Master of Science in Physics (Research-Oriented) Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

English

The students of our Master's programme benefit from an exceptionally wide range of research opportunities, providing them with a choice of more than 50 research groups. During the Master's degree programme, our students benefit from a number of unique programmes that are offered by the MAINZ School of Excellence (MAterials Science IN MainZ), the PRISMA+ Cluster of Excellence (Precision Physics, Fundamental Interactions and Structure of Matter), the Research Training Group, and the nearby Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and Polymers Research.

While our Physics programmes are internationally recognised for their strong focus on research, the excellent student-to-faculty ratio allows for lectures on a remarkably wide range of topics.

The exact programme content depends on the specialised subjects chosen. Please find more detailed information about the content in our module handbook, which is attached under "Course organisation".

We also have an Excellence Track for especially qualified MSc programme applicants, generally those in the top 15% of their respective BSc classes. See the website for the separate application details and deadline.

The MSc in Physics programme has adopted a fixed application deadline of 1 September for applications for the winter semester (WiSe) of any given year (instruction begins in mid-October) and a deadline of 1 March for applications for the summer semester (SoSe) of any given year (instruction begins in mid-April).  Please note that JGU Mainz is moving to an online-only system to process the majority of applications (while a minority of applications will be randomly selected for paper submissions).

Please be aware that normal processing times between submitting a completed application and receiving a decision on your application spans about six to eight weeks, although some applications may take longer to evaluate. For more information, please contact the programme coordinator listed.

The first two semesters are dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding and to specialising in two or more fields of physics. During this time, students gain new insights into experimental and theoretical physics with lectures and accompanying exercises. They also participate in two seminars, two advanced lab courses, and two specialised lectures, so that they can focus on topics of their choice. The courses for the chosen minor are also taken during the first two semesters (specialisation phase).

During the third semester, students attend two seminars providing them with the specialised knowledge and various methods required for the Master's thesis. The Master's thesis and final oral examination are scheduled for the fourth semester (research period).

Please find more detailed information in the attached module handbook.

A few examples of course schedule templates can be found in the PDF file linked below.

PDF Download

An internship is not an essential part of the programme. However, the university is located in the economically thriving Rhine-Main metropolitan area. Companies in this region are glad to welcome interns from our Master of Science in Physics programme.

No tuition fees

Approx. 360 EUR per semester

The fee includes a ticket that covers regional public transport throughout Germany (“Deutschlandticket”) and a discount at the university’s cafeterias.

Approx. 1,000 EUR per month for rent, food, and personal expenses, depending on personal preferences

Applicants are required to provide proof of a Bachelor's degree in Physics with a minimum grade of 3.0 or an equivalent final degree from a university in Germany or abroad. We require the equivalent of at least:

• 30 CP in experimental physics
• 19 CP in laboratory work
• 25 CP in theoretical physics
• 23 CP in advanced mathematics and calculational methods as well as
• 9 CP for a written Bachelor's thesis

(Note that our three-year BSc programme corresponds to 180 CP.)

Applicants with a grade of less than 3.0 may apply for a selection interview. Additionally, applicants may apply for a selection interview if at least 80% of the credit points listed above have been achieved or the applicant has not written a Bachelor's thesis. Requirements to complement the achievements obtained at a foreign university may be imposed. In order to be admitted to the Master's programme, these requirements may not exceed 27 CP and must be met in the first year of the Master's studies.

Applicants must provide proof of English proficiency. There are several ways to do this:

1. High school diploma/secondary school-leaving certificate from an English-speaking institution
2. University degree in a study programme taught in English
3. German "Abitur" with appropriate English courses
4. First Certificate in English (University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations) or higher level (Advanced (CAE) or Proficiency (CPE))
5. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with a result of 5.5 or higher
6. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with a result of 213 (computer-based test [CBT]) or 79 (Internet-based test [iBT]) or 550 (paper-based test [PBT])
7. Telc English B2
8. An oral interview to be conducted during the internal application evaluation by the department

Exemption is possible for native speakers. The test date may not be older than three years at the time of the application.

The MSc in Physics programme has adopted a fixed application deadline of 1 September for applications for the winter semester (WiSe) of any given year (instruction begins in mid-October) and a deadline of 1 March for applications for the summer semester (SoSe) of any given year (instruction begins in mid-April).  Please note that JGU Mainz is moving to an online-only system to process the majority of applications (while a minority of applications will be randomly selected for paper submissions).

Please be aware that normal processing times between submitting a completed application and receiving a decision on your application spans about six to eight weeks, although some applications may take longer to evaluate. For more information, please contact the programme coordinator listed.

No

EU citizens may work up to 20 hours per week (without losing their student status and the connected reduction of fees for social security insurance). Students of all other nationalities may work for up to 120 days (or 240 half days) per year without restriction of job field or up to 20 hours per week in special student jobs (typically at the university). Student jobs are available at the Institute of Physics every semester.

The student service organisation (Studierendenwerk) in Mainz offers accommodation in different student residences. Apply by 15 July for the following winter semester and by 15 January for the following summer semester. If you missed the deadline, it does not mean that you cannot get a room at a student residence – rooms are often available even after the deadline. More information on accommodation can be found here.

The career service at JGU offers individual counselling, workshops, and training as well as recruiting events to all JGU students. The Graduate School "Materials Science in Mainz" offers the lunch talk series excellence@work, in which professionals from various fields share their personal journeys from being students of natural sciences to attaining their current positions.

International Office:
https://www.studium.uni-mainz.de/en/starting-your-studies-as-an-international-student/

https://www.international-office.uni-mainz.de/