Sustainable Systems Engineering

Science and engineering are basic tools that help to achieve a sustainable development in ecology, economics, and society. The international Master's programme in Sustainable Systems Engineering (SSE) provides an in-depth knowledge in fields like sustainable materials, energy systems (especially renewable energies), resilience, natural resources, sustainable economics, technology and society.
The Master's programme in Sustainable Systems Engineering is designed for highly qualified graduate students who hold a Bachelor's degree in engineering or science. As an SSE student, you will have the opportunity to:

• be involved in cutting-edge research with internationally renowned professors
• benefit from state-of-the-art equipment on a modern campus
• live in one of Germany's most appealing cities

In order to find solutions for future challenges in the development of sustainable technologies, engineering research in the fields of energy, materials, and resilience is necessary. Such a platform for research is formed by the newly founded INATECH, the Department of Sustainable Systems Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering.
This institute unites and focuses the scientific power of the university and five Freiburg-based Fraunhofer Research Institutes. In this way, INATECH and its partners offer a research-oriented Master's programme at the leading edge of science and engineering in sustainability. Fourteen newly appointed professors and several hundred highly qualified scientists will contribute to teaching and training in the SSE programme.

Educational organisation

SSE is an interdisciplinary programme that builds on a basic knowledge in electrical and mechanical engineering and informatics. In the first year, you will have compulsory courses in all areas of fundamental knowledge in sustainability engineering. From the second semester on, you can specialise in two of three technical specialisation areas and select an interdisciplinary profile. The curriculum contains a blend of lectures, lab courses, and projects.

Semester 1

• Energy Storage
• Fundamentals of Resilience
• Material Life Cycles
• Control and Integration of Grids
• Computational Materials Engineering
• Solar Energy

Semester 2

• Power Electronic Circuits and Devices
• Design of Large Infrastructures
• Security and Privacy in Resilient Systems
• Technical Specialisation
• Interdisciplinary Profile

Semester 3

• Technical Specialisation
• Energy Systems
• Information Processing Technologies
• Sustainable Materials
• Resilience Engineering
• Interdisciplinary Profile

Semester 4

• Master's Project
• Master's Module

Forms of assessment

Each module may require oral or written exams, problem sets, laboratory reports or presentations and will be awarded an ECTS grade.

Course objectives

The successful completion of the Master's programme qualifies graduates for a career in research. Graduates are also qualified for head positions in industries of conventional and renewable energy as well as supply companies. They can also work as infrastructure operators for mobility or energy.

Language requirements

Applicants must provide proof of their English skills: TOEFL 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), 79 (Internet-based) or Academic IELTS 6.0.

Academic requirements

All applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in engineering (e.g. electrical, mechanical, electronics or process engineering) with an excellent CGPA or final grade.
To apply for the Master of Science programme in Sustainable Systems Engineering, please register with the online application portal on our website, enter your data, print the PDF form, and send it by mail along with the following documents:

• A certified copy of your undergraduate diploma. If you have not yet completed your undergraduate studies, a certified transcript of marks is sufficient.
• A certified copy of your transcript of marks showing all courses taken and marks obtained as well as the current average grade.
• Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS)
• GRE test (strongly recommended for applicants from abroad)
• Curriculum vitae or résumé
• APS certificate (for Chinese and Vietnamese applicants only)

All documents submitted must be in English. All original documents that are not in English or German must be accompanied by a notarised English or German translation. Please note that only hard copy (paper) applications will be accepted; electronic or incomplete applications will not be considered.

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Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Enrolment fees

Approx. 150 EUR per semester, including student fee, administration fee, and contribution to the student union

Costs of living

Participants must make sure in good time that sufficient funds are available to finance their participation in a course of study. The average cost of living in Freiburg for one month is currently approx. 800-900 EUR. Some details:

• Student accommodation costs approx. 280-450 EUR (monthly).
• Private expenses amount to around 350 EUR (monthly).
• Health insurance is available for approx. 45-90 EUR (monthly).
• Transport: A special student fare for regional transport costs approx. 89 EUR (per semester).

Job opportunities

Qualified students may easily find opportunities to work as a tutor or researcher in one of the laboratories of the department.

Funding opportunities within the university

Each year, the Faculty of Engineering offers performance-based partial scholarships of 2,400 EUR per year and per student. This is offered to five of the best applicants for the Master's programmes.
http://www.tf.uni-freiburg.de/studies/services/financialaid/crs-en

Arrival support

Orientation week:
The week before the beginning of the winter semester is dedicated to events that help new students find their way around the campus, the university and the city of Freiburg. The events also serve to introduce the students to one another, facilitating early networking. Tutors accompany students to the immigration office and help them with all administrative matters. Guided tours of the campus and other important facilities are also offered.

Services and support for international students

In addition to services and support offered by each coordinator of a course of study, the International Office organises a special four-day orientation session that generally takes place two weeks before the beginning of the semester. This orientation session includes information about various aspects of everyday life (e.g. accommodation, work opportunities, etc.), presentations and visits to important institutions (e.g. the university library) and opportunities for socialising with other international students. During the semester, the International Club (coordinated by the Studentenwerk / Student Social Services) offers a great variety of events, trips and services for international students in cooperation with the International Office. Furthermore, the UNIKOS team, a group of international students who have been studying at Freiburg University for some time, give practical advice and can be approached for help in several languages.

Accommodation

As Freiburg is an attractive city, finding a suitable place to live can take a little time. Only a small proportion of students can be offered a room in a student dormitory. The Studentenwerk (Student Social Services) is in charge of the student dormitories. Applicants must expect a waiting period. In addition to these dormitories, several independent dormitories are listed on the university website. The Studentenwerk also offers a list of available private rooms and the International Office can be contacted for further assistance in finding accommodation (see: http://www.international.uni-freiburg.de).