What is it all about?

Composite materials for energy-saving lightweight construction concepts in vehicle construction, high-performance functional materials for increasingly powerful information and energy storage systems, biocompatible materials for medical technology - new materials and constantly improving materials are a prerequisite for modern technologies. More than two thirds of all technical innovations today are based on new materials. In science and industry, there is a constantly growing demand for specialists with a sound university education in this field. For this reason, KIT offers a bachelor's and a master's degree program in "Materials Science and Engineering" (MatWerk). It is part of the KIT-Department of Mechanical Engineering, but has an interdisciplinary focus. On the bachelor's degree program, you will acquire the basic knowledge of mathematics and natural sciences, especially chemistry and physics, as well as the methods of scientific work. You will gain application and problem-solving skills from the engineering sciences. All material groups, in particular metals, polymers and ceramics, are covered in the program.

Program structure

During your studies, you have various subjects, which consist of one or more modules. A module deals with a specific topic and consists of one or more courses. In the module handbook for your degree program, you will find a description of the modules and their subject assignment as well as a study plan. This gives you an orientation as to which courses you should attend in which semester in order to complete your studies within the standard period of study. It takes into account a balanced distribution of courses over the individual semesters. It also ensures that you are first taught the important basics before moving on to more advanced topics. Your individual course of study may differ from this.

Your first four semesters consist of the foundation course, in which you will acquire the most important knowledge from mathematics, natural sciences and, of course, materials science as part of compulsory modules. In the fifth and sixth semesters, you also have elective options.

Your degree program consists of the following subjects:

• Engineering Fundamentals (44 CP): in addition to mathematics, you will deal with topics such as technical mechanics and technical thermodynamics.
  
• Fundamentals of Natural Sciences (26 CP): for your subject area, it is essential that you have knowledge of experimental physics and inorganic chemistry. You will acquire this here.
  
• Fundamentals of Materials Science (81 CP): you will learn all the necessary basics about the properties of materials, including ceramics and metals. You will also encounter computer science in this subject. Some of the lectures are accompanied by laboratory exercises. A seminar in which you give a presentation on a topic of your choice is also part of this subject.
  
• Interdisciplinary Supplement (8 CP): this is an elective subject in which you can choose from a range of courses in engineering and economics.
  
• Interdisciplinary Qualification (6 CP): here you round off your qualification profile according to your wishes. Be it language courses, presentation techniques or a course on work-life balance. The KIT has a lot to offer you, you decide.
  

Stays abroad

KIT offers a wide range of options for stays abroad, from individual courses to a year abroad. Especially if you are interested in a longer stay abroad, it is advisable to contact the International Students Office early on.

Bachelor's thesis

At the end of your bachelor's degree, you will complete your bachelor's thesis (15 CP), an academic paper that allows you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It usually deals with a specific topic in your field of study and requires independent research, analysis and writing. The bachelor's thesis takes a maximum of four months to complete.

Additional information

In addition to the module handbook, our booklet about the study program is a useful source of information. It also covers topics such as the application procedure, starting your studies and career prospects.

New materials and constantly improving materials are both a prerequisite and an impetus for modern technologies. This is why there is a growing demand in science and industry for specialists with a sound university education in this field. The research-oriented and interdisciplinary focus of the degree program at KIT will prepare you for lifelong learning and employment in industry, services and public administration. You can expect a wide range of professional fields related to the production, processing, application and characterization of materials. These include the research and development departments of companies, e.g. in the plastics, metal and electrical industries, as well as testing institutes and research facilities. Higher qualification levels are generally expected for research-related activities. It is therefore advisable to complete a master's degree after the bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering qualifies you for a relevant master's degree program. With a good master's degree and scientific interest, you can apply for a doctorate (doctoral thesis).

Characteristic features of Materials Science and Engineering B.Sc. at KIT

• good supervision ratio
  

• high proportion of internships
  

• high university ranking positions
  

• several institutes and research facilities in the field of materials science, resulting in a wide range of bachelor's/master's theses
  

• highly interdisciplinary, bachelor's thesis also possible at other departments
  

• good international networking
  

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• orientation week before the start of lectures
  
• 24-hour library offering single and group working places
  
• wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
  
• numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
  
• study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
  
• excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
  
• comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
  
• extensive support for career entry and self-employment
  
• Lernraum app
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network

Higher education entrance qualification (HZB)

Germans and persons of equal status to Germans (i.e. EU/EEA nationals and non-EU/EEA nationals with a German higher education entrance qualification) are entitled to study at KIT if they have one of the following qualifications:

1. General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur)
2. (relevant) subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification (not Fachhochschulreife)
3. Delta examination of the University of Mannheim (for holders of a Fachhochschulreife)
4. recognized advanced vocational training (e.g. master craftsperson) or vocational training, professional experience and aptitude test for those with professional qualifications

For further options, see §58 of the "Landeshochschulgesetz" (State Higher Education Act).

Please note: German nationals with a foreign school-leaving qualification must have the relevant "Regierungspräsidium" (regional authority) certify that their qualification is equivalent to the German Abitur.

For non-EU/EEA nationals with a foreign school-leaving certificate (hereinafter also referred to simply as non-EU/EEA nationals), the school-leaving certificate from some countries is recognized as a direct university entrance qualification in Germany. In many cases, however, in addition to the school-leaving certificate, a university entrance examination and/or a successful year of study in the home country and/or the "Feststellungsprüfung" must be proven with valid documents in order to be allowed to study a bachelor's degree in Germany. You can find the country-specific regulations in the DAAD admissions database or on the Anabin website (in German only) of the "Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen" (Central Office for Foreign Education). Further information is available from the International Students Office.

Language requirements and certificates

For the bachelor's degree program in Materials Science and Engineering, you need sufficient knowledge of the German language. Your German language skills must correspond to at least level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Proof of sufficient German language skills

Your higher education entrance qualification (HZB) is sufficient proof of your German language skills,

• if you obtained it at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad,

• if you are a graduate of a bilingual secondary school in Germany or abroad and have passed a bilingual German examination, such as the AbiBac or the Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureat (GIB) or

• if you graduated from a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country on the recognition of your school-leaving certificate or language certificate as proof of language proficiency for university studies in Germany.

A complete list of foreign school-leaving qualifications and language certificates that are recognized as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the website of the Kultusministerkonferenz (Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany).

If you did not obtain your higher education entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution, you must provide a separate language certificate - regardless of your nationality. Only the following are accepted

• the passed „Prüfungsteil Deutsch“ of the Feststellungsprüfung,
• the passed DSH with the overall result DSH-2,
• the passed TestDaF level 4 in all four parts of the exam (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, oral expression) or
• a comparable, recognized certificate of sufficient German language skills.

To find out which other recognized certificates can be accepted as comparable by KIT, please contact

• as a German or German-equivalent applicant: Studierendenservice
• as an applicant with non-EU citizenship: International Students Office

Please note:
Language certificates are extremely important application documents that can prevent your enrollment if you do not submit them on time. Therefore, check early on in the application process whether you have the necessary language certificates for your degree program and, if necessary, plan to take one of the language tests mentioned above. The deadline by which you must submit language certificates corresponds to the enrollment deadline stated in your admission offer. In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of this deadline. The extension can be granted until the start of the lecture period at the latest.

Additional necessary requirements for enrollment

For Germans and those with German equivalent status, an additional necessary requirement for enrollment is proof of participation in a study orientation test (e.g. www.was-studiere-ich.de) or a study orientation consultation in accordance with §7 of the "Landeshochschulgesetz" (State Higher Education Act), e.g. by the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) of KIT. Non-EU/EEA nationals do not have to provide this proof.

• all year round Information events of the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) on your desired degree programs, application and admission as well as starting your studies
  
• Try out KIT - clarify your interests and support your study decision by taking advantage of the diverse summer offers or participating in taster lectures.
  
• Campus Day: experience the campus live (together with your family) in spring and make your first personal contacts with the departments and their students
  
• Studieninformationtag: visit KIT on the state-wide study information day in November and experience the lecture hall feeling for the first time
  
• topMINT: you don't know yet what you want to study and need to bridge the summer? Take advantage of our orientation semester before you start your studies.
  
• Use our central online portal studienstart.kit.edu with all the important information and services you need to prepare for your studies and your first semester at KIT. Be it preparatory courses, study-related courses or mentoring programs.
  
• Orientation phase before the start of lectures - from students for students to get to know KIT, your fellow students and your student council. You will receive specific information on this when you enrol.
  
• You will be welcomed by KIT with a colorful supporting program at the welcome event for first semester students. You will receive the invitation after your enrollment.
  

Teaching calendar

Course catalog

• Course catalog current term
• Course catalog current term PDF (English)
• Archive of previous catalogs