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Become a Sustainable Materials Entrepreneur

Change society for the better
The Master Programme on Sustainable Materials (SUMA) aims to train tomorrow’s industrial engineers in collaborative work in a global world and gather some of the best educational programmes in the field of Sustainable Materials Engineering in Europe.
They stimulate innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership and focus on circular (eco)design, materials substitution, life cycle engineering and circular economy design, materials processing and recycling, manufacturing and innovation.
The programme involves studies in two different institutions (depending on your Programme Path selection), an internship in a company and a Master thesis in collaboration with a company. Learn more about the course and partner university locations below.
The SUMA programme structure consists of the following parts:
- The backbone: a solid scientific and technical basis (60 ECTS), broadly covering aspects of:
- Materials and Processing
- Sustainability and Recycling
- Circular (eco)design and Life Cycle Engineering
- Materials Substitution
- Manufacturing
- The heart and brain: courses on Entrepreneurship and Innovation (30 ECTS)
- The arms and legs: an internship (6 ECTS) and the Master Thesis (24 ECTS)
SUMA aims to educate tomorrow’s materials engineers with:
- Up-to-date technical skills and state-of-the-art technological knowledge
- An entrepreneurial mindset, focused on the sustainability of industrial activities
All SUMA students develop their own research activities under the supervision of experienced mentors.
The proposed research areas are inspired by real-world industrial and technological challenges:
- Materials recycling and upcycling
- Industrial waste valorisation
- Assessment of environmental impact and reduction of the environmental footprint of the Materials and Metals industry
- Life cycle analysis of industrial products and consumer goods
- Energy production, storage and reduction of energy use
- Minimising environmental pollution
- Saving natural resources for future generations
Lab research areas
- Recycling of nafion membranes from membrane electrode assemblies
- Use of additive and classical manufacturing techniques to reduce the environmental impact during re-manufacturing
- NiMeH batteries: Literature review of LCA and collection rate calculation
Master thesis topics
- Study of the assembly of wire diamond tools with numerical simulations and optical dilatometry
- Reduction of the energy consumption of an electrolysis cell
- Formulation and characterisation of polymeric ion exchange membrane for energy storage applications
The details
Start
September 2021
Duration
2 years
Organisations
- KU Leuven
- University of Trento
- Grenoble INP
- MU Leoben
- Milano Bicocca
- AGH University of Technology
Industrial Partner
- Umicore
- Atlantic Copper
SUMA Master's Programme
The Sustainable Materials programmes are two-year Master’s courses embedded in the engineering departments of the participating universities (120 ECTS).
They combine a high level of expertise in materials with competencies in sustainable materials engineering and sustainability to educate responsible materials-orientated entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders for the future.
Structure
The Master’s programmes have a solid, technical backbone that broadly covers all aspects of materials and processing, sustainability and recycling, circular (eco)design and lifecycle engineering, materials substitution and manufacturing (60 ECTS). This is completed with courses on entrepreneurship and innovation (30 ECTS), an internship (6 ECTS), and the Master thesis (24 ECTS). The internship and thesis are positioned in companies strongly related to the field of sustainable and raw materials.
Various Options
Five partner universities offer ten different tracks. Each track of the Master programmes on Sustainable Materials consists of one full year at an entry university, followed by a year in one of the other participating universities. All courses are taught in English. Depending on their background, some students might be invited to follow additional preparatory courses.
Each track has been granted the EIT-label, fostering students to become more creative, innovative and entrepreneurs. Thanks to this EIT Label, students are entitled to a student enhancement allowance.
Explore where and what you can study
Five high-level European universities offer you the chance to obtain a double Master’s degree. More information on their Master’s programmes can be found on their respective websites:
- KU Leuven Master of Materials Engineering
- Montanuniversität Leoben Master in Sustainable Materials
- University of Trento Master in Materials and Production Engineering
- INP Grenoble Master in Sustainable Industrial Engineering
- University of Milano-Bicocca Master in Materials Science

Choose your Programme Path
Click on each programme path below to find out more about the curriculum for each university combination. Make your selection for the first year of study, then scroll down to select the second year. Return to the first year to change your selection and create a new combination.
You can find more information about the individual courses by clicking on the links above, which will lead you to a more detailed description on the website of the university organising the course.
CHOOSE YOUR 1ST YEAR OF STUDY
KU Leuven
Montanuniversitaet Leoben
U. Trento
UNIMIB
CHOOSE YOUR 2ND YEAR OF STUDY
INP Grenoble
KU Leuven
Montanuniversitaet Leoben
U. Trento
UNIMIB
Your combined programme syllabus for...
