Overview The English-taught Master's programme combines fundamental research with practical applications in natural products and drug chemistry. The curriculum emphasizes the design and synthesis of low‑molecular‑weight natural products and pharmaceutical ligands and examines how these small molecules interact with macromolecular targets. This focus prepares students to bridge synthetic chemistry and molecular pharmacology.
Structure and practical training You will be trained in modern organic synthesis through both theoretical courses and hands-on laboratory work. The programme covers contemporary techniques for analyzing, characterising and evaluating bioactive compounds. The university offers excellent laboratory facilities and instrumentation, and students take part in ongoing research early on through laboratory rotations across different research groups.
Career prospects Graduates are well-equipped for roles in traditional chemistry sectors as well as interdisciplinary areas across life sciences, agricultural sciences and health sciences. Career opportunities exist in medium and large companies, universities and research institutes; pursuing a doctorate can further open paths to advanced research roles and management positions.
Admission requirements
This two-year Master’s curriculum trains you to design, synthesize and characterise biologically active natural products, with a strong emphasis on hands-on laboratory competence. Teaching combines classroom lectures that build theoretical foundations in organic and natural product chemistry with substantial practical sessions where you apply synthetic and analytical techniques to real compounds. The course material spans a broad molecular range, from high molecular weight biochemical systems to low molecular weight small molecules, giving you exposure to the diverse chemistry encountered in natural-product and drug-discovery research.
Lab work is a central element of the programme and is delivered both in group-based courses and through individual research projects. Group labs develop teamwork, experimental planning and routine techniques, while individual lab assignments allow you to pursue in-depth topics, sharpen independent research skills and gain experience in problem-solving and data interpretation. This balance prepares you for roles in academia or industry where both collaborative and autonomous research abilities are essential.
Learning outcomes include mastery of organic synthesis strategies for natural products, competence with analytical approaches for structure elucidation and purity assessment, and practical experience handling complex biochemical and small-molecule systems. Graduates will be able to design experiments, analyse and interpret experimental data, and communicate results effectively—skills that are directly transferable to careers in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and academic research.
Programme requirements and key features
This master's programme is aimed at applicants who already hold a relevant Bachelor's degree. Eligible prior degrees include several closely related science and engineering disciplines; applications from graduates of other institutions are considered as long as the degree is judged equivalent. Admission also depends on passing a formal aptitude assessment and meeting the programme's language requirements. Conditional admission may be granted in some cases with a limited number of study-related conditions.
If your Bachelor's was obtained outside the University of Bayreuth, the programme’s board of examiners will determine whether your qualification is equivalent — this equivalency decision is made during the application review and cannot be confirmed in advance. The aptitude assessment procedure includes an appraisal of your qualifications and, where applicable, an interview as detailed in the Examination Regulations.
Winter Semester (International)
15 June 2026
Summer Semester (International)
15 January 2027
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 June 2026
Summer Semester (EU/EEA)
15 January 2027
Graduates are prepared for roles in traditional chemistry sectors as well as interdisciplinary positions in the life sciences, agricultural sciences and health sciences. Career destinations include pharmaceutical and chemical companies (large and medium-sized), research institutes and universities where skills in synthesis and bioactivity evaluation are in demand.
For students continuing to doctoral research, the programme provides a solid foundation for academic research and can lead to senior research or management positions after a PhD. The combination of practical laboratory experience and theoretical training also supports transition into R&D, quality control, and product development roles in industry.