Laboratory practicals are an integral part of the curriculum: Here you will learn how to handle chemicals and the various laboratory equipment - and you can apply your theoretical knowledge from the lectures directly.
Image: Christoph Worsch
What is Chemistry and what do you learn when you study Chemistry?
Shaping the future with Chemistry
Plastics that can heal themselves and plug holes.
Plastic batteries that can be printed.
Intelligent windows that generate electricity.
Diagnosing sepsis with the help of light.
Creating a "molecule selfie" and observing individual atoms of a molecule during a chemical reaction.
Does all of this sound like science fiction or fantasy to you? No - these are all current research topics in the area Chemistry at Friedrich Schiller University Jena.
Chemistry is a key discipline when it comes to finding solutions to important questions about the future. Chemists play a key role in developing new concepts and technologies for securing energy supplies, protecting the environment and combating illnesses.
Broad scientific knowledge
Chemistry can help shape the future. And studying Chemistry provides you with the necessary tools: when you study Chemistry, you will learn the basics of Mathematics and Physics and acquire extensive knowledge in the individual chemical sub-disciplines. These include inorganic, organic and physical Chemistry, for example.
What exactly do you learn during your studies? Here are a few examples:
You will study the properties of the elements in the periodic table and the concepts of atomic and molecular structure.
You will solve redox equations and calculate the chemical equilibrium of acid-base reactions.
You will learn how toxins work in the body and what treatment options are available.
You will learn techniques such as distillation, extraction and spectroscopy in order to synthesise your own compounds and analyse foreign compounds.
You will investigate reaction mechanisms and understand how and why chemical reactions take place.
You will model molecules on the computer and gain insights into theoretical Chemistry.
You will learn how new materials with special properties (e.g. plastics or nanomaterials) are developed.
You will deal with safety and environmental aspects when handling chemicals.
Their broad scientific knowledge makes chemists sought-after experts with a wide range of career opportunities in business and science.
Bachelor's, Master's, teaching degree: What's the difference?
The Bachelor's degree programme lasts 6 semesters and provides a broad basic education. With a Bachelor's degree in your pocket, you can either start your professional life well equipped or - as most students do - continue on to a Master's programme.
A master's programme usually lasts 4 semesters. You will study advanced methods and topics in Chemistry and, depending on your interests, you can specialise in a particular area of Chemistry.
In a teacher training programme, you not only acquire important specialist knowledge in two subjects of your choice. You will also learn about pedagogical concepts and how to design good lessons.The teacher training programme for "Regelschule" and "Gymnasium" each last 10 semesters. By the way: Chemistry can be combined with almost all other teacher training programmes at the University of Jena.
Soyee Chan from Hong Kong studies Chemistry at the University of Jena and reports on her blog about her studies and everyday life in Jena.
Image: Soyee Chan
Why study Chemistry in Jena?
1. Laboratory practicals right from the start
Practical work in the laboratory plays a special role in the Jena Chemistry tradition. Laboratory practicals are part of the curriculum right from the start. Modern labs with individual workstations are available for each student.
The well-equipped laboratories and the intensive support provided by the teaching staff enable students to complete their studies quickly.
What's more, there are no waiting times to get a work placement.
2. Teacher training programme: practice-oriented thanks to the "Jena model"
The teacher training programme is also practice-oriented: you study according to the "Jena model of teacher training". An essential element is the school placement semester in the third year of study: you spend a whole semester at a school in Thuringia and gain practical teaching experience at an early stage. It is also possible to complete the school placement semester at a school abroad.
3. A wide range of tenders make it easier to start studying
Moving from school to university is often like jumping in at the deep end. However, we have a wide range of offers to make it easier for you to start your studies - central university events as well as subject-specific tenders:
During the introductory days, you’ll learn everything you need to know about organising your studies. And there are numerous get-to-know-you events such as joint hikes and pub evenings.
In the Chemistry and Mathematics pre-courses, you can brush up on your school knowledge and slowly get used to everyday life at university.
There are special information events for first-semester students on master's degree programmes .
You can take part in workshops on study-related topics such as time management and learning strategies.
There are also various contact points where you can get help if you get stuck during your studies - whether it's a subject-related problem or if you need support in a personal crisis.
4. Studying abroad for a semester? No problem!
A semester abroad is a valuable experience. This is possible during both the Bachelor's and Master's programmes - without losing any study time. Teacher training students can complete their school placement semester not only at a school in Thuringia, but also abroad.
Friedrich Schiller University has numerous partner universities throughout Europe and beyond. There are Erasmus+ places in Chemistry in Finland, France, Poland and Spain, for example.
The University of Jena is also a member of the EC2U Alliance, the European Campus of City Universities: This provides students with additional opportunities to gain international experience. For example, you can take part in summer schools, think tanks and many other projects and events.
5. Close network of science, city and business
The university's chemistry institutes cooperate closely with various non-university research institutes and companies in and around Jena, for example with the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology.
This gives you the opportunity to work on current research projects at an early stage during your studies and to establish practical contacts. For example, you can work as a student assistant or write your final year thesis in cooperation with one of the partner institutions.
The university also supports you right from the start in preparing for your career entry. For example, the Career Point offers application coaching and job fairs. With the Career Plan certificate programme, you can make your studies career-oriented. And students interested in an academic career can take part in a special honours programme.
6. No entry requirements
Both the Bachelor's degree programme and the teacher training programme in Chemistry have no entry requirements at the University of Jena, which means that studying Chemistry in Jena is possible without admission restrictions (i.e. no Numerus Clausus). So you can simply enrol - and off you go!
A Bachelor's degree in the field of Chemistry or related disciplines is required for admission to one of the master's degree programmes. In some cases, there are further requirements.
7. Top in national and international rankings
At the University of Jena you will find ideal study conditions - as shown by the results in various national and international rankings.
Here are two examples:
StudyCheck ranking: in the ranking of the StudyCheck.de portal, the University of Jena is regularly among the most popular institutions of higher education in Germany. In 2025, it was among the top 5 in the category "Universities with more than 15,000 students".
CHE Ranking: In the 2024 ranking, the University of Jena was in the top group in the discipline of Chemistry in all evaluated categories, including laboratory internships and the teaching of scientific skills.
8. "Student paradise Jena": Studying in a lively and green university city
Jena is a typical university town with a lively student life and international flair. Around a fifth of the approximately 110,000 inhabitants are students. In addition, there are numerous doctoral candidates from all over the world.
There is also plenty of greenery in Jena: parks and hiking trails with spectacular views of the city are right on the doorstep. Students can also visit the Botanical Gardens free of charge.
For sports fans, the university sports centre offers numerous sports courses: from Aikido to rugby and Zumba.
And the student ID is also a culture and semester ticket: this means admission to several cultural facilities and museums in Jena is included as well as a Germany ticket ("Deutschlandticket") for public transport.
Soyee is studying Chemistry in the Bachelor's degree programme
Preview image: Universität Jena · Video: University of Jena
And what comes after graduation?
Career prospects for chemists
Chemists do not only work in the laboratory. A wide range of career opportunities are open to them.
Possible employers and industries are, for example
Chemical and pharmaceutical industry
Biotechnology companies
Companies in the energy and environmental industries
Management consultancies
Insurance companies
Federal and state authorities such as environmental and water management agencies
Scientific publishers
Possible fields of work include
Research
Product development and product management
Process engineering
Chemical analysis and quality assurance
Patent management
Marketing and sales
Overall, opportunities on the labour market are good for science graduates with a university degree. The unemployment rate in the fields of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering was 2.7% in Germany in 2025 (source: German Federal Employment AgencyExternal link).
Most Bachelor's graduates in Chemistry decide to pursue a Master's programme and often a doctorate.
The University of Jena offers several master's degree programmes in the field of Chemistry with different thematic focuses.
Overview of chemistry-related Master's programmesIf you are interested in pursuing a doctorate in Chemistry, the University of Jena also offers ideal opportunities. The Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences is one of the university's strongest research faculties and there are regularly open doctoral positions as part of the numerous externally funded projects. The Faculty is also involved in several structured doctoral programmes.
Solve tricky puzzles and learn more about studying Chemistry and the chemical institutes in Jena at the same time: You can do this with our digital scavenger hunt using the free Actionbound app. You can play the tour from the comfort of your own home. Team challenges are also possible.
You can get to know students and teaching staff at the University of Jena's Student Information Day. There are information stands, lectures, campus tours and much more. The day always takes place in spring each year.
From "Inorganic Experimental Chemistry" to "Environmental Chemistry": You can attend selected lectures during the lecture period and get a taste of everyday life at university.
The generally understandable lectures always take place in the winter semester. They are ideal for getting to know our scientists up close and gaining an insight into current research topics! You can also watch some of the lectures online.
Image: Claudia Hilbert/Universität Jena
What our students say: Reviews of Chemistry B.Sc. at StudyCheck.de
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