Materials Science — Focus Business Administration Kiel University

The Focus Business Administration is an extension of the Master’s programme in Materials Science and offers a unique, materials-oriented perspective on technology management, innovation, and industrial leadership. Students deepen their understanding of how scientific discoveries are transformed into successful products, technologies, and sustainable business strategies. By combining advanced materials science with business administration, innovation management, research management, and technology strategy, graduates develop the expertise to lead interdisciplinary teams, manage research and development projects, and drive technological innovation from the laboratory to industrial implementation.

The programme combines outstanding research opportunities with close interaction between science and industry, enabling students to understand innovation processes in research-intensive environments. Through collaboration with the department's research groups and industrial partners, students gain practical experience in technology management, innovation processes, strategic decision-making, and the management of research and development activities. Master's theses can be conducted within the Department of Materials Science or in cooperation with national and international research institutions and industrial partners, providing an excellent foundation for leadership positions in technology-driven organisations.

Graduates acquire a unique combination of advanced materials science expertise and management competencies, preparing them for careers in research and development management, technology and innovation management, strategic consulting, high-tech entrepreneurship, or doctoral studies.

The focus Business Administration is embedded within the Master's programme Materials Science and combines advanced materials science with management, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Students develop the ability to bridge scientific expertise and economic decision-making, preparing them to lead technological innovation from the laboratory to industrial application.

First Semester – Building the Scientific Foundation

During the first semester, students deepen their understanding of the fundamental principles of modern materials science through advanced courses in solid state physics, solid state chemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics, analytics, and higher mathematics. Together with the Master's project, these modules provide the scientific foundation required to evaluate technological developments from both scientific and strategic perspectives.

Second Semester – Technology Meets Management

In the second semester, students begin the Business Administration focus by combining advanced materials science with management-oriented education. Courses such as innovation management, technology strategy, and management of applied research and development introduce the principles of technology transfer, research management, intellectual property, and strategic decision-making. Students learn how scientific discoveries are transformed into innovative products and competitive technologies.

Third Semester – Innovation, Leadership and Industrial Practice

The third semester focuses on the practical application of management principles in technology-driven environments. Through project work, case studies, and interdisciplinary collaboration, students strengthen their leadership, communication, and decision-making skills while working on innovation processes within materials science and engineering. Close interaction with the institute's research groups and industrial partners provides valuable insight into the management of research projects, technology development, and innovation within international organisations.

Fourth Semester – Master's Thesis

The final semester is dedicated to the Master's thesis. Students conduct an independent research or innovation project within one of the institute's research groups or in collaboration with industrial partners. Depending on the topic, the thesis may combine scientific research with technological, strategic, or economic aspects, preparing graduates for leadership positions in research-intensive industries.

The application period is in January and February of each year for a start date in October of the same year. For the current dates, please visit our website: www.kielmat.com.

Admission to the Master’s programme is possible if a Bachelor’s degree in materials science and business administration comparable to that offered by Kiel University has been successfully completed. The required combination may also be demonstrated by holding a Bachelor’s degree in a natural science or technical field and a university degree in business administration. In such cases, admission may be subject to certain conditions.

All language certificates issued by an official body that clearly indicate the language proficiency level are accepted.

An enrolment fee ("Einschreibgebühr") of 55 EUR is charged for the first enrolment at Kiel University. A semester contribution ("Semesterbeitrag") currently amounting to 403 EUR must be paid each semester. This covers administration fees ("Verwaltungskostenbeitrag"), free public transport ("bundesweites Semesterticket") for trains and buses, reduced lunch prices, a culture ticket and other benefits for students.

The monthly costs of living in Germany are currently at least 992 EUR per month. Please note that when applying for a visa (from countries requiring a visa) and also later in Germany when extending a residence permit, financial means in the amount of the living costs for one year (11,904 EUR) must be proven.

More information can be found here: www.international.uni-kiel.de/en/incomings/planning-arrival-and-stay/visa.

The Department of Materials Science offers a number of positions as research assistants (HiWi) at the individual chairs to provide financial support. These positions are intended to help cover living expenses, but do not cover them in full.

In addition, we collaborate with the Science and Technology Academy Kiel (https://science-and-technology-academy.de/). This organisation supports students by providing job opportunities in industry during their studies.

