Clean Energy Processes FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

Do you want to make your own contribution to an environmentally-friendly future? Do you want to learn from specialists doing the most innovative research in their respective field of engineering? Then the CEP programme is just right for you!

At a glance

The research oriented Master’s degree programme in Clean Energy Processes (CEP) is designed to prepare graduates to work as engineers in industry or academia with regards to clean energy processes while focussing on energy technology and energy systems. Students are enabled to become experts in their chosen specialisations.

Course outline

The Master's programme in Clean Energy Processes provides graduates with the skills required to successfully address and work on answers for current and future questions about energy systems and energy conversion and use of energy in all types of industry. The intensive study of these topics together with the associated laboratory internships, complementary modules in energy technology, process engineering, plant and equipment engineering with a view on socio-economic aspects allows students to gain a profound knowledge of clean energy processes. Additionally, students can benefit from the proximity to cutting-edge research conducted by the Helmholtz Institute for Renewable Energy (HI-ERN) with its focus on sustainable, and cost-effective utilisation of renewable energy. The programme will therefore provide students with broad career opportunities in national or international industry as well as in academia.

Course content

The study plan includes:

• Specialisation modules for the two specialisations energy technologies and energy systems
• Compulsory and elective modules (for example, energy technology, process engineering, chemical engineering, plant and equipment engineering, material sciences and economics)
• Seminars
• Laboratory courses
• Internship
• Master’s thesis

Scientific Environment

The CEP programme is embedded in the Faculty of Engineering of FAU and works in close proximity to local research centres such as the Helmholtz Institute for Renewable Energy, the Energy Campus Nürnberg, the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits and the Bavarian Center for Applied Energy Research e.V., thus creating a unique environment for research and innovation.

Programme Structure

The CEP programme is designed as a two-year Master's course of study that allows students to specialise in either energy technologies or energy systems. CEP is complemented by specialisation modules with included laboratory courses. Compulsory and elective modules are offered in energy technology, process engineering, chemical engineering, plant and equipment engineering, material sciences and economics. Other skills acquired are soft skills, advanced scientific skills, and the possibility to work in projects related to research at the involved institutes as well as an integrated internship in either research or industry.

Goal of the English language Master's programme in Clean Energy Processes

The innovative programme is enabling students to increase their knowledge in chemical engineering, process engineering as well as other related engineering disciplines like electrical engineering and material sciences while allowing students to choose a specialisation in energy systems or energy technology.

FAU's closeness to the leading research hub in renewable energies and close ties to industry enable students to perfectly prepare for demanding and meaningful tasks in either research or industry.

Students of CEP are required to complete a 12-week internship in industry or at a scientific institution. The programme has close ties to both research and industry. Internships undertaken prior to the Master's programme may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

Deadline for applications is 31 May (non-EU citizens) and 15 July (EU citizens) for the winter semester and 30 November (non-EU citizens) and 15 January (EU-citizens) for the summer semester.

International students are advised to apply well before the respective application deadline.

Application and admission requirements

• An undergraduate degree, BSc in a similar study programme
  • For instance chemical engineering, energy technology or similar programmes.
• Proficiency of the English language on level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), see below for details

Prerequisites

• Expected Bachelor's modules or majors: chemical engineering, process engineering, energy technology or related subjects

FAU does charge tuition fees for students from non-EU states. Using the fee finder, you can quickly check whether you are required to pay tuition fees. Irrespective of tuition fees, all students are required to pay a semester contribution of 82 EUR per semester. As of winter semester 2026/27, FAU will be charging a processing fee of 100 EUR per application for applicants from non-EU states. 

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 (prices may vary):

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

According to a study by the German National Association for Student Affairs, around 63 percent 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 13 to 16 EUR per hour. Students can have a "600 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.

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.

Funding your studies | FAU

Our diverse range of professional events and consultation services for members of all of FAU’s faculties are designed to support students, graduates and doctoral candidates when planning and starting their careers. This service is available for up to one year after graduation.

The services we offer include career guidance and advice on applying for jobs, job application training, and seminars as well as presentations and information on specific careers.

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.

Founded in 1743, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is now one of the largest research universities in Germany with 39,865 students and 278 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 goes beyond the boundaries of individual subjects.

FAU’s outstanding research and teaching are 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, one of the most prosperous and successful regions in Europe. 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.