KU Leuven – INP Grenoble
2020-2021 EEA Tuition fees
First year: €922.3
Second year: €4,000
2020-2021 non-EEA Tuition fees
First year: €6,000
Second year: €4,000
The student will pay tuition at KU Leuven for the first year and at INP Grenoble for the second year.
At KU Leuven, some non-EEA students may enjoy a waiver of the fee and pay the EEA-rate.
Curriculum
The first year at Leuven is mostly based on compulsory technical courses aimed at giving the general basic knowledge of materials science and engineering. Courses focus on different classes of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites) jointly with courses on materials properties and characterisation techniques, materials modelling and materials processing. The students interact with industrial partners through company visits and lab sessions.
The second year in Grenoble aims, apart from optimisation skills, to give students the complete and big picture of the field of “sustainable materials management” with technical knowledge but also economical, organisational and managerial knowledge. It gives students a profound education in the field of sustainable industrial engineering, with particular regards to material efficiency (recycling, reuse, additive manufacturing, product design) and new value chains (reverse logistics, supply chain, economics, processes performance). In Grenoble the students will specialise in sustainability and industrial engineering and will be able to make sustainable decisions on industrial value chains or on specific new technologies/processes regarding the materials value chain.
Course title | # of ECTS credits | KUL | KUL | INPG | INPG |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | ||
Mandatory core courses (39 credits) | |||||
Metals: Production and Recycling | 6 | 6 | |||
Metals: Advanced Thermomechanical Processing | 6 | 6 | |||
Ceramic Materials and Powder Metallurgy | 6 | 6 | |||
Materials Modelling and Simulation Techniques | 6 | 6 | |||
Materials Characterisation Techniques I | 6 | 6 | |||
Design and Analysis of Experimentation | 3 | 3 | |||
Project Work and Problem Solving I | 3 | 3 | |||
Project Work and Problem Solving II | 3 | 3 | |||
Mandatory courses for students 2nd year at INPG (15 credits) | |||||
Physics and Mechanical Properties of Polymers | 3 | 3 | |||
Metals: Shaping and Joining | 6 | 6 | |||
Surface Science and Engineering | 6 | 6 | |||
Electives (6 credits) | |||||
Electives to be chosen freely from the offer of the school | 6 | 6 | |||
Mandatory package Design (9 credits) | |||||
Mandatory package Sustainability, Entrepreneurship & Innovation (15 credits) | |||||
Materials and Sustainable Development | 3 | 3 | |||
Conditionally Electives (6 credits) | |||||
One course to be chosen from the OPTs listed below: | 6 | 6 | |||
Master´s Thesis (30 credits) | |||||
Master’s Thesis including mandatory industrial participation and mandatory industrial internship | 30 | 30 | |||
Total credits: at least 120 ECTS |
U. Trento – INP Grenoble
2020-20201 EEA Tuition fees
First year: Between €346 and €3,345
Second year: Between €346 and €3,345
2020-2021 non-EEA Tuition fees
First year: Between €0 and €4,500
Second year: Between €0 and €4,500
Students will pay tuition at UniTrento for the first and the second year. UniTrento transfers the tuition of the second year to Grenoble INP. The amount to be transferred to Grenoble will correspond to the fee amount paid by the student to the University of Trento. The possible difference between the fee amount paid to UniTrento and the fee amount required at Grenoble will be paid directly by the student at the exit of University.
EU students: annual university tuition fees at UniTrento may range from €346 to €3,345 on the basis of their financial situation.
NON-EU students: university tuition fee at UniTrento for the first year may range from €0 to €4,500 on the basis of the application score obtained during the selection. Tuition fees amount for the following year/s will be calculated according to the student’s performance (credits earned until 10 August each year).
Curriculum
The first year at Trento is mostly based on compulsory technical courses aimed at giving the general basic knowledge of materials science and engineering. Courses focus on different classes of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites) jointly with courses on materials properties and characterisation techniques and mechanical design.
The second year in Grenoble aims, apart from optimisation skills, to give students the complete and big picture of the field of “sustainable materials management” with technical knowledge but also economical, organisational and managerial knowledge. It gives students a profound education in the field of sustainable industrial engineering with particular regards to material efficiency (recycling, reuse, additive manufacturing, product design) and new value chains (reverse logistics, supply chain, economics, processes performance). In Grenoble students will specialise in sustainability and industrial engineering and will be able to make sustainable decisions on industrial value chains or on specific new technologies/processes regarding the materials value chain.
