International Master's in Materials Science & Engineering

This English-taught, interdisciplinary Master’s programme brings together physics, chemistry and practical methods for characterising and processing materials. It builds on your Bachelor-level scientific training to deepen understanding of material properties and interactions, with a clear orientation toward application-driven research in science and technology. The curriculum stresses natural-science perspectives (chemistry and physics) more than mechanical-engineering approaches, so you’ll gain detailed insight into chemical, physical and functional material behaviour.

Designed as a full-time course, the programme lasts four semesters and awards 120 ECTS upon successful completion. Teaching is entirely in English, and no German is required for admission; the university also offers free German language classes for international students. The degree is completed with a research-focused Master’s thesis and an oral thesis defence, and theoretical modules are paired with method courses that provide hands-on lab experience using modern research facilities.

You can tailor your studies through a wide selection of electives covering topics such as spintronics, porous and optical materials, reinforced composites, low-temperature physics, nanostructures and more. These options, together with practical laboratory training, prepare graduates for research roles in academia or industry and for development-focused positions in materials-related technology sectors. The programme is tuition-free, making it an accessible choice for international students seeking advanced scientific training in materials science.

Key facts / requirements

• Full-time programme, intended duration: 4 semesters (120 ECTS)
• Teaching language: English (German knowledge not required); free German courses offered
• Completion includes a research Master’s thesis and an associated oral defence
• Interdisciplinary focus on physics and chemistry aspects of materials science, with practical method courses and lab work using state-of-the-art facilities
• Elective topics include spintronics, porous/optical materials, reinforced composites, low-temperature physics, nanostructures, etc.
• Designed for students with a Bachelor-level background in materials science or a related scientific discipline
• Tuition-free programme

Curriculum overview

This interdisciplinary M.Sc. program builds a rigorous foundation in the first semester with core lectures in Materials Physics, Materials Engineering and Materials Simulation, complemented by a soft-skills course and the first methods course. From semester two onward the curriculum becomes highly customizable: you choose electives from three thematic blocks — Structural & Functional Materials, Digital Materials & Technologies, and Materials Sustainability — allowing you to focus on areas such as semiconductors, spectroscopy, composites, data-driven methods or sustainable materials science. A second methods course is also taken in the second semester to deepen practical and analytical techniques.

Hands-on research and project work are central. In the third semester you complete a laboratory project within one of the institute’s research groups while continuing to select electives (one from Structural & Functional, one from Digital Materials & Technologies, plus a freely chosen lecture from any block). The program culminates in a fourth-semester master’s thesis carried out either in an Institute of Physics or Institute for Materials Resource Management laboratory, or in collaboration with industry.

Key modules and learning outcomes

• Core modules (semester 1) — Materials Physics, Materials Engineering, Materials Simulation, Methods Course One and a Soft-Skill course — provide the theoretical and methodological grounding for advanced study.
• Structural & Functional Materials electives (examples) — Physics & Technology of Semiconductor Devices; Solid State Spectroscopy with Synchrotron Radiation and Neutrons; Low Temperature Physics; Superconductivity; Applied Magnetic Materials; Bioinspired and Fibre-Reinforced Composites; Modern Metallic Materials — develop specialist knowledge of material classes, experimental techniques and structure–property relations.
• Digital Materials & Technologies electives (examples) — Analysing Massive Data Sets; Machine Learning and Computer Vision; Finite Element Modelling and Multiphysics Phenomena; Theoretical Concepts and Simulation — build competence in modelling, simulation and data-driven analysis for materials problems.
• Materials Sustainability electives (examples) — Sustainable Chemistry of Materials and Resources; Oxidation and Corrosion; Energy Materials; Analytical Methods for Crystalline Sustainable Materials — focus on resource-efficient design, degradation processes and characterization methods for sustainable materials.
• Methods Course Two and the laboratory project emphasize experimental skills, advanced analytical techniques, project planning and teamwork. The master’s thesis provides extended experience in independent research, often closely linked to ongoing institute projects or industrial applications.

Study requirements (concise)

• Semester 1: Mandatory lectures — Materials Physics; Materials Engineering; Materials Simulation; Soft-Skill course; Methods Course One.
• Semester 2: Four elective lectures — two selected from the Structural & Functional Materials block (examples listed above), one from the Digital Materials & Technologies block, and one from the Materials Sustainability block; plus Methods Course Two.
• Semester 3: Three electives — one from Structural & Functional Materials, one from Digital Materials & Technologies, and one freely selectable lecture from any block; plus a laboratory project within a research group.
• Semester 4: Master’s thesis conducted in a research laboratory at the Institute of Physics, the Institute for Materials Resource Management, or in industry.

Graduates are prepared for careers in R&D, materials characterisation and development, quality and process engineering, and technology-driven roles in sectors such as electronics, energy, composites and sustainable materials. The programme’s combination of experimental methods, simulation and data-driven modules makes alumni attractive for both industrial employers and research institutions.

The degree also provides a solid foundation for continuing into doctoral research (PhD) at universities or research centres, especially for students who pursued a thesis or laboratory project within a research group during the programme.