What is it about?

The master's degree program in Materials Science and Engineering combines technology with natural science in the search for ever better or even new materials and substances. The integration into the engineering sciences enables an overall view from the atomic structure to process technology through to application in a specific product. The master's degree program deepens the knowledge gained from a relevant bachelor's degree and enables you to specialize in one or two specialist areas. The program is designed to be research-oriented and also allows you to write a master's thesis in large-scale research. You can study in German or English.

Program structure

The degree program contains only a few compulsory subjects and a large area of in-depth study. In addition, interdisciplinary supplementary subjects are chosen and supplemented by interdisciplinary qualifications. The breakdown is as follows (in ECTS credit points):

• Materials Science specialization (20 CP): You take the compulsory modules Thermodynamics and Kinetics, Simulation, Properties.
  
• Specialization (40 CP): one or two of the specializations:
  • Construction Materials
  • Computational Materials Science
  • Functional Materials
• Interdisciplinary supplement (18 CP)
  In this subject, you can work on your personal profile. You will take a classic interdisciplinary qualification such as a language course or a course on presentation techniques. You will also strengthen your knowledge of the impact of your subject area on social issues. This subject is rounded off with elective modules from the STEM field.
  • STEM elective modules (12 CP)
  • Technology and Society (4 CP)
    
  • Interdisciplinary Qualifications (2 CP)
    
• Work placement (12 CP): You work in a private or public institution for at least 9 weeks and thus get a taste of a possible professional activity.
  

The available modules and their contents can be found in the module handbook.

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.

Master's thesis

You will finish your degree program with a master's thesis worth 30 CP. This is an academic thesis on a subject area of your choice that enables you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It requires independent research, analysis and the composition of a written paper. At the end, you present the results of your work. You can also complete the master's thesis at an earlier stage of your studies, but you must have already earned at least 74 CP. The processing time is six months.

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 Materials Science and Engineering M.Sc. at KIT

• use of the resources of KIT's large-scale research area
  

• integration in research projects
  

• high level of education
  

• high international ranking position of the department
  

• wide range of interdisciplinary courses
  

• professional internship
  

• good international connections
  

• good supervision ratio
  

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• 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
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• Lernraum app
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network
  

Admission requirements

The requirements for admission to the master's degree program in Materials Science and Engineering are based on the current admission regulations:

• a bachelor's degree or at least an equivalent degree in the Materials Science and Engineering degree program or a degree program with essentially the same content at a university, university of applied sciences or university of cooperative education or at a foreign university. The program must have been completed within a standard period of study of at least three years and with a minimum number of 180 ECTS credits.
  
• minimum knowledge and minimum achievements in the areas of
  • Metals and Material Physics
    
  • Ceramics
    
  • Polymers
    
  • Functional Materials
    
  • Advanced Mathematics
    
  • Technical Mechanics
  • Experimental Physics
  • Inorganic and Applied Chemistry
    

The scope and content of these areas should correspond to those of the bachelor's degree program in Materials Science and Engineering at KIT.

There is no conditional admission (catching up on admission requirements while already enrolled in the master's program).

If you do not meet the minimum requirements, you can qualify by taking a written entrance test. The test is considered passed if you achieve at least 50 points. It takes place in September for the winter semester and in March for the summer semester. After your application has been reviewed, you may be invited to take part in the test by the selection commission.

Language requirements and certificates

For the master's degree program in Materials Science and Engineering you need sufficient knowledge of German or English. Your German language skills must be at least level C1 and your English language skills at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Proof of sufficient German language skills

Your school-leaving certificate is sufficient proof of your German language skills if

• you obtainted it at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad
• 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)
• you obtained your degree at a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country on the recoginition 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 and language certificates that are recognizes as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the webste of the Kultusministerkonferenz (Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany).

If you have not obtained your higher education entrance qualification (HZB) at one of the above-mentioned institutions, 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 an overall result DSH-2,
• the passed TestDaF level 4 in all four parts of the examination (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, oral expression)
• a comparable, recognized certificate of sufficient German language skills

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

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

Proof of sufficient English language skills

The following is sufficient proof of your English language skills

• your Abitur certificate, if you have taken English for at least five years up to graduation and your final or average grade of the last two years of English lessons corresponds to at least the German grade 4 (sufficient) or at least 5 points or
• a degree from a university with English as the sole language of instruction and examination, whereby English must be the only and official language of the completed degree program noted in the diploma supplement, the transcript of records or the degree certificate
  

Otherwise, only the internationally recognized English tests listed in the KIT admission and enrollment regulations are accepted as proof. These are

• Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) with at least 90 points in the internet-based test or

• IELTS with an overall score of at least 6.5 and no section below 5.5 or

• University of Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or

• University of Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) or

• UNIcert at least level II

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 contacts:

• KIT-Department of Mechanical Engineering
• Academic advisor
• Exmination board
• Information about exchange programs and studying abroad
• Student representatives MACH/CIW

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