Sustainable Chemistry (M.Sc.)

Design chemical processes and products for a sustainable future: The Master's in Sustainable Chemistry at JLU aligns chemistry with climate, health and safety.

This course of study is taught in English.

Glass flask containing green liquid and a growing plant next to a green 3D molecular model, set against a background of handwritten chemical formulas. — Foto: Elisa Monte

Overview

How can we design chemical processes and products that consider climate protection, energy efficiency, health and safety? In the Master's programme Sustainable Chemistry, you combine advanced chemical synthesis with circular economy principles. Hands-on research in catalysis, recycling or battery materials shapes your individual profile.

Applying for admission

Start of studies

Winter semester

Mode of admission

No admission restriction

Duration of studies

4 semesters

Workload

120 credit points (CP)

Degree

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

Language of instruction

English

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Composition of the Study Programme

What can I expect from this programme?

Chemistry research is essential for global, sustainable development, and there is a high need for experts with the necessary chemical expertise, but who also are familiar with the criteria and specifications of sustainability. In the international Master of Science programme Sustainable Chemistry you will learn to design chemical processes, products, and methods in a way such that they meet the requirements of sustainability. Thus, environmental and social aspects including resource consumption, energy efficiency, climate protection, health, and safety are considered regarding development and use of chemical products and processes.

The M.Sc. Sustainable Chemistry is taught by internationally renowned experts in various areas of sustainable chemistry (such as (organo)catalysis, green chemistry, recycling, sustainable materials for, e.g., battery applications) of the Justus Liebig University Giessen. The M.Sc. programme provides students with both, theoretical and practical in-depth knowledge of chemical concepts of synthesis, analysis, and evaluation from a sustainability perspective. Beside lectures and seminars, students will be involved early on in cutting edge research projects. On completion of the programme, graduates will be equipped with the following skill sets:

Fundamentals of sustainability and sustainable chemistry,
Advanced topics in inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry such as heavy metal-free synthesis and catalysis, photochemistry, electrochemistry,
Circular economy for chemical processes,
Chemical research in the context of sustainability.

The Master’s programme is taught entirely in English. Together with the University of Padua (Italy), the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia) and the University of Zagreb (Croatia) of the network ”DigiChem - Creating a digital study environment for sustainable chemistry“, it offers various opportunities for international exchange.

How is the programme structured?

The study programme is research-oriented and can be started only in the winter semester.

The two years long course starts in the first year with taught modules (comprising lectures, seminars, exercises) including compulsory and elective modules. Students can choose the elective modules according to their interests (Energy Materials, Sustainable Water Treatment, Sustainable Materials Chemistry etc.). Likewise, soft skills (e.g., Scientific Writing and Data Dissemination) and professional skills (Innovation Management for Natural Scientists) can be enhanced.

The second year of the programme is entirely devoted to research work. Students are directly involved in the current research of the chemistry working groups. They learn about the latest developments in sustainable synthesis and materials development, right through to the recovery of critical resources. At the end of the programme, students complete a Master’s thesis.

Modules of the first year – Taught modules

Introduction to Principles of Sustainability
M.Sc. Seminar: New Frontiers in Chemical Sustainability
Chemical Concepts of Sustainability
Sustainable inorganic chemistry: criticality, synthesis, substitution and recovery
Sustainable Energy Technologies
Circular Economy
Sustainability of Organic Reactions: Principles of Green Chemistry
three elective modules - from chemistry or other subjects (see below)

Examples for elective modules

Sustainable Water Treatment
Sustainable Materials Chemistry: Energy Materials
Sustainable Organic Chemistry
Innovation Management for Natural Scientists
Risk and Quality Management
and more …

Modules of the second year – Research modules

two research modules with lab work in a research group
a laboratory project in sustainable chemistry
Master's thesis (30 CP)

A description of the modules can be found in the Special Regulations for the degree programme (appendices "Curriculum" and "Module Descriptions").

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Career Options

What career paths can I pursue after graduation?

Graduates have a wide range of career options from industry to academia to public service in the fields of chemical research, development and evaluation in the context of sustainability. They may pursue roles in environmental regulations and organisations, public authorities, politics, and education. In addition to the potential to make a positive impact on the environment and society, the programme offers national and global career opportunities due to its international focus. These are fostered through international networks with partner universities and experts in the field.

