Master in Medicinal Chemistry

Master in Medicinal Chemistry is one of 8 English-taught Chemistry programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 5 institutions. 7 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from EUR 7,300 to EUR 17,300; this programme lists EUR 8,700 a year. 7 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students. The same programme title is offered at 3 institutions, so compare the content, campus and requirements before you choose.

The MSc in Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Copenhagen is a two-year, English-taught programme for students who want to design and make new drug substances. It sits close to the region's pharmaceutical and biotech industry, and the teaching is tied to active research groups at the university and in companies.

What you study

The first year is built around five compulsory courses that cover the core of modern drug discovery: medicinal chemistry, structure-based drug discovery, advanced organic chemistry and biopharmaceuticals. The named courses are Reactions and Synthesis in Medicinal Chemistry (15 ECTS), Biopharmaceuticals: Design and Modification of Biomacromolecules (7.5 ECTS), Medicinal and Biostructural Chemistry (7.5 ECTS), Introduction to Physical Organic Chemistry (7.5 ECTS) and Structure-based Drug Research (7.5 ECTS). Alongside these you take elective modules.

In the second year you shape your own profile through restricted electives and your master's thesis. The programme describes four possible profiles: Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Biopharmaceuticals, Structure-Based Drug Design and Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry. You are not limited to these; you can also build a tailor-made combination that includes data science or other areas. The radiopharmaceutical profile is run with Rigshospitalet, the university hospital in Copenhagen.

How the programme is organised

Teaching takes the form of lectures, classroom teaching, computer exercises, laboratory work and research projects. The programme is structured so that roughly 40% is compulsory courses, 10 to 35% is electives and 25 to 50% is thesis, depending on your study plan. The thesis is an extended project where you get hands-on experience in a research group. You can also choose a short internship or research project as part of your electives. There are about 40 students in a year, and the study environment is international.

Who it suits

This programme suits you if you are fascinated by organic chemistry and want to work on the design and synthesis of druglike molecules, both small molecules and biopharmaceuticals. It is a good fit if you want a research-based career and are ready to spend a large part of your second year on a thesis project. The close links to Medicon Valley, the region's life science cluster with almost 300 companies, mean you will build a network during your studies.

Admission, language and next steps

You apply through the University of Copenhagen's application portal. The application deadline is 1 March for Danish applicants and applicants from the EU, EEA and Switzerland, and 15 January for applicants from outside these areas. You need a qualifying bachelor's degree. If you hold a UCPH bachelor's in Medicinal Chemistry you have a legal right of admission and are guaranteed a place if you apply by the deadline. Several other degrees automatically meet the academic requirements, including UCPH Chemistry with a specialisation in Medicinal Chemistry, and UCPH Pharmacy if you have taken Advanced Organic Chemistry and a bachelor's project in medicinal chemistry or experimental organic chemistry. Other Danish or international degrees are assessed individually: you need at least 80 ECTS in chemistry (organic and physical chemistry) and at least 30 ECTS in biology subjects, with at least 5 ECTS in general pharmacology. You must also meet the English B language requirement. Your bachelor's degree must normally be no more than five years old at the start of the programme; exemptions are possible. Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland study free of charge. Other students pay a tuition fee set by the institution and an application deposit. The university does not offer pre-assessment of your qualifications.

Master’s applications go straight to University of Copenhagen, not through optagelse.dk, and the institution sets its own deadline. The register shows 15 January 2027 as the next deadline for this programme. Intake, as the register states it: Starts 1 September 2027 (apply by 15 January 2027). Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, residence permits and housing.