Requirements for Enrollment

The degree program in Applied Plastics Technology at the Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences is aimed at students who already have a degree in a technical or non-technical university or vocational academy program and who want to expand their knowledge and career opportunities.

For admission, a completed technical university or vocational academy degree is required. In addition, you must demonstrate relevant professional experience of at least one year.

If you have a degree in a non-technical field of study, you must demonstrate relevant professional experience of at least five years. In addition, you will need to pass a written entrance examination in the subjects of Mathematics, Technical Mechanics, and Construction.

Study Contents, Modules, and Specializations

With this master's program at the state university in Schmalkalden, you qualify for leadership positions in the industry in the field of plastics engineering. In just 5 semesters of regular study time, you will intensively deal with topics such as plastics science and quality management, as well as with business fundamentals. Within 5 semesters of regular study time, you will acquire 90 ECTS.

The study is structured as follows:

• 1st Semester: Plastics Science and Chemistry of Plastics, Construction, Design, and Calculation of Plastic Parts, Methodological Aspects
• 2nd Semester: Plastic Processing I, Plastic Processing II, Composite Materials, Quality Management
• 3rd Semester: Material Testing of Plastics, Tooling and Mold Making, Product Development and Simulation, Plastic Recycling and Environmental Management
• 4th Semester: Legal Aspects, Business Aspects, Energy Management Aspects in Production
• 5th Semester: Master's Thesis

Presence and Practice

What is special about distance learning at the University of Schmalkalden are the intensive presence phases and block seminars on site in Schmalkalden (Thuringia). During the presence phases, you can exchange ideas on the learning content with your fellow students and teachers.

Over the course of the first 4 semesters, you will complete a total of 13 presence phases. The presences are organized to be easily completed while working – the events typically take place over a period of 3–5 days, including weekends.

If you have obtained 180 ECTS in your first degree, you can acquire the additional 30 ECTS through an accompanying internship. For example, you can complete the internship in your company.

Tuition Fees

At Schmalkalden University, you pay the tuition fees for the part-time studies semester by semester, always at the beginning of the semester. The tuition fees for the Master's in Applied Plastics Engineering are 2560,– Euro per semester.

In addition, there are semester fees of approx. 54,– Euro (without a semester ticket) or approx. 100,– Euro (with a semester ticket).

In total, you will pay around 13000,– Euro for the entire programme.