Sustainability Transformation in Engineering and Management Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen University of Applied Sciences

Become an agent of sustainable change!

In the Master's programme “Sustainability Transformation in Engineering and Management”, you will learn to identify sustainability-relevant fields of action across various industries and to develop innovative technical and entrepreneurial solutions.

With your interdisciplinary qualifications, you will be able to design sustainability strategies, implement and communicate them effectively, and facilitate constructive dialogue between decision-makers and stakeholders.

Shape a future worth living by actively driving positive change in companies, NGOs, and related sectors.

The programme is structured around four thematic pillars:

• Sustainability and Society
• Sustainable Engineering
• Sustainable Economy and Management
• Transformation and Innovation

You will acquire and deepen comprehensive subject-specific knowledge as well as interdisciplinary approaches to achieving sustainability goals based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The programme focuses on integrating technical, economic, and social perspectives through systems thinking to develop innovative solutions for future challenges.

Through practical projects and interdisciplinary teamwork, you will gain valuable competencies in transformation processes following a challenge-based learning approach. Key sustainability transformation fields include:

• Energy & Resource Management
• Sustainable Cities & Infrastructure
• Circular Economy & Sustainable Production

Through challenge-based learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global engagement, you will develop a well-rounded skill set that prepares you to become a change-maker in diverse professional contexts.

As graduates, you will apply the experience gained from working on real-world challenges directly in companies, organisations, and NGOs, actively contributing to the global sustainability transformation.

STEM – Sustainability Transformation in Engineering and Management (MSc)

This interdisciplinary Master’s programme combines sustainability, engineering, and management through challenge-based learning and real-world collaboration.

Over four semesters, students engage in interdisciplinary project work and develop expertise across four thematic pillars:

• Sustainability and Society (compulsory in all semesters)
• Sustainable Engineering (elective)
• Sustainable Economy and Management (elective)
• Transformation and Innovation (compulsory in all semesters)

The curriculum follows a flexible structure. While the compulsory pillars and project-based modules are required, students select elective courses from the two elective pillars according to their individual interests and academic background.

The programme includes various teaching formats such as lectures, seminars, and project-based learning. Practical project work and interdisciplinary collaboration form an integral part of the curriculum throughout all semesters.

The programme concludes with a Master’s thesis, which is typically completed in cooperation with external partners.

Cooperation with companies and other organisations is supported through integrated interdisciplinary project work. Students have the opportunity to complete their Master’s thesis in collaboration with a company or organisation. In addition, voluntary internships may be undertaken, but they are not a mandatory part of the programme.

Admission to the Master’s programme Sustainability Transformation in Engineering and Management is based on a consecutive qualification following a completed first academic degree qualifying for professional practice in engineering, technical, business, or social sciences disciplines. The standard duration of this first degree must be at least six semesters (180 ECTS credits). The Examination Board is responsible for determining whether this requirement is fulfilled.

Admission is only possible if proof of a relevant first academic degree in accordance with the above requirements can be provided.

Applicants must submit a completed application for admission via the designated THM application portal within the official application period, including the following documents:

• Proof of the first academic degree (final certificate, Diploma Supplement, and Transcript of Records or equivalent documentation). If final documents are not yet available by the application deadline, alternative regulations apply according to the applicable admission procedures.
• Applicants with a first academic degree obtained in a non-German-taught programme must provide proof of sufficient German language proficiency at least at level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
• Proof of sufficient English language proficiency at least at level B2 CEFR. Accepted evidence typically includes internationally recognised tests such as Cambridge First Certificate, TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS. The Examination Board decides on the recognition of language certificates.

All required documents must be submitted in German or English. Documents issued in other languages must be accompanied by officially certified translations into German or English. Documents issued in English are reviewed directly by the admission committee.

The semester contribution amounts to approx. 350 EUR per semester. This gives students access to free regional public transportation. It also includes certain discounts such as for the following: university cafeterias, a local outdoor pool, city theatre and a bike rental system. Further details can be found here: https://www.thm.de/site/hochschule/zentrale-bereiche/studiensekretariat.html/

Possible costs of living per month:

• Rent (fully furnished room in a student hall of residence or a private shared flat): approx. 350 EUR to 450 EUR per month plus a one-time deposit
• Semester contribution fee per semester (including free public transport): approx. 350 EUR
• Health insurance: approx. 140 EUR
• Groceries: approx. 200 EUR

Other budget items include:

• Study materials
• Phone, Internet usage
• Sports, culture, leisure
• Clothes & hygiene articles

Overall, you have to provide at least 992 EUR per month or have proof of a blocked account (11,904 EUR) for the extension of your residence permit.

