Mechanics of Sustainable Materials and Structures — Master's Scholarship

MS² is a two-year joint Master of Science in the mechanics of sustainable materials and structures. It is run by TU Dortmund University in Germany, the University of Trento in Italy and École Centrale de Nantes in France, and the European Union co-funds it as an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master. Teaching is in English throughout and the degree carries 120 ECTS.

The cohort moves together: semester one in Dortmund, semester two in Trento, semester three in Nantes, then a thesis semester at one of the three universities or at an associated international partner. Admission is only in the winter semester, and lectures start in Dortmund on the second Monday of September.

Graduates receive three degrees: a Master of Science from TU Dortmund, a Laurea Magistrale in Ingegneria Civile from Trento, and a Master sciences, technologies, santé in civil engineering from Centrale Nantes. Applications open on 1 January every year. For the intake that began in September 2026, EU/EEA citizens and holders of an EU/EEA degree can still apply until 15 October 2026; everyone else applies from 1 January 2027 for the next intake.

Benefits & funding

15 Erasmus Mundus scholarships each year: full tuition covered plus about €1,400 a month for two years.
15 merit-based fee reductions each year, decided by the Selection and Examination Board.
With the reduction, non-EU/EEA students pay €7,600 for the whole programme (€1,900 a semester) instead of €13,600 (€3,400 a semester).
With the reduction, EU/EEA students and holders of an EU/EEA bachelor pay €4,600 (€1,150 a semester) instead of €7,600 (€1,900 a semester).
Fees cover tuition and the student services contribution at all three universities.
Everyone without an Erasmus Mundus scholarship receives a travel allowance from the programme from the second semester onwards.
Three national degrees, 120 ECTS, taught entirely in English.

Eligibility

A first-cycle degree in civil engineering under the European Qualifications Framework, or an equivalent qualification the Admission Board accepts.
A final grade of B or better on the ECTS grading scale, roughly 2.8 on the German scale.
English at B2 or above, or native-speaker status; the Duolingo English Test and similar tests are not accepted.
Open to all nationalities with no residency requirement, but the window depends on your papers: non-EU/EEA citizens holding a non-EU/EEA degree apply between 1 January and 15 May; EU/EEA citizens and holders of an EU/EEA degree apply between 1 January and 15 October.
The Erasmus Mundus scholarship round closes earlier than both, on 15 March, for every applicant.
Enrolment in Germany must be completed by 15 October, even though lectures begin in September.

Can you apply?

Here's who can apply

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Education required
Bachelor

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Application process

1
Work out which deadline applies to you: your nationality and the country that awarded your degree decide it.
2
Apply to the programme from 1 January through the TU Dortmund international applicant portal.
3
Apply for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship in parallel — it is a separate application and closes on 15 March.
4
Submit two reference letters as PDFs in English, on institutional letterhead and signed.
5
Submit a CV and a two-page letter setting out why you are the right candidate.
6
Attend the selection interview; the arrangements are sent after the form is submitted.
7
Once admitted, complete enrolment at TU Dortmund by 15 October at the latest.
8
Obtain a German student visa, then request a two-year residence permit after arriving; the EU REST directive covers the stays in Italy and France.

Program timeline

January 1
Applications open for the September intake
Erasmus Mundus scholarship deadline
March 15
Programme deadline for non-EU/EEA applicants holding a non-EU/EEA degree
May 15
Programme deadline for EU/EEA applicants and holders of an EU/EEA degree, and the last day to enrol in Germany
October 15
Lectures begin at TU Dortmund
Second Monday of September
Online open days for prospective applicants
December 16, 2025 and February 20, 2026