MSc Molecular Science and Engineering
Stockholm, Sweden
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
AED 342,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* non-EU/EEA/Swiss is 342,000 SEK.
Introduction
The master's programme in Molecular Science and Engineering provides in-depth knowledge of molecular systems and advanced tools for careers in industry, academia, and society. An emphasis is placed on molecules: their design, characterisation, and applications both as individual entities and as part of materials. The programme also relates to sustainability with an emphasis on energy and environment, safety, and innovation.
Molecular Science and Engineering at KTH
The two-year master's programme in Molecular Science and Engineering provides a broad understanding of chemistry and specialised knowledge and skills in some chosen areas. A wide range of topics are covered, including molecular structure, synthesis of molecules, material properties, quantum chemistry, molecular reactions, and surface chemistry. During your studies, you will become acquainted with several advanced analytical techniques. You will also carry out project work and teamwork, and practise your written and oral communication.
The programme involves choosing from an extensive selection of courses followed by a degree project. There is considerable freedom and an opportunity to create a personalised curriculum, focusing on individual areas of interest and allowing for a fundamentally strong and specialised degree. Examples of specialisations include the following profiles:
- Design and synthesis of molecules and materials, both organic and inorganic
- Nanostructures and nanomaterials
- Chemical reactivity: corrosion and radiation
- Surface and colloid chemistry
- Biomaterials
- Chemical analysis, sensing, and spectroscopy
- Computational chemistry
Other specialisations may be designed, where guidelines and recommendations for course combinations will be given.
The opportunities to do coursework or complete the degree project abroad are good, and there are many universities worldwide to choose between. The programme is strongly linked to the activities at the School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, and especially the Department of Chemistry. Thus, you will come in direct contact with research performed at KTH. The programme deals with real-world challenges such as energy, safety, environment, ethics, sustainability, and human rights considerations.
This is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) given in English. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science. The programme is given mainly at KTH Campus in Stockholm by the School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (at KTH).
Admissions
Curriculum
Year 1
During the master studies one course is mandatory, at least three out of five conditionally elective courses must be chosen, some recommended courses will be taken, 15 credits can be freely chosen according to the above, and the last semester a master thesis project will be performed. It is recommended that the mandatory and conditionally elective courses are taken during the first year, but the student is free to create his or her own schedule during the two years. Note that courses given during the spring semester should be taken in the first year since the master thesis project is scheduled to the spring semester in the second year.
ME2814 can be replaced by the following courses and counted as a recommended course: ME2016 Project Management, Leadership and Control, AL2160 Environmental Management, LS2429 Technical communication in English (period 2 or 3 in year 2), or corresponding course(s) with a maximum of 7.5 credits. If the student wants to take another course than the ones mentioned here, the program director must approve before the course starts.
Recommended courses may be cancelled if the number of admitted students are less than the minimum of places, or will be given every second year.
Students enrolled in the Degree Programme in Biotechnology, who wants to obtain the Degree of Master of Science in Engineering, Degree Programme in Biotechnology, must take thes following courses;
BB2460 Biocatalysis, 7.5 credits
BB2020 Molecular Enzymology 7.5 credits
Mandatory courses
- Scientific Methodology and Research Horizons (CK2030) 7.5 credits
Year 2
There might be changes. Recommended courses may be cancelled if number of admitted students are less than minimum of places, or will be given every second year.
Study year 2 consists of recommended courses and ends with a mandatory degree project, second level, 30 higher education credits.
(See listed degree projects, below)
Degree Project in Chemistry, Second Cycle - KD200X
Degree Project in Chemical Engineering, Second Cycle - KE200X
Degree Project in Fibre and Polymer Technology, Second Cycle - KF200X
Program Outcome
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and tools for moving society in a more sustainable direction, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The three key sustainable development goals addressed by the master's programme in Molecular Science and Engineering are:
- 3 Good Health and Well-being
- 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
- 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
The programme will provide the students with knowledge and expertise in both fundamental and applied aspects of, for example, organic chemistry, instrumental analysis, electrochemistry and materials chemistry, with future job opportunities in fields such as drug development, biocompatible materials, sensors for detecting biological molecules, the development of advanced medical instruments and green chemistry.
Students will acquire both fundamental knowledge of and expertise in specific renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources, with potential future jobs in the development, optimisation, and production of the modules in a sustainable future energy system such as solar cells, hydrogen fuel cells and batteries, but also material components for energy production in wind power stations, for example. This is facilitated by gaining an understanding of the fundamental molecular processes involved.
