EMerald Master’s Programme in Georesources Engineering

Overview EMerald is a two-year, 120 ECTS Master's programme taught in English and run jointly by four European universities (University of Liège, University of Lorraine, Luleå University of Technology, and TU Bergakademie Freiberg). The curriculum concentrates on georesources engineering with an emphasis on four core areas: resource characterisation, processing, modelling and management. It strives to balance geological knowledge of metal and mineral resources — including studies of reserves, landfills and urban mines — with practical process-engineering methods such as comminution, sorting, pre-concentration, extractive metallurgy and waste disposal.

The programme has been updated to reflect the EU’s evolving list of critical raw materials. Course units have been broadened to cover the factors that influence critical resource flows and supply, including diversification, substitution and industrial end-uses. The full list of modules and detailed course descriptions can be found on the EMerald website; prospective students should consult that catalogue for specific course content and the latest admissions information.

Requirements (key facts and where to find admissions information)

• Duration: 2 years (120 ECTS)
• Instruction language: English
• Organised by: University of Liège (ULiège), University of Lorraine (UL), Luleå University of Technology (LTU), and Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF)
• Academic focus: Georesources engineering — resource characterisation, processing, modelling, management
• Curriculum updates: Addresses EU critical raw materials, including supply factors such as diversification, substitution and industrial end-uses
• For detailed entry requirements, application procedures and deadlines, refer to the EMerald programme website or the admissions pages of the partner universities

Curriculum overview

This two-year MSc is delivered over four semesters, each worth 30 ECTS, and is taught across the partner universities in a fixed mobility track: first semester in Liège, second in Nancy, third in either Luleå (LTU) or Freiberg (TUBAF), and a fourth semester at one of the four partner institutions. The programme is designed as a progressive, hands-on sequence: the first semester, coordinated by ULiège, equips all students with foundational knowledge and practical skills (for example, mineral processing basics); the second semester in Nancy develops those foundations into more advanced techniques (for example, flotation). Throughout the course, industrial seminars provide a lifecycle perspective on materials and address strategic economic, environmental and social challenges.

Specialisation and thesis/internship

During the third semester students choose a pathway that focuses either on primary raw materials (at LTU) or on secondary raw materials and recycling (at TUBAF). The final (fourth) semester is reserved for an internship and the Master’s thesis; students complete this at one of the four partner universities. Thesis projects can be selected from topics proposed by the partner universities or developed independently in collaboration with one of them. Projects are strongly industry-linked—industrial partners often offer internships and may employ students—and can also be carried out with research centres. After any on-site data collection, students return to university to complete their thesis research under joint academic supervision provided by two professors from two different partner universities.

Key modules and expected learning outcomes

• Core modules: mineral processing fundamentals (first semester), advanced processing techniques such as flotation (second semester).
• Specialisation modules: primary raw materials extraction and processing (LTU) or secondary/raw materials recycling and recovery (TUBAF).
• Cross-cutting seminars: lifecycle analysis, plus sessions led by industrial partners that cover economic, environmental and social dimensions of raw materials.
• Learning outcomes: develop practical and theoretical competence in mineral processing; gain advanced, specialised skills in either primary or secondary raw materials; apply lifecycle thinking to materials challenges; design and carry out an industry-linked research project; work effectively across international academic and industrial partners.

Program requirements (curriculum-related)

• Four semesters, 120 ECTS total (30 ECTS per semester).
• Mobility through four partner locations: Liège → Nancy → Luleå or Freiberg → one partner for thesis/internship.
• Completion of core and specialisation modules plus industry seminars.
• Fourth-semester internship and Master’s thesis tied to a partner university and typically linked to an industrial partner or research centre.
• Thesis research supervised jointly by two professors from two different partner universities.

Graduates are prepared for technical and managerial roles across the raw materials sector, including positions as mineral processing engineers, metallurgical/process engineers, resource/reserve modellers, and consultants in mining, recycling/urban mining and materials lifecycle management. The programme’s blend of geology and process engineering and strong links with industry make alumni attractive to mining and metals companies, equipment suppliers, recycling firms and environmental consultancies.

The qualification also provides a foundation for research and development roles or further academic study (PhD) in georesources, extractive metallurgy and sustainable materials supply. Emphasis on critical raw materials, substitution and supply-chain issues broadens prospects to policy, sustainability and resource strategy positions within industry and public institutions.