Environmental Engineering - Master’s Degree (Second-Cycle, Full-Time Studies)

Environmental Engineering is a second-cycle, full-time Master’s degree programme taught in English at the Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland. The programme is addressed to candidates who want to develop practical and research-oriented competences in environmental technologies, biotechnology, process engineering, circular economy, renewable energy, and sustainable development.

The studies last 3 semesters and comprise 90 ECTS credits. Recruitment is conducted for the field of Environmental Engineering, with three specialisations available:

·         Process Engineering and Environmental Protection - tuition-free Polish-German specialisation leading to two MSc diplomas

·         Biotechnology - tuition-free Polish-German specialisation leading to two MSc diplomas

·         Environmental Biotechnology - UWM specialisation with tuition fee

The two Polish-German specialisations are carried out by the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn and Hochschule Offenburg - University of Applied Sciences in Germany. Students complete part of their studies in Poland and part in Germany, gaining international academic experience, intercultural competences, and practical preparation for the European labour market.

Why choose this programme?

·         Study in English in an international academic environment.

·         Choose between tuition-free Polish-German specialisations and a specialised UWM programme in Environmental Biotechnology.

·         Gain practical experience through laboratory classes, projects, research tasks, and modern environmental technologies.

·         Develop competences in biotechnology, environmental engineering, renewable energy, wastewater treatment, waste management, bioprocess design, process engineering, molecular methods, and environmental monitoring.

·         Build an international profile by studying in Poland and, in selected specialisations, in Germany.

·         Prepare for careers in environmental companies, biotechnology and bioeconomy sectors, renewable energy, industry, public administration, research institutes, or doctoral studies.

Specialisations

1. Process Engineering and Environmental Protection - tuition-free, two MSc diplomas

This specialisation is recommended for candidates interested in modern environmental technologies, process engineering, renewable energy conversion, industrial environmental protection, and sustainable technological systems.

Students learn how to design, model, optimise, and control processes used in environmental engineering and industry. The curriculum combines environmental technologies with engineering tools and practical problem-solving. It includes topics such as wastewater treatment, environmental monitoring, biotechnologies for environmental sustainability, environmental engineering design, molecular methods in bioremediation, environmental toxicology, process control, plant safety, renewable energy conversion, thermochemical conversion processes, modelling and simulation, multiphase flows, , and water processing.

Study path:

·         Semester 1: University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland

·         Semester 2: Hochschule Offenburg - University of Applied Sciences, Germany

·         Semester 3: practice, MA seminar, and Master’s thesis completed at UWM, Hochschule Offenburg, or externally in cooperation with a company or research institution

Graduates are prepared for work in environmental engineering companies, industrial and energy sectors, international engineering firms, public environmental agencies, consulting companies, research institutions, and doctoral programmes.

2. Biotechnology - tuition-free, two MSc diplomas

This specialisation is recommended for candidates interested in applied biotechnology, environmental and industrial biotechnology, bioeconomy, bioproducts, renewable resources, and the transfer of biotechnological processes from laboratory scale to practical applications.

Students develop knowledge and skills in modern biotechnology, environmental engineering, microbiological and molecular methods, bioinformatics, biorefineries, bioproducts, membrane processes, enzyme technology, applied biotechnology, regulatory affairs, bioethics, process control, renewable energy conversion, and biobased industry. The programme combines laboratory training, project work, scientific communication, and international teamwork.

Study path:

·         Semester 1: University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland

·         Semester 2: Hochschule Offenburg - University of Applied Sciences, Germany

·         Semester 3: practice, MA seminar, and Master’s thesis completed at UWM, Hochschule Offenburg, or externally in cooperation with a company or research institution

Graduates are prepared for work in biotechnology, environmental protection, bioenergy, biorefineries, food-related biotechnology, circular economy, industrial laboratories, public administration, research institutions, and doctoral studies.

3. Environmental Biotechnology - UWM specialisation with tuition fee

This specialisation is recommended for candidates who want to use biology and biotechnology to solve environmental problems. It focuses on the practical application of microorganisms, molecular tools, environmental monitoring, bioremediation, wastewater treatment, bioenergy, bioplastics, and clean technologies.

Students work in laboratories, analyse environmental samples, learn to use molecular and microbiological methods, and develop competences in environmental biotechnology and environmental engineering. The programme is designed for candidates who want to combine life sciences with engineering and environmental protection.

