Master's degree program in Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency

Master's degree program in Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (accredited)

Overview of the Program

The Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency program addresses key challenges such as limited resources, rising waste volumes, and sustainable management. Based on national and European strategies, it provides scientific and engineering expertise for designing closed-loop material cycles and ensuring efficient resource use while taking environmental and health considerations into account.

As an interdisciplinary program, it combines content from waste management and contaminated site remediation with modern approaches such as resource efficiency, material flow management, and the circular economy. The goal is to train professionals who can develop and implement sustainable and economically viable solutions for resource conservation, waste prevention, and the use of secondary raw materials.

Course Content

The master’s program has a modular structure and includes required and elective modules that allow students to tailor their focus. The required modules cover the core technical fundamentals of waste and circular economy management, contaminated site remediation, as well as the modeling, balancing, and planning of technical facilities. The curriculum is supplemented by project-oriented modules, specialized lectures, and a capstone project, which specifically promote interdisciplinary competencies and practical problem-solving skills.

In the required-elective section, students select modules totaling 20 credit points, allowing them to set their own areas of focus, for example in recycling technology, process engineering, chemistry, water and wastewater treatment, energy and plant engineering, or business administration. The program also includes a mandatory practical phase in the form of an internship of at least eight weeks outside the university, during which students perform subject-specific engineering tasks and gain insights into potential career fields. Mobility windows are specifically scheduled for the third and fourth semesters, allowing for a study abroad period or studies at another university to be easily integrated. The fourth semester is also set aside for the completion of the master’s thesis and the final colloquium.

Distinctive Features

A unique selling point is the clear focus on the entire value chain—from the analysis of material flows through the planning of technical facilities to the development of sustainable waste management and remediation concepts. This is complemented by interdisciplinary work and close integration with current research topics and industry partners, thereby optimally preparing graduates for challenging tasks in environmental engineering and resource conservation.

Career Fields

Graduates of the program have access to a wide range of career fields at the intersection of the environment, technology, and business. Typical areas of employment include engineering and planning firms, where they work on the design, planning, and optimization of waste management and circular economy facilities, as well as remediation concepts for contaminated sites. In addition, there are employment opportunities at municipal and private waste management companies, where graduates take on tasks related to the organization and management of material flows, recycling, and the development of sustainable waste management concepts. Positions in environmental agencies, ministries, and associations are also possible, for example in the areas of permitting, monitoring, and implementing environmental regulations. In industry, opportunities exist in industrial environmental protection, resource management, and the optimization of production processes with regard to energy and material efficiency. Additionally, positions at research institutions and universities are available, particularly in the further development of innovative technologies in the circular economy and environmental engineering.