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.

A proficiency in English

In order to take part in this programme, you need to have fluency in both written and spoken English.This requirement has been satisfied when the student meets the conditions, listed on our website.

Months of entry

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

With this specialisation you’ll make an excellent researcher; approximately 40% percent of our graduates take up a PhD position, either in Nijmegen or elsewhere in the world. Our research institutes, in particular the Institute for Molecules and Materials, have vacancies for PhD projects every year. The Molecular Chemistry graduates also find work as researchers, marketeers and managers in the chemical industry, or in one of our spin-off companies. A small proportion will not work in science, but for instance as a policymaker at organisations such as NWO, TNO and RIVM.

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

If you have any questions, email us here: study-information@ru.nl

Learn more via the Radboud University contact form.

Information for international students

Application deadlines

Non-EU/EEA students

• The deadline for non-EU/EEA students who wish to apply for a scholarship is 31 January prior to the September intake. For the requirements and selection procedure for scholarships, please check our scholarship overview.
• The deadline for those not applying for a scholarship is 1 April for non-EU/EEA nationals for the September 2026 intake. You can apply for the September 2026 intake from 1 October 2025.

EU/EEA students

• The application deadline for EU/EEA students with housing assistance for the September 2026 intake is 1 May, and the deadline without housing assistance is 1 July. You can apply from 1 October onward for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The application deadlines for Master’s starting in February are 1 November for non-EU/EEA citizens and 1 December for EU/EEA citizens.

Fees and funding

Radboud University offers 3 different scholarships that are open to prospective Master's students from non-EU/EEA countries and who want to follow an English-taught Master's programme.

Radboud Scholarship Programme

The Radboud Scholarship Programme offers talented, highly motivated, non-EU/EEA students with outstanding study results the opportunity to be awarded a partial scholarship for an English-taught Master’s programme.

NL Scholarship (for prospective students)

The NL Scholarship (formerly known as Holland Scholarship) is a partial scholarship for non-EU/EEA students who want to do their Master’s in the Netherlands.

Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships

The Fulbright Commission, sponsored by Radboud University, is offering scholarships for talented American students to study at Radboud University.