Course title | # of ECTS credits | Trento | Trento | INPG | INPG |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | ||
Mandatory core courses (36 credits) | |||||
Metallic Materials Engineering I | 6 | 6 | |||
Metallic Materials Engineering II | 6 | 6 | |||
Ceramic Materials Engineering | 6 | 6 | |||
Mechanical Design and Machine Elements | 6 | 6 | |||
Polymeric Materials Engineering | 6 | 6 | |||
Properties and Characterisation of Materials | 6 | 6 | |||
Mandatory courses for students 2nd year at INPG (18 credits) | |||||
Foundry and Steelmaking | 6 | 6 | |||
Corrosion and Degradation Control of Materials | 6 | 6 | |||
Finite Elements Modelling | 6 | 6 | |||
Electives (6 credits) | |||||
Electives to be chosen freely from the offer of the school | 6 | 6 | |||
Mandatory package Design (9 credits) | |||||
Mandatory package Sustainability, Entrepreneurship & Innovation (15 credits) | |||||
Materials and Sustainable Development | 3 | 3 | |||
Conditionally Electives (6 credits) | |||||
One course to be chosen from the OPTs listed below: | 6 | 6 | |||
Master´s Thesis (30 credits) | |||||
Master’s Thesis including mandatory industrial participation and mandatory industrial internship | 30 | 30 | |||
Total credits: at least 120 ECTS |
UNIMIB – INP Grenoble
2019-2020 EEA / non-EEA Tuition fees
First year: € –
Second year: € –
On hold
Curriculum
The first year at Milano-Bicocca is based on mandatory courses characterised by three aims. i) Advanced knowledge in the physics and chemistry of materials. Aim of this part of the programme is the acquisition of a general scheme for the interpretation and the design of function vs. structure relationships in a wide class of materials. ii) Acquisition of competences in experimental techniques of material characterisation and synthesis, with activities in experimental laboratories interacting with research groups at the Department of Materials Science. iii) Specific classes of materials and function-related structures, giving also a basis for understanding the strategy for a sustainable technology.
The second year in Grenoble aims, apart from optimisation skills, to give students the complete and big picture of the field of “sustainable materials management” with technical knowledge but also economical, organisational and managerial knowledge. It gives students a profound education in the field of sustainable industrial engineering with particular regards to material efficiency (recycling, reuse, additive manufacturing, product design) and new value chains (reverse logistics, supply chain, economics, processes performance). In Grenoble students will specialise in sustainability and industrial engineering and will be able to make sustainable decisions on industrial value chains or on specific new technologies/processes regarding the materials value chain.
Course title | # of ECTS credits | UNIMIB | UNIMIB | INPG | INPG |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | ||
Mandatory core courses (63 credits) | |||||
Production and Operations Management | 3 | 3 | |||
Mandatory package Sustainability, Entrepreneurship & Innovation (15 credits) | |||||
Materials and Sustainable Development | 3 | 3 | |||
Electives (12 credits) | |||||
Modelling & Optimisation in Product Development | 6 | 6 | |||
Mandatory Internship (6 credits) | |||||
Internship | 6 | 6 | |||
Master´s Thesis (24 credits) | |||||
Master’s Thesis | 24 | 24 | |||
Total credits: at least 120 ECTS |
KU Leuven - Montanuniversitaet Leoben
2020-2021 EEA Tuition fees
First year: €922.30
Second year: €922.30
2020-2021 non-EEA Tuition fees
First year: €6,000
Second year: €6,000
The student will pay tuition at KU Leuven for the first and the second year. KU Leuven transfers the tuition of the first year (€19.70 per semester) and the second year (€726.72 plus €19.70 per semester for Non-EU; or €19.70 per semester for EU students) to MU Leoben.
At KU Leuven, some non-EEA students may enjoy a waiver for fee and pay the EEA-rate.
Curriculum
The first year at Leuven is mostly based on compulsory technical courses aimed at giving the generalbase knowledge of materials science and engineering. Courses focus on different classes of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites), jointly with courses on materials properties and characterization techniques, materials modelling and materials processing. The students are interacting with industrial partners through company visits and lab sessions.
The second year at Montanuniversitaet Leoben has a strong focus on process- and business management as well as economics, building the base for an entrepreneurial mind-set and leadership skills. This is complemented by product development, production planning and logistics courses (innovation and sustainability). The master thesis and compulsory internship establish supplementary ties to industry.
