Natural Products & Drug Chemistry, Master of Science (M.Sc.)
The design and synthesis of tailor-made organic molecules are central to addressing some of the most pressing scientific and societal challenges of our time. From the discovery of new medicines to the sustainable production of complex bioactive compounds, modern chemistry plays a key role in improving human health and advancing responsible use of natural resources.
The Master’s program Natural Products & Drug Chemistry at the University of Bayreuth is a chemistry-driven, research-oriented degree program with a strong focus on advanced organic synthesis, catalysis, and molecular-level structure–function relationships. It is designed for students with a solid undergraduate background in chemistry who seek a deep, fundamental understanding of how complex small molecules can be designed, synthesized, analyzed, and functionally optimized.
At the core of the program is the development of sustainable and efficient chemical strategies for accessing natural products and drug-like molecules contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to address questions of fundamental importance to humankind, such as:
How can complex molecules be made efficiently and responsibly?
How can chemical innovation support future medicines and materials while minimizing environmental impact?
How can fundamental chemical understanding drive long-term innovation and technological and societal progress?
Natural products and molecular drugs contribute in various ways to a high standard of living. Their development and sustainable production are therefore major future challenges. This Organic Chemistry-orientated study program provides the necessary understanding of complex molecular structures and their interaction with biological systems.
Prof. Dr. Frank Hahn, coordinator of the degree programme
- Faculty
- Faculty of Biology, Chemistry & Earth Sciences
- Final degree
- Master of Science (M.Sc.)
- Start of studies
- Winter semester and summer semester
- Standard period of study
- 4 semesters
- Language of instruction
- English
- Full-time / part-time
- full-time
- Tuition fees
- The University of Bayreuth does not charge tuition fees. However, every student must pay the semester fee.
- Admission requirements
Profile
The Master’s program Natural Products & Drug Chemistry at the University of Bayreuth is a strongly research-oriented, chemistry-driven degree program that focuses on the design and synthesis of complex organic molecules relevant to natural product research and drug-related chemistry.
The program addresses one of the core challenges of modern chemical science: how to develop efficient, selective, and sustainable synthetic strategies for biologically active small molecules, and how to understand their structure, reactivity, and interaction with biological systems at the molecular level. These questions are of fundamental importance for human health, innovation, and sustainable development.
Structure and content
The Master’s programme Natural Products & Drug Chemistry is a two-year, research-oriented degree programme (120 ECTS) with a modular structure that allows students to develop a strong profile in advanced chemical research.
The degree programme is rooted in organic chemistry and builds on a strong undergraduate foundation in chemistry. It places particular emphasis on:
(Stereoselective) Synthesis of complex natural products
Expanding chemical space with modern synthesis methods
Analytical methods for reaction screening and structural elucidation
Molecular interactions between organic compounds and targets
In addition, students complete:
a Research Proposal module, preparing them for independent scientific work,
two extended Research Modules, carried out in research groups,
a Master’s thesis, which constitutes an independent research project at the forefront of current chemical research.
The University of Bayreuth provides excellent laboratory facilities and instrumentation. Students are integrated early on into ongoing research projects through laboratory rotations, gaining hands-on experience with modern synthetic, analytical, and mechanistic methods in chemical research.
Why Bayreuth?
Bayreuth is a place where focus and inspiration come together. The city is internationally renowned for its connection to Richard Wagner and the Bayreuth Festival, reflecting a long tradition of artistic excellence and intellectual depth. In 2026, Bayreuth – as the only German city – was placed among the „52 places to go in 2026“, curated by the NY times. The cultural heritage gives the city a distinctive character that sets it apart from typical university cities.
The city of Bayreuth offers affordable housing, amazingly short commuting distances, and a student-friendly city structure. Taken these aspects together, Bayreuth allows students to focus on their studies without the financial pressure often associated with larger cities. This makes Bayreuth particularly attractive for students who value both academic depth and a high quality of life.
At the same time, Bayreuth is surrounded by outstanding natural landscapes. Hiking, cycling, free-rock climbing and outdoor activities are easily accessible and form a natural counterbalance to intensive study and research. This close connection between academic life and nature creates an environment that supports long-term motivation and well-being.
I still think that one day we shall all be sitting together in Bayreuth, and we shall no longer understand how we could ever have endured it anywhere else.
Friedrich Nietzsche (1873)
Why Natural Products & Drug chemistry in Bayreuth?
Studying Natural Products & Drug Chemistry here means diving into an exciting study program, covering state-of-the-art advances in chemistry and addressing the challenges of today‘s and tomorrow‘s societies with chemical solutions. You will find yourself in an environment that nurtures scientific work while actively supporting concentration, creativity, and balance.
The University of Bayreuth is known for its close-knit academic culture and strong emphasis on research. Short distances, open laboratory structures, and direct access to faculty create an atmosphere, in which students are quickly integrated into ongoing research projects. Chemistry in Bayreuth is not learned at a distance — it is experienced hands-on, in daily interaction with active research groups.
The Master’s program prepares graduates for research-intensive careers in academia, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, or related high-technology sectors. Graduates are ideally qualified for positions in the majority of areas of chemistry and for interdisciplinary careers in the pharmaceutical industry, life sciences, agro sciences and health sciences.
The degree also provides excellent preparation for doctoral studies in chemistry or closely related disciplines. Successful Master's graduates have the opportunity to do a doctorate in the PhD programme Molecular Biosciences or Materials Chemistry & Catalysis at the Bayreuth Graduate School for Mathematics and Natural Sciences (BayNAT). There is also the option of fast-track access to the doctoral programme.
