Medicinal Chemistry

Description Are you fascinated by organic chemistry and designing potential drug substances? Then the master’s programme in Medicinal Chemistry is the answer for you. The course's core subject is medicinal chemistry and how new drugs and biopharmaceuticals are discovered, designed and manufactured. You will build upon a solid foundation of organic chemistry and learn new routes towards the synthesis of chemical compounds that eventually can be used as active substances in new drugs. In addition, you will learn biostructural and computational chemistry and how these relate to modern drug discovery methodologies. As a medicinal chemist you can expect to find work in the area of the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotech industry that conducts research into new drugs – either as soon as you graduate or after completing a PhD course, for example, via the Drug Research Academy. The MSc in Medicinal Chemistry is a springboard to a research-based career. Career Opportunities As a medicinal chemist, you can expect to find work in a broad range of areas within the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotech industry that design, discover and develop new drugs. The degree qualifies the holder for admission to PhD programmes in medicinal chemistry including biostructural chemistry, biopharmaceuticals as well as structural and computational drug design. Patenting – positions in pharmaceutical companies and private- or public-sector patent agencies securing and defending intellectual property rights. Upscaling – process chemistry. Developing effective, safe, robust environmentally friendly synthesis procedures for use in high-volume production of the active drug substance. Production is performed according to GMP (good manufacturing practice). The work also includes producing reference substances for analytical use and patenting. Chemistry and manufacturing control (CMC) as an employee of a parent company or a CRO (Contract Research Organisation), that is, small, specialised research enterprises. Regulatory affairs and QA/QC (Quality Assurance/Quality Control). Among other things, pharmaceutical companies are required to document that they develop and produce drugs in accordance with GMP. The skills of the medicinal chemist are needed for this and many similar functions. Admission To qualify for admission to the MSc programme in Medicinal Chemistry, you must have a relevant Bachelor's degree comprising of sufficiently high knowledge in chemistry, biology and pharmacology as well as meeting the language requirements. Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, medicinal chemistry, pharmacy, or a corresponding qualification at Bachelor’s level completed within five years of enrolment in the MSc programme in pharmaceutical sciences. You apply directly through the online portal at the University of Copenhagen with all relevant documentation. In addition, documentation may be required verifying that your proficiency in English is at a specified level. Read about language requirements of the University of Copenhagen When you apply, please attach all your relevant foreign certificates and diplomas to satisfy the general entry requirements. The Admissions Committee will subsequently perform the final assessment. A list of the most commonly recognized exams and diplomas can be found at the Danish Agency for Higher Education http://ufm.dk/en/recognition Exchange students should contact their home institution for information on application procedures and deadlines. Tuition There is a tuition fee for all full-time degree students outside EU, EAA, or from Switzerland. Read about tuition fees at the University of Copenhagen . Students within an exchange programme are not required to pay tuition. For Further Information Information from the Danish Agency for Higher Education can be located at http://ufm.dk/en You will find information about the Danish assessment of foreign qualifications in Guide to diploma recognition About the Educational System in general visit the section The Danish Higher Education System

Living costs€1,770 a month in Copenhagen, rent included

€21,240

Living costs from SiT estimate from livingcost.org city data (Nov 2026), converted from USD at the ECB reference rate of 30 Oct 2026 (1 EUR = 1.1172 USD)

Every intake you can still apply for, with its own deadline.

• Fall 2027Apply by Jan 15, 2027Next deadline

Typical requirements in Denmark for this degree level. Your advisor gives you the final list.

• A completed qualification that gives access to Master's Degree study.
• Academic transcripts and any programme-specific assessment the institution asks for.
• Your advisor checks the final requirements for your education system and intake.

Confirm the accepted English-language evidence with the institution for the selected intake.

Prepare for and book LanguageCert Academic with SIT Connect

A typical checklist for this degree level. Your advisor gives you the final list.

The central catalogue records this programme as accredited.