Course title | # of ECTS credits | KUL | KUL | MUL | MUL |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | ||
Mandatory core courses (60 credits) | |||||
Metals: Production & Recycling | 6 | 6 | |||
Advanced Metals Processing & Case Studies | 6 | 6 | |||
Ceramic Materials and Powder Metallurgy | 6 | 6 | |||
Materials Characterisation Techniques I | 6 | 6 | |||
Materials Modelling & Simulation Techniques | 6 | 6 | |||
Design & Analysis of Experimentation | 3 | 3 | |||
Project Work and Problem Solving I | 3 | 3 | |||
Project Work and Problem Solving II | 3 | 3 | |||
Metals: Shaping and Joining | 6 | 6 | |||
Surface Science and Engineering | 6 | 6 | |||
Production Machines and Systems | 3 | 3 | |||
Characterisation | |||||
Phase Transformations and Precipitates in Metals and their Characterisation | 1 | 1 | |||
Simulation & Modelling | |||||
Fundamentals and application of multiphase simulation | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||
Metallurgy & Recycling | |||||
Metallurgical Project | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||
Electives (12 credits) | |||||
Electives to be chosen freely from the offer of the school | 12 | 6 | 6 | ||
Mandatory package Sustainability, Entrepreneurship & Innovation (12 credits) | |||||
Sustainable Business Management | 4.5 | 4.5 | |||
Mineral Economics | 3 | 3 | |||
Simulation of production planning and logistics (production economy) | 2 | 2 | |||
Product Development Seminar | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||
Mandatory Internship (6 credits) | |||||
Industrial Internship | 6 | 6 | |||
Master's Thesis (30 credits) | |||||
Master's Thesis | 24 | 24 | |||
Presentation of master thesis and exam | 6 | 6 | |||
Total credits: at least 120 ECTS |
U. Trento - Montanuniversitaet Leoben
2020-2021 EEA Tuition fees
First year: Between €346 and €3,345
Second year: Between €346 and €3,345
2020-2021 non-EEA Tuition fees
First year: Between €0 and €4,500
Second year: Between €0 and €4,500
The student will pay tuition at UniTrento for the first and the second year. UniTrento transfers the tuition of the second year to Montanuniversitaet Leoben. The amount to be transferred to Leoben will correspond to the fee amount paid by the student to the University of Trento. The possible difference between the fee amount paid to UniTrento and the fee amount required at Leoben will be paid directly by the student at the exit University.
EU students: annual university tuition fees at UniTrento may range from €346 to €3,345 on the basis of their financial situation.
NON-EU students: university tuition fee at UniTrento for the first year may range from €0 to €4,500 on the basis of the application score obtained during the selection. Tuition fees amount for the following year (s) will be calculated according to the student’s performance (credits earned until August 10 each year).
Curriculum
The first year at Trento is mostly based on compulsory technical courses aimed at giving the general basic knowledge of materials science and engineering. Courses focus on different classes of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites), jointly with courses on materials properties and characterisation techniques and mechanical design.
The second year at Montanuniversitaet Leoben has a strong focus on process- and business management as well as economics, building the base for an entrepreneurial mind-set and leadership skills. This is complemented by product development, production planning and logistics courses (innovation and sustainability). The master thesis and compulsory internship establish supplementary ties to industry.
Course title | # of ECTS credits | Trento | Trento | MUL | MUL |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | ||
Mandatory core courses (60 credits) | |||||
Metallic Materials Engineering I | 6 | 6 | |||
Metallic Materials Engineering II | 6 | 6 | |||
Ceramic Materials Engineering | 6 | 6 | |||
Properties and Characterisation of Materials | 6 | 6 | |||
Polymeric Materials Engineering | 6 | 6 | |||
Mechanical Design and Machine Elements | 6 | 6 | |||
Finite Elements Modelling | 6 | 6 | |||
Corrosion and Degradation Control of Materials | 6 | 6 | |||
Foundry and steelmaking | 6 | 6 | |||
Characterisation | |||||
Phase Transformations and Precipitates in Metals and their Characterisation | 1 | 1 | |||
Simulation & Modelling | |||||
Fundamentals and application of multiphase simulation | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||
Metallurgy & Recycling | |||||
Metallurgical Project | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||
Electives (6 credits) | |||||
Electives to be chosen freely from the offer of the school | 6 | 6 | |||
Mandatory package Sustainability, Entrepreneurship & Innovation (12 credits) | |||||
Sustainable Business Management | 4.5 | 4.5 | |||
Mineral Economics | 3 | 3 | |||
Simulation of production planning and logistics (production economy) | 2 | 2 | |||
Product Development Seminar | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||
Electives (6 credits) | |||||
Electives to be chosen freely from the offer of the school | 6 | 6 | |||
Mandatory Internship (6 credits) | |||||
Industrial Internship | 6 | 6 | |||
Master's Thesis (30 credits) | |||||
Master's Thesis | 24 | 24 | |||
Presentation of master thesis and exam | 6 | 6 | |||
Total credits: at least 120 ECTS |
KU Leuven – U. Trento
2020-2021 EEA Tuition fees
First year: €922.30
Second year: €922.30
2020-2021 non-EEA Tuition fees
First year: €6,000
Second year: €6,000
The student will pay the tuition at KU Leuven for the first and in the second year the tuition fee at UniTrento is consequently waived.
