Bachelor in Chemistry and Chemical Technology

Bachelor in Chemistry and Chemical Technology is one of 3 English-taught Chemistry programmes at bachelor’s level in the register, offered by 2 institutions. 3 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from EUR 727 to EUR 1,453; this programme lists EUR 1,453 a year. 2 are at a public university, where EU, EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters.

The Bachelor's degree program in Chemistry and Chemical Technology at Johannes Kepler University Linz is taught in English. It runs for six semesters and is worth 180 ECTS credits, awarding a Bachelor of Science (BSc). The programme gives you a grounding in chemistry, chemical technologies and process engineering, with plenty of lab work from the start.

What you study

The curriculum covers the core areas of technical chemistry. You take courses in Introduction to Chemistry, Chemical Calculations, Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Chemical Technologies and Chemical Process Engineering. Computational Chemistry and Data Processing in Chemistry are also part of the programme. Mathematics and the foundations that underpin research round out the scientific training.

The programme is research-led. You learn to approach and solve problems, work in small groups to tackle theoretical and real-world issues, and interpret measurement data. You also practise conducting academic research and giving professional presentations. Gender studies and the law as it applies to female chemists are included too.

How the programme is organised

You study full-time on the Linz campus. At the start you complete the Studies Introduction and Orientation Phase (StEOP), a set of courses outlined in the curriculum. You must pass the StEOP requirements before you can continue with the rest of the programme. If you take other courses before finishing the StEOP, you get only limited credit for them.

Hands-on lab experience begins right away. You work in the university's chemistry labs and at the JKU's own pilot factory, putting classroom material into practice through experiments. The programme is cross-disciplinary: you can connect with students in polymer engineering technologies, medical engineering, physics, computer sciences, mechanical engineering and mechatronics. The teaching language is English, but some courses in the first year are also held in German, so check which parts are in German before you apply.

Who it suits

This degree suits you if you want an engineering and scientifically minded approach to chemistry. You should be comfortable with mathematics and interested in how chemical processes work in practice. The programme is a good fit if you like lab work and small-group problem solving, and if you want to study in a city with a strong chemicals industry. Linz is a hub for basic chemicals, petrochemicals and polymers, and local companies partner with the JKU on projects and internships.

Admission, language and next steps

To be admitted you need general university entrance qualifications, such as an Austrian Matura diploma, and proof of English at level B2. The programme is taught in English, with some first-year courses also in German. There is no central application portal: you apply directly to the JKU, and the university's own page gives the application period. The JKU offers preparation options including the JKU Young Polymer Scientists programme, a mentoring programme where faculty meet small groups of new students, and an online course called Welcome to Studying Chemistry. After graduating you can go on to an advanced degree.

The degree programme will provide students with broad specialised knowledge in different areas of chemistry, chemical technologies and process engineering, thereby providing a sound basis for continuing their studies in a subject-relevant master’s degree programme or starting a career in a profession with a chemical and technological orientation.

There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here Johannes Kepler University Linz. For most bachelor’s programmes at public universities the general application period ends on 5 September for the winter semester and on 5 February for the summer semester. The dates are earlier for applicants from outside the EU/EEA and for programmes with an entrance procedure, so confirm the exact date on the programme page. Entrance examination, as the register states it: No. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, the student residence permit and housing.