Aarhus, Denmark
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Oct 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
Feb 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 16,300 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* winter intake | application deadline (Non-EU): 15 september 2025
** for non-EU/EEA students only | EU/EEA/Swiss citizen students study for free
Key Summary
Introduction
Aarhus University’s MSc in Medicinal Chemistry builds on a strong chemical foundation. It is a flexible study programme that can be tailored to the specific interests of the individual student while aligning with the interests of industry, research institutions, and the public sector. While the programme is customisable, there is an emphasis on the medicinal aspects of chemistry such as organic synthesis, chemical biology, drug delivery, biophysical chemistry and biomolecular structure and function. The MSc programme is challenging, yet highly rewarding for students interested in how chemistry can be a tool for biological research.
Student Life
The Department of Chemistry has an active student environment with both academic and social activities arranged by our student organisations. During your time as a master’s student, you will work closely with team members in one of the research groups, as well as participating in the academic and social events of the group.
Admissions
Curriculum
Students enrolled in the MSc Medicinal Chemistry programme participate in courses during their first year and then complete their studies with a second year of independent research undertaken within a research group, concluding with the production of a thesis. The research project and thesis are supervised by a researcher in the research group and may be carried out in collaboration with an external partner.
Learn From Leaders in the Field
Course content is heavily influenced by the latest research conducted at Aarhus University, as all lecturers are also active researchers. Students are expected to take part in fundamental research projects within the department’s research groups, and there may also be opportunities to work with private companies or public institutions during the programme. Students will be able to specialise within one of the areas of medicinal chemistry in which Aarhus University is particularly strong: organic synthesis; analysis of new bioactive compounds; biomembranes and membrane-bound proteins; microscopic structure of bones and other bioinorganic materials; molecular biophysical chemistry; and drug delivery and chemical biology. Students in the programme have access to high-quality laboratory equipment and tools that allow them to engage in hands-on learning at the cutting edge of science.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
There are more chemistry openings in Denmark than there are domestic graduates to fill them, making unemployment very low for graduates in Medicinal Chemistry. Medicinal Chemistry graduates have moved into R&D and consultancy jobs in both public and private sectors, and several graduates are currently working in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. As a graduate of the programme, you will be well-suited to work with pharmaceutical companies such as Novo Nordisk, Novonesis, LeoPharma and Lundbeck. Your strong chemistry background will also give you a point of entry into careers with companies in other sectors, such as IFF, Arla and Eurofins.