Master of Science in Sustainable and Circular Chemistry
Utrecht, Netherlands
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 23,765 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Dutch and other EU/EEA students (statutory fee, full-time) 2024-2025: € 2,530 Non-EU/EEA students (institutional fee) 2024-2025: € 23,765
Introduction
How is chemistry essential to the energy, resource and material transition? How do you translate your ideas and creativity into sustainable, safe and circular processes? Are you eager to learn how chemistry can contribute to a more sustainable future?
Making the Difference: Redesigning chemistry for a sustainable future
Our society is facing major transitions in using energy, resources and materials. These transitions will lead us towards a more sustainable society relying on circular product chains but this cannot be solved by chemists alone. With the new two-year programme Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, we aim to train the chemists of the future, who can contribute to broader sustainability issues with a strong molecular chemistry basis and a broadened view on the more systemic challenges of sustainability.
In addition to the skills and knowledge, this Research Master’s provides a strong theoretical and experimental base in chemistry, where you will acquire skills and tools to understand chemical processes in the broader context of health, environment, and society. You will learn theoretical and practical aspects of molecular and materials chemistry, e.g. for catalysis or environmental science, and gain hands-on experience with the design of new, safe, and sustainable routes for making (new) chemicals and materials. Our courses offer a strong foundation in chemistry and encourage you to develop a ‘systems thinking mindset’ and apply this to the design of new, safer chemical products and synthesis routes. This foundation is connected to the real world by crossing disciplinary boundaries and including aspects of environmental science, data analysis, life-cycle analysis, and circularity and sustainability. The skillset will actively prepare you for a research-based career with highly relevant knowledge and future-proof skill. It will allow you to make an impactful contribution to the transitions towards a more sustainable and circular society in a multidisciplinary environment in both academia and industry.
Curriculum
The curriculum consists roughly of a 67.5 EC course part and a 52.5 EC research part. The exact EC size of your research part can fluctuate, to allow for flexibility in your selection of electives. The research project can be either 37.5 EC or 52.5 EC, doing a smaller project allows for more space in your secondary electives.
Course part (67.5-82.5 EC)
Mandatory courses (18.75 EC)
- Introducing Natural Sciences
- Sustainability and Circularity
- The Future of Chemistry
- Data Science
- Dilemmas of the Scientist
- Portfolio
Elective courses (48.75 - 63.75 EC)
Primary Electives (18.75 EC)
- Advanced Catalysis
- Organometallic Chemistry and Homogeneous Catalysis
- Synthesis of Catalysts & Energy Materials
- Advanced Molecular Characterization
- Circular Polymers
- Advanced Spectroscopy
- Advanced Electrochemistry
- Advanced Organic Synthesis
- Environmental Science and Safe-by-Design
- Emerging Topics in Catalysis
Secondary Electives (30 - 45 EC)
- Bio-based Economy
- Photovoltaics: Basics and Integration
- Colloidal Analysis Techniques
- Atomistic Simulations for Materials Science
These electives can be chosen more liberally, to give a personal touch to your programme. You can either choose more courses from the list of primary electives, or courses from other Master programmes from the Graduate School of Natural Sciences. Other options are to do a profile (30 EC, see list below) or an internship (15 or 30 EC).
Profiles (optional)
In order to expand the thematic range of your Master's programme, you can also choose to do a profile in your (elective) course part. A profile is a coherent set of courses of 30 EC on a single theme that is usually not a standard part of the programme. Within this Master's you can choose from the following profiles:
- Applied Data Science profile
- Communication profile
- Complex Systems profile
- Da Vinci Programme (Circularity-oriented profile)
- Educational profile
- Science-based entrepreneurship profile
Career Opportunities
Academic Careers
The programme actively prepares you for a research-based career in a multidisciplinary environment. We expect many of our students to pursue a PhD either in or outside Utrecht University after which they can continue a career in academia or find positions in (international) companies.
Non-academic Careers
Graduates of our programme can apply for jobs in different areas, for example;
- Scientist at small to medium-sized companies, such as Avantium, Ioniqa, Skytree and other startups.
- Researcher at multinational research laboratories such as Amolf, DIFFER, Max-Planck Institute, FOM, Holst Centre and TNO.
- Group leader in large international companies such as ASML, Akzo Nobel, Bayer, BASF, DSM, Johnson & Johnson, Ketjen, Nobian, Nouryon, Philips, Shell, and Unilever.
- Analyst or manager at banks or financial institutions.
- Teacher in secondary or higher education.
- CEO at their own startup company.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Why study at Utrecht University
Why in Utrecht
- The world-class teaching staff and research facilities of the Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry (ISCC) provide an excellent environment for your development.
- Our interdisciplinary education provides you with a unique combination of skills and knowledge to maximize societal impact.
- Strong links with industry, which allows for both strong fundamental as well as applied research and internships.
- ISCC researchers hold top positions in various national and international rankings, which draw an international group of researchers and allow for unique networking opportunities.
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.