Sustainable Materials and Engineering (M.Sc.)
Saarbrücken, Germany
MSc
DURATION
4 semesters
LANGUAGES
German, English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Oct 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* no tuition fees | University fee: €394.30/semester
Key Summary
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Key Summary
About: The M.Sc. Sustainable Materials and Engineering is a research-driven, practice-oriented English programme at Saarland University. You’ll work in labs early, study circular economy, environmental chemistry, material selection, synthesis and analysis, and choose two specializations (Chemistry; Materials Science and Engineering; Systems Engineering). Graduates design sustainable materials and systems and use digital tools for sustainability assessment.
Career Outcomes: A Master’s prepares you for roles across industry, research institutes, and public institutions. You’ll qualify for research and development, product and process design, energy and environmental technology, quality management, certification, production, consulting, education and policy. The interdisciplinary training can lead to doctoral study.
Research-driven—practice-oriented—sustainable: develop the sustainable materials and systems of tomorrow
From houses constructed from bio-based materials to cars made from recycled lightweight materials to compostable packaging and products, the Master's program in Sustainable Materials and Engineering will give you the skills to help build systems that protect our limited resources and to contribute to a more ecological future. The program offers an interdisciplinary education combining chemistry, systems engineering, and materials science and engineering, focusing on the fundamentals of developing, producing, and analyzing sustainable materials and systems.
Research is at the heart of this future-oriented program, with the latest findings shaping lecture topics and courses that take place directly in the laboratory. Early in the program, you begin taking part in development processes and finding technical solutions that are ecological, social and economic. The program's English-language focus, in particular in chemistry and materials science courses, opens doors for graduates to work internationally both in research and in the private sector.
Right from the start, you will be immersed in various aspects of sustainability through an in-depth introduction to the circular economy, environmental chemistry and the process of selecting, synthesizing and analyzing sustainable materials, all while taking economic aspects into consideration. In the second and third semesters, students can begin building their unique profile by choosing two future-oriented specializations: Sustainability in Chemistry, Sustainability in Materials Science and Engineering or Sustainability in Systems Engineering. This phase gives students the opportunity to further develop their individual skills and interests.
By the time you graduate, you will be able to:
- analyze materials' chemical interplay with the environment
- implement analytical processes to grade the sustainability of given materials
- select sustainable materials for specific uses
- understand how new, sustainable materials are produced and how products and systems can fit into a circular economy
- independently design innovative materials and systems
- utilize digital tools to evaluate sustainability
At a glance
- Standard period of study: 4 semesters for full-time students. Part-time studies are possible
- Language of instruction: German and English
- English language requirements: B2 English
- Restricted entry: No
- Application period: Winter semester: 30 September
- Tuition fees: Not applicable
The Master's program in Sustainable Materials and Engineering comprises 120 credit points (CP), typically 30 CP per semester.
In the first semester, 30 CP are earned in the following required modules:
oChemistry and Analytics
oCompulsory Elective Lab Course
oTechnical Principles of Sustainability and Circular Economy
oResources and Materials
oEconomic Aspects of Circular Innovations
Students must choose two out of three specialization blocks and complete the corresponding required modules (minimum 18 CP).
The following subject areas are available:
oSustainable Chemistry
oSustainable Materials
oSustainable Systems Engineering
The remaining CP can be earned through recommended elective modules.
Before writing their Master's thesis, students must complete a project paper. The topic of this project is supervised by two project leaders from two of the departments involved in the program.
Master's Thesis
The topic of the master's thesis must include scientific aspects from at least two different academic disciplines within the degree program. The topic will be set and supervised by at least two examiners from different disciplines.
After completion of the master's thesis, a public colloquium on the thesis topic must be held no later than six weeks after submission. The colloquium consists of a 30-minute academic presentation and a Q&A session of up to 30 minutes with the thesis supervisors present.
In virtually all companies and government agencies, the sustainable consideration of materials and processes is receiving considerable attention. A Master's degree qualifies you for a wide range of careers in industry, research institutes, and public institutions. Thanks to its interdisciplinary focus, you will be able to solve complex problems in sustainable materials and systems development across these diverse contexts. The in-depth knowledge gained in the evaluation, development, and production of sustainable materials and systems opens up career opportunities in fields such as research and development, product and process design, energy and environmental technology, quality management and certification, industry and production, consulting, as well as in the public sector and education. A doctorate in the relevant fields is also possible. After completing your studies, you will be able to:
• evaluate the chemical interactions of materials with their environment
• apply various analytical methods for the sustainability assessment of materials
• select sustainable materials for specific applications
• understand the manufacturing processes of new, sustainable materials and circular products and systems
• independently design innovative material and system concepts
• confidently use digital tools for sustainability assessment.
Learn more about our International Student offerings.