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Chemistry, Biochemistry - Master Programme

Master's programme · 2 years · 120 credits

Hands holding a test tube during a lab session

Description

Would you like to become an expert on how proteins are structured and how they work? Equipped with this expertise, you will be at the knowledge frontier and able to help solve medical and biochemical problems at the molecular level. You can pursue a career as a biochemist both within academia and at research-intensive companies.

Programme overview

This Master’s programme provides you with specialised knowledge in protein chemistry, molecular biophysics and structural biochemistry. During the programme you will examine molecular structures and functional mechanisms in a large number of proteins. You will obtain ample experimental experience and learn to master methods for cloning, expression and purification of proteins. You will also learn a number of specialised techniques used to analyse proteins such as mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography. You will practice independently planning, conducting and critically evaluating experiments.

You will also learn to use scientific literature as well as manage and analyse data in various forms. Teaching takes place on modern premises and in laboratories with advanced equipment. The format of the Master’s programme varies and includes lectures, seminars, group exercises, extensive laboratory work, calculation exercises, computer exercises and project work, including oral and written presentations.

The programme has strong ties with research. All of the teaching staff are researchers, and the course content is continuously adapted based on current research. The Department of Chemistry is characterised by a broad spectrum of basic research and applied research, as well as close contact with industry and external research centres. Lund is also home to two unique research facilities – the MAX IV Laboratory and the ESS (European Spallation Source) neutron source, the latter of which is currently being constructed. The facilities offer applications in many areas of chemistry. The language of instruction is English in the Master’s programme.

Programme structure

You can influence and plan your study design to a large extent. During the first semester you will initially take a course on molecular driving forces and chemical bonding, or a course on experimental protein chemistry. You will thereafter study structural biochemistry. In the spring semester you can choose e.g. molecular microbiology or molecular biotechnology as well as advanced biochemistry.

In the second academic year you can add more courses depending on the scope of your degree project. The degree project can be worth 30, 45 or 60 credits and is conducted in a research team or at a company. If you decide to do a degree project worth less than the maximum number of credits, you can do a second project. The Master’s programme offers the option of doing an internship, which can provide valuable professional contacts during the programme.

Career prospects

Programme graduates are highly skilled in conducting research and development work within the life sciences, biochemistry and protein science. The Master’s programme provides a good foundation both for doctoral studies and a career at research-intensive companies. Half of our Master’s students continue to doctoral studies, and half begin working in industry in Sweden or abroad.

 

Conditions in the study environment and during study visits and field studies

The programme contains compulsory elements that require you to be able to work independently and safely in a laboratory environment, in a hospital environment, in workshops, in production facilities, or during study visits and field studies. These elements require the ability to comply with safety regulations and instructions, and to move around in and evacuate premises safely. The elements also require the ability to monitor and control the processes studied.

Open for applications

Application opportunities

This programme is open for applications from 15 October 2024 to 15 January 2025.

Contact

Program coordinator

Sophie Manner

Email: sophie [dot] manner [at] chem [dot] lu [dot] se

Study advisor

Lovisa Andersson

Phone: +46 46 222 83 57

Email: lovisa [dot] andersson [at] kilu [dot] lu [dot] se

Requirements and selection

Entry requirements

Specialisation: Biochemistry
Bachelor’s degree of at least 180 credits or the equivalent, including at least 90 credits in chemistry, of which at least 15 credits must be in biochemistry.

Proficiency in English equivalent to English 6/B from Swedish upper-secondary school.

Selection criteria

Based on grades awarded for previous academic courses in science, engineering and mathematics.

English language requirements

Most of Lund University’s programmes require English Level 6 (unless otherwise stated under 'Entry requirements'). This is the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. There are several ways to prove your English language proficiency – check which proof is accepted at the University Admissions in Sweden website. All students must prove they meet English language requirements by the deadline, in order to be considered for admission.

How to prove your English proficiency – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements

Check if there are any country-specific eligibility rules for you to study Bachelor's or Master's studies in Sweden:

Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se

Apply

Start Autumn Semester 2025

Day-time Lund, full time 100%

In English

Study period

1 September 2025 - 6 June 2027

Application

Last application date 2025-01-15

How to apply

Lund University uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application periods.

When to apply for studies

Step 1: Apply online

  • Check that you meet the entry requirements of the programme or course you are interested in (refer to the section above on this webpage).
  • Start your application – go to the University Admissions in Sweden website where you create an account and select programmes/courses during the application period.
    Visit the University Admissions in Sweden website
  • Rank your programme/course choices in order of preference and submit them before the application deadline.

Step 2: Submit documents

  • Read about how to document your eligibility and how to submit your documents at the University Admissions in Sweden website. Follow any country-specific document rules for Master's studies or Bachelor's studies
    Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
    Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
     
  • Get all your documents ready:
    - official transcripts and high school diploma (Bachelor's applicants)
    - official transcripts and degree certificate or proof that you are in the final year of your Bachelor's (Master's applicants)
    - passport/ID (all applicants) and
    - proof of English proficiency (all applicants).
     
  • Prepare programme-specific documents if stated in the next paragraph on this webpage.
  • Upload or send all required documents to University Admissions before the document deadline.
  • Pay the application fee (if applicable – refer to the section below on this webpage) before the document deadline.

* Note that the process is different if you are applying as an exchange student or as a part of a cooperation programme (such as Erasmus+).
* If you have studied your entire Bachelor's programme in Sweden and all of your academic credits are in Ladok, you do not have to submit transcripts or your diploma when applying for a Master's programme. However, there may still be other documents you need to submit! See the link below. 
Svensk student? 
Läs instruktionerna om att söka till ett internationellt masterprogram på lu.se

Programme-specific documents

No programme-specific documents (such as a CV or letters of recommendation) are required when you apply for this programme.
 

Watch on YouTube: How to apply for a Master's programme

Tuition fees

Non-EU/EEA citizens

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 340 000

First payment: SEK 85 000

Convert currency – xe.com

Citizens of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. You pay one instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

Application fee

If you are required to pay tuition fees, you are generally also required to pay an application fee of SEK 900 when you apply at the University Admissions in Sweden website. You pay one application fee regardless of how many programmes or courses you apply to.


*Note that there are no tuition or application fees for exchange students or doctoral/PhD students, regardless of their nationality.

Scholarships & funding

Lund University Global Scholarship programme

The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.

Lund University Global Scholarship

Within the framework of the Lund University Global Scholarship programme, the University also offers the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship targeted at top academic students from selected African research universities.

ARUA Scholarship

Swedish Institute Scholarships

The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students applying for studies in Sweden at Master's level.

Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website

Country-specific scholarships and funding options

Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University.

Country-specific scholarships

External scholarships

Information about scholarships from external organisations

Scholarship for this Master’s – Pioneering Women in STEM

The Swedish Institute (SI) offers a fully-funded scholarship for women from specific countries applying to selected Master's programmes in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The scholarship is designed to support women who are passionate about driving change and tackling global challenges. Visit the link below to find out more, including which countries and programmes are eligible for the scholarship. 

SI Scholarship Pioneering Women in STEM

Testimonials about this Master's