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Chemistry (Negotiated Learning)

MSc (NFQ Level 9)
Internships Opportunity
Scholarships Available
Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

Duration:
1 Year
Attendance:
Full Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
9 (90 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Master of Science
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Duration:
2 Years
Attendance:
Part-Time
Delivery:
NFQ Level:
9 (90 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Master of Science
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Apply Now

MSc Chemistry (Negotiated Learning) is a flexible programme which offers a diverse array of modules in a variety of Chemistry topics. The programme is suitable for you if you wish to sample different sides of the discipline ranging from the mathematical, through the physical and materials disciplines to the biological ends of the scientific spectrum. Initial academic advice ensures that your module choices can match your career aspirations or areas of interest. If you wish to broaden your understanding of chemistry, you could choose a range of modules across the discipline. If you are interested in progressing to a PhD programme, or into particular industries, you may choose to concentrate on a specific area, e.g., chemical biology, nanochemistry, medicinal, sustainable or materials chemistry.

The UCD School of Chemistry has vibrant research in areas such as catalysis and new transformations, bionano interface, advanced spectroscopy, new materials for magnetic, medicinal, and electronic applications, and carbohydrate chemistry.

  • Individualised programmes can be selected from a large suite of modules.
  • A high-level research project will add significant value and lead to a qualification suited for career advancement in the chemical industry.
  • Over 4000 m2 of high specification, modern laboratories within the state-of-the-art UCD O'Brien Centre for Science.

Negotiated Learning: student and academic discuss goals, and tailor a suitable programme for the student. Modules are subject to change and are not guaranteed by UCD. The modules are examples of modules for 2025/2026 students.

Examples of modules include: 

Autumn Trimester

Spring Trimester

Summer Trimester

During the summer trimester students are placed within the research groups of a member of staff in the School to carry out a 30-credit three-month research project. 

About This Course

1 - Display, to a high level, a systematic and in-depth knowledge of their chosen areas of the chemistry discipline.
2 - Demonstrate the standard and specialised technical skills required to safely operate in a research environment related to their chosen specialisms.
3 - Demonstrate an ability to take significant responsibility and work in a self-directed manner both alone and in groups and be able to act in a wide variety of professional levels and contexts both within and outside the discipline.
4 - Develop learning skills that allow them to self-evaluate and take responsibility for self-directed further study, within or outside the discipline, or in continuous professional development.
5 - Be aware of, and be able to manipulate, online resources for the collection and collation of literature.
6 - Demonstrate ability in critically analysing and communicating complex sets of data verbally and in written form and have the insight to be able to scrutinise and reflect on aspects of the discipline.

The MSc Chemistry (Negotiated Learning) provides a basis for graduates to enter the chemical, pharmaceutical, bio-pharmaceutical and materials industries. Analytical services, environmental protection and primary and secondary school teaching present other possible opportunities.
Furthermore, through judicious choice of modules within one particular sub-discipline of chemistry, the programme is an attractive route for some students into a PhD programme.

Limited places are available for a 30-credit industrial placement* as an alternative to the research project.

*Placements are secured through a competitive process and are not guaranteed.


Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Please select one of the two modules
 CHEM40880 Research project (Taught MSc) Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Please select one of the two modules
 CHEM41400 Chemistry MSc Internship Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40160 Chemistry Seminar Programme I 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  2.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM30090 Chemistry of Materials Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40050 Metals in Biology Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40090 Methods in Organic Synthesis 2 Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40110 Advanced Applications of Inorganic Chemistry Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40240 Spectroscopic Techniques (TCD) Autumn  2.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40740 Electrochemistry Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40760 Org Synthesis 2 Autumn  7.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40770 Nanochemistry Autumn  7.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40820 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Autumn  7.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40830 Metals in Biology Autumn  7.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40870 Nanomaterials Chemistry Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40940 Advanced synthetic chem (MSc) Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40960 Green and Sustainable Chem Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM41290 Modern techniques to monitor b Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM41470 Modern Mass Spectrometry Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM41500 Practical Electrochemistry Autumn  2.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM41510 Chem Synth of Natural Products Autumn  2.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM41520 Computational Chemistry Autumn  2.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM41530 Green & Sus Chem - Taught MSc Autumn  7.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
PHYC40410 Physics of nanomaterials Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
PHYC40470 Computational Biophysics and Nanoscale Simulations Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
PHYC40560 Advanced Atomic Force Microscopy for Bionanoscience Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
SCI50020 Research Integrity Online Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40060 Methods in Organic Synthesis Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40080 Reactivity and Change Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40140 Modern Methods and Applications of Catalysis Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40290 Special topics in Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology (level 4) Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40370 Advanced NMR Spectroscopy Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40750 Org Synthesis 1 Spring  7.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40780 Bond Activation Spring  7.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40790 Modern Catalysis Spring  7.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40810 Topics in MCCB Spring  7.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40950 Advanced Inorganic Synthesis Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM41210 Professional Career Developmen Spring  2.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM41430 Advanced Topics in Phys Chem Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM41450 Sustainable Development Chemistry Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM41480 Advanced Phys Chem, taught MSc Spring  7.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM41490 Sustainable Development Chem Spring  7.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM41550 Advanced Functional Materials Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40210 Comprehensive X-ray Crystallography Summer  2.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40350 Commerialisation of Chemical Research Summer  2.5
Stage 1 Options - B)60CR:
Please select modules as per guidance from Programme Director to total to 60 credits.
CHEM40360 Synthesis of Pharmaceutical Compounds Summer  5

UCD is strongly committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), embedding sustainability in teaching, research, operations, and community engagement. Sustainability principles are integrated into this programme, ensuring students graduate equipped to address global challenges. UCD’s leadership in this area is internationally recognised, ranking 49th globally and 1st in Ireland in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2024. UCD also leads impactful research in areas such as climate action, clean energy, and social equity, supported by a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy focused on reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering a sustainable campus culture.

Here are the SDGs which align more visibly with this programme:

SDG3 SDG4 SDG6 SDG7 SDG8 SDG9 SDG 11 SDG 12 SDG 13 SDG 14 SDG 15

Cillian O’Beirne
I chose to undertake the MSc Chemistry (Negotiated Learning) course as a pathway to both refreshing and improving my chemistry knowledge with hopes that it would lead to further career and postgraduate opportunities. In my time at UCD Chemistry, I was challenged by a broad range of topics in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, whilst interacting with lecturers and professors and gaining insight to the requirements of further postgraduate study in a PhD. The climate in UCD Chemistry was welcoming and supportive, with the ChemSoc society providing a way to meet peers and colleagues that are still in my life to this day. The final lab project is an important aspect of the course and helped to reintegrate me into a research environment and eventually led to undertaking a PhD in UCD Chemistry.
This has helped me in my career by allowing me to travel to France and Germany in a research capacity and find an exciting role as a Process Development Scientist here in Ireland.

Chemistry (Negotiated Learning) (F042) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 10670
nonEU    fee per year - € 29500

Chemistry (Negotiated Learning) (F182) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 4965
nonEU    fee per year - € 14755

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please visit International Scholarships.

  • This programme is intended for applicants with an honours undergraduate Chemistry degree, or a degree with a significant component of chemistry (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent). An upper second class honours or international equivalent is required. However all applicants will be assessed on a case by case basis and relevant or extensive work experience will be taken into account, so that in certain exceptional cases an award at a lower level or a 2.2 classification may be considered.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 ineach element), or equivalent. Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the  English language requirements, may enter the programme upon  successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/ 
  • These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes 
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Chemistry (Negotiated Learning):

ROWCLASS Apply to
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F042
Chemistry (Negotiated Learning)
Master of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
F182
Chemistry (Negotiated Learning)
Master of Science

Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Apply
* you can change options at the top of the page
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