Doing a doctorate at the University of Bayreuth
The University of Bayreuth Graduate School supervises doctoral students of all subjects who are pursuing a doctorate in a structured programme or at one of the University's seven faculties. We facilitate scientific exchange even in the earliest phase of independent research, and complement the interdisciplinary education of doctoral students with additional teaching and training opportunities. Our aim is to create the perfect research and learning conditions for them.
On the website of WiN, you will find all the information you need about doctoral research in Bayreuth.
Further information
Elite Study & Doctoral Programme
Semester fee
The University of Bayreuth does not charge tuition fees. However, every student must pay the semester fee. This includes the fees for the Studentenwerk Oberfranken and the semester ticket for the use of public transport in the cities of Bayreuth and Kulmbach and in many parts of the regional transport system.
Notes on application and enrolment
Application period
for German and EU citizens:
1 March to 15 June for winter semester
1 September to 15 January for summer semesterfor non EU citizens:
1 March to 15 June for winter semester
1 September to 15 January for summer semesterApplication guide
Individual information on the application process (documents, deadlines, link to the application portal)
click here for German version
Admission requirements
Qualification
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or in a closely related discipline with chemistry as the main subject. Examples include of Bachelor‘s degrees at the University of Bayreuth include:
Bachelor's degree programmes in Chemistry, in Polymer & Colloid Chemistry or in Biochemistry, in Sustainable Chemistry & Energy or Physics or in Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Bayreuth or other teaching programmes at the University of Bayreuth with chemistry as a major subject.
Degrees with a primary focus on clinical, pharmaceutical, formulation-oriented, or regulatory training do not automatically meet the academic requirements of the programme unless they include a strong and well-documented chemistry core. Please see the section on „Required Academic Background“ for more details.
Academic Background
Due to its strong emphasis on advanced chemistry and fundamental molecular understanding, the program is particularly well-suited for students with a strong undergraduate background in chemistry, and who are motivated to pursue a scientifically demanding and research-oriented course of study. Applicants should typically hold a Bachelor’s degree in:
chemistry or
a closely related discipline with chemistry as the main subject
Successful applicants usually have solid prior training in:
organic chemistry (including reaction mechanisms and synthesis)
basic physical chemistry (thermodynamics, kinetics, spectroscopy)
analytical chemistry (e.g. NMR, MS, chromatography)
hands-on laboratory-based chemical research, e.g. experience in chemical synthesis
Important note:
The programme has a strong focus on advanced synthesis, catalysis, and molecular-level chemical understanding. It is therefore not primarily designed for clinically, pharmaceutically, or formulation-oriented degree backgrounds. Applicants from interdisciplinary programmes are expected to demonstrate substantial chemistry content in their prior studies.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the module descriptions to ensure that their academic background aligns with the scientific depth and expectations of the programme.
Equivalency
The determination of the equivalency of the completed bachelor's degree is the responsibility of the board of examiners and will only be bindingly examined within the framework of the application, therefore no advance information is possible, equivalent degrees are specified in § 2 Para. 1 Point 1 of the Examination Regulations.
Aptitude Assessment Process
The prerequisite for admission to the degree programme is passing the aptitude assessment process (see Examination Regulations, Annex 4), which includes an assessment of qualifications and, if applicable, an aptitude interview.
Applying without a degree certificate
An application is already possible before completion of the previous Bachelor's degree.
- Language proficiency
ENGLISH: level B2 (you may be enrolled on the condition that you submit the required proof of English level B2 during the first year of the programme if you can provide proof of language proficiency of at least level B1+ at the time of application)
GERMAN: level A1 (can be obtained during the first year of the programme)Special conditions
Admission subject to conditions is possible; conditions may comprise a maximum of 30 credits (see Examination Regulations § 2, Para. 2).
The module handbook provides an overview of the various modules that must be taken in a degree programme. It contains all the important explanations on the requirements and types of module examinations as well as on the intermediate or final examinations and serves as a kind of study guide for orientation.
Examination regulations
Examination regulations lay down the content and structure of a specific degree programme in a legally binding manner. They must be approved by the Ministry of Science or accredited by an accreditation agency.
Programme Flyer & Programme Concept
Contact points in the department
- Programme coordination: Prof. Dr. Rene M. Koenigs, Prof. Dr. Frank Hahn
- Student Council: Student Council BCG (in German language)
- Board of Examiners
Central contact points
- Student Advising (in German language)
- For international students:
International Office - Examination Office: Examination office Faculty II – Biology, Chemistry & Earth Sciences
- Africa-Competence (AfriZert)
- China-Competence (SinoZert)in German language
- Data Literacyin German language
- Entrepreneurshipin German language
- Interculturality Research and Intercultural Practicein German language
- Intersectionality Studies & Diversity Competenciesin English language
- Sustainabilityin German language
- Teaching German as a foreign languagein German language
- Theatre Educationin German language
Any more questions? Please contact the coordinators of the degree programme.
Prof. Dr. René KoenigsChair of Organic Chemistry II
Phone: +49 (0)921 / 55-2670
E-mail: master.naturalproducts@uni-bayreuth.de
Prof. Dr. Frank HahnChair of Organic Chemistry
Phone: +49 (0)921 / 55-3660
E-mail: master.naturalproducts@uni-bayreuth.de
Building B12, Office U05
Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth
