Master in Advanced Chemical Sciences & Technologies at University of Florence
Two-year English-taught chemistry master's (LM-54) at the University of Florence, formerly Advanced Molecular Sciences, covering materials, life sciences and analytical methods with lab work in most courses and dual degrees in France.
Master
2 years
Florence
English
University of Florence
Advanced Chemical Sciences & Technologies, formerly Advanced Molecular Sciences, is a two-year, 120 ECTS chemistry master's (class LM-54) taught in English at the University of Florence's science campus in Sesto Fiorentino. Fees are income-based, and DSU Toscana scholarship winners pay only stamp duty.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Advanced Chemical Sciences & Technologies is Florence’s English-taught LM-54 master, formerly Advanced Molecular Sciences. The current course instructions specify direct curricular routes, a detailed alternative credit framework and a mandatory individual academic interview. Reviewed 6 October 2026. [1][2]
Qualification and direct curricular routes
An appropriate first-cycle degree is required. Italian L-27 Chemical Sciences and Technologies and L-Sci-Mat Materials Science graduates are considered to satisfy the curricular background directly. Direct curricular access does not cancel the mandatory preparation interview or English/document requirements. [1][2]
Credit framework for other degree classes
Other graduates may be admitted with at least 20 ECTS in mathematics, physics and computer science; 50 ECTS in chemistry or chemical-engineering subject areas; and 15 ECTS in internship, professional/job-oriented or other activities, including the thesis presentation. These are three separate groups, not a total of 50 credits for all subjects combined. [1]
The chemistry requirement covers analytical, biological, industrial, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry and chemical engineering. It requires demonstrated theoretical and laboratory work in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. We include laboratory course content and workload in your academic evidence, because a transcript labelled simply “chemistry” may not establish all these components. [1]
Mandatory interview and assessment
The Teaching Committee evaluates each applicant’s background using the type and marks of completed examinations, particularly those within the curricular subject areas. Every applicant has an individual interview to assess preparation and skills. This includes candidates whose chemistry/materials degree gives direct curricular recognition. [1]
The current course page does not set a universal interview duration or blanket GPA threshold. An admissions decision follows the committee’s examination of the relevant preparation, rather than an automatic offer based only on the degree title. [1]
B2 English and reference
The current Apply Unifi programme listing expressly requires B2 English for this English-taught degree. It requests at least one reference. The reviewed programme listing does not prescribe one universal IELTS or TOEFL band. [2]
The reference request is programme-specific and supplements the central document checklist. We prepare the reference together with your qualification, transcript, laboratory/background evidence and English documentation. [1][2]
Application documents and qualification verification
The central portal requests PDF copies of identification, the bachelor’s award or accepted official provisional award certificate, academic transcript, syllabus if available, and language evidence where applicable. EU applicants use an ID card or passport; non-EU applicants abroad use a passport; applicable non-EU applicants in Italy also provide their residence permit. Documents in English, French, Spanish or Italian need no further Italian translation; other languages require official Italian translation. [3]
Foreign first-degree holders apply through Apply Unifi for the Admission Document. Possible outcomes are admission, prescribed first-cycle single courses to make up deficiencies, or rejection. Final enrolment also requires the university’s validity/authenticity review through the Declaration of Value or CIMEA comparability and verification services. An academic clearance is not itself completion of final enrolment. [5]
2026/27 intake status and later-intake dates
The 2026/27 rounds for all applicant categories ran from 10 December 2025 to 6 February 2026 and from 16 February to 17 April 2026. The third ran from 15 June to 31 August 2026 and was restricted to EU/equated applicants and eligible non-EU residents in Italy, including only the specified study-permit route. All three windows have passed, and the 2027/28 call sets new dates. [4]
The central Admission Document guidance gives 31 July for the Universitaly step after direct admission and 31 December for admission to single courses. These are distinct outcomes and procedures. We follow the applicable annual instructions, and any assigned academic conditions are completed before matriculation. [5]
Source dates and preparation checklist
The course’s How to enroll page was updated on 15 April 2026; the official application listing refers to the 2026/27 intake and currently marks its application period ended. We match each credit group, document the four laboratory chemistry areas and help you prepare for the mandatory interview. [1][2]
Sources and verification
- University of Florence, Advanced Chemical Sciences & Technologies: How to enroll, updated 15 April 2026; reviewed 6 October 2026.
- University of Florence, Apply Unifi programme listing: Advanced Chemical Sciences & Technologies, 2026/27 intake; reviewed 6 October 2026.
- University of Florence, Apply Unifi: List of Required Documents for Application, published 3 December 2025; reviewed 6 October 2026.
- University of Florence, Apply Unifi: 2026/27 Academic Year Intake Rounds, published 4 December 2025; reviewed 6 October 2026.
- University of Florence, Admission Document for holders of foreign first-cycle qualifications, standing guidance; reviewed 6 October 2026.
About the programme
Advanced Chemical Sciences & Technologies (ACS&T) is a two-year master's degree in class LM-54 (chemical sciences) at the University of Florence. From 2026/27 it replaces the master's in Advanced Molecular Sciences, with a renewed, interdisciplinary design.
It is run by the Department of Chemistry 'Ugo Schiff', which holds Department of Excellence status from the Italian ministry, and all activities take place at the science campus in Sesto Fiorentino, just outside Florence.
