Master of Science (MSc) in Chemistry

About the programme

The world is home to billions of people with a constant need for food, medicine and energy. Meeting these needs in a responsible and sustainable way is one of society鈥檚 greatest challenges, and chemistry is a key part of the solution.

If you want to be part of that effort, the MSc in Chemistry is a strong next step. This two-year MSc programme gives you the necessary skills to contribute to advanced research or to lead and manage complex work and projects within the field. 

The programme is offered in English.

What makes the programme at UCPH unique?

The MSc programme in Chemistry stands out by offering you five specialisations from the very beginning of the programme, while the 30 ECTS elective courses allows you to fine tune the programme to your interests. The 60 ECTS master鈥檚 thesis gives you the possibility to fully immerse yourself in a research project of your own choosing. Finally, the 30-40% of international students make it a very exciting study environment.

Why is this programme relevant?

Many of the problems of modern society related to health, energy, climate and environment as well as transportation require chemical solutions. As a chemist educated at 大秀视频, you can be involved in the development of new, more sustainable fuels, plastics, catalysts, medicines and materials. Or you can improve existing substances and analyze and document their effects.

Admission and application

To apply for admission to this master's degree programme, you must have completed, or expect to complete, a qualifying bachelor鈥檚 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

you are granted legal right of admission and guaranteed a place on the Master鈥檚 programme in Chemistry if you apply in time to begin within 3 years of the completion of your Bachelor鈥檚 degree.

Learn about when and how to apply

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 大秀视频 (note, that if you apply in time to begin within 3 years of the completion of your Bachelor鈥檚 degree, you have legal right of admission to the Master's programme)
  • Biochemistry (biokemi) from 大秀视频
  • Chemistry from Aarhus University or University of Southern Denmark
  • Chemistry from Lund University, Stockholm University, University of Uppsala, University of Oslo, University of Troms酶, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, University of Iceland or University of Helsinki
  • Medicinal Chemistry (medicinalkemi) from 大秀视频
  • Medicinal Chemistry from Aarhus University
  • Nanoscience from the 大秀视频

Check which master鈥檚 programmes at UCPH your bachelor programme is pre-approved for admission - only available in Danish

If you have a Bachelor鈥檚 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鈥檚 degree, Professional Bachelor's degree or equivalent from Danish or international universities are qualified for admission if your programme includes the following:

  1. 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
  2. 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.

Language requirements

You are required to document that you fulfil the language requirement English B, unless you have a legal right of admission to the programme you are applying for.

Please note that you must have the documentation ready by the application deadline.

See how you document the language requirements

Application deadlines

Applicants from within the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are two application deadlines for Danish applicants and applicants from within the EU, EEA and Switzerland.

Study start in September

1 March at 23:59

The application portal opens on 16 January. You will receive a reply by 15 May.

Study start in February (legal right of admission only)

15 October at 23:59

The application portal opens on 15 August. You will receive a reply by 10 December.

Information about admission for studies starting in February 2027 will be published no later than 1 July 2026.

Applicants from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are two application deadlines for applicants from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.

Study start in September

15 January at 23:59

The application portal opens on 15 November. You will receive a reply by 13 March.

Study start in February (legal right of admission only)

15 October at 23:59

The application portal opens on 15 August. You will receive a reply by 10 December.

Information about admission for studies starting in February 2027 will be published no later than 1 July 2026.

How we prioritise your application

Find information about available places on the study programme, as well as the distribution of students admitted last year.

Admission statistics Chemistry 2026
Available study places 56
Admission statistics Chemistry 2025
Admitted (of which have start in February) 40 (4)
Admission distribution (legal right/other) 65% / 35%
Applicants 106
Age average 25
Nationality (dk/international) 73% / 27%

Students with a legal right of admission are always admitted. In the table above, you can see the distribution between legal right of admission applicants and other applicants for the most recent admission.

