MSc Advanced Materials and Processes (MAP) FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

Programme

Advanced Materials and Processes (MAP) is a combination of Materials Science and Engineering with Chemical and Biological Engineering. These disciplines play a key role in the development of novel technologies – without new materials, a great range of key inventions from digital computers or jet engines to customised medical implants would not have been possible. Novel materials with new functionalities or improved properties, however, require specifically designed, economically and environmentally sustainable production processes – which might themselves depend on the development of new catalyst materials. This intimate connection between processes and materials is of key importance for advances and innovations in virtually any field of technology. Chemical and Biological Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering are thus highly intertwined fields, which are, however, traditionally treated as separate subjects.

MAP is an English-taught, interdisciplinary Master’s programme and provides a unique curriculum for the next generation of engineers. Students follow an individually tailored curriculum to learn the fundamentals of Chemical and Biological Engineering and/or Materials Science and Engineering in small groups. Four focal subjects allow the students to further deepen their knowledge in key technological areas:

• Advanced Processes
• Biomaterials and Bioprocessing
• Computational Materials Science and Process Simulation
• Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology

MAP is a highly selective, accredited, two-year Master’s programme. It is characterised by a very low student-to-faculty ratio, early involvement in cutting-edge research through miniprojects and literature reviews, the availability of educational grants, and personal support from the MAP team. Furthermore, students can gain additional qualifications for an academic career or for a career in industry through specialised modules with extra credits. A high percentage of MAP graduates continue to pursue a PhD, but MAP graduates are also highly sought after by industry, with typical destinations including the automotive, aerospace, oil and gas, food technology, health and safety, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Scientific Environment

MAP is embedded in the Faculty of Engineering of the FAU. Local research centres such as the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology (IISB), the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, the Helmholtz Institute for Renewable Energy Production (HI-ERN), the Institute of Advanced Materials and Processes (ZMP), the Neue Materialien Fürth GmbH (NMF), the Erlangen Catalysis Resource Center (ECRC), and Energy Campus Nürnberg complement the unique research environment in materials and processes.

Programme Structure

The core MAP programme is designed as a four-semester Master's course with the following general structure and semester content. Optional additional qualifications provide the opportunity to gain competences with a focus on research or industry. These additional qualifications consist of a second miniproject and an internship with a total of 25 ECTS points.

The content of the individual semesters is described in detail on the MAP website.

The structure of MAP combines core knowledge in Materials Science and Engineering as well as Chemical and Biological Engineering with more advanced courses in the four focal topics. The core knowledge is taught via "Fundamentals" lectures, while the focal topics are introduced via "Basics" lectures to provide an overview of the subjects. Each student specialises in two out of four focal topics. The curriculum is complemented by soft skills, scientific skills, and a mini project, in which students gain first-hand experience with research at the involved institutes. The programme ends with a Master's thesis as an independent research project.

Added value of the English language MSc Advanced Materials and Processes

The international, English language course “Advanced Materials and Processes” uniquely combines content from Materials Sciences and Chemistry and Bioengineering, thus placing it within the FAU’s research focus on “New Materials and Processes”. In addition to the interdisciplinary nature, the English language, the competitive selection process, the individually tailored curricula, the mentoring, and the soft skill courses, innovative teaching concepts and early active involvement in research combine to form a unique study experience.

Among the additional qualifications, MAP students are required to complete a 12-week long internship. The MAP office and MAP lecturers assist students in finding placements. Internships undertaken prior to the MAP programme may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

Application and admission

• An excellent Bachelor's degree in a MAP-related subject is required.
• Applicants should show performance orientation and a specific motivation for the interdisciplinary programme.
• English proficiency demonstrated through a high TOEFL (or equivalent) score
• Detailed information about the application procedure can be found on the MAP website.

Prerequisites and programme structure:

• expected Bachelor's majors: materials science and engineering, chemical and biological engineering, life science engineering, nanotechnology, polymer engineering, chemistry, physics, or related subjects
• degree of graduation: Bachelor of Science (BSc) / Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) / Bachelor of Technology (BTech) or equivalent

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.