Is Chemistry for you?

Want to know if the master in Chemistry programme is a good fit for you? See the information and activities below to find out.

What does this programme involve?

This two-year MSc programme offers the best of both worlds: the expertise in the research domains of two top universities - VUB and Ghent University -, plus a high-level scientific education combining plenty of theory and practice. You'll learn in state-of-the-art laboratories and be part of a dynamic and diverse research community before putting your skills to the test in an academic or industrial internship. Our approach is both personal and personalised. Teaching in small groups and an open-door attitude means that professors and teaching staff are always easily accessible, while a wide range of optional courses allows a tailored programme - even on a multidisciplinary level, thanks to close ties with our bio and civil engineering departments.

Discover the study programme

Why study at the VUB?

Studying at VUB gives you more than a diploma. You learn to view the world with an open mind and without prejudice. You hone your critical thinking, and you learn to express your opinion. You commit not just to study, but to participate in meaningful social projects that make the world a better place. In short, this is where you shape your identity. Who you are today and want to be tomorrow.

Discover our general strengths as a university

Spread the study load

Create your own studypath 

Within the VUB, we want to maximize our commitment to personal development and give as many students as possible the opportunity to continue their studies and develop themselves. Depending on your personal situation, it may be more difficult to devote full time to your studies. For example, you combine your studies with a job, you do top-level sports, ...    

Students enrolling for the first time in their bachelor are required to take their model track. An exception can be made. More information can be found on this page. For our other programs (preparation programs, switching master programs, etc ...), this requirement does not apply.  

After your first bachelor year, you can take fewer ECTS-credits. You can spread your study load over a longer period. If you have a student visa or VUB student room, you have to take at least 54 ECTS credits each academic year! You ALSO have to take into account your growth package, study grants and funds, study progress rules, etc. Do you want some advise? Contact your study path counselor. Need more info?    

Contact the study pathway counselor at your faculty

Study and examination flexibility

Reflex status

Do you have a physical disability, learning disability or chronic illness, or are you starting a business or finding it harder to study because of your personal situation? If so, you qualify for Reflex Status.

With this you can ask for a flexible approach to your studies and exams, to maximise your chances of success. You may need access to course materials, for example, or more time to sit an exam, a translator or interpreter, staggered examinations, and so on.

Find out more about Reflex Status

Elite sports and studying

Elite sports and study

Keen to combine your elite sporting career with a programme at VUB? It makes sense, as it strengthens your position in the jobs market after your sporting career ends.

Our Elite Sports & Study department helps you work out a personal study pathway and guides you through to the end.

Find out more about elite sports and study at VUB

Studying with a disability

Studying with a functional impairment

Do you have a disability (for example, a learning disability, chronic medical condition, psychiatric or sensory disability)? If so, you qualify for a flexible approach to your studies and exams through Reflex Status, to maximise your chances of success. You may need access to course materials, for example, or more time to sit an exam, a translator or interpreter, staggered examinations, and so on.

Find out more about Reflex Status

For extra support there are other student services to draw on at VUB. For example, a wheelchair-adapted room, study guidance and a personal study-pathway, mental healthcare, medical care, etc.

Read more about study in certain situations

Study Guidance

Study Guidance

An experienced team of student psychologists, student counsellors and study-pathway supervisors are there to give you personal study advice, guidance and training. At every phase in your study career.

  • Individual - Advice on your choice of programme, stress and anxiety training, help with exam planning, help for students with dyslexia...
  • Group (workshops, courses) - Choosing a subject for your bachelor's or master's thesis, learning to present, dealing with stress and anxiety...
  • Tools - An example of good weekly planning, tips and tricks for a good study method, a step plan to help you choose the right programme...

Discover what study guidance can mean for you

Combining your studies with a job

The Master in Chemistry is a daytime only programme. Therefore, there is no option to combine this study with a fulltime job.

Studying abroad

During your studies, you'll have the chance to broaden your horizons by spending time abroad for courses, for your academic or industrial internship or even your master thesis. Within Europe, our Department of Chemistry has Erasmus+ mobility agreements with the following universities in Denmark, France, Spain, Portugal and Poland. Plus, there are multiple possibilities for an exchange outside of Europe. For more information, don't hesitate to contact our facility exchange coordinator.

Denmark:

University of Copenhagen

France:

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1

Université Montpellier 1

Université Pierre et Marie Curie

Hungary:

Eötvös Loránd University

Ireland:

Limerick Institute of Technology

Netherlands:

University of Amsterdam

Poland:

Marie Curie-Sklodowska University

Portugal:

Universidade de Lisboa

Spain:

Universitat de Girona

More about studying abroad

Calendar of upcoming events for future students