Lasers and Photonics (Master of Science) Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB), Germany, offers the international Master's programme Lasers and Photonics. The programme's highly interdisciplinary subjects in the field of optics, lasers and photonics offer a wide range of interesting topics concerning both current research and a vast range of commercial products and applications. In addition to the fundamental courses in these fields, the programme offers hands-on lab projects in modern, well-equipped laser laboratories, participation in international conferences and projects with international collaborators.

The interdisciplinary programme is organised by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology together with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, supported in teaching by the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy.

About one third of the studies consists of mandatory modules – the remainder is the student's own choice in the area of "Lasers and Photonics" and in other areas in engineering and natural sciences. The programme has the following structure:

• mandatory modules (first and second semester)
• mandatory elective modules (first to third semester)
• free elective modules (first to third semester)
• practical courses (first to third semester)
• Master's thesis (fourth semester)

The mandatory modules form the basis for the Master's studies. Here, students will acquire fundamental knowledge in the fields of lasers, optics, quantum mechanics and photonics. They will deepen their experimental skills by carrying out experiments in our laboratories. We also focus on improving our student's scientific writing skills: In the English module, students will train to write a scientific paper and to create a scientific poster.

For the mandatory elective modules, students should choose courses from the catalogue on offer. Usually, these courses are from the area of "Lasers and Photonics" or a closely related area.

The practical courses consist of hands-on lab courses in areas of current scientific research as well as seminars.

For the free elective modules, our students are free to choose any course offered at the university (e.g. economics, marketing, legal issues or further technical courses as well as German language courses).

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Applicants must have completed at least six semesters (three years) of university studies and hold a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, or similar. The overall average grade (GPA) should be at least "good" (for example, at least 73% out of 100%).

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 outstanding academic performance who are involved in special social activities can receive 300 EUR per month for a year from the Ruhr-Universität Scholarship Fund “Deutschlandstipendium”: https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/deutschlandstipendium-information-students.

The International Office offers scholarships for International students, e.g. a graduation grant for students with good to very good academic performance who need financial support during the final phase of study. The graduation grant is currently 500 EUR per month for six months. An overview of scholarships offered by the International Office at RUB is found here: https://international.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/scholarships-international-office.

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 web seminars, learn the best tips from career experts and get to know 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 with you one-on-one.
• 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/.

Situated in the centre of the dynamic, hospitable Ruhr metropolis in the heart of Europe, Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany's largest universities with a student population of over 43,000. Twenty departments offer around 190 study courses covering a broad spectrum of natural and social sciences, economics, medicine, engineering, and humanities on a single campus. With excellence in both research and teaching, Ruhr-Universität Bochum has truly earned its reputation as an innovator. In the 1960s, the university was one of the driving forces behind the Ruhr region's successful industrial transformation from mining and manufacturing to high-tech and services. International research, an interdisciplinary academic approach, and favourable study conditions attract around 4,000 foreign students and some 350 to 400 visiting scholars annually from all around the globe to the university. 

Four reasons to study in Bochum:

• International and multidisciplinary research
• More than 190 innovative degree programmes and a unique range of subject combinations
• Excellent services for international students and researchers
• Located in the heart of the metropolitan Ruhr region in the middle of Europe, with a wealth of cultural and leisure activities available nearby

Bochum, a very lively modern city with around 370,000 inhabitants, is situated in the heart of the Ruhr area, a metropolitan region with a population of around five million, close to the Dutch and Belgian borders. The region has one of the highest concentrations of institutions of higher education and research in Europe as well as a very rich cultural life with many theatres, concert halls, cinemas, and museums. There are also many opportunities to discover the living history of industrial culture in and around Bochum, and there are many places to unwind and relax in the green belts and forests south of the city.