MSc in Chemistry
University of Groningen
Key Information
Campus location
Groningen, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 2,314 / per year *
Application deadline
01 May 2024
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
* EU/EEA students: €2,314 | non-EU/EEA students: €20,700
Introduction
Chemistry in Groningen is the home of the recipient of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Ben Feringa, for his research in light-driven rotary molecular motors.
How can I make a flexible solar cell out of organic molecules? Can I build an engine at the molecular level? Can I synthesize life-like artificial systems? Can I cure tuberculosis? You will encounter such questions and many more in the Master's degree program in Chemistry at the University of Groningen.
This selective 2-year program is taught wholly in English and embedded in an internationally leading research environment. The program offers a great deal of freedom in topics and has a strong focus on research; students spend 50% of their time in research labs. It is organized along with three main specializations:
- Advanced Materials
The focus of this specialization lies in the chemistry of functional materials, including aspects like material synthesis and self-assembly, supramolecular chemistry, polymer chemistry, structural characterization techniques, and functional properties.
- Catalysis and Green Chemistry
This specialization focuses on different aspects of catalysis by enzymes as well as synthetic homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts and key industrially relevant transformations.
- Chemical Biology (also offers an honors program)
This specialization brings chemistry to biology and the processes of life using the tools of chemistry and deals with topics ranging from understanding how biochemical processes, to protein engineering and the engineering of biological systems.
- 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 organizations.
The Chemistry research project takes place in a research group within or across one of these specializations. 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 & Biotechnology Institute. The program 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 & protein engineering, organometallic chemistry, molecular dynamic, quantum mechanics, green chemistry, synthetic biology, and systems chemistry.
Curriculum
2-year program. Credits per year: 60 ECTS. Most courses are 5 ECTS.
Program options
- Advanced Materials (track)
- Catalysis and Green Chemistry (track)
- Chemical Biology (track)
- Science, Business & Policy (track)
- Theoretical Chemistry and Computational Modeling (track)
- HTSM Honours Master (honors program)
Study abroad
- Study abroad is recommended
- For an average of 20 weeks
- Maximum of 60 EC
Exchange: All our science and engineering programs 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 programs have a typical duration of one semester and count toward your final degree.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
This degree program in Chemistry is primarily meant for students who want to become researchers or research managers. It also provides excellent preparation for a Ph.D. project, 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.
In addition, many chemists who are trained as researchers find jobs that are less research-oriented. This is because the program also pays attention to communication skills, teamwork, presentation techniques, and IT skills. During their training as researchers in chemistry, 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
- Ph.D. research project
- Work for a major multinational such as Akzo Nobel or Philps
- Consulting agencies
- Product management or commercial positions