Sustainable Materials and Engineering (M.Sc.)

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

You will earn a total of 120 ECTS credits, typically taking 30 credits per semester. 

In the first semester, you will enrol in the following courses: 

• Chemistry and Analytics
• Compulsory Elective Lab Course
• Technical Principles of Sustainability and Circular Economy
• Resources and Materials
• Economic Aspects of Circular Innovations

Students choose two of the three specialization tracks and complete the specializations' required courses (at least 18 ECTS) Students can choose to focus on the following subjects:

• Sustainable Chemistry
• Sustainable Materials
• Sustainable Systems Engineering

Students can earn the remaining ECTS points through recommended mandatory elective or elective modules.

Before starting your Master's thesis, you will complete an interdisciplinary project with the support of two supervisors from different academic fields participating in the study programme.

Master's thesis

• The topic of your Master's thesis will also be interdisciplinary, drawing from at least two academic fields in the study programme.
• You will complete your thesis project under the guidance of at least two supervisors from different academic fields, who help guide you in choosing your thesis topic.
• Within six weeks of completing your thesis, you will present your work in a public exam colloquium. The exam colloquium is comprised of two parts: a thirty-minute scientific presentation followed by up to thirty minutes for your thesis examiners to ask questions. 

Nearly every corporation and government agency places significant attention on the resourceful and sustainable use of materials. Your Master's degree in Sustainable Materials and Engineering qualifies you for a wide variety of careers in the private sector, research institutions and government agencies. The programme's interdisciplinary structure gives you the skills to solve complex issues in sustainable materials and system development in various contexts. Your in-depth knowledge of sustainable materials and systems and your ability to analyze, develop and produce them can open doors to careers in research and development, product and process design, energy and environmental engineering, quality management and certification, industry and production, consulting, as well as working in the public sector or education. You can also continue deepening your knowledge by pursuing a PhD in a relevant subject.

Admission requirements

A Bachelor's degree from a German university or an equivalent degree from a foreign higher education institution in natural sciences, materials science or engineering with a grade of at least 2.5 on the German academic scale or the equivalent.

You should have earned at least the following number of ECTS credits in lecture courses and problem-solving classes in each of the following areas during your Bachelor studies: 

• Physics or physical chemistry: 10 CP
• Fundamentals of Mathematics: 10 CP
• Thermodynamics: 5 CP
• Laboratory courses in chemistry, physics and/or engineering: 10 CP

C1 level in German or English

How to apply

Students can begin this programme in winter or summer semester. The deadline for applications for the upcoming winter semester is 30 September 2025. 

Applications for admission are submitted online via Saarland University's student information management (SIM) portals. If you have any questions about using the SIM portals, please refer to our SIM Saarland help pages.

Provisional Regulations

• Study regulations (in German)
• Examination regulations (in German)
• Subject-specific regulations (in German)

Study plan and more information

• Module catalogue (provisional)
• Study plan (provisional)