Master of Science in Physics Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Top level research and excellent teaching – we offer you a comprehensive degree programme, with our education providing both subject-specific and professional skills.

Our Master of Science Physics course of study offers you a comprehensive study programme with the possibility to individually set your focus. Considering the requirements and changes in the professional world, the programme provides you with the necessary specialist knowledge, skills, abilities, and methods to enable you to carry out scientific work according to scientific principles, to critically classify scientific findings and to act responsibly in a professional setting. The teaching and learning processes enable you to study independently at an early stage and to pursue individual development perspectives.

Goal

In our programme, you should acquire the competence to work independently in an academic context and learn problem-solving strategies for new, unfamiliar situations in multidisciplinary contexts. You should also acquire the ability to exchange ideas with specialist representatives at a scientific level and to take on responsibility in a team.

Why should you choose this study programme?

Our programme aims to provide you with the necessary specialist knowledge, competences, skills and methods, enabling you to carry out academic and research work in accordance with scientific principles, to critically classify scientific findings and to act responsibly. The programme is designed to enable you early on to study independently and pursue your individual growth perspectives, teaching you problem-solving strategies to deal with new unfamiliar situations in multidisciplinary contexts.

Interdisciplinary work is key to our success at RUB. The university offers a large variety of departments as well as a wonderful network with other universities all over the world. On a smaller scale, we are a very familial and cordial faculty, where students and professors are helpful and open.

In a nutshell:

• Five specialisation areas: nuclear and particle physics, solid state physics, plasma physics, astronomy/astrophysics, biophysics
• Individual course of studies due to many possible combinations of programme modules
• Key competence modules, granting practical skills for your future career
• More than 20 research groups, well-known scientists and prestigious research programmes
• No tuition fees, only a social contribution per semester (includes free public transport ticket)
• Low living cost in the Ruhr area

Further information:
https://www.physik.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/forschung/forschungsfelder/

Our MSc Physics is set up as a two-year-programme divided into a two-semester study phase and a two-semester research phase.

During the study phase, the basic knowledge and methods acquired in experimental physics and theoretical physics during the Bachelor’s degree programme will be completed. You will then gain insight into current research in a chosen focus area and learn about scientific work and independent research in detail. The physics programme is supplemented by modules from other subjects as well as modules that teach key interdisciplinary skills.

The research phase begins with a three-month period that allows you to prepare and familiarise yourself with your research topic. The Master’s degree programme concludes with the Master’s thesis, which should be completed within nine months. As with the focus of your study programme, you may also choose the topic of your thesis yourself, in consultation with the professor supervising your work.

For non-EU applicants:

• Winter semester: 1 June to 15 July
• Summer semester: 1 December to 15 January

For EU and national applicants:

• Winter semester: mid-June to mid-October
• Summer semester: mid-December to mid-April

Admission to the Master’s programme in physics is open to students who have completed at least six semesters of a Bachelor’s programme in physics with a total of 180 CP or an equivalent programme.

The admission requirements also include one of the following:

• proof of a minimum of 25 CP in basic experimental physics
• proof of a minimum of 15 CP in theoretical physics
  (Proof of a module on quantum mechanics in a BSc or MSc degree programme in physics or comparable achievements in another degree programme must be submitted.)
• proof of a minimum of 15 CP in higher mathematics in the fields of analysis and linear algebra and geometry
• proof of a minimum of 10 CP in a basic laboratory course in physics
• a Bachelor’s thesis of at least 8 CP in a physics-related subject

If you do not meet all the requirements mentioned, you can still apply to our programme. In fact, we encourage you to apply and speak to our advisers about the conditions for your individual case.

Admission to the Master's degree programme in physics can be granted subject to conditions, provided that the missing CP do not exceed 40 CP. The conditions must be met at the latest upon admission to the Master’s thesis. This means that you can be admitted to the programme and start your studies, but you will have to make up some course work. Your work in regard to the conditions does not have any effect upon your Master’s programme, and grades, etc. will not be counted towards your Master’s degree.

Students have to pay a social contribution fee of approx. 380 EUR per semester, including a semester ticket covering public transport in Germany (https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/re-registration-and-social-contribution).

Minimum of 950 EUR per month to cover personal and living expenses in Germany

Students with good academic achievements and a high degree of social responsibility can apply for the “Deutschlandstipendium” grant. They will receive a one-year scholarship of 300 EUR per month from the Ruhr-Universität Scholarship Fund: http://www.rub.de/bildungsfonds/info-studierende/en/index_en.html.

International students can also apply at the International Office, e.g. for financial support during their final phase of study, such as graduation grants: https://international.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/scholarships?_wrapper_format=html.

The Career Service for International Students was established to support international students as they move from their studies into the German job market.

• Events & workshops: From networking events to online seminars – learn the best tips from career experts and meet start-ups from the region.
• Digital Career Guide: The Moodle course “Career Service for International Students” prepares you for starting a job in Germany.
• FIT4Job – Mentoring for Internationals: RUB alumni share their professional expertise and good practices 1:1 with you.
• Counselling services: Identify your talents and career goals in a personal counselling session. Our RUB Career Service team provides support in preparing application documents and interviews.

In the city of Bochum, you can find different types of accommodation. On average, students in Bochum pay approximately 400 to 800 EUR per month for a single apartment, which is below the average rent in Germany. A room in a shared apartment is usually less expensive.

About 5,000 students in Bochum live in multiple student halls close to the campus, which are run by the Akademisches Förderungswerk (AKAFÖ). In the halls, each student has a single room and shares a kitchen and bathroom with other students, rents an apartment with a private bathroom and kitchen, or shares an apartment with one or several flatmates. 

More information on the student halls can be found at https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/de/wohnen.

In addition, private and church-affiliated student halls accommodate up to 1,000 students: http://www.stuwo.de/wohnheim-region/bochum/.