Process Engineering

The Department of Process Engineering has an outstanding reputation in its field and undertakes extensive research activities. We receive first-class feedback from our students and industry and hold top positions in recently published university rankings.  

Graduates of this Master’s degree course are optimally prepared to meet the current and future requirements of the process industry and related sectors. The course is broad-based and produces high-performing all-rounders with excellent employment prospects in a range of fields and strong English language skills for the global economy.

This Master’s degree course in Process Engineering builds on a previous Bachelor’s or equivalent degree in process engineering, or an undergraduate programme in a field of engineering related to the course. The language of instruction is English, and knowledge of English at the B2 level (see below) is essential.

You study the course on a full-time basis over three semesters amounting to a total of 90 credit points (CPs). The first two semesters (60 CPs in total) encompass modules such as numerical mathematics, digital plant design, advanced instrumentation and automation, process optimisation and simulation, advanced thermodynamics and separation processes, advanced solids processing and chemical reaction engineering, plant engineering, process and plant safety, multiphysics simulation, materials and corrosion, environmental technologies, bioenergy and plant operation. Non-technical modules focus on project and asset management and on project financing.

For most lectures and seminars, you’ll take an accompanying practical course, where you’ll work with state-of-the-art software tools and experiments in our on-site laboratories. A scientific project will help you develop your competencies in a small-group setting. Lectures and seminars will improve your interpersonal and communication skills through in-depth discussion of scientific topics, mini-projects, presentations, posters and papers.

The third semester (worth 30 CPs) is a research semester during which you’ll complete your Master thesis, either at HAW Hamburg or at a company in the industry.

• A Bachelor's (or equivalent) degree in process engineering or in a field of engineering related to the course
• Proof of proficiency in English if it is not your first language: 
  Abitur- or Fachhochschulzeugnis (please see the Admissions Policy) or accepted certificates:
  TOEFL: min. score of 87 (Internet-based)
  IELTS: min. score band 5.5
  FCE (Cambridge First Certificate): min. score C
  Any other certificate demonstrating proficiency in English at level B2 or above in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
• Applicants who do not have a Bachelor's degree qualification from an EU country will need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• International applicants with fewer than 210 ECTS credit points must provide a German language certificate of at least B2 level from a recognised institution accredited by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Submitting additional documents increases your chances of being selected:

• CV
• Proof of relevant professional work experience or scientific achievements (papers, awards, etc.)

Students who completed their schooling outside Germany must have their qualifications checked by uni assist (http://www.uni-assist.de) before applying to HAW Hamburg. When you apply to us, you must submit your ‘preliminary review documentation’ (VPD) from uni assist along with your other documentation. Please be aware that the uni assist assessment process can take six to eight weeks, so you will need to take care of this well before applications close.

Important note for applicants with 180 CPs (ECTS) for courses which require 210 CPs (ECTS) from the first degree: Applicants whose Bachelor's degree consists of 180 credit points (ECTS) must acquire another 30 credit points during the first semester of their studies. The individual department decides which courses and examinations must be completed. Applicants will then be temporarily admitted and enrolled for one term in order to complete the missing 30 credit points. After the end of the first semester, the department will inform the Student Admissions and Registration Office and the Faculty Service Office (Fakultätsservicebüro) whether the missing credit points have been acquired and the student may continue with his or her studies.

Applications for this Master's degree course are submitted online. You do not need to submit hard copies of your application. The online process is activated during the application periods only and it is not possible to apply outside these periods:

• For winter semester 2025/26: 1 April–15 May

• For summer semester 2025: 1 October–15 November

Applicants from non-EU countries: Please have your certificates checked in advance by uni assist and request a VPD (preliminary review documentation) for your application. You must complete the application form at myHAW and upload all the necessary documents there to submit your application.

You can find more information under Applying for a Master's degree course or email master-application( (at) )haw-hamburg (dot) de