European Mining Course (EMC) RWTH Aachen University

The European Mining Course (EMC) is an exchange programme organised by three leading technical universities in Europe:

• RWTH Aachen University (Germany)
• Aalto University (Finland)
• Montanuniversität Leoben (Austria)

In addition to students from these three universities, numerous students from Europe and around the world also participate in the EMC to explore the international world of raw material extraction as part of their Master's studies.

The EMC covers all aspects of the commodity lifecycle. It provides a solid understanding of the global mining industry and takes a life cycle approach by covering the entire mining value chain. It provides up-to-date technical fundamentals for deposit modelling, mine planning, and economic evaluation. The technical knowledge is complemented by topics in business management, ethics, environmental engineering, and a well-defined and structured programme for managing health, safety, and the environment.

But the EMC offers more than just the opportunity to study abroad! Through guest lectures from industry, field trips and industry projects, students gain direct insight into the international mining industry and make valuable contacts for their future careers.

The goal of the EMC is to train experts who will be future decision makers in the field of mineral resources and related engineering and who have a clear vision of future developments in this industry. The EMC supports the development of students into adaptable and innovative engineers who are able to find the best solution for the optimal use of deposits.

The EMC is a two-year triple degree programme with Aalto University, RWTH Aachen University and Montanuniversität Leoben.

Students are enrolled at all three universities and complete one semester at each partner university. The exchange programme starts in September at Aalto University (Finland). After a two-month break, during which students have the opportunity to complete an internship in a company, students transfer to RWTH Aachen University (Germany) and then continue the third semester at Montanuniversität Leoben (Austria).

In the last semester, students select one university as their main supervising university for the Master's thesis, which can also be done in collaboration with a company. Upon completion of the programme, students receive three MSc degrees, one from each of the partner universities and a certificate of participation in the EMC from FEMP.

• Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria
• Aalto University in Helsinki, Finland

The EMC offers excellent contacts to industry partners and thus endorses internships, which students organise independently. The programme provides a time slot of about two months between the first and second semesters for internships.

The admission to European Mining Course is organised once a year. The application period for studies runs from January to February. 

Degree requirements and previous university studies:

• A BSc degree corresponding to a minimum of 180 ECTS credits is required. Students in their final year of their Bachelor's studies are eligible to apply, provided they complete their Bachelor's degree by 31 July (before the start of the academic year in the coordinating university, Aalto) and submit the degree certificate (and its official translation if needed) by the given deadline.
• The awarding institution has to be a recognised part of the official national education system of the country, i.e. to be listed as a degree-granting higher education institution by the country where it is located or by a relevant international organisation (such as UNESCO).
• The applicant's previous university degree could be a BSc in Engineering or in Geosciences such as in Mining Engineering, in Resource Engineering, in Civil Engineering, in Geology in Earth Sciences, in Environmental Engineering, in Chemical Engineering, in Metallurgical Engineering or in Process Engineering.

Approx. 200 to 300 EUR per semester in social contribution fees (RWTH Aachen University) 

Information on semester contribution and fees for Aalto University and Montanuniversität Leoben is available at the following website: https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-options/european-mining-course-master-of-science-technology.

Students are offered student housing at each of the three universities. Living costs are comparable to German standards (approx. 1,000 EUR per month).

Part-time employment might be possible as student assistants at partner universities or with industry contacts.

Non-EU students might be eligible for Finland scholarships. All students can apply for Erasmus+ mobility grants and FEMP Scholarships (www.FEMP.org).

Career Center of RWTH Aachen: https://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/Studium/Nach-dem-Studium/~ejx/Karriere/?lidx=1

The respective university provides assistance with accommodation.