Students will acquire a broad knowledge of chemical structures and reactivity, as well as chemical risk assessment and management, which is important for the development of environmentally friendly and sustainable chemicals and the safe handling of chemicals. Potential future jobs include technical innovations for processing chemical and radioactive waste, as well as industrial process design for reducing the use and thereby the potential emission of hazardous chemicals.
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and tools for moving society in a more sustainable direction, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The three key sustainable development goals addressed by the master's programme in Molecular Science and Engineering are:
- 3 Good Health and Well-being
- 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
- 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
The programme will provide the students with knowledge and expertise in both fundamental and applied aspects of, for example, organic chemistry, instrumental analysis, electrochemistry and materials chemistry, with future job opportunities in fields such as drug development, biocompatible materials, sensors for detecting biological molecules, the development of advanced medical instruments and green chemistry.
Students will acquire both fundamental knowledge of and expertise in specific renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources, with potential future jobs in the development, optimisation, and production of the modules in a sustainable future energy system such as solar cells, hydrogen fuel cells and batteries, but also material components for energy production in wind power stations, for example. This is facilitated by gaining an understanding of the fundamental molecular processes involved.
Students will acquire a broad knowledge of chemical structures and reactivity, as well as chemical risk assessment and management, which is important for the development of environmentally friendly and sustainable chemicals and the safe handling of chemicals. Potential future jobs include technical innovations for processing chemical and radioactive waste, as well as industrial process design for reducing the use and thereby the potential emission of hazardous chemicals.
- Research and development scientist or engineer
- quality assurance engineer
- consultant, project manager
- PhD student
Scholarships and Funding
KTH offers four different scholarship opportunities for master's studies. The KTH Scholarship covers the tuition fee of a one or two year master’s programme. The KTH One-Year Scholarship is aimed at current KTH master's programme students and covers the tuition fee of the second year of studies. The KTH Joint Programme Scholarship is aimed at students in certain joint programmes and covers the tuition fee for the study period spent at KTH. The KTH India Scholarship is aimed specifically at students from India.
- KTH Scholarship
- KTH One-Year Scholarship
- KTH Joint Programme Scholarship
- KTH India Scholarship
Swedish Institute
The Swedish Institute (SI) offers a number of scholarships for students from targeted countries coming to Sweden.
KTH associated scholarship organisations
KTH cooperates with the following organisations providing scholarship opportunities for prospective KTH students.
- COLFUTURO (Programa Crédito Beca) for students from Colombia
- LPDP (Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education) for students from Indonesia
- FUNED for students from Mexico
Scholarship portals
IEFA database
The IEFA database offer a comprehensive scholarships search, grant listing and international student loan programmes.
Studyportals
The Studyportals scholarship database lists over 1,000 scholarship and grants for students worldwide applying for studies in the EU.
Scholars4dev
Scholarships for Development is a database of scholarships open to students from developing countries.
WeMakeScholars
WeMakeScholars helps students from India secure education loans from banks and NBFCs. They also lists more than 26,000 international scholarships from different trusts, foundations and govt. bodies.
Deferment of student loans in the United States
KTH is an accredited institution at the US Department of Education and holds a Title IV 'Deferment Only' status (OPE ID 03274300). US students may defer payments on existing federal student loan accounts while enrolled in a master’s programme at KTH. The 'Deferment Only' status does not allow students to take out federal student loans for enrolment at KTH. However, the accreditation facilitates grant and loan opportunities for US students as many private student loan institutions in the US use this designation as a requirement to grant new loans. Students who wish to defer payments must contact their lending institution in the US.
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the institute website for more information.
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Specialists in all aspects of molecular science and engineering are always in demand, and career prospects are strong. It is a very wide field, with areas including pharmaceuticals, life sciences, medicine and medical engineering, biotechnology, environmental technology, forensics, fine chemicals, consumer products, cosmetics, polymers, pulp and paper, food and agriculture, petroleum, mining and materials, microfabrication, and energy. There is also an increased need for consultants with specialist knowledge of patenting, scientific writing, venture capital and marketing, expertise for governmental bodies and authorities, as well as for doctoral students within the area. Graduates from the programme have, for example, gone on to positions as research scientists, PhD students, product managers, quality assurance officers, and sales representatives at workplaces such as AstraZeneca, KTH, Outokumpu, RISE, and Boston Consulting Group. Programme graduates are also found at numerous startup companies, both as owners and employees.
After graduation
Research and development scientist or engineer, quality assurance engineer, consultant, project manager, PhD student.