This English-taught, 24-month master's programme focuses on using energy transformation to tackle climate change and energy poverty, with an emphasis on ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable and renewable energy within the context of international development cooperation. The programme’s mission is to support sustainable social and economic development through higher education. The 24-month programme culminates in a master’s degree — the original programme description states it leads to the degree of a Master of Engineering — while students build skills across modern engineering, innovative management and social sciences.
Teaching is problem-based and oriented to practical application, preparing students to initiate, plan and manage energy-system transformations that are socially equitable and technically robust. Core coursework across the main semesters combines mandatory lectures and seminars, electives and project work. The curriculum integrates engineering-focused topics such as energy-systems modelling, programming, renewable technologies and applied geoinformatics with social-science and economic subjects including energy justice, market analysis, project management and international development cooperation.
Practical, real-world experience is central: a five-week international community energy field research project with partner organisations allows students to work with rural communities on consultation and system planning. The final five months are devoted to a master’s thesis paired with an internship in a company, international organisation or research institution. Graduates leave prepared to support companies, governments, NGOs and communities worldwide in designing and implementing sustainable energy solutions and in empowering local stakeholders to participate in change processes.
This Master’s curriculum begins with a preparatory autumn semester that grounds students in the economic, methodological and technical fundamentals needed for advanced study. Preparatory courses cover micro- and macro-economics, business administration, energy economics, scientific research methods, and energy modelling and simulation; a German language class is also offered to support everyday life and study in Germany. After the preparatory term the programme continues across three regular semesters (spring → autumn → spring).
Core teaching combines systems-level analysis and practical planning. The first spring semester centers on the 15 CP core module Analysis and Complexity of Energy Systems, supported by short modules such as Sustainable Energy Access Planning and Organisations and Diversity in Development Cooperation, plus a technical elective. The following autumn semester features the 15 CP core module Sustainable and Just Energy System Solutions, together with Markets and Project Management, an International Community Energy Project (excursion) for applied learning, and another technical elective. The final spring semester is devoted to field research or an internship and to completing the Master’s thesis and defence.
Learning outcomes emphasize interdisciplinary competence: you will develop skills in energy-system analysis and modelling, economic reasoning for energy projects, planning for sustainable energy access, and designing just and context-appropriate solutions. The programme also trains you in project and market management, prepares you for field-based community energy work through an international excursion, and culminates in independent research or practical fieldwork that demonstrates your ability to translate theory into implementable development interventions.
Preparatory semester (autumn)
First semester (spring)
Second semester (autumn)
Third semester (spring)
These components combine to build quantitative, managerial and intercultural skills required for careers in sustainable energy, development cooperation, policy, consulting or further academic research.
This Master's track is aimed at applicants with a solid engineering background and some practical experience. Admission decisions weigh both academic performance and professional practice, so you should be prepared to document strong university results as well as relevant work history. International applicants should ensure their prior degree and transcripts clearly demonstrate the required duration and level of study.
You will also need to provide formal evidence of having completed the programme’s preparatory semester. If your application is shortlisted, the final step in the selection process is an online admission interview where you will discuss your qualifications and motivation.
Winter Semester (International)
10 December 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
10 December 2026
Graduates are prepared for roles planning, implementing and managing sustainable energy systems in a variety of settings—international development agencies, NGOs, public-sector institutions, private consultancies and energy companies. Typical tasks include energy systems modelling and planning, project management, market and financial analysis, and community consultancy for just energy transitions.
The combination of technical skills, economic analysis and intercultural project experience makes graduates competitive for positions in international development cooperation, renewable energy project implementation, policy advisory roles and research institutions focused on energy access and sustainability.