Materials Science and Engineering (MSc) Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Cluster of Excellence 3D Matter Made to Order (3DMM2O)

100% of teaching in English possible

Master’s programme Materials Science and Engineering

The interdisciplinary Master’s programme Materials Science and Engineering at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) prepares students for exciting careers creating and improving materials for modern technologies and innovative applications. Possible application areas are, for example, composite materials for fuel-efficient lightweight concepts in automotive, high-performance functional materials for more powerful information and energy storage systems, or biocompatible materials for medical equipment.

The German track of the programme was established back in 2011/2012. Since the winter semester 2020/2021, the two-year Master’s programme can also be studied in English or bilingually. In the English-taught track of the Master's programme, students from different disciplinary and cultural backgrounds are brought together in an enriching environment. An excellent support ratio as well as German courses help international students in familiarising themselves with living and studying in Germany.

Excellence in Teaching and Research

The English track of the programme is made possible in cooperation with the Cluster of Excellence 3D Matter Made to Order (3DMM2O), which is jointly carried by KIT and Heidelberg University. New courses led by Principal Investigators of 3DMM2O are part of the programme with the objective to lay the foundation and specifically prepare international students to continue their work in the cluster after graduation.

KIT's Material Science courses have gained a considerable reputation since 2012. For example, the journal U.S. News ranks KIT Materials Science at the top of German universities in 2020. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021, Materials Sciences at KIT are ranked second in Germany and among the top 50 worldwide. Additionally, the new Material Research Center for Energy Systems (MZE) on KIT Campus South aims at forming a stronger network between KIT, Fraunhofer Society, and relevant companies.

For German and international applicants:

• until 30 September every year for the upcoming winter semester
• until 31 March every year for the upcoming summer semester

We strongly recommend that international applicants hand in their application earlier as the transfer to Germany takes some preparation, e.g. applying for a visa and finding a place to stay during your studies.

Please find more information regarding application requirements and deadlines on our website: https://3dmm2o.de/opportunities/open-positions/master-program/.

EU students: no tuition fees
Non-EU students: 1,500 EUR

After starting the degree with comprehensive major courses in Materials Science (Thermodynamics, Kinetics, Materials Characterisation, Simulation, and Properties), students choose two out of four focal courses, thereby deciding their specialisation according to their interest: Functional Materials, Materials Processing, Computational Material Science, or Structural Materials.

Furthermore, the programme includes a mandatory nine-week internship. This allows students to gain contacts and insight into the world-leading German industry sector.

In the Master's thesis in the last semester of the programme, students independently work on a problem according to scientific methods. The two-year programme is awarded with 120 ECTS.

Nine-week integrated internship

Yes, but not specified

EU students: no tuition fees
Non-EU students: 1,500 EUR

Approx. 180 EUR

Between 600 to 800 EUR/month, depending on the personal situation

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree in the field of Materials Science and Engineering (or equivalent) with above-average grades
  The Bachelor's degree has to be completed with a minimum of 180 ECTS points or within a regular period of study of at least three years. (If the Bachelor's degree has not yet been conferred by the closing date for applications, but will be completed before the registration, you can apply with a preliminary transcript of records.)
• Knowledge in Metals and Materials Physics, Ceramics, Polymers, Functional Materials, Higher Mathematics, Technical Mathematics, Experimental Physics, and Inorganic and Applied Chemistry
• English Language Proficiency

Entrance Exam

If applicants do not exactly fulfil the skills described above, they may nevertheless be enrolled in the study programme if they prove to have the skills required for the study programme by passing a written entrance examination at KIT.

The entrance examination takes place at the end of the application phase of the summer or winter semester at KIT Campus South (Kaiserstr. 12, 76131 Karlsruhe). The admissions committee decides on the necessity of the applicant's participation in the entrance examination on the basis of the previously submitted application documents. Applicants must register for the entrance examination via the online portal at least 14 days before the date of the entrance examination.

More information: https://3dmm2o.de/opportunities/open-positions/master-program/application-procedure/

English language proficiency (TOEFL iBT: 88 points or more, IELTS: at least 6.5 overall and no section below 5.5)

For German and international applicants:

• until 30 September every year for the upcoming winter semester
• until 31 March every year for the upcoming summer semester

We strongly recommend that international applicants hand in their application earlier as the transfer to Germany takes some preparation, e.g. applying for a visa and finding a place to stay during your studies.

Please find more information regarding application requirements and deadlines on our website: https://3dmm2o.de/opportunities/open-positions/master-program/.

Carl Zeiss Foundation Qualification Scholarship
The Carl Zeiss Foundation funds a qualification scholarship programme, which supports up to four MSc students in the HEiKA Graduate School on Functional Materials per year. Support includes not only a stipend of 800 EUR per month for a year, but also enables scholarship holders' participation in the HEiKA Graduate School on Functional Materials, thereby providing the opportunity to learn and network at the doctoral level.

Carl Zeiss Foundation Qualification Scholarship | 3D Matter Made to Order (3dmm2o.de)

Very good possibility of finding part-time employment in relevant institutes of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

International Campus & Living

Studierendenwerk Karlsruhe

KIT International Students Office (IStO)

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

In 2009, following a successful bid in the German Universities Excellence Initiative, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) was founded in a merger of the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH and Universität Karlsruhe (TH). Fulfilling the functions of both former institutions, KIT combines tasks of a university of the state of Baden-Württemberg with those of a centre of the Helmholtz Association in the areas of research, teaching, and innovation. In 2019, KIT was selected as a University of Excellence in the German Excellence Strategy.

With more than 9,000 employees, 24,300 students, and an annual budget of about 900 million EUR, KIT is one of the biggest research and education institutions worldwide. It reaches top results in international rankings in engineering and technology and especially in the natural sciences.

KIT is especially known for its engineering department, which not only has a long and successful tradition but also a reputation for its dominance in the number of intakes at the university. This is reflected in KIT being ranked highly in the discipline Mechanical Engineering, e.g. fourth in Germany in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2019.

KIT is an institution of top research, excellent scientific education, and a prominent location of academic life, life-long learning, comprehensive advanced training, unrestricted exchange of know-how, and sustainable innovation culture.

For the standards of excellence to be accomplished in the best possible way, KIT’s research covers the complete range from fundamental research to close-to-industry, applied research and from small research partnerships to long-term, large-scale research projects.

KIT's campus lies on the Kaiserstrasse, the main street of Karlsruhe, and it borders on the Hardtwald Forest, a perfect place to take a stroll. The campus is almost 60 hectares large. The proximity to Alsace and the mild climate of the Rhine River gives the Baden metropolis an almost Mediterranean flair in the summer. Known worldwide, the city has a fan-like ground plan thanks to the Margrave Karl Wilhelm von Baden-Durlach. Founded in 1715, Karlsruhe is the second-largest city in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg. It is also known as the "Residence of Justice" because the seat of Germany's two supreme courts (the Federal Constitutional Court and the Federal Supreme Court) is located in Karlsruhe.

Karlsruhe lies in south-western Germany on the western edge of Baden-Württemberg and has over 300,000 residents. The city enjoys many diverse leisure, culture, and sports options, which offer something for everyone.