Study Chemical Engineering in Germany

German universities highly value the importance of practical experience, which is why many of them offer industrial internships during their bachelor’s or master’s courses in Chemical Engineering.

Reasons to Study Chemical Engineering in Germany

• Students learn in an international environment, surrounded by people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds.
• According to an OECD Economic Survey, Germany enjoys high living standards (particularly when it comes to jobs, earnings, and work-life balance), and wages are increasing moderately.
• Many Chemical Engineering programs at German universities ensure students are equipped with the relevant chemical Industry 4.0* skillsets.
• Chemical Engineering degrees obtained in Germany enable students to find employment both domestically and abroad.
• The job market for chemical engineers in Germany, but not only, is rather good.
• Chemical engineers (at the senior level) can earn up to €100,000 annually in Germany.

*Industry 4.0 (also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution) is the continuous automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices using the intelligent networking of machines and processes.

Structure of Chemical Engineering Courses in Germany

The structure of Chemical Engineering degree programs in Germany is comprehensive enough to provide the essential skills to enter the job market or proceed to further studies.

Bachelor Programs

Bachelor’s programs in Chemical Engineering in Germany typically take three years (6 semesters) of full-time study to complete. The curriculum content includes both the compulsory areas as well as the electives. A Chemical Engineering bachelor’s program usually combines the fundamentals of natural sciences and engineering, while students can also choose from a variety of extra-disciplinary modules.

Chemical engineering programs in Germany usually include the following:

• Compulsory Areas
  • Mathematical Fundamentals
  • Chemical Fundamentals
  • Technical Fundamentals
  • Application-Oriented Modules
• Elective Areas
  • Chemistry
  • Information Technology
  • Process Technology
• Industrial Internship*
• Bachelor’s Thesis (Last Semester)

*The Industrial Internship for Chemical Engineering is part of the degree program requirements. It is not a necessity to complete an internship before studying but rather during the course.

Master Programs

The master’s programs in Chemical Engineering in Germany are efficient, comprehensive, and practice-oriented. Students can complete a master’s program in Chemical Engineering in a matter of two years or four full-time semesters. Students can choose their specialty, which includes fields like chemical process engineering, biotechnology, catalysis and reaction engineering.

Master’s programs in Chemical Engineering at German universities combine application-based engineering procedures with the fundamentals of natural sciences. When it comes to the program’s content, students get to customize it through their specialization choice. There is usually the chance for an integrated six-week internship in the industry, while the final semester is generally reserved for the Master’s thesis.

Job Prospects and Other Facts

Chemical engineers in Germany have the opportunity to undertake a diverse range of professional paths, including working in the industry, at research institutes or higher education, as well as in public services or any integrative or interdisciplinary professions. Engineering jobs are generally in demand, and this is also the case with chemical engineers, especially considering the chemical industry is relatively developed in Germany. One common requirement amongst companies hiring chemical engineers is knowledge of the German language.

Chemical engineers in Germany earn an average of €81,000 per year, with an average hourly rate of €39. The salary increases with experience, meaning people at the beginning of their career will earn approximately €56,000 per year, while a senior-level chemical engineer will earn about €100,000 per year.