Nordic Master's Programme in Chemistry with a specialisation in Arctic Environmental Forensics, 120 credits

Start term: Autumn 2024 (application period closed)

Are you interested in knowing how chemicals reach the Arctic? Are you heading for a position where you can contribute to a sustainable environment? This education gives you tools to discover chemicals and investigate their effects in the environment.

Way to collect ice core in glacier on, Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard

Specific entry requirements

A first-cycle (bachelor’s) degree of at least 180 credits with 90 credits of progressively specialised study in the main field of study chemistry or in another natural science main field of study. Students with 90 credits of progressively specialised study in another natural science main field of study shall, in addition, have at least 60 credits in the main field of study chemistry. Applicants with a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering also meet the entry requirements. In addition, knowledge of English corresponding to the course ‘English 6’ or ‘English B’ from the Swedish upper secondary school is required.

Tuition fees

EU citizens

If you have citizenship in a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are NOT required to pay application or tuition fees.

Non - EU citizens

Tuition fee, first instalment: 63640 SEK

Total fee: 254560 SEK

Chemicals are transported to the Nordic and Arctic environments from the low latitude regions due to industrial and agricultural activities causing accumulation and toxic effects along the food-chain. The ongoing climate change leads to melting of icebergs that may release contaminants trapped in icebergs back to the environment. Here, we will study and investigate the consequences on human and environmental health.

Environmental forensics is a multidisciplinary science combining various disciplines for an increased knowledge on chemicals released into the environment and their effects on human and the environment. The programme offers an education in close connection to research related to chemical safety, health and the environment with a focus on the Arctic environment.

This is a joint master programme with collaboration between Örebro University, Norwegian University of Life Science and University of Southern Denmark. The programme covers a wide range of sciences focusing on environmental chemistry, field sampling, human and environmental health, and (bio)analytical and environmental analysis. The education ensures students gaining practical experience in the field and in the laboratories as well as computer modelling work and real-life cases adopted from industry and research projects. Problem-based learning (PBL) is used to encourage active-learning and to develop key competencies, as good problem solving and communication skills, for shaping a better future

Programme syllabus Nordic Master's Programme in Chemistry with a specialisation in Arctic Environmental Forensics, 120 credits

The Nordic Master (NM) is the Nordic Council of Ministers’ funding programme for joint Nordic Master’s programmes based on research, excellence and high quality. Master’s Programmes are executed by universities from at least two different Nordic countries or their autonomous regions. Participating students are welcome from all over the world.

The programme aims towards high-standard Master’s Degrees, providing good career opportunities and networks, internationalising higher education, and developing collaboration between higher education institutions, industry and the labour market in the Nordic region. Nordic Master is administered by Finnish National Agency for Education.

Read more about the Nordic master programme.

On completion of the programme, the student shall be able to

  • explain how environmental pollutants are spread in complex environmental systems in relation to their effect on man and natural environments,
  • account for the toxicity and global environmental impact of chemicals,
  • conduct toxicological risk assessments of chemicals,
  • plan, execute and assess advanced analytical laboratory experiments, including field experiments, and explain complex links,
  • explain what bearing environmental pollutants have on the global goals for sustainable development,
  • adopt a scientific and evidence-based approach to environmental-forensic investigation,
  • explain the workings of international agreements on hazardous substances to limit the harmful effects of chemicals on man and the natural environment,
  • demonstrate in-depth knowledge of research and project management within environmental forensics,
  • evaluate and validate data from environmental forensic investigations, and
  • account for the possibilities and limitations of environmental forensic investigations and their role in society.

Year 1

The programme begins in ORU with The Transport of Pollutants in Soil, Water, and Air (15 credits), followed by Analytical Methods in Environmental Forensics I (15 credits).

In the spring semester, Organic Spectroscopy (10 credits), Environmental Pollutants and Ecotoxicology (10 credits) and Soil pollution and sustainability (10 credits) are offered at NMBU. Alternatively, students may take courses at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS); availability is subjected to the courses.

