Master's studies at the Department of Chemistry

Start of studies

Information about the start of studies for the Chemistry programme 

Information about the start of studies for the Materials science for Energy and Nanotechnology 

Students on the CS:Chemistry programme meet up at the information meeting for the Chemistry programme on Tuesday week 33, but follow the same program as students on the Materials science for energy and nanotechnology on Wednesday and Thursday week 33.

Practical information for new Master`s students

Deadlines

The deadline for semester registration and exam registration is February 1 / September 1. You can read more about this on UiO's central pages.

Each semester, you must apply for and secure a place in the courses and register for exams in relevant subjects through Studentweb.

The deadline for submitting the master's agreement is December 1st in your first semester. This applies to all students, even if you are a part-time student. You can find the agreement form under the section on forms below. 

Email

All master's students are given their own email address at UiO. It is expected that all students check this email regularly, as the study administration sends important information to students via this system. If you already have a personal email address and wish to use it, we recommend forwarding emails from your UiO address to your private one. Here you can read more about how to use your email account at UiO.

Mandatory Health and Safety Courses

Students admitted to the master's program at the Department of Chemistry must complete the following courses:

• HMS0501 – Safety and Physical Environment
• HMS0502 – Positive Learning Environment
• HMS0503 - Laboratory Safety
• HMS0505 - Electricity Safety
• HMS0507 – Fire Safety
• HMS0508 – Good Use of Artificial Intelligence

Mandatory Health and Safety Course and Master's Seminar

Students admitted to the master's program at the Department of Chemistry must participate in the health and safety course conducted at the start of the program (week 33) and in three master's seminars during each of the four semesters in the master's program. Participation is mandatory for the first three semesters.

Remaining courses in your Bachelor`s degree?

Have you got a conditional admission to your Master`s programme? Then you have courses in your Bachelor`s degree you must complete. You will get an extension on your study time on your Master`s programme, equivalent to the number of study points you are required to take to complete your Bachelor`s degree. In order to get an extension, this must be recorded in your Master's agreement. Note that all remaining courses on your Bachelor's degree must be completed within the first 12 months after admission to the programme. When you have completed your Bachelor's degree, you must contact Knutepunktet to register the degree and remove the condition on your admission 

Have you completed master courses before admission?

If you have completed courses before enrolling in the master's program that you wish to be included in the theoretical curriculum, this will result in a reduction in the duration of the master's program. All applications will be processed by the program council and submitted to the program coordinator for your program. The application is made by filling out the education plan for the master's program in consultation with your supervisor.

Supervisor and masters thesis

An important part of the master's program is the master's project. You can choose a long or short project (60 or 30 ECTS). The thesis subject is chosen in cooperation with your supervisor.

Students starting in the fall of 2025 and choosing a long thesis should work on 10-20 credits of the experimental portion of the master's thesis already in the fall of 2025, taking only one or possibly two courses in the first semester. Courses will be taught as usual throughout 2026 and will not be affected by the relocation process. A dispensation may also be granted to take one course in the fourth semester in the spring of 2027 if necessary to align with the educational plan. Please note that this only applies to courses offered by the Department of Chemistry.

All master's students must have a main supervisor at the Department of Chemistry.  If you are studying for a master's degree in materials science for energy- and nanotechnology your supervisor can belong to the Department of Physics. All permanent scientific staff can be supervisors.

In each programme option, under programme structure, there are links to the research sections where it is natural to search for master's projects and supervisors. The different research sections have their own web pages where you can look for master projects and supervisors.

If you are a new master student at the department, or you need help to find out more about the research we are doing here, you can contact the study administration at the Department of Chemistry, for help to find possible supervisors.

• Ledige masteroppgaver - Kjemisk institutt (only in norwegian)

About the Master's Thesis

The University Library has a great page with tips for writing your master's thesis and a checklist to consider before submitting your thesis.

You can find the cover template for the master's thesis here.

Overview of master's courses taught in autumn 2025 – spring 2028

Forms and deadlines

Below we have collected some useful information that we recommend everyone to read before filling out the master's agreement.

• It is important that you read the relevant information for your study program before submitting the master's agreement.
• You should prepare all necessary documentation before you start filling out the agreement. As far as it is possible, we recommend that you upload text files, project descriptions etc. as a pdf-file.
• Contact your local studies administration if you have questions about filling of the agreement. 

