Battery Materials and Technology (Master of Science) University of Bayreuth

Bavarian Center for Battery Technology (BayBatt)

Courses are held in English. Students can choose to write the Master's thesis in English or German.

Do you want to pursue a career in the rapidly evolving fields of battery technology, sustainable energy storage and electromobility? Graduate with a Master's degree in "Battery Materials and Technology" and develop the next generation of battery materials!

The interdisciplinary Master's degree programme provides students with the necessary battery know-how of the entire value chain: from the electrode and separator materials to the battery pack in the e-car. The teaching of scientific specifics and competencies in the field of battery technology also takes into account subject-specific requirements and qualification paths, and it offers excellent career prospects in industry and research for our graduates.

The Master's degree programme "Battery Materials and Technology" is taught in English and is focused on the natural sciences. However, students can participate in modules from the sister programme, "Batterietechnik", which is taught in German and has a strong engineering background. Both programmes are well suited for applicants who want to pursue a PhD in our cutting-edge research facilities as a follow up. Benefit from the close link to the "Bavarian Centre for Battery Technology" (BayBatt) and be part of the next generation of highly qualified battery developers!

Application period
1 April to 15 July for the following winter semester
1 October to 15 January for the following summer semester

The Master's degree programme takes four semesters (two years). Students will deepen basic background knowledge from their respective Bachelor's programmes with a battery-specific focus and they will significantly expand their interdisciplinary knowledge in the battery sector.

Through the alignment modules, students achieve a common interdisciplinary basis in the different disciplines of natural sciences and engineering sciences.

The first joint interdisciplinary courses are the Battery Systems Technology and Battery Materials modules, in which the topic of battery is taught from the material and system side in order to enable a holistic understanding of the battery. Electrochemistry is the fundamental science for all internal processes within a battery cell. Only a sound education in this area enables a fundamental understanding of the basic processes. Therefore, there are two modules from each of these three core courses. Accordingly, the corresponding modules take up a broad area in the first year of study.

The compulsory choice modules from the fields of natural sciences and engineering sciences (at least one module from the field of natural sciences must be chosen) facilitate the consolidation of individual knowledge along the diverse technological challenges of the entire battery value chain. They will lead to both specialisation and a holistic understanding of the battery.

The research modules allow students to apply their newly acquired knowledge creatively and critically to a current research topic from the field of battery technology. One research module can be carried out externally, abroad or in the form of an internship with a company.

The research plan serves as preparation for the Master’s thesis. Current scientific papers are presented and discussed in front of a specialist audience. A literature review is conducted and hypotheses on the research project are presented.

The programme concludes with the Master's thesis at our research facilities with state-of-the-art instruments for analytical and preparative purposes. It will be prepared based on a research plan.

One research module can be carried out externally, abroad or in the form of an internship with a company.

No tuition fees

In Bayreuth, students do not have to pay any tuition fees.

They pay a semester contribution. It covers your contributions to student services and the student government. Attending the University of Bayreuth (which combines the campus in Bayreuth and our Faculty VII located in Kulmbach) includes a "semester ticket" that allows you to use public transportation in the region. The semester contribution is 163.04 EUR per semester.

The costs of living in Germany, e.g. living, food, clothing, and activities, are about average compared to other European countries. The city of Bayreuth, compared to other large German cities (Munich, Berlin, Hamburg), offers a uniquely attractive combination: low cost of living, affordable housing, and a high quality of life. This makes Bayreuth especially appealing to students, young professionals and families. Whether it's outdoor sports in the nearby Fichtelgebirge, cultural highlights like the world-famous Festival, or the rich culinary scene – the city offers a rich variety of experiences right at your doorstep. 

Bayreuth combines affordability with vibrancy – making it easy to study, live and enjoy life to the fullest.

Here is an example: https://www.gamechanger-campus.de/en/cost-of-living.

A Bachelor’s degree in any of the following subject areas: Chemistry, Polymer and Colloid Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, Material Science and Materials Engineering, Engineering Science or an equivalent degree from another university

This must include the following academic credits (total 22 credits):

• Chemistry (min. 4)
• Physics (min. 5) and Mathematics (min. 8) for a total of 18 credits 

A larger number of credits in these areas (and especially Chemistry) is evaluated positively for admission.

For candidates awaiting results or completion of their Bachelor’s degree, the application can already be submitted if 150 out of a total of 180 credit points (i.e. 83.33% of total credit points depending on the system) are already achieved.

ENGLISH: level B2; while B2 is the minimum level required, a C1 level or higher is positively evaluated for admission. See the list of accepted certificates and required minimum scores at the bottom of this page.

GERMAN: level A1; it is recommended that candidates submit their German A1 language certificate at the time of admission. In case this isn’t possible, they must submit it by the end of the second semester.

Application period
1 April to 15 July for the following winter semester
1 October to 15 January for the following summer semester

Scholarships for international students: International students and doctoral researchers have the opportunity to apply for a study grant at the International Office. Limited funding from the State of Bavaria and the DAAD is available for this purpose. The application deadline for the winter semester is 31 August and for the summer semester 28 February. All grants can be awarded for up to two semesters.

