Physics
Structure, material properties, atomic scale
Chemistry
Materials synthesis, chemical processes
Engineering
Processes, industrial systems
Laboratory
Testing, materials characterization methods
Programme
Why This Programme?
Integrated Master
Curriculum & Courses
Labs & Facilities
Faculty Members
Diploma with Integrated Master · 5 years · EQF Level 7 · 300 ECTS
Five years. Advanced specialisation. Research-ready engineering capacity.
The Integrated Master is the complete five-year pathway in Materials Science & Engineering — combining strong scientific foundations, advanced materials specialisation, original research training and the interdisciplinary capacity needed for innovation-driven careers.
EQF Level 7
300 ECTS
Original research thesis
Advanced laboratory training
Industry-facing expertise
What the Integrated Master gives you
More than duration. Depth, maturity and capacity.
The Diploma with Integrated Master is not an extended undergraduate programme. It is a five-year, 300 ECTS qualification at EQF Level 7 — the same European qualifications level as a standalone Master's degree.
Students move from core scientific foundations to advanced specialisation, laboratory practice, research methodology and an original two-semester thesis. The result is a graduate profile with stronger analytical depth, technical judgement and interdisciplinary problem-solving capacity.
For students planning careers in research, industry, innovation, doctoral study or technology-driven sectors, the Integrated Master offers a coherent and advanced academic pathway.
01
EQF Level 7 — equivalent to a standalone Master's
The Integrated Master sits at EQF Level 7, the same level as a two-year Master's degree, fully recognised across the European Higher Education Area and beyond.
02
Two-semester original research thesis
You will conduct original research under the supervision of a professor-active faculty member — contributing new knowledge to the field rather than simply applying existing methods.
03
Advanced engineering and innovation capacity
Graduates develop the knowledge, laboratory experience and technical maturity required to contribute to complex materials challenges in research, industrial and applied engineering environments.
04
Direct pathway to doctoral studies
The research training in the Integrated Master is the ideal preparation for a PhD at AUTh, or at partner universities across Europe and internationally.
Programme structure
Five years. Semester by semester.
Years 1–4 build the scientific, laboratory and engineering foundations of Materials Science & Engineering. Year 5 adds advanced EQF Level 7 specialisation, research methodology and a two-semester Diploma Thesis.
Year 1
Semesters 1–2
Foundation phase
Semesters 1–2
Foundation phase
Scientific Foundations
60 ECTS · Core modules · Laboratory from semester one
Mathematics
Calculus, Linear Algebra & Analytic Geometry
Chemistry
General & Organic Chemistry
Physics
Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetism & Crystallography
Materials Science
Introduction to Materials Science
Engineering
Data & Materials Informatics
Laboratory
Introductory Laboratory Skills
Year 2
Semesters 3–4
Foundation phase
Semesters 3–4
Foundation phase
Core Materials Science
60 ECTS · Core modules · Advanced fundamentals
Physics
Thermodynamics, Condensed Matter
Chemistry
Organic & inorganic chemistry
Engineering
Mechanics of Materials
Mathematics
Data Analysis – Statistics
Laboratory
Experimental techniques, reactions
Year 3
Semesters 5–6
Semesters 5–6
Advanced Materials
60 ECTS · Core modules · Advanced applications
Year 4
Semesters 7–8
Semesters 7–8
Specialisation & Capstone Project
Core & specialisation modules · preparation for advanced research
Area 1: Materials Manufacturing and Circular Economy
Additive manufacturing, metallurgy, recycling, LCA, raw materials.
Area 2: Micro and Nanotechnology Engineering
Surfaces and Interfaces, nanomaterials, semiconductors, optoelectronics, energy materials
Area 3: Biomaterials and Biotechnology
Biomaterials, biochemistry, bioinorganic systems, biomechanics, bioinformatics.
Advanced project work
Applied experimental, computational or design-oriented work preparing students for the final-year Diploma Thesis.
Year 5
Semesters 9–10
Master phase
Semesters 9–10
Master phase
Integrated Master — EQF Level 7
Research Specialisation & Diploma Thesis
60 ECTS · Advanced modules · Research & Innovation
Engineering
Computational Methods, Smart Materials, AI tools
Environment
Materials and environment, sustainability considerations
Research & Professional Skills
Research methodology, soft skills, entrepreneurship, patents, startups
Diploma Thesis — 2 semesters
Independent research project, experimental or computational study, application of knowledge.
Diploma with Integrated Master awarded on completion.
The research thesis
Two semesters of original research.
The thesis is the defining experience of the Integrated Master. Over two semesters, you will design and conduct an original research project, analyse and interpret your findings, and defend your work before an academic committee. It is the moment where you transition from student to researcher.
Supervised by research-active faculty
Your thesis supervisor will be a faculty member who is actively conducting research in your chosen area — giving you direct access to their expertise, networks, and laboratory infrastructure.
Original contribution to knowledge
The thesis must constitute an original contribution — not a literature review or textbook exercise. You will be expected to design experiments, collect data, and draw conclusions that advance understanding in your field.
Industry collaboration possible
Thesis projects can be conducted in collaboration with industrial partners including Alumil, ISOMAT, and companies connected to the ThessIntec and Alexandria Innovation Zone ecosystems — providing real-world context and industry exposure.
Oral defence before academic committee
The thesis concludes with a formal oral defence — preparing graduates for the academic and professional environments where the ability to present and defend research findings is essential.
Research & industry partners available for thesis collaboration and internship
EKETA
Centre for Research & Technology Hellas — leading applied research in energy, environment and transport.
ThessIntec
Thessaloniki's innovation and technology accelerator — connecting research with industry partners.
Aluminium Center of Excellence
Co-founder of AUTh's Aluminium Centre of Excellence. Projects in advanced alloy development and processing.
Alexandria Innovation Zone
AUTh's flagship innovation district — hosting startups, research spin-offs and industry collaborations.
EQF 7
A five-year academic route from scientific foundations to advanced materials engineering capacity.
1
Build strong scientific foundations
Study chemistry, physics, mathematics, mechanics and materials science as an integrated knowledge base.
2
Develop advanced materials expertise
Deepen your knowledge in materials design, processing, characterisation, performance and sustainability.
3
Complete original research
Conduct a two-semester Diploma Thesis and demonstrate research maturity, analytical depth and technical independence.
MSE
Advanced graduate capacity
What this qualification means for your future.
The Integrated Master prepares graduates to understand materials across scales — from atomic structure and microstructure to processing, performance and industrial application.
Graduates are equipped with the scientific depth, laboratory experience and interdisciplinary judgement needed to contribute in research groups, industrial R&D teams, innovation departments, advanced manufacturing environments and doctoral programmes.
Materials R&D
Energy materials
Nanotechnology
Biomaterials
Additive manufacturing
Circular economy
Industrial innovation
Quality & testing
Research centres
Doctoral studies
Why a five-year integrated route?
A continuous academic pathway from fundamentals to Master’s-level research.
Many European systems separate materials education into a Bachelor followed by a separate Master's degree. AUTh offers one coherent five-year programme, allowing students to progress continuously from foundations to advanced specialisation, laboratory practice and original research.