Örebro University is expanding Sweden’s most attractive chemistry programme

Sweden's most applied for Bachelor's programme in chemistry is expanding. Örebro University is developing its successful initiative further by complementing its chemistry programme, specialising in forensics, with a Master's degree programme in environmental forensics.

When the Bachelor's programme in chemistry with a forensics specialisation was launched in 2012, it became an immediate success. When the application deadline had expired, it was clear that Örebro University had the most popular Bachelor's programme in chemistry in the whole country and the number of applicants per place remains at a high level, attracting the highest number of applicants in the country for two autumn semesters running.

Örebro University is now, in close collaboration with industry and government authorities, devising a programme in chemistry with an environmental chemistry specialisation at the Master's level. Supporting this expansion is the Swedish Knowledge Foundation who, through the Avans 13 funding scheme, is contributing with 2.4 million SEK.

The aim is for the Master's programme to be open to a first wave of students as from the autumn 2016.

- Working closely with businesses and organisations, we have seen a great demand for analysts in the chemistry field. Also, we need to ensure that there is a solid recruitment base for our doctoral programmes. A Master's programme is a natural development to meet both these ends, says professor Bert van Bavel.

Örebro University is host to strong research with analytical science methods as a base. At the research centre Man-Technology-Environment (MTM), several research groups study, among other things, aspects of the environment and health on both a national and international level. Örebro University is also host to one of the United Nations' three reference laboratories for the monitoring of environmental pollutants.