What is a legal right of admission and how long does it apply?

If there are more qualified applicants than the available study places, after applicants with legal right of admission are allocated, 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).

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 or Switzerland

Bachelor with legal right of admission

Bachelor鈥檚 degree from Denmark

International bachelor鈥檚 degree

Citizen in a country outside EU, EEA or Switzerland

Bachelor鈥檚 degree from Denmark

International bachelor鈥檚 degree

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 five different specialisations: 

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Organic Synthesis
  • Physical and Computational Chemistry
  • 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.

Specialisations

When you enroll in the programme, you are required to choose between five specialisations:

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.

What you will learn

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.

Your competencies after graduation

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.

Career opportunities

Denmark has one of the highest ratios of advanced scientific instruments to population, so jobs are plentiful in research, industry, biotech and consultancy. A

You can find work within production or research in areas such as:

  • plant breeding
  • foods
  • biotechnology
  • catalysis
  • environmental chemistry.

Programme structure

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 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Elective courseElective course
Elective courseElective course

Year 2

Block 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Thesis

Course table, Study Start in February

Study start in February is only for students with legal right of admission to the programme. Read about legal right of admission here >>

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 3
 		Block 4
 		Block 1
 		Block 2
 
Elective courseElective course
Elective courseElective course

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鈥檚 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. 

Your competencies after graduation

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.

Programme structure

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 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Elective courseElective courseElective courseElective course

Year 2

Block 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Thesis

Course table, Study Start in February

Study start in February is only for students with legal right of admission to the programme. Read about legal right of admission here >>

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 3
 		Block 4
 		Block 1
 		Block 2
 
Elective courseElective courseElective courseElective 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.

What you will learn

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.

Your competencies after graduation

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.

Programme structure

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 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Elective courseElective courseElective courseElective course
Physical Organic Chemistry

Year 2

Block 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Thesis

Course table, Study Start in February

Study start in February is only for students with legal right of admission to the programme. Read about legal right of admission here >>

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 3
 		Block 4
 		Block 1
 		Block 2
 
Elective courseElective courseElective courseElective course
Physical Organic 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.

What you will learn

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.

Career opportunities

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.

Programme structure

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 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Elective courseElective courseElective courseElective course

Year 2

Block 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Thesis

Course table, Study Start in February

Study start in February is only for students with legal right of admission to the programme. Read about legal right of admission here >>

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 3
 		Block 4
 		Block 1
 		Block 2
 
Elective courseElective courseElective courseElective course

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鈥檚 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鈥檚 degree, and the remaining is part of the MSc.

You can study chemistry with a minor subject if you want to develop the skills to teach or communicate both subjects. This combination qualifies you to teach at Danish upper secondary schools.

In addition, you are prepared for a wide range of career paths. You can work in:

  • chemical and pharmaceutical industries
  • high-tech and consulting companies
  • the public sector
  • universities and sector research institutes

The programme also provides the academic foundation for further studies, such as a PhD programme.

Programme structure

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. 

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 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Minor subjectMinor subjectMinor subjectMinor subject
Minor subjectMinor subjectRestricted elective course

Year 2

Block 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Restricted elective courseThesis
Restricted elective courseRestricted elective course

Course table, Study Start in February, Minor Subject Within the Field of Science

Study start in February is only for students with legal right of admission to the programme. Read about legal right of admission here >>

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 3
 		Block 4
 		Block 1
 		Block 2
 
Minor subjectMinor subjectMinor subjectMinor subject
Minor subjectMinor subjectRestricted elective course

Year 2

Block 3
 		Block 4
 		Block 1
 		Block 2
 
Restricted elective courseThesis
Restricted elective courseRestricted elective course

Restricted Elective Courses

Choose your restricted elective courses from the list below. Click on each course for a detailed description.

  • Physical Organic Chemistry
  • Project in Practice

Master's thesis

You have nine months to write your master's thesis. This gives you a full study year to work in the lab and concentrate on your chosen subject.

