Become a Sustainable Materials Engineer
Join a global movement of material scientists and engineers driving transformative change with cutting-edge expertise and a sustainable vision
SUMA gathers some of the best educational programmes in the field of Materials Science and Engineering in Europe.
Our curriculum covers all aspects of the materials life cycle, including materials production and transformation, materials degradation, and the development of new materials, materials substitution and selection – both for structural and functional materials.
In addition to the solid technical and scientific training, the programme offers courses focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Emphasis is given to topics like circular (eco)design and lifecycle engineering, energy-efficient production of materials, sustainable materials management in closed loops, and materials processing and recycling.
The programme involves studies in two different institutions (depending on your selected track), an industrial internship and a Master thesis.
Mobility Scheme
The programme is entirely taught in English and consists of four tracks, each comprising fundamental, complementary, and specialised courses.
Each track is offered by two universities of the consortium that grant a dual degree upon completion of studies. The initial year takes place at KU Leuven, followed by the second year in which students choose a specialisation track at one of the partner universities (U. Trento, MU Leoben, U. Milano-Bicocca, UPM).
KU Leuven (First year)
In the first year (60 ECTS), students follow a combination of fundamental courses that constitute the common disciplinary block that every student should follow, and track-specific courses to provide a robust foundation for more specialised second-year courses at partner universities.
The curriculum at KU Leuven focuses on developing generic, transferable knowledge and skills applicable across a range of industrial sectors, prioritising practical applications over exhaustive knowledge of specific material families. It encompasses all facets of the materials life cycle, addressing materials production, transformation, diagnostics, analysis, selection, design, and development, with a special focus on processing – both for structural materials (e.g. metals, ceramics, polymer-based composites, concrete, wood) and functional materials (e.g. semiconductors, superconductors, shape memory alloys, thermoelectric materials, tailored surfaces and coatings). Transversal topics such as scarcity, sustainable materials management in closed materials loops, circular (eco)design, energy-efficient production of materials, and recycling processes are also broadly covered.
In the second year (60 ECTS), students follow specialised courses at partner universities in fields that have witnessed rapid evolution and have become instrumental for the transition to sustainable industries and societies.
Specialisation options include:
Materials for Energy and Environment - University of Trento (Italy)
This track addresses critical energy-related aspects of the modern manufacturing industry, serving as a linchpin for the transition to green and renewable energy sources. Students in this track will acquire strong technical skills in materials and processes for the production and transformation of energy, and the reduction of energy consumption through innovative technologies and materials. The courses pay special attention to the optimisation of raw material and energy consumption in industrial production including, for instance, renewable energy technologies (e.g., solar panels), advanced energy storage (e.g., batteries), and energy conversion (e.g., photovoltaics).
Materials for Digital and Quantum Technology - University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy)
This track is dedicated to material solutions for innovative technologies such as computing, communication, and data storage, placing a specific emphasis on the forefront of digital and quantum advancements. Students in this track will contribute to a greener society through quantum innovation. They will acquire proficiency in synthesising, characterising, and processing materials tailored for quantum applications. They will be trained to design innovative materials based on emerging quantum phenomena, develop more energy-efficient electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Sustainable Metallurgy – Montanuniversität Leoben (Austria)
This track’s focus lies on creating a more responsible and resilient metallurgy industry. As global demand for metals continues to rise, it becomes urgent to address the environmental, social, and economic challenges associated with traditional metallurgical practices. Students in this track will gain expertise in special metallurgy and non-ferrous metals, metals and alloys, numerical methods and computational techniques used to simulate multiphase systems and material behaviour.
Structural Materials under Extreme Conditions – Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Spain)
This track focuses on the development, design, and management of materials capable of performing under severe operating environments while maintaining structural integrity. Students in this track will explore the mechanical behaviour of materials capable of withstanding extreme heat, very low temperatures, corrosive environments, or high speeds. Specialising in this field enables students to drive innovation in sectors leading sustainability efforts, such as renewable energy technologies, aviation, nuclear energy, high-performance computing, and high-speed transportation.
Next to the specialisation courses related to the chosen track, students also receive hands-on training during an industrial internship (6 ECTS) and participate in cutting-edge research projects by developing master’s thesis projects (24 ECTS).
International Master on Sustainable Materials (120 ECTS)
| FIRST YEAR (60 ECTS) | SECOND YEAR (60 ECTS) |
|---|---|
| [Bridging courses* - 6 ECTS] | Track-specific courses - 27 ECTS |
| Fundamental courses - 48 ECTS | Industrial Internship - 6 ECTS |
| Profiling courses - 9 ECTS | Master thesis - 24 ECTS |
| Electives - 3 ECTS | Electives** - 3 ECTS |
** U. Trento will offer 6 ECTS of electives and 24 ECTS of mandatory track-specific courses to comply with internal regulations regarding the allocation of ECTS credits for electives.