Unfortunately, first-semester students cannot be funded, i.e. applications cannot be submitted until the second semester of study for funding starting in the third semester of study. Above all, academic achievements from the previous semester are decisive for the evaluation of the application.

There are many ways for international students to earn money while they study, but there are some restrictions. For more detailed information, please visit the DAAD website.

The University of Bayreuth’s Career Services team provides a central interface between student and professional life. The team offers guidance and support to students of all subjects with regard to starting their careers.

Accommodation for students
Bayreuth and Kulmbach have a number of student dormitories (both private dormitories and dormitories offered by the Association for Student Affairs) and a vast array of private rooms available. Under no circumstances should you assume that you will be assigned a room in the student dormitories! You will need to actively search for a room on your own – either in a private dormitory or on the private market.

More information regarding accommodation for students is available here: https://www.gamechanger-campus.de/en/accommodation. Please also read the DAAD’s information.

Accommodation for international guests
All other international guests are requested to register via the Welcome Services Database (WelSe).

Accommodation for short visits
For short visits, we recommend searching for accommodation on Airbnb. In addition, a limited number of apartments are available in the Alexander von Humboldt Guest House.

For in between: youth hostels

If you can not find a long-term accommodation from the start, you could look for a living space at the youth hostels directly next to our campus.

https://www.jugendherberge.de/en/youth-hostels/bayreuth/

International, innovative, and interdisciplinary in research and teaching

Top-notch research, state-of-the-art teaching methods, international influences, diversity, and a springboard to a successful career – these are all things the University of Bayreuth stands for.

The University of Bayreuth is a dynamic campus university with currently about 12,000 students (19% internationals). Beyond the interdisciplinary research focus and excellence in teaching, the university has a clear vision of social responsibility and entrepreneurship. In the middle of Kulmbach, our new satellite campus unites the perspectives of natural science, economics, law, social sciences, and behavioural science in one place in a way that has not yet been seen in Germany.

We have a close network of strategically selected, international research partners, and we have strategic partnerships with universities around the globe. A wide range of innovative BA, MA and PhD programmes as well as our international summer schools, are conducted in English. There are presently around 2,500 international students from more than 100 countries on the Bayreuth and Kulmbach campuses. Focus areas in research include Nonlinear Dynamics, Polymer and Colloid Science, Molecular Biosciences, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, New Materials, African Studies, High Pressure and High Temperature Research, Cultural Encounters and Transcultural Processes, Innovation and Consumer Protection, Food and Health Sciences, Energy Research and Energy Technology, Governance and Responsibility.

Our university has an outstanding staff-to-student ratio. Our high performance levels, multidisciplinary collaborations and scientific excellence result in high-ranking positions. In the 2025 THE ranking, the University of Bayreuth achieved the top position 31 among the 1,000 best universities in Germany. We have proven expertise in campus and curriculum internationalisation, which is confirmed by the results of the extended internationalisation audit conducted by the German Rectors’ Conference, a close and successful project cooperation with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and a number of Alexander von Humboldt Awards for our international management and service.

Welcome to our one-of-a-kind campus in Bavaria!
It is both the heart of our university and a source of inspiration. It is where friendships are made, collaboration is initiated, and ideas are conceived, ensuring that our university remains a beacon of innovation. Scientific exchange profits tremendously from the wide variety of disciplines our communicative campus brings together.

For a closer look at our university, have a look here: https://www.gamechanger-campus.de/en.

Welcome to Bavaria!
75,000 people from 145 nations chose the city of Bayreuth as their new home, and those numbers are steadily rising. Because of its 12,000 students, Bayreuth is the third-youngest city in Germany. Living here means not getting stuck in traffic jams every morning. The short distances in Bayreuth allow you to leave your car at home and to walk or ride your bike to work and to campus.

Career & Networking
The Welcome Service at the University of Bayreuth is here to assist you with any questions regarding living and working in the region of Bayreuth. The team of our International Office provides guidance and support for all international students, scholars, and their families before, during and after their stay at the University of Bayreuth. The aim is to ensure a quick, trouble-free and thus successful start as well as an unforgettable stay on our friendly campus in Bayreuth and Kulmbach.

A good climate for your entrepreneurial spirit
The University of Bayreuth takes its role as a regional motor of innovation very seriously. The Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation was set up to help students gain the necessary qualifications in the area of entrepreneurial and innovative thinking and acting. In doing so, we nurture our students’ willingness and ability to start their own companies. Our Adviser for Start-Ups provides start-ups and prospective start-ups with confidential guidance and support. Strong innovation and research institutions combined with high-performance medium-sized companies make for a steady rise in workforce and a guarantee for job security.

Your new home away from home
Bayreuth and Kulmbach offer a wide variety of childcare services as well as affordable living space. Step outside your front door and enjoy the recreational activities. Scenic northern Bavaria is great for sports activities: cycling, hiking, mountain-climbing, canoeing, rafting, and skiing are all excellent ways to enrich your leisure time. However, if you do happen to crave the feel of a bigger city now and then, Nuremberg is only a one-hour train ride away and Munich is only two and a half hours away. You can reach Berlin in four hours by car or bus and Leipzig in half that time.

Why you should study in Bayreuth: https://www.gamechanger-campus.de/en/study-in-bayreuth

Have a great start. We look forward to meeting you!