Sustainable Energy Systems TU Dortmund University

The Master Sustainable Energy Systems programme prepares students for work in the broad field of energy system transformation towards a climate-neutral, economic and supply-secure future. The main technical perspective targets the transition of the electrical power system based on renewable energy. Knowledge of its future design is supplemented by competencies in sustainability and digitalisation for smart grids and markets.

The course of study comprises the design, modelling, control and operation of electrical energy systems while considering sustainability perspectives. The programme also prepares the students in distributed renewable generation, sector coupling with all energy sectors, and related energy market designs.

All courses are taught in English. The Master's programme also includes an industry internship, which gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge to practical problems. Furthermore, the programme also offers joint work in seminars, tutorials, labs, and project groups which will strengthen the students' competencies. In the final semester, the students work on their individual Master's theses full-time for six months. The programme provides an international environment with students from various countries, broadening their horizons and enabling them to interact respectfully within international teams and organisations.

The availability of courses depends on the starting semester (summer or winter). Please refer to the course website and specifically the provided module handbook ("Modulbuch"). The module handbook contains all necessary information about the courses offered (mandatory, electives, etc.), respective credits, participation requirements, etc.

The programme generally combines classroom teaching, tutorials and labs. Two further practical parts are an internship and an individual Master's thesis which complete the programme.

The programme begins with one semester of mandatory courses, intended to bring all students from different backgrounds to a common, solid foundation that enables the successful completion of the elective courses. In the following semesters, students will be able to begin their elective courses. These electives are likely to establish contact with the specific research groups and institutes which may later offer topics for the project groups and Master's thesis.

Since TU Dortmund University is part of the University Alliance RUHR (UA Ruhr), it is possible to attend courses from the alliance universities and transfer course credits with ease.

As part of the Master's programme in Sustainable Energy Systems, 12 weeks of practical training (industrial internship) must be completed in the third semester, for which 14 credits shall be awarded. Further information about the industrial internship can be found on the course website.

The application period may vary depending on the applicant group and the semester of application. For updated information about the application period, please refer to the TU Dortmund International Office website.

For non-EU/EEA nationals: refer here

For EU/EEA nationals: refer here

For admission to the Master's programme in Sustainable Energy Systems:

• A Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Engineering (BE/BEng) or Bachelor of Technology (BTech) or equivalent degree in electrical engineering or a comparable study programme is required.
• For other mandatory or optional requirements such as language proficiency levels and standardised test scores, please refer to the course website, where up-to-date information is provided.

Note:

• Any and all documents submitted should be either in English or German.
• Documents in other languages must be translated into English or German by a legally certified or recognised translator.
• Degree certificates and related documents should have been issued or certified by the respective ministries of education or German embassies or consulates or respective authorities.
• During the application phase, the documents are only to be submitted as photocopies or digital copies. During the enrolment phase, the documents should be presented in person and in their original form to the university enrolment office.

Each semester, students pay an administrative fee of approx. 320 EUR (as of summer semester 2026), which includes a season ticket for public transport. Please refer to the semester contribution website and the study costs website for further information.

For information about cost of living, please refer to the finances website of the university which provides information on financial planning during studies.

The university provides many events, counselling, and support services for students to help them prepare for their careers. Further information is provided on the university career service website.

The cost of accommodation depends on various factors and varies between approx. 250 and 400 EUR per month. For an estimate, please refer to study costs information page.

For information about accommodation, please refer to the Studierendenwerk Dortmund website.

A university with a unique profile:
Since its founding in 1968, TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity has developed a special profile encompassing 17 departments ranging from science and engineering to social sciences and cultural studies. The uni­ver­si­ty has around 29,500 students and more than 6,500 employees, in­clu­ding 340 professors. 6,400 of all students have an international background, which constitutes 19.5% of the total student body.

TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity has a strong focus on re­search. The uni­ver­si­ty’s departments — e.g. mechanical engineering (with its emphasis on production and logistics), physics, biochemical and chemical engineering, statistics and computer science, and education re­search — are well known for their outstanding re­search achievements both nationally and internationally.

Students at TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity can choose from classical subjects and in­no­va­ti­ve courses of study such as medical physics or degree programmes in spatial planning, statistics, and journalism. A particular focus is on teacher train­ing. TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity is one of only a few universities in Germany that offers professional teaching qualifications for all types of schools.

TU Dortmund University is part of the Uni­ver­sity Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr). Together with its partner universities, Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Duisburg-Essen, the UA Ruhr is one of the largest and most powerful university alliances in Germany. The alliance is strong in international research and offers students the opportunity to participate in courses offered by all three universities and earn credits with minimal bureaucratic effort.

With more than 6,500 employees, TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity is one of Dort­mund’s largest employers and has helped drive the transformation of the city and the Ruhr region from Europe’s largest coal mining and steel production area into a high-tech and service location as well as a cultural metropolis.

Dortmund is located in the heart of Europe. It is the largest city in the Ruhr region and is home to the Borussia Dortmund (BVB) soccer club. All of this contributes to the many advantages that will make studying in Dort­mund an unforgettable experience. Apart from destinations for football fans, there are many other places of interest to discover in Dort­mund and the Ruhr region.