Materials Science University of Stuttgart

Knowledge of synthesis, properties, and the relation between the structure and properties of materials plays a crucial role for developing new technologies. To obtain a broad and fundamental understanding of materials science, the Master's course of study provides the background for understanding material behaviour for a broad spectrum of material classes (metals, ceramics, polymers, biomaterials, nanomaterials, etc.).

Lectures devoted to material synthesis and production/engineering routes, thermodynamic and kinetics of materials (e.g. phase transformations), and structural (strength) and functional (conductivity, magnetic) properties are cornerstones of the Master's course of study.

To finish the Master's degree, modules must be completed in the total amount of 120 CP (CP = credit point; 1 CP equals a workload of 30 hours).

Compulsory Modules
Winter semester:

• Synthesis and Properties of Inorganic Materials
• Advanced Materials Science Laboratory
• Practical Skills and Project Planning (related to topic of Master's thesis)
• Advanced Science Seminar

Summer semester:

• Atomic Transport and Phase Transformations
• Polymer Materials Science

Materials Science Specialisation (Compulsory Options)

The specialisation subjects represent the core of the scientific education. Presently, they can be chosen from the following:

• Advanced Materials Characterisation
• Functional Materials
• Inorganic Materials Chemistry
• Materials Theory and Simulation
• Metals and Structural Materials
• Nanomaterials and Surfaces
• Plastics Engineering
• Soft Matter and Biomaterials

Each of these subjects offers a choice of different related modules that can be selected in accordance to the Materials Science Specialisation subject catalogue.

• Optional courses
• Master's thesis

Information on the Materials Science curriculum is available on the following website: https://www.mawi.uni-stuttgart.de/studium/master_okt16.en.html.

Bachelor's degree in materials science or a similar subject

Approx. 200 EUR per semester

Living expenses amount to about 1,050 EUR per month. Non-EU students will have to demonstrate that they have sufficient finances to cover living expenses for 12 months. EU citizens may apply for state-guaranteed loans during the time of enrolment. 

For more information, see the links on our website.

Please be aware that it may be very challenging to finance your whole studies by working. Non-EU citizens are allowed by law to work for a maximum of 120 days per year. Only students who are employed by the university in one of the institutes or departments ("Studentische/Wissenschaftliche Hilfskräfte") are exempt from this regulation, but other restrictions apply.

For more detailed information, please consult our websites: International Students: Financing Your Studies and Working During Your Studies.

Please check our website on financial aid and scholarships: https://www.uni-stuttgart.de/en/study/new-in-stuttgart/finances/international/.

Both the campus in Stuttgart-Vaihingen and the campus in the centre of Stuttgart have on-site halls of residence. Dorm rooms (ranging from 320 EUR to 650 EUR per month) are furnished. Some are equipped with a sink, and all have access to a kitchen and sanitary facilities, telephone and Internet. From the campus in Stuttgart-Vaihingen, the city of Stuttgart can be reached by suburban railway within ten minutes.

Intelligent systems to benefit society

The University of Stuttgart is one of the leading technically oriented universities in Germany with global significance. It sees itself as a centre of university-based, non-university, and industrial research. Furthermore, it takes on a role as a guarantor of research-based teaching, focused on quality and holism. The university promotes the transfer of knowledge and technologies to society in all its areas of expertise and competence. The "Stuttgarter Weg" (Stuttgart Way) means an interdisciplinary integration of engineering, natural sciences, humanities, management, economics and social sciences based on the fundamentals of cutting-edge research at a disciplinary level. Our vision is “intelligent systems to benefit society”.

Excellent research and teaching

The University of Stuttgart implements innovative concepts in research and teaching in order to provide knowledge and strategies for a meaningful and sustainable development. It focuses on basic research that is both knowledge-oriented and application-related. To facilitate this research, the university is actively part of regional, national and international research networks.

The university is committed to the principle of unity between research and teaching. Students acquire knowledge, expertise and the power of judgement, in accordance with the guidelines of scientific research and awareness. The university fosters fascination for the sciences, supporting its students and junior researchers at all stages of their careers. It promotes independent thinking and provides an environment for responsible action. In doing so, it educates individuals into becoming exceptional experts who think in an integrative and global manner and act responsibly in the sciences, economics and society.

A powerful region

Founded in 1829, at the beginning of the Industrial Age, the University of Stuttgart continues to prepare the way for innovation within an economically and scientifically powerful region and contributes to the economic success and prosperity of our society. This process combines the requirements of a social and cultural change, which allows for an early and extensive input of social interests in research and design as well as teaching and further education.

Open-mindedness

The University of Stuttgart stands for open-mindedness, individuality and community spirit. It brings together students who are eager to learn, highly motivated employees, outstanding teachers, and excellent researchers, as well as visionary thinkers and inventors. By means of its culture of integration, the university creates and conveys knowledge for shaping the future of our society.

The University of Stuttgart is nestled in one of Europe’s most vibrant industrial regions. This fosters many forms of interdisciplinary collaboration — for instance, in numerous Collaborative Research Centres (also known as CRC or sometimes CRC/TRR) and in application-oriented research assignments. The University of Stuttgart sets up a close relationship and a successful transfer of knowledge and technology between its research institutions and business enterprises in the region and beyond. This very practical orientation benefits research and teaching. At the same time, economic players profit from rapid access to new scientific knowledge and contact to experts in their specialised fields. There are numerous possibilities of collaboration for businesses. Furthermore, the university also maintains a close relationship with non-university research institutions such as the Max Planck Society, the Fraunhofer Society, the German Aerospace Centre, and the German Literature Archive Marbach. Thus, the optimal prerequisites for cutting-edge research at the highest level are all to be found in Stuttgart.