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Studies & Degrees in Nanoscience

Nanoscience studies matter at the nanoscale, roughly between 1 and 100 nanometres. One nanometre is one-billionth of a metre. At that size materials behave differently from the same substance in bulk: according to the US National Nanotechnology Initiative, some nanostructured materials are stronger or have different magnetic properties, others conduct heat or electricity better, become more chemically reactive or change colour as their size or structure is altered. Nanotechnology is the use of that knowledge to make materials and devices.

It is an interdisciplinary field. Aarhus University describes it as a science that deals with understanding and using materials and phenomena at the nanoscale, built on physics, chemistry and molecular biology. Students learn quantum and solid-state physics, the chemistry of surfaces and materials, and the laboratory techniques needed to make and observe nanostructures, and they spend a large part of the degree on research projects. Specialisations at Aarhus include nanomaterials, nanocatalysis, nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine, as well as toxicology and the ethical aspects of nanotechnology.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's degrees. Most students reach the field through a bachelor's degree in physics, chemistry, materials science or engineering; a few universities, such as Aarhus, also offer a bachelor's degree in nanoscience itself. In Spain a bachelor's degree (grado) has 240 ECTS credits.
  • Master's degrees. This is where most specialised programmes are found. The MSc in Nanoscience at the University of Groningen lasts 24 months and has 120 credits; the MSc in Nanoscience at Aarhus University is a 2-year programme of 120 ECTS credits; the master's in Nanomaterials Science at Utrecht University also takes two years and 120 credits, with a strong emphasis on physical chemistry and materials science. In Spain, official master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits: the Máster en Materiales Avanzados, Nanotecnología y Fotónica of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), listed among its official master's degrees, lasts one year and has 60.
  • Doctorate. Research careers in the field normally require a PhD. Groningen states that its master's is designed for people who want a career in scientific research and that 95% of its graduates continue in a PhD position.

Admission to a master's requires a science degree. Groningen asks for a university bachelor's degree in physics, chemistry, materials science, nanoscience or a related field, and its admissions board assesses each application. Aarhus admits holders of a bachelor's degree with a background in nanoscience, physics, chemistry or molecular biology.

Where to study it

The directory lists 21 active schools for this subject: 6 in Spain, 5 in the United States, 2 each in Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and France, and 1 each in Denmark and Australia. In Spain they include the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, the Universitat de Barcelona, the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, the Universidad del País Vasco, the Universitat Jaume I and the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha. Elsewhere in Europe, examples are the University of Groningen, Utrecht University, Aarhus University, Lund University, Chalmers Tekniska Högskola, the University of York and Cranfield University.

Master's programmes in the Netherlands and Denmark are taught in English: this is the case in Groningen, Utrecht and Aarhus. The UAM master's is taught in Spanish, on site, and has 25 places.

Public fees differ from country to country. The UAM gives an approximate price of €2,736 for the year at first enrolment, and €5,079 for non-EU students who are not resident in Spain. At Groningen the fee for the 2026-27 academic year is €2,694 for EU/EEA students and €24,900 for non-EU/EEA students.

Careers

Many graduates start in research: a PhD position at a university or research institute, or research and development in a company. The National Nanotechnology Initiative names information technology, medicine, transportation, energy, food safety and environmental science among the sectors where nanotechnology is applied.

There are no separate official employment statistics for nanoscientists. The closest occupational group of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics is chemists and materials scientists, whose employment in the United States is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035. The bureau notes that a master's degree or PhD may be needed for some jobs, such as research positions.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a bachelor's degree in nanoscience to study a master's in it?

No. Master's programmes admit graduates in physics, chemistry, materials science and related fields. Groningen and Aarhus both list these backgrounds in their admission requirements.

How long does a master's in nanoscience take?

One or two years. The programmes in Groningen, Aarhus and Utrecht last two years and have 120 credits; the UAM master's in advanced materials, nanotechnology and photonics lasts one year and has 60 ECTS credits.

Can I study nanoscience in English?

Yes. The master's programmes in Groningen, Utrecht and Aarhus are taught in English. The UAM master's in Madrid is taught in Spanish.

Is a PhD necessary?

For a research career, usually yes. Groningen reports that 95% of the graduates of its master's continue in a PhD position. Groningen also lists research and development positions at companies and consulting among the jobs of its graduates.