What you can expect in our Master's program

The master's degree program in Chemistry at KIT offers you a particularly research-oriented and practical education. A high proportion of laboratory practicals and early involvement in current research projects characterize the chemistry degree program at KIT.

A central feature of the degree program is the choice between three different Study Alternatives, which set different priorities and allow you to develop an individual profile:

• Alternative A - inorganic-organic
• Alternative B - physical-mathematical
• Alternative C - technical-application-oriented

In the master's degree program in Chemistry, you will generally continue with the Study Alternative you chose on your bachelor's degree program. The selection of advanced modules in the master's program depends on which modules you have already completed in the bachelor's program: you must have completed a total of one advanced module each in Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry over the course of your bachelor's and master's degree. If you have not obtained your bachelor's degree at KIT or would like to choose a different study variant, your choice is subject to approval by the examination board.

In each Study Alternative, you will complete two advanced modules and one Specialization Subject. The Specialization Subject must be chosen from the subject in which you have already taken an advanced module. Your studies are supplemented by the Interdisciplinary Qualifications and the final master's thesis. The standard period of study is four semesters and you will earn 120 ECTS credit points (CP).

If you would like to broaden your professional horizons or prepare yourself specifically for your career entry with certain modules from other subjects, you can earn up to 30 CP as part of additional coursework.

Program structure

Sample study plan

Study Alternatives A and C

Study Alternative B

Internship

The study program does not include a compulsory internship. You can complete a voluntary internship during your studies. If it serves the objectives of your studies and covers at least half of the lecture period, you can apply for a semester off (leave of absence). Such an internship offers you valuable experience outside the university and can make it easier for you to start your career later on.

Make your studies international

You have various options for integrating a stay abroad into your master's degree course. For example, you can study at a foreign university of your choice for one or two semesters via Erasmus+ or as a freemover. You can also do an internship abroad. In addition, selective mobility is possible via Eucor - The European Campus: KIT students can flexibly attend individual courses in addition to courses at KIT or study full-time for an entire semester or year at an Eucor partner university.

Further information can be obtained from the contact persons responsible for stays abroad at the KIT Department or at the International Students Office.

Master's thesis

At the end of your studies, you will complete your master's thesis (30 CP), an academic paper that allows you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It deals with a specific topic from your field of study and requires independent research, analysis and the preparation of a written thesis. The master's thesis takes 6 months to complete. You can start it as soon as you have achieved 90 LP.

In chemistry, a doctorate is common after completing a master's degree. The doctoral program takes approximately three years.

After graduation, you will have numerous opportunities in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, at research institutes, at universities, in the public sector or in other branches of industry. The fields of activity range from research and development, management, production, environmental protection and sales to marketing or consulting.

Characteristic features of Chemistry M.Sc. at KIT

• research-oriented teaching
• involvement of students in current research projects
• high proportion of laboratory courses
• three different fields of study
• broad range of courses, numerous specialization options
• integration into the EUCOR university network enables participation in courses at the universities of Freiburg, Basel, Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse
• wide range of university groups
• possibility of part-time jobs at scientific institutes/laboratories
• wide range of doctoral opportunities after the master's degree

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• 24-hour library offering single and group working places
  
• wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
  
• numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
  
• study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
  
• excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
  
• comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
  
• extensive support for career entry and self-employment
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• Lernraum app
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network
  

Admission requirements

The requirements for admission to the master's degree program in Chemistry are based on the current admission regulations:

• bachelor's degree
  a bachelor's degree (or at least an equivalent degree) in Chemistry (or a degree program with essentially the same content) from a university, university of applied sciences, university of cooperative education or a foreign university. The program must have been completed within a standard period of study of at least three years and with a minimum number of 180 ECTS credits.
• minimum knowledge and minimum achievements in the following areas
  • general and inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry and other comparable chemical subjects 120 ECTS credits (CP)
  • of which at least 60 CP are from laboratory practicals
• minimum credits in the subjects:
  • general and inorganic chemistry 44 CP, incl. laboratory (chemistry of the elements, structural chemistry, bonding models, solid state chemistry, coordination chemistry)
  • organic chemistry 24 CP, incl. laboratory (substance classes, reaction types, mechanisms, natural substances)
  • physical chemistry 22 CP, incl. laboratory (thermodynamics, kinetics, quantum mechanics, spectroscopy)

Language requirements and certificates

For the master's degree program in Chemistry, you need sufficient knowledge of the German language. Your German language skills must correspond to at least level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Important: you must provide proof of the required language skills regardless of your citizenship and by the end of the enrollment period at the latest, but preferably at the time of application.

In what form do I have to provide the language certificates? Please read the following chapters on this website carefully. If you have any further questions, please contact

• Students Office if you are applying as a German, German national or a person with German equivalent status
• the International Students Office if you are a non-EU national

Proof of sufficient German language skills

As proof of your German language skills, your university or master's entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, university degree or a professional qualification that entitles you to study) is sufficient if you have acquired it at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction.

In concrete terms, this means that you do not have to submit additional proof of German if you

• have obtained your Abitur at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad,
• are a graduate of a bilingual secondary school in Germany or abroad and have passed a bilingual German examination, such as the AbiBac or the Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureat (GIB) or
• you graduated from a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country regarding the recognition of your school-leaving certificate or language certificate as proof of language proficiency for university studies in Germany.

A complete list of foreign school-leaving qualifications and language certificates that are recognized as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the website of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Laender (KMK) in the Federal Republic of Germany.

If you have already completed a German-language degree at a German university, this can also count as proof of German language proficiency - but only if the diploma supplement, transcript of records or degree certificate clearly states that German was the sole language of instruction and examination.

If, on the other hand, you did not obtain your higher education or master's entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction, you must provide proof of German language proficiency at least at DSH-2 level. This corresponds to CEFR level C1.

Only the following certificates are accepted in accordance with the KIT admission and enrollment regulations:

• passing the German section of the Feststellungspruefung (assessment test)
• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with overall result DSH-2
• passed the Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) with level 4 in all four parts of the exam
• German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - second level (DSD II)
• Goethe certificate C1 or higher
• passed telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule exam
• Austrian Language Diploma C1 or higher

Note: The tests mentioned are accepted as proof of language proficiency for an unlimited period of time, even if the provider specifies an expiration date.

What if I cannot provide suitable C1 proof of German at the time of application?

If you are unable to provide any of the C1 certificates listed above for your German language skills by the application deadline, admission is still possible if you can present a provisional document proving that you have at least B2 language level. Proof of B2 level only includes

• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with an overall result of DSH-1
  
• passed Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) with level 3 in all four parts of the exam
  
• passed telc German B2 exam

But please don't forget: you still have to submit the C1 certificate by the end of your enrollment period at the latest, which is stated in your admission letter.

Therefore, check early on whether you can provide the necessary language certificates by the deadline and, if necessary, plan to take a recognized language test.

In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of the enrollment deadline to provide proof of your language skills, but this extensvion can only be granted up to the day before the start of the lecture period. Please contact the Student Office or the International Students Office - depending on who is named as your point of contact in your letter of admission.

Weitere Ansprechpersonen:

• KIT-Fakultät für Chemie und Biowissenschaften
• Fachstudienberatung
• Vorsitzender des Prüfungsausschusses
• Prüfungsorganisation
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Fachschaft ChemBio

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