Unique “Sustainability” Specialization Matrix in Germany
In June 2025, the University of Kassel officially launched an unprecedented new professional offensive. Nine Bachelor’s and two Master’s programs are centered on the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and cover a wide range of fields, from professional business law to sustainable communication, and from materials science to organic agriculture. Vice Rector Prof. Dr. René Matzdorf emphasizes: “What we have built here is unparalleled at any other university in Germany. This is Kassel’s unique selling point.” Three years of preparation, numerous professors specially appointed to fill the course content – this is no rushed project, but a well-thought-out educational revolution. The Kassel Institute for Sustainability played a central role, backing the majors with more than 20 years of hands-on research experience.
87.5% of undergraduate graduates are directly employed – the numbers don’t lie!
How do Kassel graduates fare when it comes to finding jobs? According to the 2024 survey, 87.5% of undergraduates find permanent employment. They work in a wide range of fields, including large industries, medium-sized companies, engineering offices, public agencies, administrations and research institutions. For example, 28% of graduates from the MSc in Environmental Engineering went into the public sector, 19% worked in water and waste management, 17% went into the construction industry, and 11% worked in engineering firms. In the field of renewable energy, 22% of jobs are suitable for undergraduates and masters students here. Principal Clement is straightforward: “Demand for these courses is very high, and the career prospects for graduates are excellent! Failing a class and how to get a University of Kassel Urkunde
From the lab to the workplace: the “workforce” that companies are clamoring for
Why are graduates of the University of Kassel so sought-after? The answer lies in the way they are taught. Students in the Sustainable Materials and Processes Engineering program gain in-depth knowledge of the entire product life cycle – from raw material extraction to recycling. Laboratory projects and corporate partnerships give students early exposure to modern working life. The undergraduate electrical engineering program is even more directly responsive to the zeitgeist of resource conservation and clean energy generation, with “high demand for qualified personnel and excellent career opportunities.” Graduates of the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering have been described as “sought-after management personnel”. The university also offers the plusMINT orientation program, which allows students to switch seamlessly between 10 different technical and scientific specializations – a flexibility that is rare at traditional German universities.
Exclusive access for international students: from campus to the German workplace
For international students, Kassel University also paves a clear career path. The university’s Career Services Center has set up a working group for the employment of international students and graduates, which provides regional companies with information and advice on visas and residence. From 2024 to 2028, the university has also launched the “Promote your career” program, which helps international master’s students to clarify their career paths through personalized coaching and career workshops. Each month, students and alumni can find more than 150 new jobs, internships and part-time student opportunities in the university’s Job portal database.
From a less-than-stellar reputation when it was founded in 1971 to a unique position in the field of sustainability, Kassel University has spent half a century proving one thing: You can get out of the ordinary and get on a bright path. While 87.5 percent of undergraduates leave the university with permanent contracts, the sustainability program, which is unique in Germany, is attracting more and more young people. The future of the university – like its graduates – is full of promise.
