Process Engineering
HAW Hamburg · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
This Master’s degree course in Process Engineering focuses on digitalisation and Industry 4.0 in the various phases of the processing-plant life cycle. You study automation, digital plant design, data handling, computational simulation techniques, and process and plant safety, and you develop practical skills for work in R&D, plant planning and design, plant operation, plant maintenance and service, and project management.
You study full-time over three semesters amounting to a total of 90 credit points (CPs). The first two semesters include modules such as numerical mathematics, digital plant design, advanced instrumentation and automation, process optimisation and simulation, advanced thermodynamics and separation processes, and plant engineering, while the third semester is a research semester for your Master thesis, which can be completed at HAW Hamburg or at a company in the industry.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- You study Process Engineering topics in a full-time Master’s programme delivered in English.
- You complete the Master’s coursework across the first part of the 3-semester study period.
- You build advanced engineering knowledge that prepares you for the Master’s thesis phase.
- You focus on the final stage of the programme within the 3-semester structure.
- You complete your Master-level work and thesis within the last semester.
- You consolidate your specialised engineering learning into the final qualification.
Curriculum
90 ECTS (CP) total for the Master’s Degree Programme Process Engineering. The table groups the published modules into semester blocks based on the module structure matrix (Semester column).
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Compulsory modules (Mathematics; Digital Plant Design; Advanced Instrumentation and Automation) | Mathematics | 5 | 15 |
| Digital Plant Design | 5 | |||
| Advanced Instrumentation and Automation | 5 | |||
| Semester 2 | Compulsory modules (Optimization; Business Skills; Advanced Thermodynamics and Separation Processes) | Optimization | 5 | 15 |
| Business Skills | 5 | |||
| Advanced Thermodynamics and Separation Processes | 5 | |||
| Semester 3 | Compulsory elective modules (Advanced Solids Processing and Reaction Engineering; Engineering; Multiphysics Simulation) | Advanced Solids Processing and Reaction Engineering | 5 | 15 |
| Engineering | 5 | |||
| Multiphysics Simulation | 5 | |||
| Semester 4 | Elective modules (Materials and Corrosion; Environmental Technologies; Bioenergy - Biofuels) | Materials and Corrosion | 5 | 15 |
| Environmental Technologies | 5 | |||
| Bioenergy - Biofuels | 5 | |||
| Semester 5 | Elective module (Plant Operation) plus project work | Plant Operation | 5 | 10 |
| Project Work | 5 | |||
| Semester 6 | Project work continuation plus master thesis | Project Work | 0 | 30 |
| Master Thesis | 30 | |||
| Total | All modules including compulsory, compulsory elective, elective modules, Project Work, and Master Thesis (total credit points). | 90 ECTS | ||
Career outcomes
- You graduate with a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Process Engineering that strengthens your profile for engineering roles in process and plant-related industries in Germany.
- The programme is taught in English and is designed as a full-time Master’s (3 semesters), helping you enter advanced engineering career paths without slowing down your study timeline.
- By completing the Master’s coursework and thesis in a structured 3-semester plan, you finish with a clear capstone outcome that can support your job applications and interviews.
- You gain job-ready engineering depth that fits employer needs in fields where process optimisation, design, and engineering problem-solving are essential.
- Your Master’s qualification supports progression from graduate roles into senior specialist and responsibility-carrying engineering positions over time.
Employability rate
Process engineering and related engineering graduates in Germany typically see an employability rate of around 85% and an unemployment rate of about 15%, reflecting strong demand for skilled engineers across many industrial sectors.
Together, these figures point to a generally stable career outlook for graduates who can demonstrate relevant engineering competence and practical skills.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree with sufficient ECTS and relevant field | International applicants must hold a successfully completed bachelor’s degree in process engineering with at least 210 ECTS credit points, or a successfully completed undergraduate programme in an engineering field related to the master programme with at least 210 ECTS credit points. |
| Proof of English proficiency (B2 or above) | International applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency at B2 level or above as described by HAW Hamburg’s admissions policy. |
| If your first degree is short on credits | If your bachelor’s degree consists of 180 ECTS credit points, you must acquire the missing 30 credit points at the start of your studies; admission is granted so you can complete the missing credit points. |
| GRE may be required for degrees outside the EU | Applicants with a higher education degree from a country outside the EU may need to submit GRE as specified in the admission and selection regulations for this master programme. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering | Direct match | The master programme builds on a previous bachelor’s degree in process engineering or a related engineering field, so relevant process, chemical engineering, and plant/process-focused backgrounds align well with this degree. |
Language requirements
The language of instruction for the M.Sc. Process Engineering at HAW Hamburg is English. International applicants must provide proof of English proficiency at level B2 or above in accordance with the HAW Hamburg Admissions Policy.
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
Other accepted proofs
Exam / assessment
| Component | Required? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| GRE (for applicants with a degree outside the EU) | conditional | The admission and selection regulations state that applicants with a higher education degree from a country outside the EU must provide GRE. |
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Semester fee | EUR 379 / per semester | Semester contribution of 379 EUR including the semester ticket and the Germany ticket (Deutschlandticket). |
Proof of financial resources
International students may need to show proof of sufficient funds for living costs in Germany when applying for a residence permit. The required amount and acceptable evidence are set by official German immigration guidance and may vary depending on your situation.
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | April 01, 2026 | October 01, 2025 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | May 15, 2026 | November 15, 2025 |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | N/A | N/A |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Prepare your eligibility documents
Check that your first degree is in process engineering or a related engineering field and that you meet the ECTS credit requirement stated for the master programme. Prepare your proof of English proficiency at B2 level or above. If your degree is outside the EU, review whether GRE is required by the programme regulations. Start early to ensure your documents can be requested and issued in time for the application deadline.
Submit your online application within the programme-specific window
Submit your application during the programme’s published application period. For Process Engineering, the winter semester application period is 1 April to 15 May, and the summer semester application period is 1 October to 15 November. Complete all required fields and upload the required documents in the format requested by HAW Hamburg’s application process. Make sure your online submission is completed by the deadline.
Selection and admission decision
After the application period, your application is reviewed for eligibility of the preliminary studies and selected according to the programme’s selection process. If additional proof is needed due to missing credits (as described for certain applicants), this will be handled through conditions linked to study progress at the start of the master programme. Monitor your email for the outcome of your application and follow the instructions provided by HAW Hamburg for next steps.
Complete enrolment after receiving an admission offer
Once you receive notification of admission, you must enrol at HAW Hamburg on the specified dates. The admission letter includes a list of documents you must submit for enrolment. Complete enrolment by the required deadline to secure your place. If your documents require additional preparation or translation, plan this as early as possible to avoid delays.