Can I do a PhD after my Master’s degree?

It is possible to do a doctorate after completing the course of study.

Graduate Centres

Giessen Graduate Center for Natural Sciences and Psychology (GGN)
International Giessen Graduate Centre for the Life Sciences (GGL)

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Application and Enrolment

No study fees are charged for this programme. However, students have to pay a semester contribution.

Requirements

To qualify for admission to the Master’s programme Sustainable Chemistry, applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree (with at least 180 ECTS credit points that corresponds to the " Empfehlungen der GDCh-Studienkommission zum Bachelorstudium Chemie an Universitäten " (“Recommendations of the GDCh Study Commission for Bachelor's Degree Programmes in Chemistry at Universities”). This is assessed by the examination board as part of the application and admission procedure.

In addition, the examination board may recognise other courses of study as equivalent following a case-by-case assessment.

The admission may include additional coursework of up to 30 CPs, which must be completed within the first two semesters. These do not belong to the scope of the Master's degree programme.
Admission may be dependent on passing an entry examination. Here, the skills and knowledge required for the Master's programme are examined based on the " Empfehlungen der GDCh-Studienkommission zum Bachelorstudium Chemie an Universitäten " (“Recommendations of the GDCh Study Commission for Bachelor's Degree Programmes in Chemistry at Universities”). The examination board executes the entry examination. Applicants will be given an examination notice of at least three weeks.

Language requirements

As the entire degree programme is taught in English, applicants must provide proof of sufficient knowledge of written and spoken English. Accepted proofs of language proficiency (GER B2):

TOEFL-Test ITB (internet-based test) with at least 80 points or IELTS-Test with at least grade of 6 in the academic test;
or: Proof of obtaining a local higher education entrance qualification in one of the following countries: Australia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, USA, United Kingdom, South Africa;
or: Proof of a Bachelor’s degree in English in one of the following countries: Australia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, USA, United Kingdom, South Africa;
or: Proof of the UNIcert II certificate.

The examination board decides on the acceptance of other language certificates.

Application Procedure

Depending on where you obtained either your university entrance certificate or your Bachelor degree, we differentiate two application procedures:

Case A

You need to use JLU’s application portal if

you hold a completed Bachelor’s degree obtained at a German university (the country of origin of your university entrance certificate is of no importance).
your JLU Bachelor programme is not yet complete. Please provide a preliminary report. The country of origin of your university entrance certificate is of no importance.
you obtained your university entrance certificate in Germany and attended a Bachelor programme at a German university other than JLU. Please provide a preliminary report if your programme is not yet completed.
you want to change to another degree programme at JLU. The country of origin of your university entrance certificate is of no importance.

Case B

You need to submit your application to uni-assist if

you hold a completed Bachelor’s degree obtained at a foreign university (the country of origin of your university entrance certificate is of no importance).
you obtained your university entrance certificate abroad and attended but not completed yet a Bachelor programme at a German university other than JLU or at any other university within EU. Please provide a preliminary report.

Application Deadline

Winter semester 2027/28

Opening of application period

for applicants with a German Bachelor's: 1 June 2027
for applicants with an international Bachelor's degree: 1 December 2026

Application deadline

15 June 2027

International applicants can find further information on the International Office website.

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More about the application process

Further Information

Where can I find official documents about the programme?

Examination and study regulations

Special Regulations (with module descriptions and module plans)
General Regulations for Bachelor's and Master's programmes

Please note that only the German version of the regulation is official and legally binding. The English version is for informative purposes only.

Courses offered in the course catalogue

Electronical course catalogue (eVV) (in German)
Stud.IP

Where can I find more information about the faculty?

Links

Faculty 08 – Biology and Chemistry
Faculty's Deanery
Examinations Office of Natural Sciences
Student representatives

Master's Degree Programmes of Faculty 08

Taught in English

Global Change: Ecosystem Science and Policy (offered in cooperation with the University College Dublin)
Sustainable Chemistry

Taught in German

Advanced Materials
Bioinformatik und Systembiologie / Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
Biologie / Biology
Chemie / Chemistry
Lebensmittelchemie / Food Chemistry

How do I have a successful start at JLU?

To help you get off to a good start with your studies, we warmly invite you to attend our orientation events. Here you will learn
everything you need to know about starting your studies: