Master in Chemistry

At the University of Namur, master’s students in chemistry receive training that prepares them for both basic and applied research. The scientific knowledge they acquire during their studies also opens doors for them in the corporate sector, the education sector, and the public sector… 

It is difficult to find a product or object in our daily lives in which chemists have not been involved at some stage of design, manufacturing, or evaluation: packaging, medicines, dyes, perfumes, computer components… In short, “Chemistry is life,” as proclaimed by Essenscia, the Belgian Federation of Chemical and Life Sciences Industries. 

In Belgium, the chemical industry directly employs nearly 100,000 people (just under a quarter of whom are in the Walloon Region) and several hundred thousand indirectly. The jobs offered by the chemical industry are often exciting and versatile. Chemists with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees contribute to the research and development of new products and processes, to their production in accordance with current quality standards, and finally to their commercialization. 

The majority of our chemistry graduates enter the industrial sector at the national or international level (38% of UNamur graduates), within which four main sectors can be identified: 

• basic chemistry: extraction and/or production of raw materials; 
• parachemicals: consumer products, such as cosmetics and cleaning products; 
• the pharmaceutical industry: medicines for human and animal use; 
• process chemistry: rubbers, bio-based plastics. 

In addition to research and development laboratories, other departments within the chemical industry are open to master’s and doctoral graduates in chemistry: quality control, sales and marketing (e.g., as medical representatives or market managers), regulatory affairs (preparing registration dossiers for new products), patents, etc. 

Pushing the boundaries of knowledge 

Nearly a quarter of our alumni pursue research activities at universities or in public research organizations such as the FRS-FNRS in Belgium, the CNRS in France, or the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. For most of them, their personal research has led to original findings and the completion of a doctoral thesis. 

Passing on a passion for science and life 

Nearly one-fifth of chemistry graduates hold the title of agrégé for upper secondary education. Many of them teach science in secondary schools, higher education institutions, or adult education programs. Those with a Ph.D. may pursue an academic or scientific career at a university. 

Protecting our environment 

Chemists contribute to protecting our environment. They analyze and help monitor the quality of our natural resources (water, gas), measure air pollution, and work to implement new processes for waste and wastewater treatment, as well as air and gas purification and control. 

Protecting our health 

Chemists work alongside biologists, pharmacists, and doctors to develop and improve new drugs and vaccines. 

Other fields of activity 

In addition to academic, industrial, or public laboratories, chemists may also work in private or hospital laboratories, where they lead a team of technicians. Chemists are also found in companies that manufacture and market analytical equipment for these laboratories. 

Chemists’ scientific background enables them to advise policymakers, particularly on matters related to environmental policy. 

At the federal and regional levels, many public service positions are open to university graduates upon passing an entrance exam and completing appropriate training. 

Finally, a significant proportion of chemists pursue careers in the IT sector. 

La Cellule Emploi accompagne les étudiants de dernière année et les diplômés dans leur parcours professionnel, via plusieurs services : diffusion d’offres d’emploi et de stage, entretiens d’orientation, ateliers sur les thématiques liées à l’insertion professionnelle, information et documentation sur le monde du travail.