Chemistry, Master Degree

University of Groningen, the Netherlands

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Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
Master Degree	find out	find out	find out	EUR 2314 per year	EUR 20700 per year

About Chemistry, Master Degree - at University of Groningen

Chemistry in Groningen is the home of the recipient of 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 programme in Chemistry at the University of Groningen.

This selective 2-year programme is taught wholly in English and embedded in an internationally leading research environment. The programme 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 three main specializations:

Advanced Materials

Focus of this specialization lies 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 honours programme)

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 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 & 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 & protein engineering, organometallic chemistry, molecular dynamic, quantum mechanics, green chemistry, synthetic biology and systems chemistry.

Learn more about Chemistry, Master Degree - at University of Groningen

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Entry requirements

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

Fees, Funding and Scholarships at University of Groningen

The university is committed to recognising excellence in academic achievement through offering a number of scholarships for international students and researchers. Several scholarships are available for international students who are motivated to study Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programmes, as well as for exchanges, short courses and research stays at our university.

Besides scholarships awarded by the University of Groningen, a number of grants awarded by the Dutch government, the EU and (inter)national organizations, such as World Bank or the Ford Foundation, can be used for study or research at the University of Groningen as well.

Find out what is available through our grant finder page.

Student reviews of University of Groningen

Find out what students say about University of Groningen

If I had to choose a Master's programme again, I would be on a flight to Groningen.

Ana Quintana, Mexico, Strategic Innovation Management

I gained a Bachelor's degree in Management & Marketing in Mexico City before I came to the Netherlands to undertake my Master's programme. During my Bachelor's studies, I spent a semester in Canada and I wanted to expand my international (study) experiences before starting work. I was keen to focus on innovation which is not usually offered in Mexico hence the combination of Innovation and Strategy in one programme directed me to Groningen.

My Master's thesis dealt with Innovation in family businesses and I now benefit from the intense research modules offered during the programme. Now I am working as a Promotion Manager in charge of the several customer loyalty programs offered by one of Mexico's biggest hotel chains. Although the Master's program was rather theoretical, I feel that it prepared me very well for my current job.

There was nothing about Groningen that I did not like: the city is just beautiful. I especially enjoyed going everywhere by bike, the variety of offers for students and, of course, the Queensday (now Kings Day) celebrations. Groningen has everything to make (foreign) students feel at home.

Looking back a year after my return to Mexico, I feel that I especially enjoyed getting to know Dutch culture. In addition, the courses offered and the beauty of the city made my stay in Groningen an unforgettable experience. If I had to choose a Master's programme again, I would be on a flight to Groningen.

I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand my knowledge in the field of law

Lejla Terzimehic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Global Criminal Law

Thanks to the European Commission Scholarship and the Talent Grant from the University of Groningen, I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand my knowledge in the field of law that I am most passionate about, at one of the oldest and most prestigious European universities.

Being very intellectually challenging, the master programme truly met my expectations. Sharing knowledge with my colleagues, all coming from different legal traditions, and learning from inspiring professors enriched me with the skills I hadn't attained during my previous education.

What I found to be the most beneficial is that the Dutch education system which, taught us to develop a critical opinion on law-related issues. Moreover, this master programme had a unique approach in tackling controversial contemporary legal issues. Due to its strong comparative emphasis, it encouraged us to keep at constant track with our national law, which is of a huge significance.

Both the master and a 6-month long internship at the International Criminal Tribunal for The Former Yugoslavia strengthened my belief in Justice. Furthermore, besides this academic benefit, I believe that studying abroad unequivocally broadens our horizons and tests prejudices we even are not aware of.