This Master's program builds a solid, interdisciplinary foundation in how materials are made, how their internal structure determines their behaviour, and how those behaviours can be exploited to create new technologies. You will study a wide range of material classes — including metals, ceramics, polymers, biomaterials and nanomaterials — so you gain a broad understanding that applies across industrial and research settings.
Core teaching covers routes for material synthesis and production, the thermodynamics and kinetics that govern processes such as phase transformations, and both structural (e.g., strength) and functional (e.g., electrical conductivity, magnetic) properties. The curriculum emphasises the links between processing, structure and properties so you learn to predict, tailor and engineer material performance for practical applications.
The course is delivered in English and is designed for students who want a rigorous, application-oriented grounding in modern materials science, whether aiming for roles in industry, research and development, or further academic study.
This interdisciplinary Master's curriculum requires a total workload of 120 CP (credit points), where 1 CP corresponds to 30 hours of student work. The program combines taught lectures, hands-on laboratory training, project planning and a research-oriented thesis element to build both practical skills and theoretical depth in modern materials science.
Core compulsory modules are arranged across winter and summer semesters to provide a structured progression: winter-term units focus on synthesis, characterization and experimental technique (Synthesis and Properties of Inorganic Materials; Advanced Materials Science Laboratory; Practical Skills and Project Planning linked to the Master's thesis; Advanced Science Seminar), while summer-term units cover key physical processes and important material classes (Atomic Transport and Phase Transformations; Polymer Materials Science). Alongside these, students choose a Materials Science Specialisation that forms the scientific core of the degree and directs their advanced study and research focus.
The specialisation options let you tailor the program to research or industry needs: choices include Advanced Materials Characterisation, Functional Materials, Inorganic Materials Chemistry, Materials Theory and Simulation, Metals and Structural Materials, Nanomaterials and Surfaces, Plastics Engineering, and Soft Matter and Biomaterials. These tracks deepen competencies such as materials synthesis and processing, microstructural and property analysis, modelling and simulation, and application-driven design. In addition to optional coursework, the curriculum includes a Master's thesis component to demonstrate independent research capability. Full module descriptions and the specialisation catalogue are available on the program website (see link below).
To be eligible for this interdisciplinary Master’s in Materials Science you must already hold an undergraduate degree in materials science or a closely related discipline. The programme builds on foundational knowledge of materials, so admissions focus on whether your prior studies provide a suitable scientific and/or engineering background.
Degrees earned at institutions outside Germany are considered if they are equivalent to a relevant bachelor’s degree. Because the programme draws on concepts from physics, chemistry and engineering, applicants with undergraduate degrees in those areas (or in nanotechnology, materials engineering, etc.) are commonly regarded as “similar” fields during assessment. Your academic transcripts and degree certificate will be reviewed to confirm equivalence.
Winter Semester (International)
15 July 2026
Summer Semester (International)
15 January 2027
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 July 2026
Summer Semester (EU/EEA)
15 January 2027
Graduates are prepared for technical and research careers in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, energy, electronics, biomedical devices, polymer and materials manufacturing, and nanotechnology. The combination of theoretical knowledge, specialised modules and laboratory experience equips students for roles in R&D, product development, materials characterisation, quality assurance, and technical consulting.
The programme also provides a solid foundation for postgraduate research (PhD) and international careers—particularly for students who take the double-degree track with Chalmers University of Technology or pursue work across research institutes and industry labs.
Trier University of Applied Sciences — Birkenfeld
Technische Universität Braunschweig — Braunschweig
Furtwangen University — Villingen-Schwenningen
University of Siegen — Siegen