Choose your study track:
Materials for Energy and Environment - University of Trento (Italy)
| YEAR 1 KU LEUVEN | |
|---|---|
| 1ST SEMESTER | 2ND SEMESTER |
| Bridging courses* (mandatory for students who did not have equivalents in their bachelors) | |
| Structures and Microstructures of Materials (3) | |
| Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Mat. Eng (3) | |
| Common trunk (21 ECTS credits per semester) | |
| Metals: Production and Recycling (6) | Materials Characterisation Techniques (6) |
| Ceramics and Powder Metallurgy (3) | Mat. Modelling and Simulation Techniques (6) |
| Polymers & Composites (6) | Surface Science and Engineering (6) |
| Design of Experiment and Data Analysis (6) | Sustainable Materials Management (3) |
| Engineering & Entrepreneurship (6) | |
| Elective (3) | |
| Profiling blocks (9 track-specific mandatory ECTS credits) | |
| Advanced Thermomechanical Processing (6) | |
| Computational Thermodynamics (3) | |
| YEAR 2 - UNIVERSITY OF TRENTO | |
|---|---|
| 3RD SEMESTER | 4TH SEMESTER |
| Electrochemistry for Energy and Env. (6) | Recycling and Sustainable Materials (6) |
| Materials for Energy (6) | Industrial Internship (6) |
| Mechanics & Mat. for Engineering Design (6) | Electives (6) |
| Master thesis (24 ECTS) | |
Materials for Digital and Quantum Technology - University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy)
| YEAR 1 KU LEUVEN | |
|---|---|
| 1ST SEMESTER | 2ND SEMESTER |
| Bridging courses* (mandatory for students who did not have equivalents in their bachelors) | |
| Structures and Microstructures of Materials (3) | |
| Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Mat. Eng (3) | |
| Common trunk (21 ECTS credits per semester) | |
| Metals: Production and Recycling (6) | Materials Characterisation Techniques (6) |
| Ceramics and Powder Metallurgy (3) | Mat. Modelling and Simulation Techniques (6) |
| Polymers & Composites (6) | Surface Science and Engineering (6) |
| Design of Experiment and Data Analysis (6) | Sustainable Materials Management (3) |
| Engineering & Entrepreneurship (6) | |
| Elective (3) | |
| Profiling blocks (9 track-specific mandatory ECTS credits) | |
| Mat. Physics & Tech. for Nanoelectronics (6) | |
| Computational Thermodynamics (3) | |
| YEAR 2 - UNIVERSITY OF MILANO-BICOCCA | |
|---|---|
| 3RD SEMESTER | 4TH SEMESTER |
| Choice from Nanotechnology and Innovation OR Quantum Photonics (6) | Choice from Fabrication and Characterisation of Nano and Quantum Materials OR Advanced Solid State Physics (6) |
| Choice from Quantum Electronics OR Physics and Tech. of Electronic Devices (6) | Management and Sustainable Innovation (6) |
| Industrial Internship I (3) | |
| Italian Language (3) | |
| Master thesis including Industrial Internship II (30 ECTS) | |
Sustainable Meatllurgy - Montanuniversität Leoben (Austria)
| YEAR 1 KU LEUVEN | |
|---|---|
| 1ST SEMESTER | 2ND SEMESTER |
| Bridging courses* (mandatory for students who did not have equivalents in their bachelors) | |
| Structures and Microstructures of Materials (3) | |
| Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Mat. Eng (3) | |
| Common trunk (21 ECTS credits per semester) | |
| Metals: Production and Recycling (6) | Materials Characterisation Techniques (6) |
| Ceramics and Powder Metallurgy (3) | Mat. Modelling and Simulation Techniques (6) |
| Polymers & Composites (6) | Surface Science and Engineering (6) |
| Design of Experiment and Data Analysis (6) | Sustainable Materials Management (3) |
| Engineering & Entrepreneurship (6) | |
| Elective (3) | |
| Profiling blocks (9 track-specific mandatory ECTS credits) | |
| Advanced Thermomechanical Processing (6) | |
| Computational Thermodynamics (3) | |
| YEAR 2 - MU LEOBEN | |
|---|---|
| 3RD SEMESTER | 4TH SEMESTER |
| Fundamentals and Application of Multiphase Simulation (2.5) | Sustainable Metals and Alloys (3) |
| Testing Methods and Application of Building Materials (2.5) | Refractories in Non-Ferrous Metalurgy - Fundamentals and Case Studies (1.5) |
| Formability of Metals (2.5) | Special Metallurgy Non-Ferrous Metals (2.5) |
| Sustainable Business Management (4.5) | Elective (3) |
| Mineral Economics (3) | |
| Simulation of Production Planning and Logistics (Production Economy) (2) | |
| Industrial Internship (6) | |
| Seminar Master's Thesis Sustainable Mat. (3) | |
| Master thesis (24 ECTS) | |
Structural Materials under Extreme Conditions – Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Spain)
| YEAR 1 KU LEUVEN | |
|---|---|
| 1ST SEMESTER | 2ND SEMESTER |
| Bridging courses* (mandatory for students who did not have equivalents in their bachelors) | |
| Structures and Microstructures of Materials (3) | |
| Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Mat. Eng (3) | |
| Common trunk (21 ECTS credits per semester) | |
| Metals: Production and Recycling (6) | Materials Characterisation Techniques (6) |
| Ceramics and Powder Metallurgy (3) | Mat. Modelling and Simulation Techniques (6) |
| Polymers & Composites (6) | Surface Science and Engineering (6) |
| Design of Experiment and Data Analysis (6) | Sustainable Materials Management (3) |
| Engineering & Entrepreneurship (6) | |
| Elective (3) | |
| Profiling blocks (9 track-specific mandatory ECTS credits) | |
| Advanced Thermomechanical Processing (6) | |
| Mechanical Behaviour of Materials (3) | |
| YEAR 2 - UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE MADRID | |
|---|---|
| 3RD SEMESTER | 4TH SEMESTER |
| Materials for Energy (3) | Materials for Extreme Conditions (3) |
| Advanced Manufacturing (3) | Impact Mechanics (3) |
| Design Thinking (3) | Structural Integrity (3) |
| Lean Start-Up (6) | Forensic Engineering (3) |
| Elective (3) | |
| Master thesis including Internship (30 ECTS) | |