Year 1.png

Year 2

There are several options for students who can take:

  • an independent work of 60 credits at ORU/NMBU, or
  • an independent work of 45 credits combined with 15 credits of courses in the main areas of chemistry/environmental science at ORU, or
  • an independent project of 30 credits at ORU/NMBU combined with 30 credits of courses in the main areas of chemistry/biology/environmental science at one of the universities.

The education comprises 120 higher education credits given in collaboration between Örebro University (ORU), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) and University of Southern Denmark (SDU).
The programme leads to a double degree from ORU and NMBU with a Degree of Master of Science, 120 credits, main field of study: Chemistry, from ORU and a Degree of Master of Chemistry, 120 credits, focus area: Arctic Environmental Chemistry, from NMBU.
Students are offered a broad, in-depth theoretical background to environmental forensics, including documentation of polluted areas, identification of pollution sources, transport modelling and analysis of pollutants. Aspects of human and environmental health, toxicology and bioanalytical methods for assessing effects of chemicals and mixtures, statistics, chemical safety and risk assessment are also covered. Students may participate in field sampling (e.g., (sub-) Arctic area) and real-life cases to gain practical experiences in combination with a problem-based learning approach. The programme has strong links to research at higher education institutions.

The programme begins in ORU with The Transport of Pollutants in Soil, Water, and Air (15 credits), followed by Analytical Methods in Environmental Forensics I (15 credits).
In term two, Organic Spectroscopy (10 credits), Environmental Pollutants and Ecotoxicology (10 credits) and Soil pollution and sustainability (10 credits) are offered at NMBU. Alternatively, students may take courses at the University Centre in Svalbard; availability is subjected to the courses.

The 2nd year of studies include:
• an independent work of 60 credits at ORU/NMBU, or

• an independent work of 45 credits combined with 15 credits of courses in the main areas of chemistry/environmental science at ORU, or

• an independent project of 30 credits at ORU/NMBU combined with 30 credits of courses in the main areas of chemistry/environmental science at one of the universities.

Specific entry requirements: A first-cycle (bachelor’s) degree of at least 180 credits with 90 credits of progressively specialised study in the main field of study chemistry or in another natural science main field of study. Students with 90 credits of progressively specialised study in another natural science main field of study shall, in addition, have at least 60 credits in the main field of study chemistry. Applicants with a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering also meet the entry requirements. In addition, knowledge of English corresponding to the course ‘English 6’ or ‘English B’ from the Swedish upper secondary school is required.

First semester: Autumn semester 2024

Pace of study: Full Time

Level: Second Cycle

Study places: 6

Selection: Selection is based on the applicants’ motivation letters, written in accordance with instructions provided, which will be assessed and ranked.

Study venue: Örebro

School: School of Science and Technology

Qualifications: Degree of Master of Arts/Science [60 credits], Degree of Master of Arts/Science [120 credits]

Language of instruction: The language of instruction is English.

Head of programme: Leo Yeung

Application code ORU-M5401

The programme leads to a double degree from ORU and NMBU.

At ORU, in order to be awarded a master's degree (120 ECTS), students must have completed the courses of 120 credits, including at least 90 credits on the second cycle, of which at least 60 credits are for specialised study in a main field of study (courses labelled A1N/A1F/A1E and A2E) and at least 30 credits are for an independent project (degree project) with the label A2E.

At NMBU, in order to be awarded a master’s degree (120 ECTS), students must have passed courses corresponding to at least 60 credits taken at NMBU. Courses of up to 30 credits taken at a foreign university or university college as part of an exchange agreement with NMBU may be included in the requirement for 60 credits mentioned above.

Chemists with a focus on environmental forensics are sought in business, industries, research and governments. The education makes you eligible for high-end work in analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, toxicology, chemical safety, and environmental management and consulting.
The Masters' degree qualifies for PhD studies for a possible academic career in advanced analytical chemistry and environmental chemistry.

