Master of Science in Optoelectronics & Photonics Paderborn University

All courses are held in English (100%).

The interplay between optics and electronics is of both fundamental scientific interest and the foundation of a broad range of modern technology. Remarkable progress has been made in recent years combining techniques from areas as diverse as nanophotonics, semiconductor physics and even quantum optics. Learning how to bring fundamental principles of optoelectronic interaction out of the laboratory and engineer them into workable devices is a key skill set that will drive this field forward. Our two-year Master's course in Optoelectronics and Photonics places students squarely at the intersection of modern physics, precision engineering and state-of-the-art technology. Students will develop a broad, technical skill set as well as rigorous understanding of the underlying concepts. On completion, successful students will be ideally suited to a future academic or industrial career in this exciting and fast-moving field. We offer:

• A broad range of targeted interdisciplinary courses, taught exclusively in English
• Master's projects in internationally active research groups
• Smooth progression towards PhD study in Germany and beyond
• Career perspectives in existing and emerging industries
• A gateway to European academic and industrial networks

31 May for international applicants
21 September for applications from Germany/EU

In the first two semesters, you will attend lectures in physics and electrical engineering as well as practicals in the lab. Most of the courses in this phase of your studies are compulsory to provide you with a broad background. In the second and third semesters, these courses are complemented by elective courses that can be chosen according to your interests and desired specialisation in the field of optical technologies. All lectures are accompanied by practical classes where problems are solved, discussed, and presented by the students. In addition, you will learn to develop a scientific topic based on existing literature and present it to your fellow students in a seminar. Finally, a few courses of general studies can be chosen freely from the university's lecture catalogue. In particular, this includes the possibility to attend German language classes.
In your second year, you will start joining one of the research groups within the departments and work on a supervised individual lab project that may form the basis for your Master's thesis. After completion of the Master's thesis research project, the written thesis will be submitted towards the end of the fourth semester. Subsequently, the thesis work is defended in a colloquium which consists of a presentation followed by questions.

Degree holders have a deep understanding of the fundamentals of optical technologies and have the qualifications for independent scientific work in research and technology. The special expertise in optical technologies and the acquisition of skills in both physics and engineering represent a key advantage for employment in the optics and electronics industry or in academic institutions. The degree also qualifies graduates to enter PhD programmes in Paderborn or elsewhere.

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No tuition fees

Approx. 280 EUR per semester
The fee includes a semester ticket covering all regional public transport in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Estimate of monthly expenses:

• Rent: 400 EUR
• Health insurance: about 140 EUR
• Food: 350 EUR
• Semester fee: 50 EUR
• Miscellaneous: about 120 EUR

Monthly sum: 1,210 EUR

Bachelor's degree in Physics (or equivalent Natural Science or Engineering degree that includes physical and mathematical fundamentals and a quantum theory course)

Applicants must provide proof of their English skills:

• Cambridge English Certificate: Advanced (CAE) or Proficiency (CPE) or
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (Internet-based, including Home Edition and Paper Edition) with at least 80 points or equivalent (e.g. IELTS 6.0).

Applicants holding a Bachelor's degree from an institution in Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, or the USA do not have to provide proof of their English skills.

31 May for international applicants
21 September for applications from Germany/EU

No

Students can get paid jobs as tutors, for technical work, or for supporting research projects within one of the research groups of the department.

Students can apply for accommodation in the halls of residence run by Studierendenwerk Paderborn. Alternatively, you can look for a room or apartment on the private market. Typical rents range from 350 EUR to 450 EUR per month.

With the DAAD-funded project InRegioFIT, Paderborn University is pursuing the goal of providing international students with targeted support throughout their studies and during their transition into the labour market. The project focuses on the specific regional requirements and circumstances in order to optimally prepare international talent for entering the local labour market.

During the week before the start of each semester, the International Office (IO) offers various orientation and information meetings for all foreign students. The IO also provides support for students from abroad in legal and social matters, and organises excursions and social activities. Students are also welcome to register for free German language courses.

There is also the subject-specific Welcome Week, during which both general and course-related questions are answered.

The University of Paderborn is a public research university founded in 1972 in the city of Paderborn, Germany. With over 17,000 students, it is a medium-sized university offering a wide range of academic disciplines in its five faculties: Arts and Humanities, Business and Economics, Natural Sciences, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics. Located in the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia, the University of Paderborn boasts a modern and friendly campus environment with plenty of green space, fostering a vibrant and connected academic community. The campus is situated in an urban environment, with the historic city centre of Paderborn close by, offering students a blend of academic pursuits and cultural experiences.

The University of Paderborn is particularly renowned for its strong focus on computer science, information technology and engineering. It offers unique interdisciplinary programmes and works closely with leading research institutions such as the Institute for Photonic Quantum Systems (PhoQS), the Heinz Nixdorf Institute, the Paderborn Centre for Parallel Computing and the Fraunhofer Institutes, creating a dynamic hub for innovation and research in these fields. The university has been recognised for its academic excellence, ranking among the top universities in Germany for computer science and mathematics.In addition, the university has been awarded numerous grants and prizes, including the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize and ERC grants, highlighting its research excellence.

Notable alumni and faculty members at the University of Paderborn include Preda Mihăilescu, a Romanian mathematician who solved the 158-year-old Catalan Conjecture in 2002. The university's commitment to cutting-edge research is further exemplified by the world record for optical data transmission of 128 gigabits per second set at the Heinz Nixdorf Institute in 2018. What distinguishes the University of Paderborn is its strong emphasis on the "information society", with the aim of contributing to the scientific and technical development of this field while critically reflecting on its social implications. This unique focus, combined with its international orientation, diverse programmes and strong partnerships with industry, makes Paderborn University an attractive choice for students seeking a future-oriented education in a dynamic and supportive academic environment.
https://www.uni-paderborn.de/en/

Paderborn offers a friendly and safe environment to study, recreate and live.

Located in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Paderborn is a modern city with approximately 150,000 inhabitants. It is one of the economic centres of the East Westphalia region and home to some of the world's leading industrial companies such as Siemens, Diebold Nixdorf, Benteler, dSpace, Hella and Stute.

The town can also look back on a long and interesting history. It was first mentioned in the historical records 1,200 years ago after the founding of the Holy Roman Empire.
https://www.paderborn.de/microsite/welcome/index.php