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Chemistry Schools and Programs in Madrid, Spain

About Chemistry Schools and Programs in Madrid, Spain

Chemistry studies the composition, structure and transformations of matter. The degree combines organic, inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry with many hours in the laboratory, and gives a foundation for work in industry, the environment, health and research. In Madrid the whole path, from bachelor's degree to doctorate, can be studied at public universities, either on campus or at a distance.

How the degrees are organised

In Spain, bachelor's degrees (grados) generally have 240 ECTS credits (four years) and official master's degrees 60, 90 or 120 credits. A doctorate is open to students who have completed 300 credits across their bachelor's and master's studies, and ends with a doctoral thesis. All official degrees are listed in the ministry's Registry of Universities, Centres and Degrees (RUCT). Alongside the degree in Chemistry there is the degree in Chemical Engineering (Ingeniería Química), which focuses more on designing and running industrial processes.

Where to study Chemistry in Madrid

  • Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM): according to the university, chemistry has been taught at the Complutense since 1845. Its Faculty of Chemical Sciences (Facultad de Ciencias Químicas), on the Moncloa campus, teaches official bachelor's degrees in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry and a double degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry. At postgraduate level it offers, among others, the Máster Universitario en Ciencia y Tecnología Químicas and the Máster Universitario en Química de Materiales para el Futuro, as well as the master's in Organic Chemistry (Química Orgánica), taught jointly with the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and the Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. Its doctoral programmes include Advanced Chemistry and Organic Chemistry.
  • Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED): teaches the official bachelor's degree in Chemistry by distance learning and the Máster Universitario en Ciencia y Tecnología Química. The degree includes subjects with in-person laboratory sessions, so not everything can be done remotely: practical work takes place at some associated centres (Centros Asociados) and at the central headquarters.
  • Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), Móstoles campus: this campus in the south of the Madrid region teaches, on site, the official bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering: 240 credits over four years, qualifying graduates for the regulated profession of Ingeniero Técnico Industrial (industrial technical engineer). It can be combined in a double degree with Energy Engineering, Environmental Engineering or Industrial Organisation Engineering. The URJC also offers a joint Máster Universitario en Ingeniería Química with the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.

Admission and recognition

According to the UNED, the bachelor's degree in Chemistry is open to students with the science or technology Bachillerato (or equivalent studies) and the university entrance exam (PAU), or with a higher vocational qualification (Técnico Superior de FP). Students who finished secondary school outside Spain usually apply for UNEDasiss accreditation; UNEDasiss is the UNED service that assesses the academic records of international students and runs the specific subject tests. For a master's degree with a foreign degree, the ministry offers the declaration of equivalence (declaración de equivalencia), which certifies the academic level (bachelor's or master's); homologación is only needed to practise a regulated profession in Spain.

Careers

Chemistry graduates work in research, development and innovation in public and private companies and institutions, in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, quality control, the environment, food and teaching.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I study a bachelor's degree in Chemistry in Madrid?

Among others, at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, on campus at its Faculty of Chemical Sciences, and at the UNED by distance learning. Both are official degrees listed in the RUCT.

Can I study Chemistry by distance learning?

Yes, at the UNED. Some subjects have compulsory in-person laboratory sessions, held at associated centres or at the central headquarters.

Is there a master's in Organic Chemistry in Madrid?

Yes. The Complutense teaches the master's in Organic Chemistry jointly with the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and the Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, and has a doctoral programme in Organic Chemistry.