Please find information on accommodation in Kiel on the following website: https://www.international.uni-kiel.de/en/incomings/planning-arrival-and-stay/accomodation.

Kiel University (also referred to as the CAU) was founded in 1665. It is Schleswig-Holstein's oldest, largest and best-known university, with 27,000 students and 3,700 staff members. It is also the only full-fledged university in the state. Seven Nobel Prize winners have worked here. The CAU has been successfully taking part in the Excellence Initiative since 2006.

We use research, teaching and the transfer of science to address the great challenges of our time in health, environmental and cultural change, nutrition and energy. In doing so, we ensure peace and preserve livelihoods for future generations. We use responsible actions to make sure that scientific discoveries are transferred into all sectors of our society by interdisciplinary thought – regardless of short-lived trends – where they are incorporated into political, economic and social decisions aimed at securing peace and prosperity.

When it was founded back in 1665, the CAU had the motto “Pax Optima Rerum: peace is the most valuable asset.” This maxim is as applicable today as it was over 350 years ago. We want to follow this key idea and contribute towards creating a peaceful, fair world in which everyone lives freely and comfortably. We aim to create a world in which treating the environment with respect also enables future generations to enjoy the same benefits.

CAU’s mission:
Our mission is to deliver research and teaching that contribute to peace, prosperity and maintaining a pluralistic, free society as well as address the challenges we are facing. Our strong disciplines carry out this mission. The fulfilment of this mission requires interdisciplinary collaboration and involves transdisciplinary issues. We find solutions to today’s pressing problems and implement these solutions together with stakeholders from society, industry and politics.

Teaching profile:
We are dedicated to research-based teaching and learning. Therefore, the development of new teaching approaches is evolving constantly at the interfaces between research from the different scientific disciplines. Students from all over the world benefit from this: research results are quickly integrated into programme curricula and our academic staff is trained in state-of-the-art teaching methods.

Research profile:
The CAU is Schleswig-Holstein’s only full-fledged university with a major focus on research. Over time, four dynamic priority research areas have systematically developed. These are based on strong disciplines interacting together – Marine Science, Life Science, Societal and Cultural Change, and Nano Surface and Interface Science. Each individual research area makes a substantial contribution towards dealing with at least one of the grand challenges of our time.

Transfer profile:
A university is not an island. It is an entity that impacts on, with and for society in a number of ways, by offering space for new ideas, passing on knowledge and values, and enabling debates about controversial subjects. Universities train specialists, produce innovative products and start-ups, help companies to develop further and assist politics by giving advice and warnings. The CAU encompasses top quality, innovative science, a sense of responsibility and the transfer of knowledge. We advocate for the university’s active role in society and aim to work closely together with the community to be the driving force behind regional, national and international development by looking for and finding pioneering solutions for our most pressing issues. This is the reason why we maintain a variety of active connections with our partners in science, industry, politics and society.

Read more about our profiles.

The city of Kiel is located directly on the Baltic Sea coast and is the capital of the northernmost German federal state, Schleswig-Holstein. Famous for its sailing tradition, Kiel has hosted two Olympic sailing competitions. The city's annual "Kiel Week" is the world's largest sailing event and one of the biggest cultural festivals in northern Europe. Kiel's international flair is enhanced by its port, where Scandinavian ferries dock next to cruise liners and historic ships. Those who enjoy going out will benefit from the city's lively cultural life as well as the many clubs and bars to be found between the campus and the city centre. Kiel is a strong centre of science and research. Our students benefit from studying by the sea in a city that offers short distances and a wide range of leisure facilities by the waterside. It takes less than 20 minutes to get from the lecture hall to the beach. A fresh breeze on your face and the right books on hand create a great atmosphere for learning. The social conditions for studying in Kiel are excellent. Freshmen receive a welcome payment of 100 EUR when they come to Kiel to commence their undergraduate studies. They have the opportunity to live in one of the many halls of residence, which are reasonably priced and situated close to the universities. In our bicycle-friendly city, not only the universities but also other inner-city locations can be reached conveniently by bike. The new scientific generation represents the most important resource for making Kiel, the state capital, fit for the future.

www.kiel.de