Questions and Answers

At ORU, you apply through www.universityadmissions.se, you will find all information about the application process under the tab “Find out more”. When you apply to the programme, remember to submit the motivation letter as well because this letter is used for student selection. Please use this template for the motivation letter.

Yes, as a student in the Nordic Master programme, you have to stay and study at least 30 ECTS at each of two different Nordic Universities. 

First, the courses in the syllabus are offered from two Nordic Universities and the courses are offered on-campus.

Second, you will have the opportunity to experience the student life of two different university campuses and meet people of different languages and cultures and make many international friends from all over the world.

As an admitted masterstudent at ORU you can apply for accommodation from our Housing office. Please read more on the following webpage, https://www.oru.se/english/study/master-students/student-accommodation/  If you arrive as an exchange student from NMBU or SDU, you are guaranteed accommodation in our student housing and will be informed accordingly.

When you go for exchange to NMBU or UNIS in the 2nd term, you are eligible to apply for Erasmus+ scholarship, which may provide you with approximately 500 Euros/month; the amount of scholarship may change from time to time.

Generally, EU/EEA citizens do not need a residence permit for the Nordic countries. Non-EU/EEA citizens may need to apply for residence permit before the start of the programme; click here for the information about the application of resident permit in Sweden.

For ORU, admission letter will be sent by email on March 21, 2024 by email.

You can find information about different types of scholarships from ORU and from Swedish institute.

There may be some openings for teaching assistant from the department. You may apply for the teaching assistant post. Currently the university hires teaching assistants in Chemistry, Biology and Environmental Science, working up to 20%.

This is possible. You may have to discuss the plan and details with the study advisor, programme leader of the programme. You will always have a supervisor from Örebro university and in the case of an external independent project work also an external co-supervisor.

After you have fulfilled the degree requirements as shown above, you can apply for Master’s degree at ORU.

ORU holds one closing ceremony each year in June to honour the graduating students who have finished the courses/programme at ORU.

There will be a joint online closing ceremony to congratulate our Nordic Master students finishing the programme.

If you have a residence permit for studies in higher education in Sweden and have completed your studies you can get a residence permit to seek employment or explore the possibilities of starting your own business here.

Details please visit the following link: https://www.migrationsverket.se/English/Private-individuals/Studying-and-researching-in-Sweden/Higher-education/Looking-for-work-after-studies.html

Contact us

Study Advisor: Ulla Stenlund, Phone: +46 19 303000 (switchboard), Email: studievagledning.nt@oru.se

Programme Director: Leo Yeung, Phone: +46 19 30 1421, Email: Leo.Yeung@oru.se

Contact our graduate student Lisanna via environmentalforensics@oru.se

Selection to the Nordic Master's Programme in Chemistry with a specialization in Arctic Environmental Forensics is based on the applicants’ motivation letters.

Please use Motivation letter template.

Follow the instructions. Save the file as: Motivation letter Application No XXX.
Upload your motivation letter on www.universityadmissions.se February 1 2024 at the latest.

You can contact our study advisors with questions regarding subjects, courses, programmes, and the labor market. For example, there may be questions about eligibility, admission scores, the content of the programs and courses, how you plan your studies, degree and more. Our study advisors can also provide information on credit transfer, study breaks and study interruptions. The study advisor is bound by professional secrecy regarding information.

Study Advisor: Ulla Stenlund

Phone: +46 19 303000 (switchboard)

Email: studievagledning.nt@oru.se

Student Stories

Four photos from Svalbard.

Snowmobiles and rifles – everyday life in Svalbard

Örebro students Hanna, Nora, Mathilda, and Tove are studying environmental pollution on Svalbard as part of the Nordic Master’s Programme in Chemistry with a specialisation in Arctic Environmental Forensics.
“It’s an incredibly cool environment to live in – both in terms of weather, climate and society,” says Hanna Erléus.