MSc Circular Engineering and Economy RWTH Aachen University

The way we produce and consume today determines how liveable our world will be tomorrow. Resources are becoming scarcer, the impact our lives have on the environment is increasing, and many existing economic models are reaching their limits. The circular economy offers a promising solution: it combines technical innovations with economic and organisational strategies to keep raw materials and resources in circulation for as long as possible. To achieve this, products and how we use them need to be reimagined from the very beginning — and this is precisely where the English-language Master’s programme in Circular Engineering and Economy comes in.

The transition to a functioning circular economy is highly complex and it requires a lot of work from everyone who is involved in making it a reality. To master these challenges, we need training that meaningfully combines engineering, economics, and management while focusing on a sustainable circular economy across the entire value chain — from raw material extraction right up to recycling. To make the circular economy a reality, recycling must be factored in as early as the product design stage so that waste streams and our consumption of resources can be reduced. Students in the Circular Engineering and Economy Master’s programme learn to understand processes in their entirety and to make economic decisions that are based on technical expertise. This is because a circular economy is only feasible if economic goals are based on a sound understanding of technical feasibility as well as material- and process-related limitations. Over the course of two years, students acquire a solid, versatile education that prepares them for the challenges of a sustainable future in the best possible way.

The programme has a modular structure, and it spans four semesters, during which students gain a deep understanding of engineering processes along the entire value chain, as well as their economic, ecological, and social contexts. The integrative approach combines technical expertise with management skills and systemic thinking. The Master’s programme in Circular Engineering and Economy allows students to choose between three specialisation paths:

• Circular Cities
• Circular Technologies for Future Mobility
• Circular Consumer Products

To meet the academic prerequisites, applicants must demonstrate the competencies required for successful completion of the Master’s programme in Circular Engineering and Economy in the following subject areas.

A total of 50 CP in engineering and subject-specific fundamentals:

• At least 36 credits from the “Fundamentals of Engineering” area:

• Mechanics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Thermal Engineering
• Process Engineering
• Transport Phenomena
• Mathematics

• At least 14 credits from the “Specialised Fundamentals” area:

• Energy Economics
• Introduction to Business Administration
• Business Engineering
• Quality and Project Management
• Communication and Organisational Development
• Raw Materials and Energy Law
• Quantitative and Numerical Methods
• Measurement, Control, and Regulation
• Simulation Technology
• Introduction to Programming

The proven achievements must be comparable to those of the Bachelor's degree programmes in “Sustainable Raw Materials and Energy Supply” and “Mechanical Engineering” at RWTH Aachen University.

If applicants are required to catch up with more than 30 CP, admission to the Master's programme is not possible.

In addition, proof of sufficient command of the German language must be provided (details below).

The semester contribution is approx. 300 EUR per semester (including semester ticket for public transport). There is no special fee for international students.

https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/bpte/lidx/1

https://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/studium/Vor-dem-Studium/Internationale-Studieninteressierte/Organisation-des-Studienaufenthaltes/~bqmn/Internationale-Studierende/lidx/1/

https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/bqmp/lidx/1

https://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/studium/Im-Studium/~ehg/Stipendien-Foerderung/?lidx=1

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

"Studierendenwerk Aachen": https://www.studierendenwerk-aachen.de/en/housing.html

Availability of university accommodation in Aachen is limited. Participation in individual allocation procedures is therefore usually required. Because of the high demand for university accommodation, it may be necessary to resort to the private accommodation market. As family and couple apartments are particularly high in demand, applicants interested in this type of accommodation will almost definitely need to draw on the private accommodation market like the majority of RWTH Aachen University's students. There are a number of options for finding private accommodation in and around Aachen. The International Office can provide students with information before or upon their arrival.