At KU Leuven, some non-EEA students may enjoy a waiver for the fee and pay the EEA-rate.
Curriculum
The first year at Leuven is mostly based on compulsory technical courses aimed at giving a general base knowledge of materials science and engineering. Courses focus on different classes of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites), jointly with courses on materials properties and characterisation techniques, materials modelling and materials processing. The students are interacting with industrial partners through company visits and lab sessions.
The second year at Trento is based on the curriculum of Industrial Processes Management and Optimisation. This curriculum is characterised by a set of disciplines crossing the fields of Operations Research and Industrial Management aimed at building useful skills for an efficient management of manufacturing processes and optimisation of materials, considering all aspects, i.e., scientific, technological, economic and organisational. For the achievement of such skills, special emphasis is devoted to models and methods of mathematical and reticular programming, systems for the simulation and management of tails, decisions and quality control supporting systems, informative systems for logistics and production. The final goal is to build a Materials Engineer that combines good technical skills (acquired during the first year at KU Leuven) and well developed entrepreneurial attitudes to successfully drive innovation in large companies and SMEs.
Course title | # of ECTS credits | KUL | KUL | Trento | Trento |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | ||
Mandatory core courses (39 credits) | |||||
Metals: Production and Recycling | 6 | 6 | |||
Metals: Advanced Thermomechanical Processing | 6 | 6 | |||
Ceramic Materials and Powder Metallurgy | 6 | 6 | |||
Materials Modelling and Simulation Techniques | 6 | 6 | |||
Materials Characterisation Techniques I | 6 | 6 | |||
Design and Analysis of Experimentation | 3 | 3 | |||
Project Work and Problem Solving I | 3 | 3 | |||
Project Work and Problem Solving II | 3 | 3 | |||
Mandatory courses for students 2nd year at Trento (15 credits) | |||||
Physics and Mechanical Properties of Polymers | 3 | 3 | |||
Properties of Composites A&B | 6 | 6 | |||
Surface Science and Engineering | 6 | 6 | |||
Electives (6 credits) | |||||
Electives to be chosen freely from the offer of the school | 6 | 6 | |||
Mandatory package Sustainability, Entrepreneurship & Innovation (24 credits) | |||||
Recycling and Sustainable Materials | 6 | 6 | |||
Quality and Innovation Engineering | 6 | 6 | |||
Operations Research | 6 | 6 | |||
Project Management | 6 | 6 | |||
Mandatory Internship (6 credits) | |||||
Industrial Internship | 6 | 6 | |||
Electives (6 credits) | |||||
Electives to be chosen freely from the offer of the school | 6 | 6 | |||
Master's Thesis (24 credits) | |||||
Master's Thesis | 24 | 12 | 12 | ||
Total credits: at least 120 ECTS |
KU Leuven - UNIMIB
2020-2021 EEA Tuition fees
First year: €922.30
Second year: €922.30
2020-2021 non-EEA Tuition fees
First year: €6,000
Second year: €6,000
The student will pay tuition at KU Leuven for the first year and in the second year the tuition fee at UNIMIB is consequently waived.
At KU Leuven, some non-EEA students may enjoy a waiver for the fee and pay the EEA-rate.
Curriculum
The first year at Leuven is mostly based on compulsory technical courses aimed at giving a general base knowledge on materials science and engineering. Courses focus on different classes of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites) jointly with courses on materials properties and characterisation techniques, materials modelling and materials processing. Students also interact with industrial partners through company visits and lab sessions.
The second year at Milano-Bicocca comprises various courses on entrepreneurship and industrial aspects in the area of materials science – including nanotechnology, composites, microelectronics, and molecular materials – which may be composed in a personalised programme through mandatory and elective courses. A relevant number of credits are devoted to the research activity of master Thesis and internship in close connection with research groups and industrial partners, putting the student in contact with cutting-edge research topics and up-to-date methods of investigation. The full immersion in team activities within research groups and international networks stimulates specific awareness for managing research, applications and curiosity for new problems and ideas. Additional activities include seminars from experts of industry on management and innovation topics, along with laboratories on scientific language and an Italian language laboratory (together with a wide cultural proposal on transversal competences).