The programme is fully taught in English and suits graduates in chemistry or related sciences who want advanced training in the design, synthesis and characterisation of materials and biological molecules.
What you will study
The degree spans the chemistry of materials and the life sciences: inorganic and organic materials, small bioactive molecules, biological macromolecules and advanced analytical techniques, with elements of biology, medicine and materials science.
Mandatory chemistry and biochemistry units are combined with electives. Units offered in 2025/26 under the previous structure included:
- Advanced and Innovative Analytical Methods for Applications in Life Sciences
- Analytical Methods in Antidoping and Forensic Investigations
- Computational Modelling of Complex Systems
- Advanced Coordination Chemistry and Advanced Synthetic Methods
- Protein Engineering and Recombinant Proteins
- Electives such as Medicinal Chemistry, Advanced Polymeric Materials, Chemical Biotechnology and Modern Trends in Chemistry, Industry and Management
How the programme is taught
ACS&T uses a blended format: in-person lectures and hands-on work in chemical and computer laboratories, with 2 ECTS of each mandatory and elective subject delivered online through Moodle. Laboratory practice is part of almost all courses.
Dual degree agreements with the Université de Rouen Normandie and Chimie ParisTech (PSL) let selected students earn a second degree in France.
Career paths
Graduates can register with the Italian Order of Chemists and Physicists after passing the state exam. The multidisciplinary profile prepares them for research, development and innovation roles in the chemical and manufacturing industries.
The degree also leads to PhD programmes in Florence, including Chemistry, Structural Biology and Atomic and Molecular Photonics.
Fees and scholarships
Tuition at UniFi is linked to ISEE. For 2026/27, students resident abroad are assigned a figurative ISEE based on their country's World Bank income group.
Students from developing countries pay reduced fees. DSU Toscana scholarship winners and eligible students are exempt from tuition, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
Applicants without a chemistry or materials science bachelor's have their credits checked by the teaching committee, and every candidate has an individual interview.
Applications go through Apply Unifi (DreamApply) with a declaration of value or CIMEA statement and one reference. For 2026/27 non-EU applicants living abroad had two rounds, closing on 6 February and 17 April 2026.
Admitted students pre-enrol on Universitaly by 31 July and apply for a type D study visa.
How ApplyAZ helps
ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities. We can include this programme in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes that fit your profile, so your plan never rests on a single application.
For eligible students who start with us, a named person owns each stage, from A to Z:
- We check your transcript against Florence's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your Apply Unifi application, Admission Document request and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your DSU Toscana scholarship application at the right time and in the right format.
- We prepare your visa file.
With operations in all 20 Italian regions, we follow each region's scholarship rules and deadlines as they change. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa, so no one can promise an outcome. You pay in milestones, and every service you pay for is either delivered or its fee is refunded (terms apply).
Programmes at Italian public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students. Check if you are eligible and book a one-to-one consultation session with one of our Italy experts, or see how ApplyAZ works.
Questions and answers
Which degrees satisfy the curricular requirements directly?
Italian L-27 Chemical Sciences and Technologies and L-Sci-Mat Materials Science degrees. The individual interview and other requirements still apply. [1]
What credits are required from other backgrounds?
At least 20 ECTS in mathematics/physics/computing, 50 in the specified chemistry/chemical-engineering subjects and 15 in internship, professional or other activities including the thesis. [1]
Is laboratory preparation required?
Yes. The chemistry framework requires theoretical and laboratory work in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. [1]
Does direct curricular access remove the interview?
No. The course says every applicant has a mandatory individual interview to assess preparation. [1]
What English level and reference are requested?
The official application listing requires B2 English and requests at least one reference. It does not state a universal IELTS or TOEFL score. [2]
How do I apply to this programme?
We submit your application through Apply Unifi (DreamApply), with a declaration of value or CIMEA statement and at least one reference. [2]
Can someone handle my whole application to Advanced Chemical Sciences & Technologies at Florence?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Florence's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the DSU Toscana scholarship application at the right time and in the right format, and prepares your visa file, for eligible students. Start by checking your eligibility.
I'm applying from India. What is the route into Advanced Chemical Sciences & Technologies?
An Indian B.Sc. in chemistry is not one of the direct Italian degree classes, so the committee checks your credits: at least 20 ECTS in mathematics, physics and computer science, 50 ECTS in chemistry with theoretical and laboratory work in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, and 15 ECTS in other activities [1]. Every applicant has an individual interview, and B2 English is required [1][2]. The steps are an Apply Unifi application, the Admission Document and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Indian students apply for the type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate that covers their state, such as New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru.
Is the route different from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?
No. The academic rules for Advanced Chemical Sciences & Technologies are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: an Apply Unifi application, the committee review and interview, the Admission Document and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for their country of residence. Read our guide for students in Dhaka.
I live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain. Where do I apply for the visa?
At the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you legally live, after Universitaly pre-enrolment. The academic rules for Advanced Chemical Sciences & Technologies are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: an Apply Unifi application, the committee review and interview, the Admission Document and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I studied or live in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. What is the route?
The academic rules for Advanced Chemical Sciences & Technologies are the same whatever your nationality, and your degree is assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: an Apply Unifi application, the committee review and interview, the Admission Document and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for where they live. Read our guides for students in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
More English-taught programmes at this university
Other public universities in this city
They began right where you are
