Master of Science in Photonics Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Courses are held in English (100%).

You do not need to be skilled in the German language. The whole programme is taught in English. However, we offer German language courses to all of our students to immerse themselves deeper in the German culture.

The international MSc in Photonics course offered by the Abbe School of Photonics (ASP) is based on a long tradition of education in photonics at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. Obtaining a Master's degree at ASP means to be immersed deeply in the rich and stimulating research environment of our Abbe Center of Photonics. Thus, our Master's degree students obtain hands-on experience while taking methodology courses that take place in state-of-the-art photonics laboratories.​ By choosing the respective elective modules, our students can already specialise in at least one out of five key education areas during their Master's degree studies.

Our research and education partners include also the local Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering, the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, and the Helmholtz Institute Jena as well as a number of prominent industrial partners like ASML, JENOPTIK, OSRAM, PHILIPS, SCHOTT, TRUMPF, and ZEISS.

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The MSc Photonics is part of a full-scale education programme of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena specialising in optics and photonics, starting at undergraduate level (BSc in Physics), continuing at Master's level, and culminating in a structured doctoral programme. The MSc Photonics course schedule commences its first semester with a compulsory adjustment module of fundamental lectures. The longer that students follow the programme, the larger their freedom to choose from a great number of different subjects from the catalogue of the MSc Photonics study programme will be. Likewise, students are encouraged to make use of our research-grade laboratories to further their growing experience and knowledge of photonics, and to inspire independent thinking and creativity in our young scientists.

The Master's degree course contents include:

Fundamentals of Optics and Materials: ray optics, wave optics, electromagnetic optics, wave propagation, guided waves, light-matter interaction, non-linear optics, quantum optics, quantum technologies

Optical Devices and Systems: lens design & instruments, metrology, optical sensors, optical communications subsystems, laser devices, laser systems, opto-electronic devices

Imaging: imaging systems, statistical signal and image processing

Practical training: hands-on research experience in state-of-the-art optics laboratories of the university and, in particular, in industry

New Frontiers in Optics:

• Quantum technologies, e.g. for quantum imaging, communication and sensing
• Advanced sources (quantum dots laser, petawatt/femtosecond/megajoule lasers, quantum cascade lasers, fibre lasers, XUV)
• Optical systems (3D metrology, remote sensing, advances in optical fabrication, adaptive optics, optomechanical design)
• Biophotonics (fluorescence sensors, optical tweezers, laser diagnostics and surgery)
• Nanophotonics (metamaterials, photonic crystals, sub-wavelength structures, plasmonics)
• Optical communication technology (optical fibres, optical active components, and optical signal processing)

September/October: start of the new semester in Jena

The application deadlines are:

• 15 January (first priority deadline for all applicants)
• 1 March (second priority deadline for all applicants)
• 15 April (third priority deadline for all applicants)
• 15 June (rolling admission deadline for EU applicants)
• 15 September (rolling admission deadline for German applicants and applicants with a valid German residence permit)

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The curriculum includes a combination of lectures, seminars, labs, tutorials, internships, research projects, and summer workshops. The ECTS system allows students to make individual choices according to the programme guidelines. The programme combines in-class learning with practical learning elements.

• First semester: Fundamentals and Adjustment, Experimental Optics
• Second semester: Fundamentals and Specialisation, Internship
• Third semester: Specialisation and Research Lab Work, further specialisation modules
• Fourth semester: Research (Master's thesis project)

Three internships at e.g., scientific partner institutions or at optical companies (Jenoptik, Osram, Philips, Schott, Trumpf, Zeiss, etc.) are a vital part of the curriculum.

No tuition fees

Semester fee (student services and student self-government) including semester ticket for free use of public transport: approx. 272 EUR per semester and a one-off fee of 20 EUR for a multifunctional student ID card called a "Thoska" (subject to change)

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Students need approx. 750 to 900 EUR per month for rent, food, health insurance, books and personal items.

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Applicants should have a Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree comprising significant exposure to physics fundamentals, or an equivalent or higher degree in the same areas. A strong background in either classical physics, mathematics and/or electrodynamic theory is advantageous. If you have not yet finished your current academic degree, you may apply with a preliminary transcript of records including all completed courses thus far. Other criteria that are taken into account include awards, external references, details of earlier projects, and proof of English proficiency.