Course title | # of ECTS credits | KUL | KUL | UNIMIB | UNIMIB |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | ||
Mandatory core courses (72 credits) | |||||
Metals: production & recycling | 6 | 6 | |||
Materials Characterisation Techniques I | 6 | 6 | |||
Design and Analysis of Experimentation | 3 | 3 | |||
Ceramic Materials and Powder Metallurgy | 6 | 6 | |||
MaterialsModelling & Simulation Techniques | 6 | 6 | |||
Physical and Mechanical Properties of Polymers | 3 | 3 | |||
Surface Science & Engineering | 6 | 6 | |||
Project Work & Problem Solving: Part I and Part II | 6 | 3 | 3 | ||
Metals: Advanced Thermomechanical Processing | 6 | 6 | |||
Materials Physics and Technology for Nanoelectronics | 6 | 6 | |||
Engineering and Entrepreneurship | 6 | 6 | |||
Mandatory Internship (6 credits) | |||||
Internship | 3 | 3 | |||
Additional communication skills | 3 | 3 | |||
Electives (12 credits) | |||||
Master's Thesis (30 credits) | |||||
Master's Thesis | 30 | 6 | 24 | ||
Total credits: at least 120 ECTS |
Montanuniversitaet Leoben - KU Leuven
2020-2021 EEA Tuition fees
First year: €38.40
Second year: €38.40
2020-2021 non-EEA Tuition fees
First year: €1,492.84
Second year: €1,492.84
The student will pay the tuition at MU Leoben for the first and in the second year the tuition fee at KU Leuven is consequently waived.
EU/EEA students: the university tuition fees amounts up to €19.70 per semester*. The fee needs to be paid each semester. The typical semester count for a Master programme is 4 semesters +1 tolerance semester. If the student requires additional time, a higher tuition fee will be imposed.
NON-EU students: the university tuition fees amounts up to €745.92 per semester (€726.72 plus €19.70 per semester). Generally, students from less developed countries only need to pay the fee for the Austrian/EU students (€9.70 per semester).*
Curriculum
The first year at Montanuniversitaet Leoben is mostly based on compulsory technical courses giving students a basic knowledge in characterisation techniques, classes of materials (building materials, ceramics, and metals), material processing and recycling complemented by simulation and modelling courses.
The second year at Leuven has a strong focus on science based knowledge as a basis for innovation (master thesis), exposure to industry (through thesis and internship) and modules aimed at developing an innovative and entrepreneurial mind-set, as well as leadership values.
Course title | # of ECTS credits | MUl | MUL | KUL | KUL |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | ||
Mandatory core courses (53 credits) | |||||
CHARACTERISATION topics | |||||
Structure and Scattering Methods | 3 | 3 | |||
Exercises to Structure and Scattering Methods | 1 | 1 | |||
Introduction into Synchrotron Radiation | 1 | 1 | |||
Experimental Methods in Materials Physics | 2 | 2 | |||
CERAMICS topics | |||||
Fundamentals of building materials and ceramics | 3.5 | 3.5 | |||
Testing methods and application of building materials | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||
Laboratory exercise in building materials and ceramics 1 | 3 | 3 | |||
DOWNSTREAM-METALLURGY topics | |||||
Metallurgy of Continuous Casting of Steel | 2 | 2 | |||
Casting microstructure and properties | 3 | 3 | |||
Practicals for casting microstructure and properties | 2 | 2 | |||
Formability of metals | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||
Foundry Technology / Technology of casting processes (Shape Casting) | 3 | 3 | |||
SIMULATION & MODELLING topics | |||||
Fundamentals and application of multiphase simulation | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||
Application of thermodynamic programs in metallurgy | 1.5 | 1.5 | |||
Simulation in casting technology | 3 | 3 | |||
METALLURGY & RECYCLING topics | |||||
Special metallurgy of nonferrous metals | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||
Special metallurgical process technology | 4.5 | 4.5 | |||
Refractory metals and ferro-alloys | 3 | 3 | |||
Lab in ferrous metallurgy - processes | 2 | 2 | |||
Corrosion | 3 | 3 | |||
Seminar on steel process technology | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||
Electives (6 credits) | |||||
Electives to be chosen freely from the offer of the school | 6 | 6 | |||
Mandatory package Sustainability, Entrepreneurship & Innovation (24 credits) | |||||
The art of scientific writing | 1 | 1 | |||
Sustainable Materials Management | 3 | 3 | |||
Resource Recovery and Recycling | 3 | 3 | |||
Engineering and Entrepreneurship | 6 | 6 | |||
Engineering Economy | 3 | 3 | |||
Industrial Organisation: Theory and Applications | 6 | 6 | |||
Project Management | 3 | 3 | |||
Mandatory Internship (6 credits) | |||||
Industrial Internship | 6 | 6 | |||
Electives (6 credits) | |||||
Electives to be chosen freely from the offer of the school | 6 | 6 | |||
Master's Thesis (24 credits) | |||||
Master's Thesis | 24 | 24 | |||
Total credits: at least 120 ECTS |
U. Trento – KU Leuven
2020-2021 EEA Tuition fees
First year: Between €346 and €3,345
Second year: Between €346 and €3,345
2020-2021 non-EEA Tuition fees
First year: Between €0 and €4,500
Second year: Between €0 and €4,500
The student will pay the tuition at UniTrento for the first and in the second year the tuition fee at KU Leuven is consequently waived.
