MSc Green Chemistry and Sustainable Industrial Technology

Discover how green chemistry can help with the industrial challenges faced by increasing demand for sustainable products and processes

Year of entry: 2025 (September)

Length

1 year full-time

 

Department

Department of Chemistry

 

Start date

September 2025 (semester 

New ideas and innovations are essential to meeting industry and society's growing needs for green chemistry and clean technology.

The first course of its kind to be accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, this taught Masters is designed to equip you with key skills in green chemistry and green chemical technology. You'll study industrial and commercial applications through interaction with industry experts, and gain an awareness of the problems they face.

As part of the Department of Chemistry at York, you will join our friendly and welcoming community. You'll benefit from high-quality teaching by expert staff, who are engaged in world-leading research in many areas of chemistry. 

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

7th for Chemistry

in the UK according to the Complete University Guide 2024

 

Led by academic experts

The Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence is internationally-recognised for its pioneering research

Learn more

 

Industrial application

Opportunities to work with industry experts and external collaborators on an extended research project

The mix of chemistry, its application to industry, with the challenge of sustainability appealed to my interests and I found it very engaging throughout. There is such a wide range of projects on offer, with innovative and exciting chemistry taking place. 

Sarah, MSc Green Chemistry and Sustainable Industrial Technology

Course content

This MSc is a one-year full-time course consisting of taught modules and a substantial independent research project. You will be taught by academic experts within the Department of Chemistry as well as external experts from other academic institutions and industry.

You will learn about the key principles of green chemistry and the importance of clean and sustainable technology. The course will develop and enhance your transferable skills as well as those skills required for careers in a range of industries. For example, you’ll learn a variety of chemical research techniques and how to apply them; you’ll learn about the importance of protecting intellectual property and commercialising new inventions; you’ll learn how to carry out independent research.

As a student on the MSc in Green Chemistry, you will discover the importance of multidisciplinary approaches to solving problems and to modern scientific and technological research. You'll develop skills which will equip you for a range of chemical and non-chemical careers in research, process development, environmental services, manufacturing, law, consultancy and government. Our graduates have progressed to a range of different careers, and this programme can also provide you with the necessary foundations for your chosen career path.

ModulesCore modules

Principles and Systems Thinking in Green and Sustainable Chemistry
Applications of Green and Sustainable Chemistry
Communication, Education and Public Understanding of Green and Sustainable Chemistry
The Business Case for Green and Sustainable Chemistry
Research Skills and Methodologies
Green and Sustainable Chemistry Research Project (MSc)

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.

Research project

For your research project you'll choose from a range of research areas. Projects are supervised by an academic member of staff, and may also involve collaboration with industry. MSC projects are usually associated with larger research projects that are currently taking place within the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence.

Projects can vary each year, but examples of recent MSc students' research includes:

https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/CHE00042M/2023-24

Biorenewable Chemistries for agricultural active ingredients and formulations
Pd nanocatalysts on Starbons for pharmaceutically relevant synthesis
Green solvents for allylation reactions
Investigation of coffee oil as a replacement for palm oil in food and cosmetic applications
Exploitation of unavoidable food supply chain waste for the production of materials and higher-value chemicals
Microwave assisted degradation of alginate for wider applications

You will produce a substantial written report and deliver an oral presentation on your individual research project.

The York approach

Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

Apply whole systems thinking and inter/trans-disciplinary approaches to the creative problem solving of complex global grand challenges using holistic green chemistry and sustainable industrial technology related interventions in concert with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
Apply a range of advanced research skills, principles, methodologies and approaches to be able to undertake cutting-edge research, either laboratory or non-laboratory based, in the area of green and sustainable chemistry and allied sectors.
Effectively communicate detailed, complex, green and sustainable chemistry research concepts to both experts and non-experts through the application of a variety of key transferable skills such as IT, scientific writing, oral presentations, posters, team-working, etc.
Critically evaluate and debate research literature and explain its relevance to green chemistry frameworks, including and beyond the 12 Principles, development of circular biobased economies, UN SDGs and decolonisation of research.
Critically evaluate the environmental impact and sustainability of chemical processes and products, through the use of relevant metrics and whole systems thinking.
Apply holistic thinking to the commercialisation and innovation of green and sustainable chemistry through an understanding of  intellectual property, environmental and circular economy law and business plan writing.

My experience on the course was nothing but positive. You will be exposed to outstanding researchers who are supportive, provide top quality teaching and will help guide you through the course.

Stiofán, MSc Green Chemistry and Sustainable Industrial Technology

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees for 2025/26
Study modeUK (home)International and EU
Full-time (1 year)  £13,300  £31,900  

Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.

Fees information

UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.

Postgraduate taught fees and expenses

Funding information

Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.

If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.

Funding opportunities

UK government Masters loans
Funding for UK students
Funding for international studentsChevening Scholarships

We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.

Teaching and assessment

You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.

Teaching format

You will be taught via a range of methods including lectures, workshops, seminars and practical sessions in the laboratories. Leading academics deliver teaching in collaboration with experts from related industries.

You will have timetabled activities, as well as time for personal study and group work.

Facilities

You will have access to the facilities in the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence. Our building includes:

state-of-the-art laboratories
20 fume hoods
an instrumentation room
a reactor room
a bespoke Industrial Engagement FacilityTeaching location

Most of your teaching will take place in the Department of Chemistry, which is located adjacent to the Science Park, with occasional sessions elsewhere on Campus West. The majority of departments, colleges and facilities are based nearby.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.

Assessment and feedback

Assessments take place throughout the course and include written assignments, presentations, group activities, a poster and a closed examination.

The largest assessment will be your research project, which will include a substantial individual written report and an oral presentation.

The most attractive part for me is topic discussion and presentation as a small team. It is a very good chance to understand how to work as a team member in an international team.

Jiahan, MSc Green Chemistry and Sustainable Industrial Technology

Careers and skills

The wide variety of skills developed throughout the MSc in Green Chemistry have enabled our graduates to go on to careers in a range of areas.

Career opportunities

Research and Development Chemist
Analytical Chemist
Synthetic Organic Chemist
Process Engineer
Sustainability Manager
Science Teacher
Sustainability Consultant and Advisor

 

Transferable skills

Communication skills
Teamwork
Independent research skills
Data analysis
Advanced IT skills
Time management

Entry requirements

  Typical offer
Undergraduate degree2:2 or equivalent in Chemistry or a relevant discipline with sufficient Chemistry content.  
Other qualifications and experienceWe may also consider relevant work experience along with evidence of your academic potential - please contact our admissions team to discuss your individual circumstances.  
Other international qualifications

https://www.york.ac.uk/study/international/your-country/

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

  Minimum requirement
IELTS (Academic and Indicator)6.0, minimum 5.5 in each component  
Cambridge CEFRB2 First: 169, with no less than 162 in each component  
Oxford ELLT6, minimum of 5 in each component  
Duolingo105, minimum 95 in all other components  
LanguageCert SELTB2 with 33/50 in each component  
LanguageCert Academic65 with a minimum of 60 in each component  
Kaplan Test of English Language426-458, with 396-425 in all other components  
Skills for EnglishB2: Pass with Merit overall, with Pass in each component   
PTE Academic55, minimum 51 in each component  
TOEFL79, minimum 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing  
Trinity ISE IIIPass in all components  

For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.

https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/apply/international/english/

If you haven't met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.

Applying

You can apply and send all your documentation online. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later.

How to apply

Interviews

We may invite you to an interview, either in York, or via phone or Skype.

原文連結：https://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/courses/msc-green-chemistry-sustainable-industrial-tech/