International Master of Science in Textile Engineering
The International Master of Science in Textile Engineering combines a specialist training in textile engineering with a multidisciplinary approach. It brings together the strengths of the most renowned specialists in the domain of textiles in Europe. Together, we ensure that the demands of an industry continuously striving for technological innovation, creativity and quality are fulfilled.
EUR-ACE® Master (EURopean ACcredited Engineering Master)
The EUR-ACE label was accredited to this programme by the Commission des titres d’ingénieur (CTI), under the auspices of the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE).
EUR-ACE® is a framework and accreditation system that provides a set of standards that identifies high-quality engineering degree programmes in Europe and abroad.
What
We offer a two-year Master’s programme in the field of textile engineering that enjoys the support of the European Commission as an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree. It was and still is a unique programme offering advanced education in Textile Engineering in which the latest developments in the textile field as well as contemporary teaching methods are incorporated.
The most renowned specialists from all over the world in the multidisciplinary domain of textiles are brought together and contribute to the teaching activities. The programme’s objectives are acquisition of advanced knowledge in textile science and engineering, personal development and international networking. This knowledge covers textile materials, processes and applications. Horizontal learning pathways include digital technologies, scientific thinking, entrepreneurship and sustainability. Intensive mobility, multicultural student groups and immersion in local cultures guarantee a fostering of intercultural competences. Upon completion of the programme, students are awarded a Master’s degree by the universities where they have spent a term.
For whom
The admission requirements may vary. Depending on your prior education, you can either enrol directly or there may be additional requirements.
Structure
The Master of Science in Textile Engineering is a full-time two-year programme, organised at different locations, and English-taught. The first three terms are hosted by a different universities (first term: Ghent University, Belgium; second term: rotates between the University of West-Attica, Greece, the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain and the Université de Haute Alsace, France. In the third term, students can chose between the University of Borås, Sweden and the Kyoto Institute of Technology, Japan). The fourth and last term is dedicated to the Master’s dissertation at one of the participating universities. Local and visiting professors teach specific knowledge in course modules that usually cover one or two weeks.
Elective course units allow students to undertake an international work placement or summer school, or to take on specialist course units at one of the hosting universities. We complement traditional teaching methods with active methods such as blended learning, case studies, projects, practical work in laboratories etc. We can count on the active involvement of the industry to connect theory to practice, industry is actively involved.
Master's Dissertation
Completing the Master's dissertation is a requirement for any student who wants to obtain their Master’s degree. The Master’s dissertation is an original piece of research. Its aim is to develop and strengthen the students’ research skills. Students select a topic and receive guidance from a supervisor. The Master’s dissertation consists of a literature review, practical research, and an original analysis of the chosen topic. Students can choose from topics proposed by the participating universities. Supervision is guaranteed by three supervisors from three participating universities.
Labour Market
The international Master’s degree in Textile Engineering can lead to different careers involving textile knowledge in the broadest sense of the word. Students obtain a thorough understanding of all textile-related aspects and are hence well-prepared for jobs requiring elaborate knowledge in textiles. Graduates pursue a career in academia or the industry.
The jobs mainly comprise technical positions, R&D positions and (general) management positions in three types of sectors::
- the textile and clothing industry;
- sectors that supply textile companies with raw materials, chemical products and machines;
- end users such as transportation (cars, planes, trains), medical products, furniture and many more.
Employment has an explicit international dimension thanks to the international and global character of the programme itself.
Quality Assurance
At Ghent University, we strive to educate people who dare to think about the challenges of tomorrow. For that purpose, we provide education that is embedded in six strategic objectives: Think Broadly, Keep Researching, Cultivate Talent, Contribute, Extend Horizons, Opt for Quality.
Ghent University continuously focuses on quality assurance and quality culture. The Ghent University's quality assurance system offers information on each study programme’s unique selling points, and on its strengths and weaknesses with regard to quality assurance.
More information:
Unique Selling Points
- Top quality education: the World Textile Engineering Advanced Master (WE-TEAM) is the joint master programme organised by a Consortium of universities and supported by AUTEX, the world network of textile universities. By putting together the best professors from the AUTEX network, WE-TEAM can offer top quality education in textile engineering.
- Internationalisation: WE-TEAM is based on a unique level of mobility of students and lecturers. All students spend 3 or 4 semesters at different Consortium universities. Every week an experienced AUTEX professor teaches in his/her field of expertise. Students are awarded a degree of the universities where they studied a semester.
- Advanced knowledge: WE-TEAM offers 3 thematic semesters (textile materials, textile processes and textile applications). Elective courses and a master thesis (4th semester, at one of the Consortium universities) offer students the chance to expand upon personal interests or to take advantage of specific expertise of the hosting universities. Students get to know the research and facilities of the hosting universities.
- Cross-cultural experience: WE-TEAM targets developing talents of students as well as lecturers, both local and international. The intensive mobility level and the multicultural and multidisciplinary composition of student groups contributes to the development of personal skills such as social interaction, entrepreneurial behaviour, language and networking.
- Stakeholder involvement: WE-TEAM addresses all stakeholders, from students to industry and their networks, from local to international. Industry participation includes attending lectures, providing company visits, real life cases and internships. Local stakeholders (students, staff and industry) offer specific expertise and culture. WE-TEAM wants students to build an international network of academia, industry and other students.
Strengths
- Focus on quality: the vision of the World Textile Engineering Advanced Master (WE-TEAM) is to offer the best academic education in textile engineering to the best students in an international context. The international programme board involves all stakeholders, including industry and students. The overall coordinator supported by local coordinators follows up smooth deployment of the semesters.
- Interaction: WE-TEAM ensures proper guidance and intensive interaction among students. Students do not only acquire knowledge, but also develop as responsible professionals and citizens in a global context.
- Top teaching team: WE-TEAM selects experienced and enthusiast lecturers. They use traditional lectures alongside active approaches such as blended learning, case studies, project-based work and hands-on practice.
- Accreditation: the programme achieved accreditation in several European countries and this is still expanding.
- Focus on personal development, international networking and industry involvement ensures employability of our graduates.
Challenges
- Access to lab facilities: many courses being taught by visiting professors, lab access for practicals is not obvious. Active learning methods such as design based learning, AR/VR and self built tools are being introduced to enhance the lab experience.
- Interaction with industry: although the interaction with industry is growing, we want to involve them more intensively in all aspects of teaching.
- Accreditation: WE-TEAM has acquired accreditation in several European countries. We aim at accreditation according to the European Approach in order to officialise recognition of the degree of Master in Engineering in all participating countries.[
Accreditation
This study programme is accredited according to Art. II.151 of the Flemish Higher Education Code.
This information was last updated on 16/02/2023.
In case of questions or suggestions with regard to the publicly available information, please contact the study programme.