharmaceutical industry is financially strong and developing rapidly. The industry continuously needs to recruit a sufficient number of graduates with a focused background in the pharmaceutical sciences.

As a graduate you will be in heavy demand in the pharmaceutical industry internationally and in the Danish biotech, medico-tech and pharmaceutical industries that hold a key position in the international arena.

The programme’s close cooperation with the industry is also expected to play an important role in your transition from study to professional career.

The development of new drugs and medicinal products is a long and complex process that starts with the glimmer of a new idea and ends with the effective marketing of a finished product. 

An MSc in pharmaceutical sciences makes you a bridge-builder in this complex process and gives you an educational ballast that supplements other experts with various specialist backgrounds in the field. 

In the pharmaceutical industry project-oriented teamwork in a combination of fields is typical. Someone with an MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences is ideal for this type of team effort.

Please note 

The MSc degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences does not qualify graduates to practice as pharmacists at community or hospital pharmacies in Denmark and other EU countries.

The pharmaceutical industry considers people with an MSc in pharmaceutical sciences to be highly relevant. Pharmaceutical companies as well as biotech companies have shown great interest in hiring graduates with the skills provided through the programme. 

The University of Copenhagen is located in the midst of one of the world’s leading biotech areas – Medicon Valley – home to almost 300 ‘life science’ companies. The School of Pharmaceutical Sciences  is known for its extensive cooperation with industry.

One of these collaborative endeavours is the school’s own Drug Research Academy (DRA), where a number of Danish biotech and pharmaceutical companies co-finance PhD scholarships. DRA covers all key research areas in drug development from research, development and production to clinical testing.

This close concentration of biotech and pharmaceutical companies in the region coupled with the school’s collaboration with industry provides good opportunities for students to build contacts to future employers during their studies.

There are excellent opportunities to find student jobs related to the field and to initiate thesis projects at one of the many companies in the area.
 

Read about the Medicon Valley Allience

Alumni interviews

Student life

When you study pharmaceutical sciences you will be part of an international and vibrant study environment. You can join a lot of student clubs, follow courses with students from other programmes and meet up with your fellow students in the student café and social events.

PharmaSchool has won awards for best study environment and older students make an effort to welcome new students to PharmaSchool.

You will primarily be studying at the University of Copenhagen’s North Campus.

Contact student guidance

SUND Study Information

If you have questions about 

  • the MSc programme
  • the study environment
  • your career opportunities
Please contact SUND Study Information

Do you have questions about digital application?

Read quick guides, instructions and FAQ in our user guide to the application portal. 

In case of technical problems, please contact the IT Helpdesk by

Location

  • Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, North Campus, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 København.

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