Master in Nanoscience and Technology

Master in Nanoscience and Technology is one of 13 English-taught Science programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 7 institutions. 13 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from EUR 2,400 to EUR 17,300; this programme lists EUR 2,400 a year. 11 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students.

The MSc in Nanoscience and Technology is a two-year master's programme taught in English, but it takes place in Beijing, China. It is a collaboration between the University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), and you graduate with a double degree from UCPH and UCAS. As a general rule, you must be in China for the entire duration of your studies.

What you study

The programme gives you a deep understanding of the concepts and methods of nanoscience and nanotechnology, plus basic knowledge of business innovation and entrepreneurship. The first year is made up of compulsory courses that cover:

• Unifying Concepts in Nanoscience (15 ECTS)
• Nanocharacterization (10 ECTS)
• Nanobiotechnology (5 ECTS)
• Nanoelectronics (5 ECTS)
• Synthesis and Fabrication (10 ECTS)
• Bionanomaterials (5 ECTS)
• Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship (5 ECTS)
• Nano Energy Materials (5 ECTS)

Teaching is handled mainly by academic staff and researchers from the Nano-Science Center at the University of Copenhagen, iNano at Aarhus University and UCAS. Some of them are also involved in research centres such as the Danish-Chinese Center for Molecular Nano-Electronics and the Danish-Chinese Centre for Self-Assembly and Function of Molecular Nanostructures on Surfaces.

How the programme is organised

The first year consists of class teaching and laboratory exercises at the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology in Beijing. The second year is dedicated to your master's thesis (60 ECTS). All teaching is in English, and you do not need to speak Chinese at the university. However, all international students in China must attend language and culture classes alongside their studies. The programme is based at the Sino-Danish Center (SDC) in the House of the Danish Industry Foundation on UCAS' Yanqihu campus, about 60 km north-east of Beijing. The campus has dormitories, canteens, supermarkets, restaurants and sports facilities, and the Great Wall is within walking distance.

Who it suits

This programme suits you if you have a bachelor's degree in a natural science field such as nano-science, chemistry, physics, biochemistry or materials science, and you want to work in global research and development. You should be comfortable with an interdisciplinary approach: the programme trains you to communicate technical and conceptual issues across fields like biology and physics, and to act as a link between specialists. It also gives you a unique insight into the language, culture and society of China, and a chance to build a network there. The programme is research-based with a strong focus on theoretical, experimental and practical work.

Admission, language and next steps

To apply, you need a qualifying bachelor's degree or an equivalent Danish or international degree that is assessed as relevant. You must also meet the English B language requirement. Applications go through the application portal, which is open from 16 January to 1 March at 23:59 CET. The programme starts in September. There are 30 study places available. If there are more qualified applicants than places, applicants are prioritised according to the criteria on the programme page. You will receive a reply by 15 May. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland study free of charge; other students pay a tuition fee set by the institution, and applicants from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland must also pay an application deposit. The documentation you need to upload depends on your educational background: typically a transcript of records, proof of language proficiency, a CV and a copy of your passport or national ID card. If you have questions, you can contact the programme coordinator or the student guidance service.

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.