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Proof of your English proficiency by either one of the following:

• TOEFL or an equivalent English test (minimum points/grades): TOEFL PBT (550), TOEFL CBT (215), TOEFLIBT (85), TOEIC (780)
• IELTS (6.5)
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
• A statement from your previous/current university confirming that relevant parts of your higher academic education were taught in English
• Language exemptions: The following students are exempt from providing proof of English proficiency:
  • Nationals from the US, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or Canada, or BSc and MSc graduates who obtained their qualification in one of these countries
  • BSc and MSc graduates who have been taught their previous higher academic education completely in English (language statement from the university is required)
  • Holders of German "Abitur" with sufficient exposure to the English language

The application deadlines are:

• 15 January (first priority deadline for all applicants)
• 1 March (second priority deadline for all applicants)
• 15 April (third priority deadline for all applicants)
• 15 June (rolling admission deadline for EU applicants)
• 15 September (rolling admission deadline for German applicants and applicants with a valid German residence permit)

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• Scholarships of the Abbe School of Photonics
• Numerous research assistant opportunities at the university and within the Abbe School of Photonics

During their studies, students can work as student assistants up to a certain extent.

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Accommodation in student residences is available to a certain extent. Please apply with the "Studierendenwerk Thüringen".

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You can also look for single or shared private accommodation yourself. In the buildings of the university, there are numerous information boards with accommodation offers. However, please note that the availability of private accommodation in Jena is rather limited.

The university hosts a "Career and Welcome Point".

Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a university on the move. With more than 17,000 enrolled students, it is one of Germany's fastest growing universities. Despite the fact that the number of students has quadrupled since 1989, the university is not overcrowded. More than 2,000 lecturers and researchers ensure quality teaching and training commensurate with a classic university. In addition, more than 1,300 scientists and technical staff work on research projects financed by outside sponsors.

Friedrich Schiller University Jena has always enjoyed an excellent reputation for its academic potential. The most striking features of research in Jena are interdisciplinarity, synergetic networking, and innovative approaches.

The primary areas of research are:
I. Optics, Photonics and Photonic Technologies - Abbe Center of Photonics
II. Innovative Materials and Technologies
III. Dynamics of Complex Biological Systems
IV. Laboratory of the Enlightenment
V. Individuals and Social Change

Most of the research projects fit into this profile. In addition to these, there are many smaller, individual research projects. The university is awarded between 40 and 50 million EUR in external research grants, and our Faculty of Physics and Astronomy received one of the highest research funding amounts of all German universities. The Max Planck School of Photonics has been a partner of the Abbe School of Photonics since 2018.

The city of Jena is brought to life by its fascinating combination of an intellectual history, a delightful countryside, an innovative international research and industry, and a youthful student lifestyle. This rich variety creates a unique backdrop that lends this small, lively city its special charm.

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Jena's academic and intellectual development
Jena has been one of the most famous places to study in Germany since the founding of its university, the "Alma Mater Jenensis", in 1558. At the end of the 18th century, thanks to its close connection to the nearby royal seat at Weimar and support by the poet and minister, Goethe, the city on the Saale went through its classical period, during which it developed into the most important intellectual centre in Germany.

Jena's economic development
In the second half of the 19th century, Jena developed into an industrial city, thanks to the work of the three scientific and economic giants, Carl Zeiss, Otto Schott, and Ernst Abbe. Their cooperation led to the creation of the world-famous Zeiss Works and the "Schott und Genossen" glass factory. This effective cooperation between research institutes and economic enterprises has proven its value all the way up to the present day and justifies Jena's exceptional reputation as a high-technology location.

Jena's modern cultural scene
In addition to museums of technology, science, literature, and art history, there is also an attractive modern cultural scene in Jena. For example, the annual open-air festival "Kulturarena" attracts international stars to Jena. Furthermore, there are plenty of individual, top-class events among the wide range of performances at Jena Theatre (Theaterhaus), Jena Art Society (Kunstverein), and Jena Philharmonic Orchestra.

Jena's countryside
The traditional, innovative city lies at the middle reaches of the River Saale. The Saale valley in Jena is shaped by a host of monuments to its cultural history and has connections with many great names from the past. Along with its many sights, the city, nestled in an almost Mediterranean landscape with limestone hills up to 400 metres high, boasts a variety of bicycle paths and charming surroundings for walking and all other sporting activities, such as triathlon, dragon boat, cycling, track, marathon, martial arts, etc.