EU students: annual university tuition fees at UniTrento may range between €346 and €3,345 on the basis of their financial situation.
NON-EU students: university tuition fees at UniTrento for the first year may range from €0 to €4,500 on the basis of the application score obtained during the selection. The amount of tuition fees for the following year/s will be calculated according to the student’s performance (credits earned until 10 August each year).
Curriculum
The first year at Trento is mostly based on compulsory technical courses aimed at giving the general basic knowledge of materials science and engineering. Courses focus on different classes of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites) jointly with courses on materials properties and characterisation techniques and mechanical design.
The second year at Leuven has a strong focus on science based knowledge as a basis for innovation (master thesis), exposure to industry (through thesis and internship) and modules aimed at developing an innovative and entrepreneurial mind-set as well as leadership values.
Course title | # of ECTS credits | Trento | Trento | KUL | KUL |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | ||
Mandatory core courses (36 credits) | |||||
Metallic Materials Engineering I | 6 | 6 | |||
Metallic Materials Engineering II | 6 | 6 | |||
Ceramic Materials Engineering | 6 | 6 | |||
Mechanical Design and Machine Elements | 6 | 6 | |||
Polymeric Materials Engineering | 6 | 6 | |||
Properties and Characterisation of Materials | 6 | 6 | |||
Mandatory courses for students 2nd year at KUL (18 credits) | |||||
Steelmaking and foundry technologies | 6 | 6 | |||
Corrosion and Degradation Control of Materials | 6 | 6 | |||
Finite Elements Modelling | 6 | 6 | |||
Electives (6 credits) | |||||
Electives to be chosen freely from the offer of the school | 6 | 6 | |||
Mandatory package Sustainability, Entrepreneurship & Innovation (24 credits) | |||||
Sustainable Materials Management | 3 | 3 | |||
Resource Recovery and Recycling | 3 | 3 | |||
Innovation Management and Strategy | 6 | 6 | |||
Engineering Economy | 3 | 3 | |||
Engineering & Entrepreneurship | 6 | 6 | |||
Project Management | 3 | 3 | |||
Mandatory Internship (6 credits) | |||||
Industrial Internship | 6 | 6 | |||
Electives (6 credits) | |||||
Electives to be chosen freely from the offer of the school | 6 | 6 | |||
Master's Thesis (24 credits) | |||||
Master's Thesis | 24 | 12 | 12 | ||
Total credits: at least 120 ECTS |
UNIMIB – KU Leuven
2020-2021 EEA Tuition fees
First year: € 4.115 (maximum, subjected to reduction according to financial situation)
Second year: € 4.115 (maximum, subjected to reduction according to financial situation)
2020-2021 non-EEA Tuition fees
First year: € –
Second year: €600
The student will pay the tuition at UNIMIB for the first year and in the second year the tuition fee at KU Leuven is consequently waived.
Students with a non-Italian degree have a fee waiver resulting in a fee of €0 for the first year and €600 for the second year.
All students have also to pay regional taxes of €156 per year.
Curriculum
The first year at Milano-Bicocca is based on mandatory courses characterised by three aims. i) Advanced knowledge in the physics and chemistry of materials. The aim of this part of the programme is the acquisition of a general scheme for the interpretation and design of function vs. structure relationships in a wide class of materials. ii) Acquisition of competences in experimental techniques of material characterisation and synthesis, with activities in experimental laboratories interacting with research groups at the Department of Materials Science. iii) Specific classes of materials and function-related structures, giving a basis for understanding the strategy for a sustainable technology.
The second year at Leuven has a strong focus on science based knowledge as a basis for innovation (master thesis), exposure to industry (through thesis and internship) and modules aimed at developing an innovative and entrepreneurial mind-set as well as leadership values.
Course title | # of ECTS credits | UNIMIB | UNIMIB | KUL | KUL |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | ||
Mandatory core courses (78 credits) | |||||
Nanomaters. for nanoelectronics | 3 | 3 | |||
Advanced Ceramic Materials | 3 | 3 | |||
Sustainable Materials Management | 3 | 3 | |||
Resource Recovery and Recycling | 3 | 3 | |||
Engineering Economy | 3 | 3 | |||
Project Management | 3 | 3 | |||
Electives (12 credits) | |||||
Materials Physics and Technology for Nanoelectronics | 6 | 6 | |||
Innovation Management and Strategy | 6 | 6 | |||
Mandatory Internship (6 credits) | |||||
Industrial Internship | 6 | 6 | |||
Master´s Thesis (30 credits) | |||||
Master’s Thesis | 24 | 24 | |||
Total credits: at least 120 ECTS |
Students are selected and admitted to the programme and track, based on their academic results, prerequisite requirements, motivation and language skills. They must demonstrate an excellent command of spoken and written English.
