Astro and Particle Physics (MSc) University of Tübingen

The Master of Science programme in Astro and Particle Physics is an international research-oriented two-year Master's programme established by the Kepler Centre, which is part of the Physics Department within the Faculty of Science at the University of Tübingen. It consists of scientists from three different institutes within the Physics Department: Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, the Physical Institute, and the Institute for Theoretical Physics. The Kepler Centre has a research focus in the areas of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astroparticle Physics, and Particle Physics, and it manages a coordinated PhD programme with the topic of Particles, Fields and Messengers of the Universe.
The Master's programme connects science from the fields of particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology and combines different disciplines in experimental and theoretical physics, astronomy, and astrophysics. Scientists of the Kepler Centre use various methods to discover the origin, structure, and evolution of our universe and the properties of elementary particles under extreme conditions.

The Master's programme is a two-year consecutive study with a modular structure. In the first year, the students have to earn 60 ECTS credit points by attending lectures and seminars and attending to lab work.
In the first semester, all students have to take three basic introductory modules for Astronomy, Astrophysics and Particle Physics consisting of lectures and exercises. These lay the foundations for all students and are augmented by an obligatory seminar and lab work. In the second semester, students can choose modules from a variety of different topics.
In the second year, students will begin with the scientific work on a research topic of their choice in the areas of the Kepler Centre and will finally write their Master's theses, earning another 60 CP (6 CP from lectures, 24 CP for acquiring research-oriented skills and 30 CP for the thesis).

Bachelor of Science degree in physics or a similar degree with a grade of 2.5 or better (German grading system), and proof must be provided of knowledge in areas relevant to astrophysics and particle physics (in particular, theoretical physics, experimental physics, and laboratory practicals).

Enrolment fees at the University of Tübingen are currently about 200 EUR per semester. This includes use of local public transport free of charge from Monday to Friday (in the evenings), on weekends and on public holidays. In addition, students may purchase a semester ticket for unlimited use of public transport in the city of Tübingen and the surrounding area (currently about 160 EUR).

Estimated basic student expenses are around 1,000 EUR per month according to the Tübingen Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk”), including rent for student accommodation. Rent for private accommodation will be more expensive.

Students may find jobs as graduate research assistants for projects of the Department of Physics.

Accommodation is available through the Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk“) or on the private market. Rooms in student accommodation cost approx. 250 to 480 EUR per month. As Tübingen is a very attractive place to live, private accommodation is more expensive and can take some effort to find. To make sure you find a suitable place to live, you should start looking as early as possible.

We recommend you apply for student accommodation through the “Studierendenwerk” at the same time that you apply for admission to the Master's programme (please see: https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/halls-of-residence-tuebingen/ and https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/faqs/) and send in a copy of your notification of admission as soon as you have received it (your application won’t be finally processed before the “Studierendenwerk” has received proof of your admission). For further information, check out the “Studierendenwerk” pages on housing in Tübingen (https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/housing-infos/).

Innovative – interdisciplinary – international: These three words summarise what makes the University of Tübingen special. Excellent research and teaching are Tübingen’s answer to the challenges of the future in a globalised world. We maintain exchanges with partners around the globe. Networks and cooperation across faculty and subject boundaries are the pillars of our successful strategy. This is reflected in our good position in international rankings. In addition, we are one of the eleven German universities distinguished with the title of “excellent.”

Founded in 1477, the University of Tübingen has been a place of top-level research and excellent teaching for almost 550 years. Some 28,500 students from Germany and around the world are enrolled here in our more than 200 study programmes, including numerous international programmes taught entirely in English.

The University of Tübingen is a member of the European University Alliance “CIVIS – A European Civic University” (https://civis.eu/en), offering a wide range of special exchange opportunities for students.

Tübingen

• is in south-western Germany, about 40 kilometres south of Stuttgart.
• has some 92,000 inhabitants. The town’s many students and its numerous young families make Tübingen Germany’s youngest city by average age.
• is one of the most coveted places to study in Germany — both because of the excellent conditions for students and researchers, and the unique charm of the town.
• boasts a renowned historic centre with many cafés, restaurants, and shops, and outstanding cultural activities.
• is a very safe place to be, with excellent public transport.
• is well known for its eco-friendly attitudes.
• is surrounded by beautiful countryside. The Black Forest and the Swabian Jura hills are not far away and provide excellent opportunities for climbing, canoeing, hiking, biking – and skiing in winter.