Master of Science in Physics Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

The Master's programme Physics at KIT offers an environment to pursue studies at the forefront of research. The close combination of university education and research done in large-scale facilities of the Helmholtz Association is unique for the German university landscape.

The whole breadth of modern physics including quantum science, condensed matter physics, particle- and astroparticle physics, cosmology, meteorology and climate physics and geophysics is taught by leading experts in their fields.

During the first two semesters, you can choose from a wide range of special lectures, both in theory and applied physics, on research topics of the department, which are:

• Particle and Astroparticle Physics, Cosmology
• Quantum Material and Systems
• Condensed Matter
• Optics and Photonics
• Geophysics
• Meteorology and Climate Physics

Depending on your interests, you can set your own focus. From the spectrum of specialisation fields, both in theory and experiment, you choose a major, a second major, and a minor, which you pursue with varying intensity. In addition, you will complete an advanced physics laboratory course and interdisciplinary qualifications in which you have extensive elective options from the Life Science, Engineering, Computer Science and Economics.

The programme concludes with two semesters in preparing and working on your Master's thesis in a research group of your choice. In collaboration with your supervisor, you will work on an original problem in modern research.

Characteristic Features of the Degree Programme at KIT

• Choose your course scheme according to your interests from an extraordinary broad range of scientific topics.
• Major research topics: Particle and Astroparticle Physics, Quantum Materials and Systems, Optics and Photonics, Geophysics and Meteorology and Climate Physics, Cosmology
• Wide offer of elective courses from the natural sciences, engineering, computer science or economics
• The close combination of university education and research at large-scale facilities is unique in Germany.
• KIT is member of the university network EUCOR which enables to join courses at the universities Freiburg, Basel, Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse.
• Possibility to join the German-French double-Master’s programme
• The department is easy to reach, located on the campus near the city centre and the Karlsruhe palace.
• Attractive possibilities to continue doctoral studies at KIT after completion of the programme

In the two-year Master's degree programme, you deepen and complement the basic scientific qualification you acquired in the Bachelor's programme and you create your own profile. The language of instruction is English. The degree programme comprises 120 credits corresponding to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

The first semester consists of 8 ECTS in a major, 8 ECTS in a second major, and 8 ECTS in a minor subject, as well as 6 ECTS in an advanced Physics Lab course.

The second semester consists of 12 ECTS in major and 6 ECTS in second major subjects, plus 12 ECTS in a non-physics elective course and interdisciplinary qualifications.

Major, second major, and minor topics can be chosen in various combinations from

• Condensed Matter
• Theory of Condensed Matter
• Experimental Particle Physics
• Theoretical Particle Physics
• Nanophysics
• Optics and Photonics
• Experimental Astroparticle Physics
• Meteorology and Climate Physics
• Geophysics
• Cosmology

The third semester is devoted to scientific specialisation and introduction to scientific methods, while the degree programme concludes in the fourth semester by completing the Master’s thesis, where students can work on a modern research topic of their choice.

Completed Bachelor’s or equivalent degree in Physics or a related discipline.

The necessary minimum requirements completed in the Bachelor‘s programme are

• Theoretical Physics (Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Physics) of 32 ECTS
• Experimental Physics (Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Optics, Thermodynamics, Atomic, Molecular and Nuclear Physics, Structure of Matter [Solid State/Hadrons/Particles]) of 32 ECTS
• Physics Lab of 18 ECTS

Details are found in the current admission regulations. If the requirements are not fulfilled completely, a conditional admission may be possible (decided by the admission committee).

Approx. 200 EUR per semester

For information about financial support for international students, please see: https://www.intl.kit.edu/istudies/12592.php.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. From fundamental research to application, it excels in a broad range of disciplines such as in Natural Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Economics, and the Humanities and Social Sciences. It makes significant contributions to the global challenges of mankind in the fields of energy, mobility, and information.

With about 9,300 employees, including roundabout 6,000 scientists and lecturers, and 24,400 students, KIT is a big science institution holding a leading position in Europe. KIT offers research-based study programmes to prepare its students for responsible positions in society, industry, and science. Its innovation efforts build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural bases of life.

As "The Research University in the Helmholtz Association", KIT fully exploits its synergy potential resulting from combining tasks of national big research with those of a state university. To fulfil its three core tasks of research, higher education, and innovation, KIT is organised in five divisions: Biology, Chemistry, and Process Engineering; Informatics, Economics, and Society; Mechanical and Electrical Engineering; Natural and Built Environment; Physics and Mathematics. These divisions link research, teaching and innovation to their respective institutes. The KIT departments are responsible for university education. Programme-oriented research is organised in Helmholtz programmes, and each of them is assigned to one of the heads of division.