THM's International Career Centre offers a wide range of career planning and career entry services for international students and graduates.

https://www.thm.de/site/en/international/welcome-stay/icc.html

The "InternationalTalents@THMprofession" qualification programme supports international students in their transition to the labour market and improves their career and residence prospects through the acquisition of interdisciplinary and professionally relevant skills through individual counselling and coaching.

https://www.thm.de/site/en/international/welcome-to-stay-/career-coaching-for-international-students.html

THM provides international students with information on finding suitable and affordable accommodation.

https://www.thm.de/site/en/international/welcome-to-stay-/living-and-studying-in-central-hesse/living-internationally.html

Experience shows that demand for accommodation is highest at the beginning of each semester (April, October), so you should start looking for accommodation around the end of the previous semester (February, July) if possible.

The Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Germany and the largest in the state of Hesse. With campuses in Giessen, Friedberg, and Wetzlar, THM is centrally located in the economically strong Rhine-Main region, close to Frankfurt am Main. This strategic location enables close collaboration with a wide range of industries, research institutions, and public organisations.

THM has its roots in the centre of Hesse and maintains particularly strong ties to regional partners, including companies, municipalities, and research networks. These long-standing partnerships form an essential part of its practice-oriented academic profile and provide students with direct access to real-world applications, internships, and collaborative projects.

With around 12 faculties and the Centre for Cooperative Degrees, THM offers degree programmes across the fields of engineering, business, information technology, health sciences, and natural sciences. The university serves about 15,000 students, including an international student population of around 12–17%, reflecting its increasing global orientation.

A defining characteristic of THM is its strong focus on applied sciences and practice-oriented teaching. The university integrates teaching and research closely, ensuring that academic content is continuously informed by current developments in industry and society. This is further strengthened through intensive cooperation with regional and international partners, enabling students to work on real-world challenges already during their studies.

THM is also actively engaged in applied research and innovation. It participates in interdisciplinary research networks such as the Research Campus Mittelhessen, a collaboration with Justus Liebig University Giessen and Philipps University Marburg, which fosters knowledge exchange between universities and promotes regional scientific excellence.

In addition, THM places strong emphasis on supporting international students through dedicated services such as language training, academic advising, career counselling, and integration programmes. English-taught degree programmes and international projects further enhance accessibility for students from around the world and support their academic and professional development in Germany.

Overall, THM combines high-quality applied education, strong industry integration, and a supportive learning environment, making it an attractive destination for both German and international students seeking a practice-oriented academic experience with excellent career prospects.

The Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) is located in the central German state of Hesse and operates three campuses in Giessen, Friedberg, and Wetzlar, all within the economically strong Rhine-Main region and close to Frankfurt am Main.

The degree programme is primarily based at the Friedberg Campus, which offers a particularly student-centred and high-quality study environment. Located approximately 35 km north of Frankfurt, Friedberg combines the advantages of a calm, compact town with direct access to one of Europe’s most dynamic metropolitan regions. This creates an ideal balance between focused academic work and access to urban opportunities such as internships, cultural life, and career networks.

With around 4,000 students, Friedberg has a welcoming and close-knit campus atmosphere where personal contact with lecturers and peers is easy and direct. The campus is known for its practical orientation, modern facilities, and strong integration into regional industry, which supports hands-on learning and applied projects.

Beyond academic life, Friedberg offers a very attractive student lifestyle. The town provides a range of shops, cafés, restaurants, and everyday amenities within walking distance, making student life convenient and comfortable. Its compact historic old town creates a pleasant and safe environment that is easy to navigate and fosters a strong sense of community.

In addition, Friedberg offers a lively cultural and social scene despite its small size. The city hosts a variety of regular markets, local festivals, and seasonal events, as well as well-known open-air concerts and music events in the wider area. The nearby Seewiese festival grounds, for example, host large open-air concerts every summer, attracting national and international artists and creating a vibrant atmosphere during the festival season.

This combination of a relaxed everyday environment, local shopping and leisure options, and a dynamic event culture gives Friedberg a particularly high quality of student life.

At the same time, the proximity to Frankfurt allows students to easily access major cultural events, nightlife, and professional opportunities while enjoying the advantages of a smaller, more focused study location.

The other THM campuses in Giessen and Wetzlar complement the university network in the region, but the Friedberg Campus stands out in particular for its balanced combination of academic focus, strong student community, and high quality of life.