Study with us
Be surrounded by the world’s top chemists, not only some of the people who chose the Nobel winners but even attending the Nobel lectures of the prize winners themselves!
Whether it is about sustainable development or cures for diseases, chemistry will be part of it. The Chemistry Section at Stockholm university offers you a complete chemistry education where you come into contact with chemistry from the smallest atom to the large biomolecules.
All our master's programmes are taught in English as well as the third year of the bachelor program!
At the Chemistry Section, you can develop your knowledge of chemistry and your practical skills in the lab. With us you will get an education with a close link both to the industry and all research in our departments.
Read more about our courses and programmes here!
Are you interested in doing a research traineeship?
Read more about how to apply for a traineeship here!
Strong connection with current research and decicated teachers
At Stockholm University, we have extensive and outstanding research in the many areas of chemistry, from development and analysis of sustainable materials, research on Alzheimers disease to transition metal-catalyzed organic transformations and all in between. Visit our departmental pages for more information about what we do and stand for research wise.
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry
Department of Organic Chemistry
Our teachers are all active researchers, a guarantee that the teaching is always updated with the latest research findings. The teachers are often professors with deep knowledge and a great commitment to the subject. Did we mention that teachers of the Chemistry Section, have won the award "Teacher of the Year", for the past three years?
Teacher of the Year on SU website
Small classes, theory and practice in great mix
We are proud to say that our students spend a lot of time in the lab, during the three year bachelor students spend an average of 100 days focused on lab work, on the masters program, amount of time differs between the programs, but you can be sure to spend a lot of time in safety specs and lab coat. This makes our alumni confident lab virtuosos with excellent theoretical knowledge as all lab work is directly connected to the theory taught in lectures.
Classes are small, giving you a close connection with both your teachers and fellow students.
The contact between professors and students is informal, and you can expect to be on first name basis with most people at the departments.
Want to hear what our students say? Meet some of them below.
Faiz, masters student in Analytical chemistry
Faiz Haque is a Masters student from Wigan in the United Kingdom. When applying to Stockholm University, Brexit was in full flow and Faiz saw it as an opportunity to attend a school outside of the UK while no limitations were in place.
– I really enjoy studying Analytical Chemistry at Stockholm University. I like how each individual course brings about its own separate challenges, Faiz says.
“The variability of chemistry is what makes it such a great subject”
Aida, masters student in Biochemistry
Aida Bertolotti is a student from Barcelona who is currently doing her Master in Biochemistry at Stockholm University. According to Aida, the best thing about studying in Sweden is the close interaction between students and professors. And of course, the fika!
“I like the proximity in which professors treat students, how they make you feel comfortable”
Despina, masters student in Biochemistry
Despina Kapsitidou, a 24-year old chemistry student from Greece, is taking her Master degree in Biochemistry at Stockholm University. Her goal is to continue as a PhD student and work in research about the Alzheimer disease.
"A well-known university in a beautiful city makes Stockholm a tempting destination for students!"
Greta, masters student in Neurochemistry
Meet Greta, masters student in Neurochemistry
Natalia, PhD student in Materials chemistry or the Erasmus student who stayed
Natalia joined us as an Erasmus student from Poland during her bachelor studies. She ended up finishing her bachelor at SU, staying for her master and is now doing her PhD in sustainable materials chemistry. We asked her what she thinks of studying at SU:
"The SU Chemistry Section offers so many fantastic opportunities for students. Everyone is being treated fairly and equally here. The students are prioritized and individually-approached. Being a foreign student myself I have never experienced anything else than kindness and help from all the professors and administrative staff. I truly recommend studying here!"
Natalia, the Erasmus student who stayed :)
Aitor, former masters and now PhD student in Organic chemistry
My name is Aitor and I am a 29 years old PhD student at the Organic Department at Stockholm University. Let me tell you a bit about myself and how I ended up at this Department!
I jumped into the Chemistry world around 12 years ago form now, when I enrolled in a 5-year Degree in Chemistry at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain (2007-2012). During that time I studied all the different fields in Chemistry, what allowed me to have preference for some of them over others. I personally enjoyed Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry the most and a desire of expanding my knowledge and continuing with further studies started to grow in me.
It was when I finished my Degree that, due to difficulties finding scholarships and fully funded programs in my home country, I decided to do a more practical Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering, with the aim of finding a job right afterwards. Everything was as planned and everything seemed to be sorted out, but just after 6 months working in a Chemical Company, and realising that that lifestyle was not made for me, I decided to take a break and improve my English skills, hoping that it would help in the near future apply for further studies abroad.