Deadline for submission of the master`s thesis

Deadline for submission of the master`s thesis is normally 15th of May. Submission must take place by 12.00 on the submission date. You can find your deadline for submission in Studentweb. The deadline is absolute. If the deadline is not met, it will have consequences for the assessment of the assignment.

The examination will normally be held 3-6 weeks after submission of your thesis. It is your main supervisor who will find an external examiner and make an appointment for the exam with you and the examiner.                                                                                                                                                                 

Master agreement plan

The master`s programme consists of a master`s thesis and theoretical subject syllabus, and it must be completed within established limits.

All master`s students must have an individual education plan approved by the Program Council.

The education plan is an agreement between you as a student, your supervisor(s), and the program board, and concerns rights and duties in terms of carrying out and completing your study.

In the fall of 2025, the deadline to submit the application for the master's degree agreement is October 15th in your first semester. If you do not submit the master's degree agreement by December 1st, you will lose your right to study in the program after written notice

Theoretical curriculum

The theoretical curriculum consists of 60 or 90 ECTS, depending on the length of your master's thesis (60 or 30 ECTS).
You are also able to set up a special curriculum together with your supervisor(s) if the courses you are taking do not cover all of the curriculum you are interested in.
The special curriculum must be documented with a reading list, referring to books/articles (including page numbers). 

Project description and risk assessment

The project description for the master's thesis must be attached to the master's degree agreement as a .pdf. A risk assessment must also be submitted as a .pdf. Both must be signed by the student and all supervisors.

Semester and course registration

You must register and apply for courses in Studentweb every semester, by the deadlines 1 September/1 February (autumn and spring semesters respectively) and pay the semester fee. 
When working on your thesis full time, you only need register and confirm your education plan in Studentweb, and pay the semester fee.    
The student administration at the department will register you for the master's thesis in Studentweb when the education plan is approved by the programme board.

Changes along the way - application for part-time/ leave and postponed submission

You can apply to study part time when filling out the application for approval of your education plan.
The application for part time study must be signed by you and your supervisor(s), and must include a progress plan.

You must apply for any changes to the education plan; the deadlines are 1 September/1 February.
You are able to change the theoretical curriculum while studying.  A new curriculum must be applied for using the net form for changes to your master agreement plan.

Deadlines for submission of the master`s thesis for conditional admission/ deferred course/ courses taken prior to admission

The deadlines differ if you have a conditional admission offer, need certain courses to fulfill any requirements, or have passed necessary courses before starting your master studies:  

• May 15 (ordinary submission deadline)    
• June 30 (deferred 10 credits/passed 50 credits in advance)
• September 15 (deferred 20 credits/passed 40 credits in advance, summer holidays included)
• November 15 (passed 30 credits in advance)
• February 1 (passed 20 credits in advance)
• April 1 (passed10 credits in advance)

Master seminars

As a master student at the Department of Chemistry, you participate in three seminars/workshops in each of the four semesters of the master`s degree programme. The seminars in the first three semesters are mandatory.

The topics covered are important for the completion of the master`s programme, and we want to give you the knowledge you need, when you need it.

• First semester: Theme and program           
  • During the first semester all master students at Department of Chemistry must participate on mandatory HSE courses given in week 33. 
• Second semester: Theme and program          
• Third semester: Theme and program  
• Fourth semester: Theme and program

Progression of studies

Studying part time?

If you plan study part-time, you must apply to the program council for this as soon as possible after admission (by September 1st), or as soon as you know that your study progression has changed. Applications for part-time studies after this date will not be granted. Applications for part-time is only granted for the first semester. For the rest of the study, an application is made in connection with the submission of the education plan. Documentation of work, including progression percentage must accompany the application and be sent by e-mail to studieinfo@kjemi.uio.no

Study reduced/ postponement due to illness?

If you need to study reduced due to illness for a period of time, you can apply for it. The deadline is September 1st or February  1st (autumn/spring semester respectively) or immediately after receiving documentation. The application is sent to the study administration by e-mail to studieinfo@kjemi.uio.no, and must contain the following:    

• period you are seeking reduced study progression for
• plan for the rest of the study (shift of courses and work on the master`s thesis)
• medical certificate or other documentation

The documentation must confirm the period of illness by dates and state to what extent (in per cent) you are unable to study. Note that only statements about time period and degree of disability are used as a basis for postponement.

