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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Chemistry
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Chemistry

How can I make a novel antibiotic from functional organic compounds? Can I build a motor at the molecular level? Can I synthesize life-like artificial molecular systems? How can we make energy storage sustainable? You will encounter these questions and many more in the Master's degree programme in Chemistry at the University of Groningen.

The two-year programme is taught entirely in English and is embedded in an internationally-leading research environment. The programme offers a great deal of freedom in terms of topics and has a strong focus on research, with students spending 50% of their time in research labs.

Research track

The research track in the programme offers several specializations with the possibility to design your own programme:

Catalysis in Chemistry, Advanced Synthesis, Synthetic and Chemical Biology, Protein Biochemistry, Supramolecular Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry and Modelling, and Solid State materials, and Sustainable energy.

Science, Business and Policy

This profile emphasizes the societal aspects of Science. You will gain valuable research experience and learn to implement your chemical knowledge in companies and policy organisations.

The Chemistry research project takes place in a research group within or across one of these specialisations. These groups are associated with three main research institutes that focus on chemistry: the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, the Zernike Institute of Advanced Materials, and the Groningen Biomolecular Science and Biotechnology Institute. The programme also offers the opportunity to do a second research project in a lab abroad or in industry.

Apart from core subjects including reaction mechanism and spectroscopic methods, we teach and offer research projects across the entire spectrum of Chemistry, including: (in)organic synthesis, stereochemistry, polymer chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, advanced spectroscopy, biocatalysis and protein engineering, organometallic chemistry, molecular dynamic, quantum mechanics, green chemistry, synthetic biology and systems chemistry.

Other options:

  • Research Education (specialization)
  • Theoretical Chemistry and Computational Modeling track

Selective Master's degree programme

Admission to the Master's programme in Chemistry is selective. Applicants have to fulfill the following admission requirements:

  1. An academic Bachelor's degree in Chemistry (or an equivalent degree);
  2. Sufficient English proficiency
Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Chemistry
Course type
Master
Duration
24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code
66857
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Science and Engineering
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • Excellent research training by world-leading scientists
  • An opportunity to spend time in industry and/or go abroad
  • Several specializations and the opportunity to design your own programme
  • Chemistry in Groningen is the home of Ben Feringa, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2016 for his research into molecular machines
Programme

Curriculum

2-year programme. Credits per year: 60 ECTS. Most courses are 5 ECTS.

For the complete curriculum, please see: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/66857

Programme options
Research Track (track)

Students are recommended to follow one of the specialisations listed below:

1. Catalysis in Chemistry 2. Advanced Synthesis 3. Synthesis & Chemical Biology 4. Supramolecular Chemistry 5. Polymer Chemistry 6. Organometallic Chemistry 7. Theoretical Chemistry and Modelling 8. Solid State materials and Sustainable energy 9. Chemical Biology 10. Protein Biochemistry

Students who wish to follow an open program must submit their program for approval including confirmation of the program's coherence and sufficient coverage of the Eindtermen of the Masters Chemistry program.

More information about this option

Science, Business and Policy (track)

Interested in the business side of science? You can combine this Master's programme with the Science Business & Policy profile. The SBP profile includes a six-month internship as a scientific advisor.

You focus on the interface between Chemistry and Business and Policy emphasizing the societal aspects of Science. You will learn to implement your chemistry knowledge in companies and policy organisations. This is not only important for students who aspire an entrepreneurial business career, but also for all those researchers who wish to work within or collaborate with industry or governmental institutions.

For the complete curriculum, please see: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/66857-5555

More information about this option

Theoretical Chemistry and Computational Modeling (track)

The Erasmus Mundus Master in Theoretical Chemistry and Computational Modeling, TCCM, is a two-year research-oriented master programme in the Erasmus+ framework for talented and motivated students.

TCCM is a joint master of seven European universities.

Research education (specialization)

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is recommended
  • For an average of 8 weeks
  • Maximum of 25 EC

Exchange: All our science and engineering programmes offer study abroad possibilities at a number of partner institutions. Our partners include top-100 universities in Europe (for example in Germany, UK, and Sweden) and in the USA, China, South-East Asia, and South America. Our exchange programmes have a typical duration of one semester and count toward your final degree.

Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
ChemistryUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

Selection procedure

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or relevant field. Information about admission possibilities and requirements for students from a Dutch HBO institute is published on: https://www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission

other admission requirements

BEFORE YOU APPLY Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' at https://www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements.

This Master's programme in Chemistry has a selection procedure. Selection will be based on academic performance and motivation to determine if you will be selected for the Master's programme. After you have followed all the steps applicable to you as described here: https://www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission (before May 1st), your application will be passed on to the Board of Admissions of the programme for review.


Registration procedure

The Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be admitted to the Master's degree programme.

