• The programme aims to bring together students, teachers and researchers from different disciplines in natural sciences and engineering science.
• It introduces students to scientific principles of energy conversion and storage and their technological transfer to machines, power plants, batteries and fuel cells.
• Solid background in either chemistry, materials science or electrical engineering is required, fundamental knowledge in the other disciplines is helpful.
• Introductory courses in general chemistry or electrical engineering are offered for students with little background.
• Advanced training in electrical engineering, materials science, physical and materials chemistry, electrochemistry and energy science and technology follows.
• Special emphasis is on practical training in lab courses. The programme comprises a chemistry lab and two labs dealing with energy science and technology.
• During the second year the programme focusses on fuel cells and batteries.

Conventional lithium-ion batteries as they are currently used in smartphones and laptops have more or less reached their maximum storage capacity. This is why specialists in basic research and practical application in the Science City of Ulm are searching for the batteries of the future. CELEST, Germany's largest platform for electrochemical energy research, is a joint venture of Ulm University, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research (Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung; short: ZSW). With its sections 'lithium ion technology', 'energy storage beyond lithium' and 'alternative technologies for electrochemical energy storage', CELEST covers all current research topics of electrochemical energy storage. The platform has already celebrated its first outstanding success: As part of the Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments, the researchers have received approval for their Cluster of Excellence 'Post Lithium Storage' (POLiS), which is being funded with around seven million euros annually for an initial seven years. Main focus of POLiS is the development of battery systems that eliminate the need for the finite materials lithium and cobalt.

Alongside of the ongoing research, the graduate school of electrochemical energy storage (GS-EES) will support up to 60 PhD students doing their research within the POLiS.  

For further information: Cluster of Excellence - Post Lithium Storage

Further information: CELEST - Graduate School Electrocehmical Ernergy Storage

•  R&D positions in areas related to electrochemical engergy technology (fuel cells and batteries)
•  professional careers in a broad spectrum of industrial applications, ranging from car industry, chemical or electronic industry to numerous specialized applications

Tuition Fees are only applicable for second degree and international students. Further Infomation can be found here. Additionally the university and the students union (Studierendenwerk Ulm) currently charge administrative fees approximately amounting to 165 € each semester. Students admitted to the "Energy Science and Technology" program will be asked to pay these fees for the following winter term immediately after they accepted admission.

Living expenses
A student at Ulm University will face the following living expenses :
•    University/students union administrative fee: ~ 165 € each semester
•    Health insurance: 80 € each month
•    Rent: approximately 300 € each month
•    Public transportation (semester ticket): 115 € each semester
•    General cost of living (depending on the lifestyle): approx. 300 € each month
Expenses per year: approx. 8700 €
Expenses for the regular duration of the programme (2 years): approx. 17 400 €

Financial Assistance
Information on scholarship programs can be found at the German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD). Typically, students will have to apply for a scholarship one year ahead of time. Ulm University does not offer any additional scholarships for incoming students.

Proof of Financial Resources
Typically, proof of financial resources of at least 700 € per month will be necessary to obtain a student visa. Additionally, many German embassies require students to prove that they dispose of a specific amount of money (approx. 8000 €) on a German bank account before a visa will be issued. Please inquire at the German embassy in your country for specific requirements.