Metallic Materials Technology TU Bergakademie Freiberg

The Master’s programme in Metallic Materials Technology (MMT) at TU Freiberg equips students with advanced knowledge and practical skills in the field of metallic materials. Whether you have a background in mechanical engineering, materials science, or a related discipline, this programme offers a unique opportunity to specialise in cutting-edge technologies that are driving innovation in automotive, aerospace, green energy, and advanced manufacturing industries.

Join a diverse international community, deepen your expertise, and position yourself for a successful career in materials engineering.

The MMT programme builds upon a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, materials science, or metallurgy and aims to provide students with advanced expertise in metallic materials. The curriculum focuses on both theoretical and practical aspects, combining technical skills with a scientific approach to solving real-world challenges.

Students can tailor their studies by choosing from four specialisations (see Course organisation), each designed to provide in-depth knowledge and industry-relevant skills. The programme is conducted entirely in English, attracting a diverse and international student body.

The MMT programme usually starts in the summer semester.
The curriculum is designed to provide students with...

• Core Subjects: Materials science, mechanical properties, and manufacturing processes
• Elective Modules: Flexibility to tailor the education to individual career goals
• A Master's thesis research project addressing real-world industry challenges.

In the first semester, students receive an overview of the fundamentals of materials science and materials engineering.

From the second semester onwards, students have to choose one of four specialisations:

1. Foundry Technology
   Focuses on the fundamentals and advanced aspects of modern casting processes: moulding materials, binders, and core-making processes; metallurgy of ferrous and non-ferrous casting materials including melt treatment and analysis techniques; operation of melting furnaces and quality assurance in foundry processes; post-treatment of castings, surface engineering and defect prevention strategies.
    
2. Metal Forming
   Covers the transformation of metallic materials into semi-finished and finished products through various techniques: advanced rolling, forging, and extrusion technologies; theoretical and experimental analysis of metal deformation behaviour; the influence of microstructural properties on mechanical performance; numerical simulation and process chain optimisation.
    
3. Non-ferrous Metallurgy
   Focusing on the production and recycling of non-ferrous metals such as aluminium, copper and rare earths, this specialisation includes: high-temperature, hydrometallurgical electrochemical processes for extracting and refining metals; advanced recycling technologies to recover valuable metals from batteries, electronic waste, and industrial by-products; sustainable production techniques aimed at minimising environmental impact.
    
4. Steel Production
   Provides expertise in the entire steelmaking process, from raw material processing to advanced refining techniques: primary and secondary metallurgy, including decarburisation and alloying; clean steel production, energy efficiency, and sustainable practices; structural and mechanical properties of steel for construction and transport applications; circular economy strategies for reducing emissions and improving resource efficiency.

A 12-week industrial internship is required for this degree programme. It is recommended to complete or partially complete the internship before the degree programme. However, missing internship periods can also be completed during the degree programme, e.g. during the lecture-free periods until the topic of the Master's thesis is issued. The internship can be completed in different companies (materials technology, materials science, metallurgy, or related fields). The certificates must show which activities have been carried out.

Bachelor's degree (at least six semesters) or equivalent degree in a degree course in the fields of metallurgy, materials engineering or a related discipline

Industrial Internship

Qualification assessment procedure

Candidate's Profile: MMT is open to students who wish to upgrade their knowledge in engineering science, specialised in metal forming, foundry technology, non-ferrous metallurgy, or steel production. The programme is designed to attract students from different fields of science and engineering to create an interdisciplinary environment and enable teamwork between scientists and engineers.

107 EUR per semester

• 650 EUR to 950 EUR per month, depending on individual lifestyle
• Rent in a student hall of residence per month: an average of 290 EUR

Part-time employment on campus (e.g. student assistant, canteen) as well as in town (e.g. in supermarkets, cafés, restaurants)

1. The "Deutschlandstipendium" is a national scholarship programme that supports above-average students with excellent grades. Social commitment, a willingness to take responsibility and special social, family or personal circumstances will also be taken into account (300 EUR per month for one year).
2. Study completion grant (300 EUR per month for three months)

• Counselling: development of personal and skills profiles, individual application portfolio checks, preparation for job interviews
• Training in technical and leadership skills: soft skills training, development of interdisciplinary knowledge, coaching for job applications / career entry
• ORTE career fair, networking with companies
• Online job postings

Further information: https://tu -freiberg.de/en/career-center

Different kinds of accommodation are available on campus and in the city of Freiberg. The average monthly rent for a room in the student halls of residence, including utilities, is 290 EUR. The most common form of accommodation is the shared flat. Each student has their own room, with the bathroom and kitchen shared.

A separate online application is required to apply for accommodation in the student halls of residence. The recommended time to submit this is three months before the start of the semester.