Floorball and the Nobel Prize
After spending two years in Sydney, Australia, I felt ready and started searching around (online) for some programmes in different universities in Europe. I have to say that thanks to the sport I have been practising my whole life (floorball, or innebandy in Swedish) I had had the chance to get to know quite a few nordic people, and had some close Swedish friends. Their way of thinking, behaving and caring about others always kept my attention, so I wondered, could this be my last chance to move there and get to know a bit more about the Nordic culture? So I started looking for good programmes in Chemistry in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. After making a large list of possible destinations, I proceeded to rank them, based on their reputation and location.
As you may know, Stockholm is commonly known for the Nobel Prize Awards in Science (Chemistry), which pushed this city to the top of my ranking list. After checking the different research groups and Professors at the Department of Organic Chemistry (with very good reputation, being among the world´s top 100 universities), I decided to give it a try and apply for the Master's Programme in Organic Chemistry, at Stockholm University. I was accepted and I did not think about it twice, I moved straight away back from Sydney to start this exciting Programme in September 2016 with the aim of finishing it and being eligible for a PhD position.
Project work and PhD studies
The first course I read as part of the Master's Programme was Advanced Organic Synthesis, and although each student had a different background, the Professors managed to make every student feel comfortable and cared for. This helped each and every of us keep motivation for the following courses. Although the Master's Programme is planned to take two full years (a first year of theory and a second and last year of practical project work), after reading my second course, Organometallic Chemistry, I decided to apply for the project work in Professor Belén Martín-Matute´s research group. I was accepted to do a 1-year project group in the topic "Bifunctional NHC-Ir(III) complexes for catalysis". I read the rest of the theoretical courses while doing the project, which I defended in October 2017. I am very excited to say that right after completion of the Master’s Degree, I applied for a PhD vacancy in the same research group, to continue with the research I had been performing. Happily, I was offered the place and started my PhD studies 😊.
After one year, the results that I started working on when I came as a Master student have been further developed and got published, being now part of my PhD thesis. I am very happy to continue with my formation in this amazing group, and continuously getting to know new interesting people and very well known Professors in the field. Doing the PhD at this department also provides me the opportunity to attend the Nobel Laureates lectures every year, and in some cases, have short conversations with them! Something I could have never think of years ago.
Nothing better than a "fika"
There are still years of hard work and teaching in order to finish my PhD, but the motivation increases every day thanks to everyone at the Department (specially to Prof. Belén Martín -Matute and the whole research group), who help you feel welcome and confortable. There is nothing better than a "fika break" (Swedish coffee break) with nice people when busy times come! I fully recommend it!!
Equipped for work life
With a Chemistry degree from Stockholm University, you are well prepared for working life, both in Sweden and abroad. Several of the UN's sustainable development goals are directly linked to the chemistry we teach at the section and a good understanding of chemistry is important to meet the challenges of the future.
Time to meet some of our alumni!
Daniel, head of research and co-founder of Pelago Bioscience
Daniel Martinez Molina's interest in nutrition led him to the Bachelor's programme in nutriton - a program given in collaboration between SU and KI. "Pretty soon I realized that a solid basic education was necessary to really understand what, how and why processes take place in the body", says Daniel, who moved on to do a master in biochemistry followed by a PhD. Today, Daniel is the Chief Scientific Officer and head of research at the company he co-founded.
Lola, medical manager
Growing up in Spain, Lola Herman dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer. But her passion for making a difference and helping people lead her elsewhere. More specifically, to the Department of Biochemistry and Physics at Stockholm University. She is now working in medical affairs, being a part of bringing patients new therapies and hope for the future.
Lovisa, sales specialist
After an exciting year with the Swedish Doping Agency, Lovisa missed the aspect of personal encounters.
Today she works as an Account Manager and is responsible for the sales of consumables and instruments for sample preparation – it’s the best of two worlds, says Lovisa.
Near city and nature
The Chemistry Section is located in the Arrhenius labs at Stockholm University's Frescati campus. The campus is surrounded by nature in the Royal National City Park, and has excellent public transport connections to central Stockholm.
Stockholm is a safe, innovative and beautiful city that is ranked as one of the world's best student cities!
Last updated: July 13, 2023
Source: Chemistry Section