Testimonials
Read what current and former students say about their study choice and experiences with the programme.
Fleur Neijenhuis, Student
"You own project becomes something you are an expert of but you also learn things beyond the scope of your own project by working with fellow master students and PhD candidates."
What makes this programme unique in your eyes?
I feel like this programme is unique because of the focus on research. Where research is a big part of other research programs, it is a really big this in this program. Sometimes it even feels like doing a mini-PhD.
If you had to tell something about the programme you know now, but what you didn’t know before you started, what would you tell?
Time flies! During your master thesis, you learn a lot and you learn fast. Maybe, in the beginning, people think “Oh I cannot do this!”, but before you know it, you have grown a lot as a student.
What is your favourite subject of this programme?
I love the master thesis. It really gives an insight in the academic world. You work closely with PhD candidates and learn a lot on what they do. You own project becomes something you are an expert of but you also learn things beyond the scope of your own project by working with your fellow master students or with PhD candidates.
And on the contrary: what is the biggest challenge of this programme?
I feel like the work load is quite high. They do expect you to be there and be prepared. Therefore, two years to finish this programme may be a bit ambitious for some. It is good to keep in mind when starting this programme that it is okay to not finish within two years and to take your time when necessary.
And thinking ahead… to PhD or not to PhD? What would you say?
It seems like a very good possibility. This programme is a good preparation for a PhD and a lot of graduates continue their career this way. However, I feel like with this programme, you are able to choose your own path. Whether you would like to become a high school teacher, a professor or work in industry: you can choose the path that suits you, you qualities and your wishes.
Padraig Maderson, student
"The freedom to become creative in the laboratory is the biggest gift of the programme"
What makes this programme unique in your eyes?
This Master’s is unique in the flexibility it offers students to mold their own path with regard to course choices and areas of research as well as the order in which you tackle each element of the Master’s.
If you had to tell something about the programme you know now, but what you didn’t know before you started, what would you tell?
Your research group will become like family. Put the effort into making social connections and you will really enjoy your time there. Good research comes from happy people.
What is your favourite subject of this programme?
My favourite part of the programme was the research project. To be given the chemicals, equipment, guidance, and the freedom to become creative in the laboratory is the biggest gift of the programme. It brings joy to working as a scientist and makes you want to learn more about your research topic. The skills acquired from doing this research project are so much greater than just factual knowledge relevant to your topic.
And on the contrary: what is the biggest challenge of this programme?
The biggest challenge of this programme is keeping up with the tutorial classes for each course. They move fast! It is wise to put most of your efforts in here as there are teaching assistants around who can answer your questions when stuck. These tutorial classes are extensions to the lecture material where you are best preparing for exams so make good use of them.
Liselotte Nass, student
“I have really enjoyed doing a research internship in another lab in another country.”
After obtaining my Bachelor’s degree in chemistry in Utrecht I knew I wanted to continue with a Master’s degree to expand my theoretical and practical knowledge. I ended up choosing Nanomaterials Science because you can shape the entire programme to your liking. When I started the programme, I was not completely sure which field of research I was most interested in, but I knew I could choose my courses, research subject and potentially do an internship to help me find out.
Since I love performing research, I chose to do an internship to strengthen my research capabilities and to gain experience in performing research at a different lab. I really wanted to travel and do my internship abroad. I have always wanted to travel, but wasn't able to during COVID. Therefore, the internship was the perfect opportunity! The most difficult part was finding an internship. The university does not help you find a place, but the professors do have a lot of connections all over the world. I contacted a lot of companies, but some were hesitant to hire a master student, especially in New Zealand where I wanted to go. I started looking relatively early (tip!) and was luckily able to find an internship position at the Victoria University of Wellington well in time.
I have really enjoyed performing research in another lab in another country. It is quite different from performing research in the Netherlands, which provided a lot of challenges. For example, in New Zealand, it takes a while for chemicals and equipment to ship. Therefore, it is sometimes faster to try to fix the equipment yourself or find a different synthesis method. This makes you a very creative problem solver. I realized here how well my Master's programme had shaped me to become an excellent researcher: within a few weeks I could perform all the practical lab work independently and felt like I could really contribute to scientific discussions.
Albaraa Falodah, alumnus
“I could widen my perspective at the same time that I was getting more focused into my discipline – it was a perfect balance“
Why did you choose this Master’s?
After I completed my Bachelor’s in Chemistry and Chemical Biology from the United States, I returned home to Saudi Arabia and started working in R&D in SABIC, one of the largest petrochemicals companies in the world. I was doing research in catalysis, a new branch of chemistry for me. I often felt overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge I was lacking, despite my chemistry degree. I needed and wanted to learn more about catalysis in order to perform better at research, so I started to look for a Master’s degree. The Nanomaterials Science programme at Utrecht University was the best fit for me. It has a nice combination of theoretical and practical training, is very flexible and there are many opportunities you can choose from.
Did the Master meet your expectations?
I was looking for extensive practical training, and my thesis research on the Phillips ethylene polymerization catalyst is satisfactorily challenging – this catalyst was discovered about 70 years ago, but we still don’t understand it sufficiently! Except for a couple of compulsory courses, I could shape the programme as I wanted it. I chose the research group and topic for my thesis with the help of our advisors. I picked the courses I wanted to take. And I participated in the Graduate Honours Interdisciplinary Seminars (GHIS) – which was the best decision!
I was concerned that as I delve deeper into my discipline (chemistry) that I would get even further away from all other fields – that I would start getting too specialized. But this interdisciplinary program did away with all such fears! I learned a lot about important issues from other disciplines (from posthumanism to psychology of meat consumption). I could widen my perspective at the same time that I was getting more focused into my discipline – it was a perfect balance. Yet, the best thing about this honours program was the people I got to know, the friendships I built and the diverse discussions we had (mostly during our amazing trip to Heidelberg together!)
If you had to do it over, would you choose this Master’s again?
Overall, I’m very happy I chose to come here. Despite all the challenges I faced to find a room, the cultural adjustments, the misunderstandings and struggles of living in a completely different country/culture, I wouldn’t have liked to be anywhere else!
Bo van Schie, Student
What makes this programme unique in your eyes?
Unlike most chemistry-focused masters available, this master's focuses more on core chemistry and on deepening your understanding of chemistry even further. It offers you many different types of branches of chemistry to focus on, from organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organometallic chemistry and all kinds of types of catalysis. While also offering a more theoretical focus by explaining the theory behind analytical methods, programming and modeling. In comparison I found that most Master's programmes at different institutions have either more biological focus or only offer fundamental chemistry as a much smaller track.
What is your favourite subject of this programme? Could be a course, a project, an assignment, the thing you like most?
Overall, I liked doing my thesis the most as I was being challenged to make new discoveries. Specifically, the data analysis/theory crafting part of it, though I enjoyed the practical work as well. While courses contain interesting information, it was mostly information that I was already familiar with.
What is the future you see for yourself after this Master's programme?
I would like to get a PhD and be a technician or reseacher at one of the groups of Utrecht University. I would like a study subject that is well-researched but still has poorly understood areas, like sonochemistry or electrocatalysis.