This way you develop in-depth expertise within a specialised field at an internationally competitive level

Experimental and research-based work

Your thesis is experimental in nature.

It must include:

  • experimental work, or
  • production of scientific work based on original data and/or original material.

Supervision and study plan

You complete your thesis in a research group at the Department of Chemistry.
A researcher from the department supervises your work.

Together with your supervisor, you prepare:

  • a study plan
  • a description of your thesis project.

Thesis in Denmark or abroad

You may also write your thesis in a private company or a public institution in Denmark or abroad.

In this case, you will have:

  • an internal supervisor from the Department of Chemistry
  • an external supervisor from your host institution.

Oral defence

You complete your degree with an oral defence of your thesis.

An external examiner takes part in the assessment.

Do a project in practice or study abroad

Do you want to turn theory into experience or explore the world while you study? 

As part of your programme, you can use some of your elective courses to gain hands-on or international experience by doing an project in practice or choosing to study abroad.

Programme Curriculum

If you are more interested in the academic content, regulations, and examination requirements, you should consult the curriculum, which serves as the legal foundation for the programme.

There is both a curriculum specific to each degree programme and a general curriculum that applies across the faculty.

Please note that curricula are often revised annually. Any new versions will be published no later than during the spring semester.

Meet the students

Ida and Laia are both studying the MSc programme in Chemistry. In this video, they share what it is like to be a MSc-student in Chemistry and their favourite parts about the programme.

Career opportunities

Upon completion of the master鈥檚 programme, you obtain the title Master of Science in Chemistry.

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.

As a graduate, you鈥檒l 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.

Chemists are in demand all over the world and your degree qualifies you for a wide range of roles in both the private and public sector. Many graduates work in research, development, and analytical laboratories.

You can also work as an advisor in private companies or public institutions, teach at university or upper secondary school level, or communicate scientific knowledge through media and outreach. Some graduates use their academic background in chemistry to start their own business or pursue entrepreneurial projects.

Student life

Student life on the MSc in Chemistry at the 大秀视频 combines high-quality education in English with a flexible study structure and an international environment. Based primarily at North Campus, you鈥檒l benefit from excellent facilities while spending your days on advanced laboratory work, lectures, and collaborative problem-solving with fellow students. 

The close-knit community makes it easy to connect across year groups, and study groups are an important part of both academic and social life. Outside the classroom, attractive and green campus areas provide space to relax, while a wide range of student clubs, social events, and traditions - such as Friday bars and seasonal parties - create a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere.

Social activities at the Faculty of Science

Throughout the year, various social activities are arranged for all students at the Faculty of Science 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

"Copenhagen is the place to make it happen"

Meet Elizabeth and Alex who study at the 大秀视频 in Denmark. See what it is like to live and study in Denmark.

Student life at UCPH

Read about student life at UCPH

What is student life like across the rest of the 大秀视频?

Find out where you can live, get more information about student grants (SU), student jobs, student discounts, and all the many other things that are part of student life.

Read about student life at UCPH

Get to know North Campus

Teaching takes place at North Campus, located close to F忙lledparken. The Niels Bohr Institute, Panum, and the Maersk Tower are all part of the campus.

North Campus is home to both natural sciences and health sciences degree programmes.

Read about North Campus

Contact student guidance

Questions about study choice and admission

Our student guidance are ready to assist you with answers to your questions about:

  • application procedure and the digital application portal
  • admission- and language requirements
  • documentation
  • study life
  • career opportunities
  • study choice or doubts
Contact study guidance

Did you not find what you were looking for?

You can find answers to questions most often asked by potential students in the FAQ. Read the FAQ

Questions about the digital application-portal?

Do you have questions about digital application? Check our user guide to the application portal. 

In case of technical problems, please contact the IT-support by

Location

  • North Campus, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 K酶benhavn 脴.

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