The responsible use of energy, safe production and handling of materials, and protecting the environment are becoming central concerns for industry and society worldwide. Safety and environmental protection are integral to all industrial processes, and the programme is designed to address these growing demands by combining scientific fundamentals with applied engineering practice.
This master's programme trains specialists for careers in the private sector as well as for public authorities, research institutions and higher education. Students develop a solid grounding in the natural-scientific principles that govern technical processes, with particular emphasis on aspects that affect safety and environmental performance.
Graduates learn to evaluate safety and environmental issues in a comprehensive, systems-oriented way and to design measures for their prevention and mitigation. The course prepares students to take on responsibilities ranging from risk assessment and compliance to the development of safer, more sustainable process solutions.
Key outcomes and target employers
This master’s curriculum combines core engineering subjects with specialized modules in process safety and environmental protection. Core coursework covers engineering fundamentals, chemical reaction engineering, hazardous properties of materials, technical risk and risk assessment, environmental engineering, and process safety. These modules give students from varied national and educational backgrounds a shared, rigorous grounding in how to identify, evaluate and control risks in chemical and process industries while addressing environmental impacts.
Students personalize their degree by choosing elective courses from a module catalogue to deepen specific interests or gain complementary skills. The programme culminates in a fourth-semester Master’s thesis, in which each student investigates a chosen topic in depth and proves their ability to plan, execute and report independent academic work. Although the nominal study period is three semesters, most students take an additional one or two semesters—this common extension provides flexibility to attend optional language classes or to spread elective coursework over more time.
Key learning outcomes include:
Program requirements and structure (concise):
Applicants must hold a completed Bachelor's degree equivalent to 180 credit points (EQF level 6). The degree should demonstrate a solid foundation in chemical/process/environmental engineering topics appropriate for advanced study in process safety and environmental engineering.
Acceptable undergraduate backgrounds include chemical engineering, process engineering, or environmental engineering programs that have a clear emphasis on chemistry. Degrees described as “related fields” may also be considered, but you should be prepared to show that your prior studies contain relevant chemical engineering content.
Other engineering degrees without chemical engineering coursework are not accepted. If your qualification comes from a related discipline, it’s helpful to include transcripts and course descriptions that document relevant chemical engineering classes when you apply.
Winter Semester (International)
15 July 2026
Summer Semester (International)
15 January 2027
Graduates are qualified for positions in industry (process safety engineer, environmental engineer, risk assessor), regulatory authorities, consultancies, research organisations and higher-education institutions. The programme’s technical and analytical focus prepares alumni to manage safety and environmental challenges in chemical and process industries, as well as to contribute to compliance, policy development and emergency planning.
For those interested in research or academia, the Master’s thesis and advanced coursework provide a pathway to doctoral studies. Employers value the programme’s interdisciplinary approach and the ability to assess risks holistically and design prevention and mitigation measures.
SRH University — Heidelberg
FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg — Erlangen
Technical University of Darmstadt — Darmstadt
Technische Universität Berlin — Berlin