Sustainability Science: Resources, Materials and Chemistry Leuphana University Lüneburg

This Master’s programme integrates a holistic life-cycle perspective with systems thinking from the outset, emphasising the role of resources, material flows, and chemical substances across industries and societal systems. Throughout the course, students gain foundational insights into the environmental and economic implications of resource use, including the identification of viable alternatives: ranging from innovative chemical solutions to non-chemical approaches like redesigned business models.

By the end of the programme, graduates will be equipped to analyse the resource demands of products and processes, assess associated challenges, and propose sustainable solutions. They will develop expertise in sustainability evaluation tools such as the E-factor and life cycle assessment (LCA), and apply principles of safe and sustainable design in chemistry, materials science, and product development. Key topics include recycling strategies, sustainable separation techniques, circular economy frameworks, and the responsible management of both renewable (e.g. bio-based) and non-renewable resources like metals and critical elements.

The curriculum also addresses the broader context of sustainable chemistry, covering the entire life cycle of substances and products: from raw material extraction and processing to end-of-life management. Students explore the environmental impacts of resource depletion and dissipation, the potential and constraints of green chemistry innovations, and the regulatory landscape governing chemical and material use globally. Additionally, the course incorporates forward-looking concepts such as circular business models and international frameworks for substance and material stewardship, preparing students to drive sustainability in a rapidly evolving global context.

This programme begins in the first semester with foundational modules that bridge natural sciences, social sciences, and sustainability studies, establishing a multidisciplinary understanding essential for addressing complex global challenges. Core topics include Sustainability Science, Transdisciplinary Research Approaches, and an introductory exploration of Sustainable and Green Chemistry, focusing on key themes such as resource management, chemical and material flows, product design, recycling practices, and relevant international regulatory frameworks.

During the subsequent two semesters, students engage with advanced coursework covering Renewable and Finite Resources, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), circular economy principles, and cutting-edge developments in green and sustainable chemistry. These modules build upon the initial foundation, offering deeper analytical and practical insights. Students also have the opportunity to tailor their learning through a range of elective courses, allowing them to pursue specialised interests aligned with their academic and professional goals.

The final semester is devoted to the independent research component: students design, conduct, and complete their Master’s thesis.

Complementing the subject-specific curriculum, the programme integrates Leuphana’s distinctive interdisciplinary framework through three modules of the so-called Complementary Studies:

• Engaging with Knowledge and Sciences
• Reflecting on Research Methods
• Connecting Science, Responsibility, and Society

These components encourage students to critically examine the role of science in society, develop ethical research practices and engage with broader societal responsibilities.

None

For a detailed list of requirements, see: https://www.leuphana.de/master-apply.

You do not have to pay tuition fees. You only have to pay a semester contribution of approx. 450 EUR per semester (subject to change). This will entitle you to receive a semester ticket, which covers public transport in Germany. The semester contribution also covers participation in a rent-a-bike programme and free entrance to many cultural events in Lüneburg.

Approx. 900 EUR per month to cover personal expenses in Lüneburg:

• Accommodation: 350 to 500 EUR
• Food: 250 EUR
• Health insurance: 120 EUR (not applicable for EU students)
• Leisure activities, books, clothing: 80 to 250 EUR

Students have the opportunity to take up part-time employment alongside their studies. Positions may be available in the city of Lüneburg, within the university itself, for example as student or research assistants, and the nearby city of Hamburg, which is offering a wide range of job opportunities in various sectors.

International students with a residence permit are allowed to undertake a limited amount of paid employment (a maximum of 120 days per year, or alternatively 240 days part time — up to four hours a day).

However, please note that Graduate School's Master’s programmes are designed as a full-time courses of study.

Leuphana's own Career Service offers comprehensive services in various fields of activity involving career and vocational orientation linked to programmes of study as well as the possibility to network with the labour market.

More information can be found on the website of Leuphana's Career Service.

Student Counselling Service of the Graduate School

Websites and relevant addresses for finding accommodation in Lüneburg are listed on the website of the International Office.

Leuphana University Lüneburg is one of Germany's landmark universities for higher education reform and innovation. With about 10,000 students and 160 full-time professors, the university has developed a highly respected academic profile. Today, Leuphana University Lüneburg is regarded as an institution for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, academic organisation, innovation in teaching, and academic transfer.

The mission of Leuphana derives from the fundamental idea of academic education as enabling an individual to live in a self-determined manner and take part in shaping society. A university for civil society in the 21st century, Leuphana follows the mission of being a humanistic, sustainable, and proactive university.

Leuphana consists of three organisational units focusing on the needs of different academic constituencies: Leuphana College, which offers specialised and interdisciplinary Bachelor's programmes; Leuphana Graduate School, with its consecutive Master's and doctoral programmes; and Leuphana Professional School, focusing on continuing education and knowledge transfer.

The Leuphana Graduate School encompasses both the Master's and the doctoral programmes of all faculties. Thus, students benefit from a seamless transition between Master's and doctoral programmes as well as from close interaction with students from other programmes and faculties. The model of a discipline-independent graduate school also ensures consistently high-quality standards in study, teaching, and administration.

Lüneburg is a 1,000-year-old city of about 80,000 inhabitants, located near Hamburg. Established as a salt mining community, it enjoyed great prosperity in its early years, supplying the whole Scandinavian and Baltic Sea regions with salt. Renowned for its opportunities and affluence, Lüneburg was the place to be for Germany's most wealthy inhabitants, a legacy still evident in the well-preserved city centre.

Today, Lüneburg is essentially a university town. The lavish 14th and 15th-century churches — St. John's, St. Michael's, and St. Nicolai's — the beautiful Baroque main square, and the tranquil medieval monastery attract visitors from all over the world.

The pedestrian city centre invites visitors to linger; a great number of well-assorted specialist shops in historic buildings featuring steep gables provide extensive shopping opportunities, and many cafés and pubs open their doors to visitors every day. In particular, the bars situated at the Stint and in Schröderstraße offer various options for a vibrant nightlife. Lüneburg is also a vibrant cultural hub; numerous musicians, artists, and actors are active in the clubs, studios, and theatres of the town.