Reduced progression can only be granted for the current and future semesters, not for completed semesters.

Are you a group teacher or a lab supervisor?

If you are a group teacher or lab assistant at the Department of Chemistry, you will get a postponement corresponding to hours on your employment contract if you apply for this. Send application for postponement by e-mail to studieinfo@kjemi.uio.no.

Postponement due to unforeseen problems?

Delayed submission of the master`s thesis may be granted in the event of unforeseen problems with the project, or in the event of short-term illness for the candidate or the candidate`s children. It must be applied for as soon as illness or problems occur. Unforeseen problems with the project must documented. Examples of documentation for technical problems can be documentation from a repairer. In the event of illness, this must be documented by a medical certificate which must be submitted together with the application for postponement of the submission deadline.

Applications for postponement must be signed by you and your supervisor and sent by e-mail to studieinfo@kjemi.uio.no for approval by the program council. A new submission deadline is set by the department.

Completion of the master`s programme

The final exam of your master's study consists of handing in your master's thesis, a public oral presentation, followed by an oral exam.   
The main deadline is 15 May.
Your supervisor must hand in the announcement of master's degree exam (online form) to the student administration at least 3 weeks before your thesis is due to be handed in.

Requirements before the exam

This must be in place prior to the delivery:

• The bachelor`s degree or equivalent, including all academic requirements, must be passed the semester before you submit the thesis.
• The semester fee must be paid and you must have registered for the semester.
• The theoretical syllabus in the master`s degree must be completed and passed.

About the master`s thesis

The University library has a nice page with tips for writing the master`s thesis and a to-do list before you submit your thesis.

The cover template for the master`s thesis can be found here.

Deadline for submitting the master`s thesis

The deadline for submitting the master`s thesis is normally May 15th. You will find your deadline for submitting your master`s thesis in studentweb. The assignment must be submitted no later than three weeks before the final presentation and exam. It is your supervisor who will find an external examiner and make an appointment for the exam with you and the examiner.

Postponed deadline for submission

Delayed submission of the master`s thesis may be granted in the event of unforeseen problems with the project, or in the event of short-term illness for the candidate or the candidate`s children. It must be applied for as soon as illness or problems occur. Unforeseen problems with the project must documented. Examples of documentation for technical problems can be documentation from a repairer. In the event of illness, this must be documented by a medical certificate which must be submitted together with the application for postponement of the submission deadline.

Applications for postponement must be signed by you and your supervisor and sent by e-mail to studieinfo@kjemi.uio.no for approval by the program council. A new submission deadline is set by the department.

Submission of the master`s thesis

The master`s thesis must be submitted in Inspera before the end of your submission deadline. If the date for submission is on a Saturday/ Sunday/ public holiday, the deadline is extended to 12.00 the following working day. You will find information on procedures for submitting to Inspera on MN`s pages.

Printing of the master`s thesis

You can order printing of your thesis at the Graphic Center. In advance of the main submission deadline, you will receive an email with information about which account string should be used when ordering printing of the master's thesis. The Department of Chemistry covers up to 600 kroner for printing, including color pages.

The master`s program final presentation and exam

The master`s program is completed trough a presentation of the assignment and examination with the examination committee. The presentation should last approx. 30 minutes. You must give an overview of the assignment. The public presentation is followed by an oral examination/ conversation about the assignment with the examination committee.

Information about the time and place of the master`s examination will be sent to your e-mail, and also published on the website of the Department of Chemistry.

All master`s theses submitted at the MN Faculty after 1 April 2014 must be assessed and censored according to these grade descriptions.

Master`s diploma

You will receive a digital diploma after you have passed the master's exam and the MN Faculty has registered your degree. If you need a paper diploma, please contact MN Study Information.

Clearance form

After you have completed the master's project, you must clean out of the laboratory and workspace, and ensure that any user accounts are closed. A clearance form must be completed and signed by the responsible parties before it is submitted to the reception at the Department of Chemistry.

Students in the master`s program in Chemistry submit this clearance form.

Students in the master`s program in MENA submit this clearance form.

General information for master`s students at MN