Molecular Chemistry

Entry requirements

A completed Bachelor's degree

In general, you are admitted with the equivalent of a Dutch Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Science with relevant subjects, or a related programme in molecular science. In case of other pre-education, students must have passed preliminary examinations containing the subject matter in the admission criteria below (or equivalent literature). Any deficiencies in this matter should be eliminated before you can take part in a specialisation. If you want to make sure that you meet our academic requirements, please contact the academic advisor.

Courses with ‘final qualifications’ compliant to general textbooks in the majority of the following scientific domains:

• General Chemistry: min 3 EC from standard university textbook, e.g. Chemistry by Zumdahl (Cengage Learning)
• Chemical Analysis: min 3 EC from standard university textbook, e.g Quantitative Chemical Analysis by Harris (Freeman)
• Organic chemistry: min 6 EC from standard university textbook, e.g. Organic Chemistry by Bruice (Pearson)
• Inorganic chemistry: min 3 EC from standard university textbook, e.g. Inorganic Chemistry by Housecroft & Sharpe (Pearson)
• Physical chemistry/thermodynamics: min 6 EC from standard university textbook, e.g. Physical Chemistry by Atkins & De Paula (Freeman)
• Mathematics and physics: min 6 EC from standard university textbook, e.g. College Physics by Serway, Faughn & Vuille (Brooks/Cole)
• Quantum mechanics/chemical bonding: min 9 EC from standard university textbook, e.g. College Physics by Serway, Faughn & Vuille (Brooks/Cole)
• Spectroscopy: min 3 EC from standard university textbook e.g. Fourier Transforms in Spectroscopy by Kauppinen & Partanen (Wiley-VCH)
• Solid state chemistry/physics: min 6 EC from standard university textbook, e.g. Solid State Physics by Hook & Hall
• Experimental skills (min 6 EC of practical courses on organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry and/or physics)
• 30 EC of chemistry- or physics-related courses on third year bachelor level

A proficiency in English

In order to take part in this programme, you need to have fluency in both written and spoken English. Non-native speakers of English* without a Dutch Bachelor's degree or VWO diploma need one of the following:

• A TOEFL score of >575 (paper based) or >90 (internet based)
• An IELTS score of ≥6.5
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with a mark of C or higher

* Applicants are considered to be a native speaker of English if they are from Australia, Canada (with exception of Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, UK, USA or South Africa.

Months of entry

February, September

Course content

The Master's specialisation in Molecular Chemistry explore how chemists synthesize molecules with new biological or physical properties to address scientific or societal challenges. Working with chemical structures the possibilities are endless- in principle, every molecule can be made. Some common applications include new catalytic conversions, lead compounds for future medicines or the next generation of conducting polymers.

This programme is closely connected to the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM), which hosts world-class research groups and a state-of-the-art research infrastructure. In your internships, you can conduct independent research at IMM, under personal guidance of a researcher, which often leads to a scientific publication with you as a co-author.

What will you learn?

• Get a broad understanding of topics at the heart of chemistry, from molecule design to application
• Choose from a variety of electives depending on your area of interests
• Gain valuable experience designing, conducting and presenting your own research
• Get practical experience in-depth knowledge of the design, synthesis and characterization of molecular structure

Career prospects
Almost half of our students take up a PhD position after graduating. However, you can also choose to apply your chemistry knowledge in the chemical industry, a spin-off company or a governmental organisation.

* This Master's is a specialisation of the Master's in Chemistry.

To apply for this course, please contact us by e-mail.

Learn more via the Radboud University contact form.

Fees and funding

There are various scholarships available for studying at Radboud University. Some of the opportunities are described below. A full list, including detailed information, can be found on our scholarships and grants page at our website.

Radboud Scholarship Programme

Open to a select number of excellent international students. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,209). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Orange Tulip Scholarship

Open to students from Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Indonesia, South-Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and China. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,209). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships

Open to excellent American students. The grant will be paid in 12 monthly instalments of 1,050 euros. International travel and the cost of the residence permit will be covered, and an extra allowance of €1150 will be paid on arrival.

Sino-Dutch Bilateral Exchange Scholarship

Open to excellent students from China. Consists of a contribution of € 16,113 towards the total costs of one year of study or research in the Netherlands.

DIKTI-Neso Scholarships

Aimed at lecturers at higher education institutions in Indonesia who wish to pursue a PhD or Master's at a university in the Netherlands. A DIKTI scholarship includes allowances for living expenses, insurance, travel costs, tuition fees and more.

Indonesian Education Scholarship (LPDP)

Open to excellent Indonesian students under the age of 35. Involves a full scholarship.

Holland Scholarship Programme

Open to excellent students from Canada, America, India and Turkey. Scholarship consists of 5,000 euros payed at the start of study.

Dutch Student Finance

EU/EEA students and Swiss students under 30 years of age are eligible if they are working at least 56 hours per month in the Netherlands, or have been living in the Netherlands for five years or more. Dutch student finance consists of four components: a basic grant, a supplementary grant (depending on the parental income), a student travel product, and a loan.