Physics Osnabrück University

Our new international Master's programme in Physics intends to bring prospective students a solid base in general physics, while offering them advanced hands-on research experiences in state-of-the art labs or at the theoretical forefront. Based in a modern, yet charming, science campus, the physics department has an excellent teacher-to-student ratio – with us, you are not just a number, but rather, you can interact closely with the faculty.

We offer a broad variety of research fields in condensed matter physics, such as quantum phenomena of systems in reduced dimensions, with applications in nano-science and novel materials.

Our theoretical groups are leading a national research unit on the emergence of thermodynamics in non-equilibrium systems. This work is based on statistical physics of complex classical and quantum systems.

Experimental methods cover ultrafast optics, x-ray and photo-electron spectroscopies, magnetometry, spin resonance, highest-resolution scanning probe microscopy, and electronic transport.

New facilities such as powerful computer clusters and state-of-the-art nanoelectronics and microelectronics fabrication are constantly added, allowing you to get first-hand experience in modern work environments.

Modular Study Programme

Students create their individual, fully modular programme selecting courses with 120 credit points (CP) in total. The teaching language is English.

First and second term: 60 CP

Major: Physics (eight to nine modules), including advanced lab courses (12 CP) and at least two core modules (6 CP each) like Applied Solid State Physics, Biophysics, Surface Science, Condensed Matter Theory, Ultrafast Physics plus your choice among 40 modules in total: 42 CP

Minor: two to three modules in one of these areas: System Science (Mathematics), Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Languages, Mathematics, Philosophy (of Science): 18 CP

Third and fourth term: 60 CP

Professional specialisation :12 CP
Research project: 15 CP
Master's thesis and colloquium: 33 CP

1. In order to be admitted to the Master’s programme in “Physics”, the applicant must

a) hold a Bachelor’s degree or comparable qualification in physics or in a mathematics-natural sciences dual major Bachelor’s degree programme with a specialisation in physics, or in another appropriate degree subject, either from a German university or a university abroad which is one of the Bologna-signatory countries, or

b) hold a comparable qualification from another university abroad. In such cases, equivalence is determined in accordance with the assessment proposals of the of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) at the Administrative Office of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK). The selection committee decides whether a degree programme is in a suitable subject.

c) not have definitively failed a Master’s examination or a comparable examination in a comparable subject area without the option of retaking the examination, and not have lost their entitlement to take the examination

d) not already have passed a Master’s examination or a comparable examination in a comparable subject-area

2. Any Bachelor’s degree submitted as part of the admission procedure must show that its holder has successfully obtained at least 80 credit points (incl. Bachelor’s thesis) in the Essentials of Experimental and Theoretical Physics in the areas of Mechanics, Electrodynamics and Optics, Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics, Quantum Mechanics, and Atomic, Molecular and Solid State Physics.

3. Applicants who are unable to show that they have completed the requirements under 2. because they are lacking a maximum of 20 credit points can be admitted to the Master’s programme in Physics with the following proviso: The applicants must as a rule prove within one year that they have passed the foundation courses in the areas listed under 2. in Osnabrück University’s Bachelor’s programme in Physics. The selection committee determines the study programme for these applicants.

4. In deviation from paragraph one, applicants can also be provisionally admitted to the programme if their Bachelor’s degree has not yet been completed at the time of application, if they have acquired at least 150 ECTS credit points and if, on the basis of the progress they have made in their studies so far and especially with respect to their examination results, it is expected that they will obtain their degree by the end of their first semester in the Master’s programme at the latest. This means that applicants must have completed all credits for the Bachelor’s degree or the comparable qualification by the end of their first semester in the Master’s programme. Applications for the winter semester must be submitted by 31 March; applications for the summer semester must be submitted by 30 September.

Each semester, students are required to pay approx. 350 EUR as a semester fee (including free use of regional public transport services).

In order to cover personal expenses during the study programme, we recommend that students budget at least 860 EUR per month for accommodation, living, health insurance, books, and miscellaneous expenses.

Students who have completed their Bachelor's studies may be employed as student assistants.

The accommodation office of the student services ("Studentenwerk") offers modern single rooms in dormitories and helps students find private rooms and flats. The rooms must be rented for at least half a year. The cost of a single room in a student dormitory is approx. 180 to 350 EUR per month.