Sustainable Electronics and Photonics (SEP) Dresden University of Technology

Master's Sustainable Electronics and Photonics (SEP)

The Evolution of OME

Building on our long-standing reputation in Organic and Molecular Electronics (“OME”), this interdisciplinary programme provides the high-level professional skills needed for an international career in the cutting-edge field of thin-film electronics and modern optics.

A Comprehensive Material Portfolio

While organic electronics remains a major pillar, the SEP programme reflects the true diversity of the "Beyond Moore" era. Our students gain deep technical expertise across a broad spectrum of materials, focusing on the research and development of:

• Next-Gen Devices: Ranging from OLEDs and nanowire transistors to optical memory, biomedical devices, and high-precision sensor devices
• Flexible & Printed Electronics: Mastering low-temperature manufacturing for lightweight, bendable tech
• Advanced Materials: Investigating the physics of organics, perovskites, and metal oxides in both micro and nano dimensions

Innovation with a Sustainable Perspective

The field of electronics is evolving rapidly. To ensure our graduates stay ahead, we have integrated a mandatory focus on Sustainability and Resource Management alongside our core technical modules. You will explore:

• Ecological Considerations: Understanding the environmental impact of fabrication and material choices
• Circular Concepts: Introduction to resource efficiency, recycling, and reuse strategies in the electronics lifecycle
• Sustainable Processing: How innovative manufacturing (like printed electronics) can reduce the carbon footprint of high-tech applications.

Study the Future

From smart integrated systems to high-efficiency solar cells, the market for these technologies is predicted to reach hundreds of billions of EUR in the next decade. With state-of-the-art study conditions and excellent mentoring, the SEP programme prepares you to lead this growth - technically, scientifically, and responsibly.

SEP (formerly OME) is one track students of the Erasmus Mundus programme can choose after their first year at KU Leuven.

The programme has a modular structure and consists of lectures, exercises, seminars, tutorials, internships, lab sessions, research projects, and language courses.

First Semester: Core Foundations

• Semiconductor Technology and Organic Semiconductors
• Basics of Solid State Science (Semiconductor Physics, Circuit Technology, Solid State & Quantum Physics)
• Materials for Nanoelectronics
• Physical Characterisation of Thin Films

Second Semester: Specialisation

• Optoelectronics and Printing Technology
• Major Area: Choice of Electronics OR Photonics (includes a lab course)
• Minor Area: Nanotechnology, plus the specialisation area not chosen as the major

Third Semester: Advanced Applications

• Concepts of Molecular Modelling
• Basics of Sustainability in Electronics and Photonics
• Additional major and minor courses
• Project Work: A unique, flexible module for an internship or independent research project

Fourth Semester: Final Examination

• Master’s Thesis and Defence (Colloquium)

Additional Requirement: In addition to the semester-specific modules above, students must complete one elective course at any point during their studies. Example choices include German as a Foreign Language, Current Topics in Materials Science, or Career Paths after studying SEP.

Erasmus Mundus Master's programme Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in cooperation with KU Leuven, Université Grenoble Alpes, Chalmers University of Technology and University of Barcelona

"Project Work" is a unique module that offers an opportunity of an internship or independent research within the Master’s programme. Students should find research projects that correspond to their interests (it could be at the university, at research institutions, or in the industry). The module comprises a practical course in the scope of 120 hours (eight semester hours per week) and self-study.

Application deadlines for international applicants

Registration period for aptitude assessment procedures
1 May – 31 May

Application period for non-EU applicants
1 April – 31 May

Application period for EU applicants
1 April – 15 July

Academic admission requirements include a first degree in physics, chemistry, electrical engineering, materials science, or a related field.
Please note that for most Non-EU countries (including India and China), a minimum of a four-year Bachelor's degree or three-year Bachelor's degree plus a one-year Master's degree is required (i.e. a minimum of a four-year duration of study).

Currently, students pay approx. 340 EUR per semester (i.e. for six months). This includes a ticket for public transport and regional trains in all of Germany ("Deutschlandticket". Additionally, students can use a bike rental service all over the city for free for 30 min. The contribution also assures concessions in the university cafeterias and offers benefits (e.g. price reductions) for many cultural and leisure activities in Dresden.

Dresden offers high quality of living at very moderate costs. Currently, students should expect to pay around 850 EUR per month including rent, food, insurance and basic expenses. This figure is relatively low compared to other big German cities.

In order to top up their budget, some students may want to look for temporary work in Dresden. If so, different regulations apply for students from EU member states, countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, and students from outside the European Union and the EEA area. In addition, restrictions on the duration of employment may apply. Professors, lecturers and group leaders involved in the Master's programme may offer students the possibility of working as academic assistants. However, living expenses can be financed only partially through a job as an academic assistant.

Deutschlandstipendium: https://tu-dresden.de/studium/rund-ums-studium/foerderung-und-finanzierung/deutschlandstipendium

Further information on scholarships and funding for students is summarised on a dedicated web page of the TU Dresden.

TU Dresden offers plenty of counselling and training by the Career Service to help students with finding professional orientation. They offer workshops to equip students with professional skills and help optimise their CVs.

Additionally, there are special workshops for international students to get to know the German and Saxon job market and network.

It is still relatively easy to find affordable accommodation in Dresden. Accommodation is available either via the "Studentenwerk Dresden" or on the private market. Rent for a single room in a student residence is approx. 250 EUR per month.
Private housing can be found online. We recommend that you move into a hall of residence at the beginning of your stay in Dresden. Subsequently, you can look for a place on the private market or in a shared apartment, which is known as a "Wohngemeinschaft" in German.