PhD

Chemistry

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Foreign:$ 54.7 k / Year(s) Deadline: Dec 15, 2025
61 place StudyQA ranking:5137 Duration:5 years

Photos of university / #brownu

The graduate program in Chemistry offers exciting opportunities to pursue cutting-edge scientific research in physical, inorganic, organic, biological, and nano chemistry. The department hosts numerous well-funded research projects that form the basis of graduate student dissertations.

During the first semester, students enroll in three courses and choose a research advisor among the faculty in the department. In addition, students normally perform the duties of a teaching assistant, although several fellowships are available that do not require teaching.

A significant feature of Brown's doctoral program in chemistry is that almost all students start their research during the second semester of the first year. During later semesters, the research project becomes the student's primary responsibility, and leads to a Ph.D. dissertation usually within four or five years.

Completion of five lecture-based courses, written cumulative examinations, oral defense of a research project proposal, oral defense of an independent research proposal, dissertation research and thesis defense. Teaching experience is considered a valuable part of the program, and each student is normally expected to be a teaching assistant for one year during his or her graduate career.

Requirements

  • Personal Statement
  • Transcripts 
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation 
  • GRE 
  • TOEFL/IELTS 
  • A non-refundable fee of $75 is charged for processing each application received by the Graduate School. This fee must be paid when the application is submitted.
  • Graduates of non-U.S. colleges and universities who have completed the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree may apply for admission to the Brown University Graduate School. Along with the application, international applicants must provide the Graduate School with original documents or official certified copies indicating the nature and scope of their educational program. 

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

  • ✔️ Flexible study schedule
  • ✔️ Experienced teachers
  • ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Scholarships

Almost all graduate students in Brown’s Department of Chemistry receive full financial support, which includes a generous stipend, full tuition coverage, and University-paid health insurance. Chemistry graduate students enjoy two layers of assurance. First, the Department of Chemistry is committed to support all graduate students who make good progress toward their Ph.D. Secondly, Brown University’s Graduate School guarantees support for all of Brown’s graduate students throughout their fifth year. With this double commitment of support, our graduate students are able to fully focus on their studies without having to worry about their financial wellbeing.

  • TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS
  • RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS
  • FELLOWSHIPS
  • RESEARCH TRAVEL FUNDS
Similar programs:
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Foreign:$ 29.8 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Dec 1, 2025 44 place StudyQA ranking: 7458
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 48.9 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 48.9 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Dec 1, 2025 9 place StudyQA ranking: 6431
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Foreign:$ 85.2 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Dec 1, 2025 20 place StudyQA ranking: 4337
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Foreign:$ 81.8 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jan 3, 2025 85 place StudyQA ranking: 7005
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 46.8 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 46.8 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jan 5, 2025 101 place StudyQA ranking: 7533
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 115 / Year(s) Foreign:$ 341 / Year(s)
StudyQA ranking: 6483
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 19.2 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 33 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jan 15, 2025 401–500 place StudyQA ranking: 6205
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 9.05 k Foreign:$ 28 k
Deadline: Nov 18, 2025 1 place StudyQA ranking: 7461
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 2.29 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 2.29 k / Year(s)
StudyQA ranking: 7211