Materials Science and Engineering Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Regular program length: 4 semester (full-time program)
Credit points (ECTS): 120 credit points
Language of instruction: German; selected study variants in English
Higher semester: no
Higher semester: winter and summer term
First semester: September 30 for winter term, March 31 for summer term
Higher semester: September 30 for winter term, March 31 for summer term
First semester: July 15 for winter term, January 15 for summer term
Higher semester: July 15 for winter term, January 15 for summer term
Program details
Degree and duration
Regular program length of 2 years leading to a "Master of Science (M.Sc.)" degree; 120 credit points (corresponding to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System - ECTS) must be completed. Individual prorgram length may differ from regular program length.
Program structure
The study plan includes compulsory subjects ("Materials science specialization") of 30 credit points (ECTS) as well as a large selection of electives. In this area, you choose two of four majors. In addition, there is a broad selection of courses across all departments in the area of "technical specialization".
| Materials science specialization | Major 1 | Major 2 | Professional internship | Technical specialization | Key qualifications | Master thesis | |
| Content | fixed | selectable | selectable | -- | selectable | selectable | selectable |
| CP ECTS | 30 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 30 |
The selectable electives are:
- Material processing
- Computational materials science
- Construction materials
- Functional materials
Contents can be found in the module handbook.
Qualification profile of the graduate
The graduates of the Master's program of Materials Science and Engineering of the KIT are able to independently participate in value-added processes in material processing industries and to take part in science thanks to their research-based studies. They are mainly qualified for responsible jobs in industries, technical services and science.
The graduates have a broad and deeper knowledge in the principles of natural and engineering science: thermodynamics and kinetics, electronic and mechanical properties of materials, modelling and simulation as well as materials processing. Thus, they are able to deal with the current state of research and to develop methods of materials science. They can develop, evaluate and interpret comprehensive and if necessary interdisciplinary simulation studies. They are able to develop products from the understanding of material behavior and value-added processes. To optimize their own approaches, the graduates have learned to overthink the methods they use and the actions they undertake and adapt them to changing conditions.
Due to their comprehensive and detailed knowledge as well as their practical skills, graduates are qualified to resume an important role in comprehensive research and development projects as well as to competently participate in the innovation process. Furthermore, they are technically well prepared for future supervisory responsibilities.
Thanks to their skills gained in elective subjects and key competences especially in social and economic subjects, they are able to deliberately make decisions in consideration of social, economic and ethic conditions. Due to the industrial training they are able to properly apply their knowledge and skills in an operating environment.
The graduates of the Master's program are qualified to identify tasks on their own, to collect information necessary to solve a problem, choose methods and apply skills regarding production, further processing, selection and deployment of materials, and thus contribute to value-added processes.
Career prospects
New and constantly improved materials are both a prerequisite and an impuls for modern technologies. Thus, there is a growing demand in science and industry for specialists with a university education in this field. Fields of application are departments of research and development in companies, but also testing and research facilities. There is a rising need for professionals and experts in materials science in a wide range of sectors, including plastics, chemicals, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, automotive, aerospace, alternative energies, microelectronics, medical technology and environmental protection. With a good master's degree from KIT, you can also aim for a doctorate at KIT. After that, you are able topursue a scientific career.
Characteristic features of the degree program
Admission requirements
Admission requirements
Applicants need to have completed a related degree program that contains the following: metals and materials physics, ceramics, polymers, funtioncal materials, advanced mathematics, technical mechanics, experimental physics, anorganic and applied chemistry.
The complete coursework in the above-mentioned fields needs to equal that of the bachelor's program Materials Science and Engineering at the KIT. Conditional admissions are NOT provided.
Language skills necessary for international applicants
Applicants without university entrance qualifications awarded by a German-speaking secondary school need to submit proof of the following language skill:
- German language skills: for application, skills of at least B1-level are necessary. All certificates are accepted; a certificate of attendance of a B1-level course is sufficient. For enrollment, a DSH2 certificate or equivalent needs to be presented.
- or English language skills of at least B2-level, e.g. proven by Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of at least 90 points in the internet-based test or equivalent. Proof of English language skills is not required for applicants who
- have completed a degree program at a university with English as the sole language of instruction
- have attended at least 5 years of English language classes in secondary school, can provide a higher education entrance qualification and have received minimum grades of 4 (sufficient, D) or at least 5 points in the last two school years of these English language classes.
- Can proof of sufficient knowledge of the English or German language not be provided until the end of the application deadline, admission can be granted under the provision that one of the above-mentioned certificates of either the English or the German language will be provided during enrollment.
Contact the International Students Office for additional information.
Entrance test
In this study program, an entrance test will be held on March 11, 2025 for the application period for the summer semester 2025.
What does this mean for applicants?
Applicants who are unable to demonstrate the minimum knowledge and performance required by §6 of the admission regulations will alternatively be given the opportunity to demonstrate the necessary skills by passing the entrance test.
The examination modalities will be announced in the invitation to the test. Registration for taking the test will open soon.
For more information, contact InSL.
Application portal
Application for the 1st semester
opens May 15, 2025.
Application for a higher semester
opens May 15, 2025.
Contacts
Student advisor
Student advisory services (ZSB)
+49 721 608 - 44930
Karin Schmurr ∂does-not-exist.kit edu
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
Zentrale Studienberatung (ZSB)
Engelbert-Arnold-Str. 2
76131 Karlsruhe
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
Studierendenservice
Kaiserstr. 12
76131 Karlsruhe
First point of contact for international applicants
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
International Students Office (IStO)
Adenauerring 2
76131 Karlsruhe
Printed matter
Module handbook
Statutes and regulations
| Titel | Stand | Download |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 KIT 019 Dritte Satzung zur Änderung der Satzung für den Zugang zu dem Masterstudiengang Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik am Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) | 29.04.2024, veröffentlicht 30.04.2024 | |
| 2022 KIT 026 Zweite Satzung zur Änderung der Satzung für den Zugang zu dem Masterstudiengang Materialwissenschaft und Werkzeugtechnik am Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) | 28.04.2022, veröffentlicht 29.04.2022 | |
| 2019 KIT 039 Satzung zur Änderung der Satzung zu dem Masterstudiengang Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik am Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) | 29.07.2019, veröffentlicht 29.07.2019 | |
| 2018 KIT 064 Satzung für den Zugang zu dem Masterstudiengang Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik am Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) | 28.11.2018, veröffentlicht 28.11.2018 |
Teaching calendar
WT 2024/25
10-21-2024 to 02-15-2025
ST 2025
04-22-2025 to 08-02-2025
WT 2025/26
10-27-2025 to 02-21-2026
ST 2026
04-20-2026 to 08-01-2026
WT 2026/27
10-26-2026 to 02-20-2027
ST 2027
04-19-2027 to 07-31-2027
WT 2027/28
10-25-2027 to 02-19-2028
ST 2028
04-18-2028 to 07-29-2028
Lectures will not take place:
- From 12-24 to 01-06
- the week after Pentecost
- on all public holidays in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg