Sustainable and Circular Chemistry

How is chemistry essential to the energy, resource and material transition? How do you translate your ideas and creativity to sustainable, safe and circular processes? Are you eager to learn how chemistry can contribute to a more sustainable future? 

Making the Difference: Redesigning chemistry for a sustainable future

Our society is facing major transitions in using energy, resources and materials. These transitions will lead us towards a more sustainable society relying on circular product chains but cannot be solved by chemists alone. With the new two-year programme Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, we aim to train the chemists of the future, who can contribute to broader sustainability issues with a strong molecular chemistry basis and a broadened view on the more systemic challenges of sustainability.  

In addition to the skills and knowledge, this Research Master’s provides a strong theoretical and experimental base in chemistry, where you will acquire skills and tools to understand chemical processes in the broader context of health, environment, and society. You will learn theoretical and practical aspects of molecular and materials chemistry, e.g. for catalysis or environmental science, and gain hands-on experience with the design of new, safe, and sustainable routes for making (new) chemicals and materials. Our courses offer a strong foundation in chemistry and encourage you to develop a ‘systems thinking mindset’ and apply this to the design of new, safer chemical products and synthesis routes. This foundation is connected to the real world by crossing disciplinary boundaries and including aspects of environmental science, data analysis, life-cycle analysis, and circularity and sustainability. The skillset will actively prepare you for a research-based career with highly relevant knowledge and future-proof skill. It will allow you to make an impactful contribution to the transitions towards a more sustainable and circular society in a multidisciplinary environment in both academia and industry. 

Why in Utrecht

• The world-class teaching staff and research facilities of the Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry and Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science provide an excellent environment for your development. 
• Our interdisciplinary education provides you with a unique combination of skills and knowledge to maximize societal impact.
• Strong links with industry, which allows for both strong fundamental as well as applied research and internships. 
• The researchers affiliated with the programme hold top-positions in various national and international rankings, which draw an international group of researchers, and allows for unique networking opportunities.

Which chemistry programme is for you?

Utrecht University offers two Master's programmes in Chemical Sciences. Check which programme best fits your interests.

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  Sustainable and Circular Chemistry

  At the interface between Chemistry and Health, Environment & Society   

  Main themes are Molecular chemistry, Materials science, Catalysis, and Sustainability 

  You will learn how to design novel, safe, and sustainable routes for making (new) chemicals and materials.  
   
  Chemistry is put in a broader, systems perspective 

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  Nanomaterials Science

  Nanomaterials Science

  At the interface between Chemistry and Physics

  Main themes are Colloids and bio-inspired materials, Catalysts and energy materials, Nanophotonics, and Quantum materials

  You will learn how to design, make, and apply nanomaterials to enable the transition to a sustainable society

  Chemistry is put in a fundamental and interdisciplinary perspective