Master of Science (MSc) in Chemistry

About the programme

By 2025 eight billion humans will need food when they are hungry, heat when they are cold, and medicine when they suffer. If you want to create new solutions, study for an MSc in Chemistry. The two-year MSc programme in Chemistry gives you the necessary skills for participating in research groups or for the independent leadership and management of complex work and development situations within the field. The programme is offered in English.

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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.

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 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)
  • Biochemistry (biokemi) from University of Copenhagen
  • 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

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

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:

  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 10 June.

Study start in February (legal right of admission only)

15 October at 23:59

The application portal opens on 2 September. 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 1 May.

Submit your application

Study start in February (legal right of admission only)

1 September at 23:59

The application portal opens on 1 July. You will receive a reply by 1 December.

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

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.

Second application round is open from 1 - 15 May for applicants who automatically fulfil the admission requirements (UCPH students only) or has legal right of admission.

Citizen in Denmark, EU EEA or 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 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%

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 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 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 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Methods and Modelling in Inorganic ChemistryDescriptive Inorganic Chemistry
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
 
Descriptive Inorganic ChemistryMethods and Modelling in Inorganic Chemistry
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.

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 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Elective courseElective courseElective courseElective course
Reactions and Synthesis in Medicinal ChemistryIntroduction to Physical Organic ChemistryPhysical 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
Introduction to Physical Organic ChemistryPhysical Organic ChemistryReactions 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 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Elective courseElective courseElective courseElective course
Computational ChemistryAdvanced Vibrational SpectroscopyAdvanced Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Microscopy

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
Advanced Vibrational SpectroscopyAdvanced Fluorescence Spectroscopy and MicroscopyComputational 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, pharmaceutical, 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. 

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 subjectKemiske undervisningsforsøgRestricted elective course

Year 2

Block 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Restricted elective courseVideregående fagdidaktik i naturvidenskabelige fagThesis
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 courseVideregående fagdidaktik i naturvidenskabelige fag

Year 2

Block 3
 		Block 4
 		Block 1
 		Block 2
 
Kemiske undervisningsforsøgRestricted 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.

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.

Video: Ida and Laia talk about the study programme in Chemistry

Career opportunities

Upon completion of the master’s programme, you will 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.

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.

Exciting building activities are going on at the campus areas at the moment, including the construction of a new Natural History Museum. 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.

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

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 København Ø.

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