Candidates must meet the admission criteria of the Master’s Degree Programmes for both partner institutions in a track. The admission of students is always subject to final approval by the partner institutions involved in the track, as they must meet the admission criteria of the Master’s Degree Programmes of both partner institutions.
All students should have:
Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Engineering or equivalent. Candidates must have obtained* a BSc diploma (or equivalent) of substantial quality and at a level corresponding to at least three years’ study at a university, equivalent to 180 ECTS.
English proficiency: the minimum for the SUMA Master’s is a TOEFL score of 86, with a minimum of 20 on both speaking and writing, or an IELTS score of 6.5, and a minimum of 6 on speaking and writing for non-EEA students who are not native speakers.
Some universities might have higher requirements (at KU Leuven, a TOEFL of minimally 94 or an IELTS of minimally 7 is required). You can choose between TOEFL or IELTS, both are accepted.
Students participating in the Dual Master’s Degree tracks will be entitled to participate in any introductory programme, including language courses, that may customarily be arranged for international students at the host institution.
To be admissible for the second year of a Dual Master’s Degree track, the student must have completed a minimum of 48 ECTS. If this minimum is not reached, the student can continue within the regular Master’s Degree programme at the entry institution, but not in the Dual Master’s track.
* obtained the Bachelor diploma, or demonstrate that they are less than 40 ECTS away of obtaining the BSc diploma. Depending on their background, some students might be invited to follow additional preparatory courses.
Scholarships
Because of the fact that the SUMA Master programmes are EIT Labeled, we are able to support all enrolled students with an ‘Added value student activities grant’ (AVSA grant). For students starting in September 2021, the AVSA equals EUR 13,500 and is paid in full to the students in 2022.
EIT RawMaterials determines the payment modalities of these scholarships.
Living Costs
Students are responsible for covering living costs during their stay, including accommodation, equipment, consumables, health and travel insurance, third-party liability insurance and student union fee (where applicable).
Upon applying for VISA or residence permit, the students are obliged to show that they have sufficient financial means to cover their study and living expenses for the duration of the studies.
The information about proof of financial solvency can be found below:
- KU Leuven: https://www.kuleuven.be/english/admissions/travelling/blocked-account
- UNIMIB and University of Trento: https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en
- MU Leoben: https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/temporary-residence/
Accommodation
Each partner institution will render assistance to incoming students in finding appropriate accommodation for the duration of their studies at the institution.
An academic and administrative representative for the Dual Master’s Degree tracks is present at each institution. He/she is responsible for providing advisory, academic and administrative services to selected students.
Prerequisites for the mobility include that the student has successfully completed a sufficient number of credits at the entry partner institution. During the mobility, students are responsible for covering the travel costs to the host country and living costs during their stay, including accommodation, equipment, consumables, health and travel insurance, third-party liability insurance and student union fee (where applicable).
Applying for SUMA
The application for the SUMA programmes entails several steps:
- First we invite students to register through this website. A selection committee reviews all received applications.
- Pre-selected candidates will be invited for a short skype/phone interview in which their background, scientific skills and knowledge, motivation and English proficiency is evaluated.
- If your candidacy is accepted and the committee gives positive advice, you will be invited to register at the entry university where an administrative check of your transcripts takes place.
- The final acceptance is granted once the check is positive. Then, you will receive an admission letter and you can start the SUMA Master Programme at the university of your choice.
Students interested in following one of the tracks of the SUMA programme should register to apply and upload the following:
- Motivation letter stating their motivation and the specific track they would like to follow (in English)
- Short CV (in English)
- Track record: list of all the courses successfully followed (original names, merged to one PDF)
Students are required to choose an entry AND an exit partner institution from the beginning of the track.
Application deadlines:
1st round of applications | 2nd round of applications | 3rd round of applications | Action |
1st October 2020 - 31st January 2021 | 1st February 2021 - 15th April 2021 | 16th May 2021 – 15th July 2021 | Online applications are open |
February 2021 | April - May 2021 | July 2021 | The administrative and academic evaluation of the applications will take place. Short listed students will be interviewed. |
February/March 2021 | May 2021 | August 2021 | Applicants will be notified of the selection and scholarship decision and will be officially invited to register at the entry university of their choice. |
September 2021 | September 2021 | September 2021 | The first autumn semester begins according to the academic calendar of each university. |
The number of study places available is limited and the application process is highly competitive.
Apply for the SUMA Programme
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