Graduates are prepared for work in environmental agencies, biotechnology companies, renewable energy sectors, laboratories, research institutions, environmental consultancies, and doctoral studies.

Tuition, fees, and scholarships

·         Process Engineering and Environmental Protection: tuition-free studies. Standard application and administrative fees apply.

·         Biotechnology: tuition-free studies. Standard application and administrative fees apply.

·         Environmental Biotechnology: tuition fee 5,000 PLN per semester. Standard application and administrative fees apply.

·         Registration fee in Poland: 85 PLN, paid through the individual bank account generated in the IRK system.

·         For students participating in the Polish-German specialisations, Hochschule Offenburg may require an additional fee of approx. 250 EUR during the semester in Germany.

·         Students recruited by UWM for the Polish-German specialisations may apply for an Erasmus+ scholarship for the semester in Germany, subject to current rules, eligibility, and availability of funds.

·         International students may also check scholarship opportunities offered by NAWA.

Admission requirements

Admission is open to candidates who have completed:

·         a Bachelor’s/Engineer’s degree with 210 ECTS, or an equivalent first-cycle qualification, in Civil Engineering, Environmental Biotechnology, Chemical and Process Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Protection, Biotechnology, or a similar field; or

·         a Master’s degree in one of the above or similar fields, provided that the Master’s degree was preceded by a Bachelor’s/Engineer’s degree with 210 ECTS or an equivalent qualification.

The final assessment of the candidate’s diploma and eligibility is carried out by the recruitment committee based on documents submitted through the IRK system. Documents are not pre-checked by e-mail before submission.

Required documents and English language proof

Candidates must submit the required documents through the IRK system. These usually include:

·         higher education diploma entitling the candidate to apply for second-cycle studies in Poland

·         diploma supplement or transcript of records

·         legalisation or apostille, if required

·         official translation into English or Polish, if the documents were issued in another language

·         proof of English language proficiency at minimum B2 level, such as an accepted certificate or a document confirming that previous studies were conducted in English

·         application form generated in IRK

·         passport copy and other formal documents required in the admission process

Applications submitted without an English certificate or another accepted proof of English language proficiency cannot be accepted.

Recognition of foreign diplomas - NAWA Kwalifikator and SYRENA

Candidates with foreign diplomas should check whether their diploma gives access to second-cycle studies in Poland using the NAWA Kwalifikator system: https://kwalifikator.nawa.gov.pl/

If the automatic statement in NAWA Kwalifikator says that an individual recognition statement by NAWA’s Director is required, the candidate must apply for it through the SYRENA system and upload the final individual recognition document issued by NAWA’s Director: https://syrena.nawa.gov.pl/

In such cases, the automatic Kwalifikator statement alone is not sufficient for admission.

How to apply

1.       Click “Sign up”.

2.       Create an account in the Online Candidate Registration system (IRK): https://irk.uwm.edu.pl/

3.       Choose studies in foreign languages and select Environmental Engineering - second-cycle studies.

4.       Complete the personal data and education sections carefully.

5.       Upload the required documents, including diploma, transcript, English language proof, and diploma recognition documents if applicable.

6.       Pay the 85 PLN registration fee to the individual bank account generated in the IRK system.

7.       After completing the IRK application, inform the International Office about your chosen specialisation by e-mail: bwm@uwm.edu.pl

Important: registration in IRK covers all three specialisations under Environmental Engineering. Therefore, after submitting the application in IRK, candidates should send an e-mail to bwm@uwm.edu.pl and indicate whether they choose Process Engineering and Environmental Protection, Biotechnology, or Environmental Biotechnology.

Candidates are strongly advised to apply as early as possible, especially if they need a visa, legalisation/apostille, translations, or NAWA recognition documents. Late applications may leave too little time to complete formalities before the start of classes.

Accommodation and student support

Admitted students may apply for accommodation in UWM student dormitories. Dormitories are affordable, located close to the campus, and provide convenient access to university facilities.

Student dormitories: https://zak.olsztyn.pl/en/

Candidates and students are also invited to join our Discord community, where they can follow updates and connect with other students: https://discord.gg/xa5NAG4G7K

Contact

Katarzyna Bułkowska

Faculty of Geoengineering
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn
Poland

Phone +48 89 523 4117

E-mail: ee2.info@uwm.edu.pl  

🌐 More about the programme 

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