Frequently Asked Questions
The GDCh Office regularly receives questions about chemistry training and studying. Here you will find a selection of them. The answers provided are intended as food for thought and as a basis for further research.
At this point, we would also like to point out that we cannot provide study advice. The universities have designated offices for this. You can find the list of contacts for this at
There are many possibilities here. A first overview can certainly be found at www.chemie-studieren.de. There you will also find contact persons for study advice at the respective university. Some universities also offer taster days.
A comprehensive database of all chemistry degree programmes and further information can be found at www.hochschulkompass.de.
The GDCh also has various networks that may be of interest for further exchange about studying chemistry. Firstly, there is the JCF (JungesChemieForum), in which students are active regionally and organise various events. Secondly, there are the local sections, which organise scientific lectures at universities, for example.
The AusbildungPlus internet portal provides a good overview of the more than 550 dual study programmes currently offered at colleges of cooperative education, academies of public administration and business, universities of applied sciences and universities.
The database maintained there also contains many attractive training opportunities offered by companies in the chemical industry.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to recommend a specific university or higher education institution, as the choice of where to study depends on individual factors. These include, for example, the focus of the degree programme, possible subject areas and specialisations, personal interests and goals, living costs, and whether moving is an option or being close to family and friends is important.
For initial guidance on subject areas, course structure, higher education institutions and contacts for student advice, www.chemie-studieren.de is recommended.
It may also be helpful to obtain information directly from higher education institutions, for example via their websites or student advice services. www.hochschulkompass.de and university rankings can also help with orientation. If several higher education institutions have already been shortlisted, open days, discussions with student advisers and exchanges with students can provide additional insights. Student initiatives, alumni projects and the JungesChemieForum (www.jcf.io) can also be helpful.
The ‘Statistics for Chemistry Degree Programmes’ also contains information on locations, bachelor's and master's degree programmes, student numbers and duration of study.
Studying with a Fachabitur is possible in two ways and depends on whether “Fachabitur” refers to the subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification or the entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences.
With both the entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences and the subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification, you can study all subjects at all universities of applied sciences (HAWs) in Germany. With the subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification, you can also study at universities the subjects listed on your certificate.
The requirements for studying with a Fachabitur depend on the respective federal state. The study programme advisory services at universities can provide information.
Further information on studying with a Fachabitur is available, for example, at
https://www.azubis.de/ratgeber/berufsleben-im-blick/718
https://www.mein-studium-karriere.de/studium/studienformen/studieren-mit-fachabi/
The Career Profiles and First-hand Accounts sections on www.chemie-studieren.de, as well as the information provided by the GDCh Career Service, offer an overview of the various career fields in chemistry:
The most important keywords here are probably BAföG, scholarships and part-time jobs. Student loans could also be an option. The GDCh Career Service provides a brief overview of this.
Internships for school pupils are advertised only very rarely. In general, internships are either possible in industry or at universities/directly within research groups. If interested, you should contact the relevant institution or company directly.
Company contacts can be found, for example, via
• the employers’ associations of the individual federal states. An overview of the 10 regional chemical employers’ associations of the German Chemical Employers’ Association (BAVC) can be found here: https://www.bavc.de/ueber-uns/mitgliedsverbaende-partnerverbaende
• the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) in your city https://www.ihk.de
• the business directory at https://www.meinestadt.de
You should always check whether the companies are also training providers, as this increases the likelihood that internships will be offered.
University contacts can be found via https://www.chemie-studieren.de
The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft explicitly advertises internship opportunities for school pupils on its website: https://www.fraunhofer.de/de/jobs-und-karriere/schueler/praktikum.html
It is also possible to find out about the programmes offered by school laboratories at https://www.lernortlabor.de and, where appropriate, take advantage of them.
The GDCh Career Service also offers an internship exchange.