MSc Materials Science and Engineering FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

Mandatory courses are held in English (95%), and a few elective courses are in German (5%). The Master's thesis is to be written in English.

This Master’s degree programme provides in-depth knowledge of materials science. The choice of three core subjects determines the subject-specific profile of the field of study and also ensures the breadth of the materials science education. The following subjects can be selected as core subjects:

• General Materials Properties
• Materials Science and Engineering for Metals
• Glass and Ceramics
• Surface Science and Corrosion
• Polymer Materials
• Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology
• Biomaterials
• Materials Simulation
• Micro- and Nanostructure Research

An extensive selection of supplementary elective subjects allows for specialisation and deepening of his or her professional competences, which is based on the individual interests as well as the future career plans of the respective student. In order to round off the scientific profile, special emphasis is placed on the acquisition of soft skills and a confident approach to scientific project work in addition to the teaching of specialist knowledge. Thus, this programme provides students with broad career opportunities in (inter-)national industry and academia.

31 May (winter semester)
15 January (summer semester)

No tuition fees

FAU does not charge tuition fees. However, each semester students must pay a semester fee of 72 EUR.

General guidelines on the average costs that can be expected are provided by the results of the social survey undertaken by the German National Association for Student Affairs in 2021:

According to this study, students who no longer live with their parents should have an average amount of 1,106 EUR per month at their disposal. However, monthly expenditures for personal lifestyle vary a lot. For former West Germany, the study revealed the following details on average expenditure:

• Rent, including ancillary costs (in Erlangen, Nuremberg and surrounding areas): 410 EUR
• Food: 198 EUR
• Clothing: 46 EUR
• Travel costs (public transport and/or car): 89 EUR
• Study materials (depending on subject): 31 EUR
• Health insurance, doctors, medicine: 100 EUR
• Telecommunications: 31 EUR
• Leisure, culture, sports: 65 EUR

The prerequisite for admission to the Master’s programme is the possession of a recognised subject-specific Bachelor’s degree (Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Materials Engineering…). Applicants with subject-related or non-equivalent degrees may be admitted to the Master’s programme under certain conditions.

Degrees recognised as subject-related are, in particular, Bachelor’s or "Diplom" degrees with a broad material science focus, if and to the extent that the following minimum knowledge was acquired in them:

1. at least 10 ECTS credits in mathematics
2. at least 20 ECTS credits in physics and chemistry
3. at least 10 ECTS credits in lab work and IT, and
4. at least 20 ECTS credits in fundamentals of materials science

Requirements:

1. An overall grade of the subject-specific or subject-related degree needs to be 2.50 (= good) or better, or an average grade of 2.9 in the compulsory modules B9, B10 and B11 of the “Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik” (MWT) Bachelor’s degree course
2. If you are a FAU Bachelor's student of Materials Science or Nanotechnology, you need to have achieved 140 ECTS in fully completed modules by the time of your application for admission.
3. Proof of English language skills at the level of at least B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Admission to the Master’s programme takes place after a qualification assessment test.

Proof of English language skills at the level of at least B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) through sufficient school or university knowledge or suitable language certificates.

The proof can be provided in particular by:

• English lessons at school up to level B2 CEFR with certification to this effect in the school report or a corresponding certificate from the school,
• the successful Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with at least 85 points in the iBT, or
• the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 5.0 or higher.

The proof does not have to be provided if the university entrance qualification or the relevant first professional qualification was acquired in English.

31 May (winter semester)
15 January (summer semester)

There is a wide range of scholarships available for outstanding students. In addition to requiring applicants to have excellent grades, most scholarship programmes have additional conditions regarding cultural, political, religious, or social involvement. If you have any questions about the application procedure or selection criteria, you can contact the Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) or speak directly to FAU’s liaison officer for the scholarship organisation you wish to apply to.

https://www.fau.eu/study/prospective-students/financing-your-studies

According to a study by the German National Association for Student Affairs, around 63 per cent of all "first-time students" have a regular job – and not just during the holidays. On average, they work around eight hours a week for an average wage of 10 EUR per hour. Students can have a "450 EUR job" or work as a student trainee in a company or as a student assistant in the university – both during and outside the lecture period. Information on the legal conditions relating to part-time jobs for students is available in the brochure "Jobben" (part-time jobs) published by the German National Association for Student Affairs. FAU’s job portal is also updated regularly with new advertisements for part-time jobs.

The cities of Erlangen, Fürth, and Nuremberg offer a very good standard of living. They are popular places to live, meaning that accommodation is in high demand but often in short supply. This is particularly the case during the period before the start of a new semester. We therefore recommend that you start looking for accommodation as soon as possible. If you are flexible and also look in the surrounding area, you will have a better chance of finding somewhere affordable to live. The region has an excellent public transport system, so you should not have any problems getting to your place of study or work.

It is worth checking the available accommodation on the Internet every day, as new accommodation becomes available on a day-to-day basis. It pays to be flexible when it comes to the price, location, and available facilities of your accommodation.

Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg runs its own student accommodation in Erlangen and Nuremberg. You will be informed about how to apply for a room in Student Services accommodation while you are in the process of applying to be admitted to FAU.

The team of the Student Service Centre provides comprehensive advice on:

• Applications
• Admissions
• Study procedures, planning and organisation
• Timetables
• Stays abroad
• "BAföG"
• Change of study programme
• General questions about studying

E-mail: studium-ww@fau.de

Founded in 1743, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is now one of the largest research universities in Germany with 40,996 students and 276 degree programmes. The five faculties cover the entire spectrum of modern academic disciplines – from humanities, social sciences and theology to medicine, law, economics, sciences and engineering.

One of FAU’s defining features is its commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research, which frequently go beyond the boundaries of individual subjects.

FAU’s outstanding research and teaching is reflected in top positions in both national and international rankings as well as the high amount of DFG funding that its researchers are able to secure.

FAU is based in three cities – Erlangen, Fürth and Nuremberg. Each of the FAU campuses is closely connected to the social and economic pulse of these cities. Studying and city life at FAU go hand in hand, so much so that it’s hard to tell city and campus life apart.

"Moving Knowledge" is our motto and guiding principle at FAU. Therefore, we strive to generate knowledge to shape the future responsibly and openly share knowledge with all stakeholders in society to drive prosperity and create value. We also use knowledge to improve our world for future generations.

FAU’s two main sites, the cities of Erlangen and Nuremberg, are located at the heart of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. Both Erlangen and Nuremberg have their own unique charms. Erlangen is a city of 100,000 inhabitants, was the former home of the Huguenots, and it is a key location for Siemens. Nuremberg is a city with a metropolitan flair and a population of half a million. The opera, theatre, and museums, along with a lively pub scene and nightlife, offer plenty of opportunities to relax after a day in the lecture theatre, lab, or library. The highlights of the cultural calendar in Erlangen include the "Hörkunstfestival" (acoustic art festival), International Comic Salon, "figuren.theater.festival" (puppet theatre festival), "Poetenfest" (poetry festival), and the "ARENA… of the young arts" theatre and performance festival. A wide range of cultural institutions open their doors to visitors during the Blue Night in Nuremberg, and once every two years, the Long Night of Sciences gives the public a chance to take a look inside research institutions in Erlangen, Nuremberg, and Fürth. In summary, the mixture of academia, innovative companies, art, and culture makes the region the perfect place for creative minds. There is also plenty on offer for keen athletes and nature lovers. Fränkische Schweiz, a paradise for climbers and walkers, is located to the north of Erlangen and is at FAU’s doorstep. Water sports enthusiasts will love the Franconian lakes and the university’s water sports centre, which is located just south of Nuremberg.