Please fill out this checklist to describe why you are applying for this Master's degree programme (questions to be addressed are outlined in the form).

Selection procedure

This means that an applicant must both meet the admission requirements and successfully complete a selection procedure in order to be admitted to the Master's degree programme.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or relevant field. This is merely an indication of required background knowledge. The Board of Admissions determines whether the specific contents of this/these course(s) meet the admission requirements of the master programme for which you applied.

additional subject

The Admissions Office will advise the Board of Admissions on your application, after which the board will decide if you meet the admission requirements in terms of general level of previous education and specific background knowledge.

language test

MAKE SURE TO VISIT http://www.rug.nl/fwn/fmns-programme/admissions/msc/language-requirements for all the necessary information about required language tests and minimum scores.

other admission requirements

BEFORE YOU APPLY The Chemistry master is selective. Selection will be based on academic performance and motivation to determine if you will be selected for the master's programme. After you have registered via www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission (before May 1st) your application will be requested to pass on to the Board of Admissions of the programme. Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' at www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission for all the necessary information about the procedure.

BEFORE YOU APPLY Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' at http://www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements.

SCHOLARSHIPS

In cooperation with major national and international companies we welcome students with several scholarships

ASML Scholarship: ASML is one of the world's leading manufacturers of chip-making equipment. The €5000 p/y scholarship is awarded every year to 25 exceptional students, who get the chance to become a Technology Ambassador within their scholarship period. More information can be found here.

Registration procedure

The Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be admitted to the Master's degree programme.

Please fill out this checklist to describe why you are applying for this Master's degree programme (questions to be addressed are outlined in the form).

Selection procedure

This means that an applicant must both meet the admission requirements and successfully complete a selection procedure in order to be admitted to the Master's degree programme.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 24200full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

This degree programme in Chemistry prepares students who want to begin a career in research and research management and provides excellent preparation for a PhD in Chemistry, either in Groningen or elsewhere.

Our recent alumni found jobs very quickly after graduating; 79% had a job lined up immediately following graduation! Groningen students have found jobs all over Europe and beyond in major companies, including DSM, Akzo Nobel, Corus, ASML or Philips as well as in smaller companies such as Syncom, Merchachem, PolyVation etc.

The programme develops skills in communication, teamwork, presentation techniques, and IT, thereby preparing students wishing to pursue careers in science and industry, where problem-solving is a key skill. During their training as chemistry researchers, students develop general competencies that make them highly versatile and widely employable. So, Groningen chemistry graduates can be found in consulting agencies, commercial functions, product research and development, product management or teaching.

Job examples

  • PhD research project
  • Work for a major multinational such as Akzo Nobel or Philps
  • Consulting agencies
  • Product management or commercial positions
Research

Research constitutes an important part of the Chemistry Master's degree and students spend approximately half their time in research projects. The main research project (40 ECTS) is typically performed in a research group belonging to one of the three research institutes most relevant to the chemistry programme:

Between these institutes students can choose to perform the research in one of approximately 40 research groups that work in different areas of chemistry.

A second, shorter research project (20 ECTS) often takes place in the form of a placement in industry or abroad. Students have a great deal of autonomy in choosing their research projects from an exceptionally wide variety of topics from fundamental to applied (industrially oriented) research.

Possible research projects include application-oriented research on organic and inorganic synthesis, heterogeneous, homogeneous and biocatalysis, computational chemistry, chemical biology, molecular and solid state spectroscopy, photochemistry, electrochemistry and polymer chemistry. The multidisciplinary teams within the University facilitate R&D routes from laboratory to industrial scale.

Typical examples of projects include: design of new routes to chemicals from renewable resources, synthesis and study of molecular motors, development of new antibiotics, new catalytic processes, study of self-replicating molecules, and the synthesis and development of molecular-electronic devices, batteries and organic solar cells.

The research institutes contributing to the chemistry programme are dedicated to a cross-disciplinary approach; in many research groups physicists and chemists work closely together. Research fields include surfaces, polymers, biomolecular materials, computational solid state physics, optical properties of the solid state and material engineering.


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Contact

  • Academic Advisors FSE (For questions regarding the programme)
  • studyscience@rug.nl Study Science (For students who are interested in a Campus Tour or who have other general questions)
    Email: studyscience rug.nl

Study associations

Chemische Binding

De Chemische Binding, or CB, is the study association for students taking a programme in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering at the University of Groningen.
The name translates as The Chemical Bond. The association aims to represent the interests of all students of chemistry and chemical engineering by organizing activities to enhance learning, such as practice sessions and excursions. It also provides an opportunity for students to join each other in less serious activities, such as the weekly drinks get-together, the annual Christmas dinner and a night-time volleyball tournament with a beer relay race,
https://www.chemische-binding.nl/home
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