Metallurgical Engineering

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Deadline: Mar 1, 2025
StudyQA ranking:5685 Duration:4 semestrs

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Students of metallurgical engineering are concerned with the development, production, and processing of ferrous, non-ferrous, and mineral materials. The degree programme sets the basis for innovative products and new technological developments in the fields of industry, technology, and medicine. Research in our section focuses on materials design, including the entire process chain from (raw) materials processing to the final product in its application, for steel, aluminium, magnesium, glass, ceramics, etc.
Materials engineers deal with issues of materials technology, recycling, manufacturing, and processing, using state-of-the-art production processes including quality assurance inspections.
The programme provides in-depth knowledge and understanding of metallurgical engineering. Its particular focus is on industrial R&D practices and modern manufacturing processes. The programme aims at enhancing your ability to design and manage projects as well as to lead and coordinate project teams.
It focuses on all disciplines encompassed by metallurgical engineering and materials technology.
At the beginning of your studies, you will have to select your individual area of specialisation:
  • Process Technology of Metals
  • Physical Metallurgy and Materials
  • Materials Science of Steels
  • Corrosion Engineering

Educational organisation

At the beginning of the programme, students will choose one of the proposed areas of specialisation as their individual study focus. The choice of the specialisation determines six basic courses from a catalogue (Thermochemistry, Physical Metallurgy, Transport Phenomena, Process Control Engineering, Fabrication Technology of Metals, Mineral Materials, Metallic Materials, and Process Metallurgy and Recycling), and the study majors.
The programme offers a choice of three areas of specialisation with the following contents:

  • Process Technology of Metals
    • Melt Treatment and Continuous Casting
    • Unit Operations in Nonferrous Metallurgy
    • Casting Processes and Casting Alloys
    • Fundamentals and Solving Methods in Metal Forming
    • Industrial Furnaces

  • Physical Metallurgy and Materials
    • Advanced Physical Metallurgy
    • Introduction to Texture Analysis
    • Micromechanics of Materials
    • Comprehensive Physical Metallurgy Lab

  • Materials Science of Steel
    • Materials Science of Steel
    • Introduction to Texture Analysis
    • Materials Characterisation
    • Physical Metallurgy Lab

  • Corrosion Engineering
    • Fundamentals of Corrosion
    • Principles of Corrosion Protection
    • Advanced Corrosion Engineering
    • Corrosion Control in Key Industries
    • Advanced Corrosion Lab

The programme is complemented by:
  • A complementary course (German language course)
  • A ten-week internship
  • A study-integrated thesis of about six weeks
  • A six-month Master's thesis

Study abroad unit(s)

The programme takes place in Aachen (Germany).
Industrial internships and/or one of the theses may be undertaken at other locations in Germany or in other countries.

Internships

An internship of ten weeks is to be completed within the summer or winter breaks. Programme advisers and professors will assist students in finding an appropriate internship.

Forms of assessment

Written examinations, oral examinations as well as work on scientific projects and presentations

Course objectives

The programme provides in-depth knowledge and understanding of metallurgical engineering. Its particular focus is on industrial R&D practices and modern manufacturing processes. The programme aims at enhancing students' ability to design and manage projects and to lead and coordinate project teams.

Language requirements

Applicants must provide proof of their English skills: TOEFL 100 (iBT) or IELTS 7.0.

Academic requirements

A candidate should have a recognised first degree (Bachelor of Science or Engineering) in an engineering discipline such as metallurgy or materials engineering, awarded by an internationally recognised university-level institution. Candidates should have performed above average in their undergraduate studies.
Students should have an interest in continuing their careers in the field of metallurgy or materials science. The programme is appropriate for engineers coming from industry or from university. Candidates should be able to apply their knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems as well as to set up and conduct experiments in a laboratory setting.
The following subject catalogue is used, according to which a total of approx. 60 course hours per week (Semesterwochenstunden, SWS) has to be demonstrated by the candidate. Within these approx. 60 SWS, attended during the course leading to the first degree, all the subjects of part 1a) are mandatory and the subjects of part 1b) should also be covered. Additionally, applicants must provide evidence of having learned about principles of engineering sciences.

Part 1a)
  • mathematics
  • physics
  • inorganic chemistry
  • physical chemistry
Part 1b)
  • mechanics
  • machine components
  • electrical engineering
  • crystallography
  • non-technical subject (economics, languages)
Part 2
  • principles of engineering sciences

Enrolment fees

All students are subject to a student service fee of currently approx. 230 EUR per semester.

Costs of living

The average cost of living and studying, including food, accommodation, personal and social expenses, and study-related costs, is estimated to be 700-900 EUR per month.

Job opportunities

International students have very limited options of working while studying. Therefore, it is not possible to finance your entire studies by working. There are teaching and research assistant positions available that can be organised by the professors of the different programmes. These are, however, normally first awarded to students who have already started their academic studies in a programme. Students working as a teaching or research assistant may work a maximum of 19 hours a week, but will not earn enough to cover all of their living expenses. By law, a student from outside the EU is permitted to work either 120 full days or 240 half days per calendar year. We do caution students to be careful about taking on outside work commitments, as completing a Master's degree within the designated two years will be difficult if a student spends too much time away from his or her studies.

Funding opportunities within the university

A limited number of scholarships from various organisations is available to help students finance their studies. Please see the following website for a list of exchange programmes, scholarships, and grants, together with their specific application requirements and conditions, and/or contact the International Office directly for advice and assistance.
http://www.rwth-aachen.de/scholarships

Arrival support

The International Office Info Service Center (ISC) provides information and services for international students and visiting scientists at RWTH Aachen University upon their arrival in Aachen. RWTH Aachen University considers the integration of international visiting scientists and students an important task and, in order to reach this goal, offers the following assistance for international students and scientists:
  • accommodation information
  • assisting students during admission procedures
  • registering your address with local authorities
  • opening a bank account
  • insurance matters
  • locating pertinent university and city offices
  • tips for finding a job in Aachen
These services are offered to students during the orientation phase at the beginning of each semester. The ISC offers a social programme called "Leisure and Pleasure" and publishes a monthly newsletter for international students and scientists.

Services and support for international students

See "arrival support".

Accommodation

RWTH Aachen University has a limited number of dorm rooms and studio apartments. However, there are usually waiting lists for these rooms, and students will probably need to find private accommodation first. There are a number of options for finding private accommodation in and around Aachen, and the International Office can provide students with information beforehand or upon their arrival.
For a furnished room, the average rent per month is about 200 EUR to 250 EUR, and for a two-three room flat, the average rent per month starts at 300 EUR. Please note that there are only a very limited number of family apartments in the university dorms, which is why students who bring their spouses or families with them will most likely need to find private accommodation.
For short-term accommodation, there are many hotels and two youth hostels.
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Study mode:On campus Languages: German
Local:$ 197 / Year(s) Foreign:$ 197 / Year(s)
StudyQA ranking: 3748