Master of Science in Physics TU Dortmund University

All courses are taught in English (100%). Interested students can take German language courses.

The Master of Physics programme at TU Dortmund University is split into two periods: the study phase (first year) and the research phase (second year). In the study phase (first and second semesters), the students attend lectures, seminars and lab courses to deepen their knowledge in the subjects of their interest. The research phase consists of two modules in the third semester, research internship and methods and project planning and is followed by the completion of the Master's thesis in the fourth semester.

The research areas at the department of Physics, and thus also the possible areas of specialisation for our students, are:

• Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Condensed Matter Physics (Solid and Soft Matter)
  • Theory and Experiment
• Elementary Particle Physics (in accelerators and with particles from the universe)
  • Theory and Experiment
• Medical Physics
  • Theory and Experiment

• Non-EU applicants with a foreign degree:
  • winter semester: beginning of January to 15 May
  • summer semester: beginning of November to 15 January
• EU applicants with a foreign degree or non-EU applicants with an EU Bachelor's degree:
  • winter semester: beginning of January until Friday before the start of lectures
  • summer semester: beginning of November until Friday before the start of lectures

Please take a look at the webpage of the International Office for more details about the application/enrolment process.

A list of the courses of the Master's programme is given below. The following structure assumes that the student starts the Master's programme in the winter semester. It is possible to start the Master's programme in the summer semester however, some of the courses are only offered once a year and therefore cannot be attended e.g., in the first semester.

First Semester

• Experimental exercises 1 (6 CP)
• Specialisation module
  • Solid State Theory or Elementary Particle Theory (12 CP)

First and Second Semesters

• Advanced physics seminar (6 CP)
• General specialisation (24 CP)
• Physics specialisation (12 CP)

Third Semester

• Research internship (15 CP)
• Project planning (15 CP)

Fourth Semester

• Master's thesis (30 CP)

Details about the exchange possibilities for students can be found on the website of the department.

Students can participate in the Erasmus+ programme to study, do an internship or write their Master's theses abroad as part of the Master's programme.

There are also other funding opportunities to study oversees or for internships outside of Europe. More details can be found on the webpage of the International Office.

Furthermore, the Department of Physics has an exchange agreement with the University of Clermont Auvergne specifically for students focussing on solid-state physics (more details).

No tuition fees

The semester contribution amounts to approx. 300 EUR per semester and includes:

• public transport in North Rhine-Westphalia
• "MetropolRadRuhr" bike sharing
• theatre flat rate
• "Studierendenwerk" fees

Information on the semester contribution can be found here.

An overview of the approximate costs of living in Dortmund per semester can be found on the website of the university.

• A first cycle degree qualification according to the European Qualifications Framework or an equivalent degree qualification in the field of physics
• The qualifying degree has to have been passed with a final grade higher or equal to B to C according to the ECTS grading system. This corresponds to a grade of up to 2.9 in the German grading scale.

English, at least level B2

• Non-EU applicants with a foreign degree:
  • winter semester: beginning of January to 15 May
  • summer semester: beginning of November to 15 January
• EU applicants with a foreign degree or non-EU applicants with an EU Bachelor's degree:
  • winter semester: beginning of January until Friday before the start of lectures
  • summer semester: beginning of November until Friday before the start of lectures

Please take a look at the webpage of the International Office for more details about the application/enrolment process.

"Deutschlandstipendium" fellowship for high-performing and talented students

The university further provides lots of useful information about how to apply for scholarships.

International students can work part-time for example as a student/scientific assistant. More details about opportunities and the allowed number of hours can be found on the website of the university.

Students are eligible for student dorms at the university. Please apply for accommodation as early as possible, as the waiting time can be several months. Details about how to find an accommodation in Dortmund can be found on the website of the International Office.

The Career Service (German only) of "stellenwerk" at TU Dortmund University helps students and graduates of all disciplines to develop a sustainable professional profile, to gain practical experience during their studies, to establish contacts with employers, and to learn application strategies and techniques in order to make their career entry in the best possible way.

The International Office offers support and counselling for international students and organises a variety of events. The physics department furthermore has a contact person for internationalisation (see here for more information) as well as a contact person in the Student Council.

A university with a unique profile:
Since its founding in 1968, TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity has developed a special profile encompassing 17 departments ranging from science and engineering to social sciences and cultural studies. The uni­ver­si­ty has around 30,000 students and more than 6,500 employees, in­clu­ding 330 professors. 5,800 of all students have an international background, which constitutes 19.5% of the total student body.

TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity has a strong focus on re­search. The uni­ver­si­ty’s departments – e.g. mechanical engineering (with its emphasis on production and logistics), physics, biochemical and chemical engineering, statistics and computer science, and education re­search – are well known for their outstanding re­search achievements both nationally and internationally.

Students at TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity can choose from classical subjects and in­no­va­ti­ve courses of study such as medical physics or degree programmes in spatial planning, statistics, and journalism. A particular focus is on teacher train­ing. TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity is one of only a few universities in Germany that offers professional teaching qualifications for all types of schools.

TU Dortmund University is part of the Uni­ver­sity Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr). Together with its partner universities, Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Duisburg-Essen, the UA Ruhr is one of the largest and most powerful university alliances in Germany. The alliance is strong in international research and offers students the opportunity to participate in courses offered by all three universities and earn credits with minimal bureaucratic effort.

With more than 6,500 employees, TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity is one of Dort­mund’s largest employers and has helped drive the transformation of the city and the Ruhr region from Europe’s largest coal mining and steel production area into a high-tech and service location as well as a cultural metropolis.

Dortmund is located in the heart of Europe. It is the largest city in the Ruhr region and is home to the Borussia Dortmund (BVB) soccer club. All of this contributes to the many advantages that will make studying in Dort­mund an unforgettable experience. Apart from destinations for football fans, there are many other places of interest to discover in Dort­mund and the Ruhr region.