Master of Science in Physics (International Physics) Paderborn University

All courses are offered in English (100%), but students can choose to substitute these courses with German courses.

In the Master's degree course in Physics, students can choose between three specialisations:

With the General Physics specialisation, any modules from the course catalogue can be selected. This specialisation offers the opportunity to specialise according to your own preferences. While the course of study contains advanced general lectures about experimental and theoretical physics that leave all options for subsequent career paths open, many of the specialised compulsory elective courses focus on computational physics and materials science, with a particular focus on the optoelectronic properties of micro- and nano-structures (i.e., their fabrication, characterisation, spectroscopic properties, device applications, and theoretical simulation).

The Photonic Quantum Technologies specialisation offers an in-depth insight into the highly topical field of quantum technologies, including the courses in Quantum Optics, Quantum Computing and Quantum Information Technology. The PhoQS (Institute for Photonic Quantum Systems) offers excellent research conditions for the course and beyond.

The focus area in Optoelectronics, Materials, Devices offers a specialisation in the extremely relevant field of optoelectronic semiconductor elements, optics and photonics. With this specialisation, you will be ideally qualified for demanding tasks in research and industry.

The respective specialisation is noted on the degree certificate.

Winter semester:
31 May for international applicants
(21 September for applicants from Germany/EU)

Summer semester:
30 November for international applicants
(21 March for applicants from Germany/EU)

In the first two semesters, you will attend lectures in theoretical and experimental physics as well as seminars. There is a compulsory course in advanced quantum mechanics in the first semester, but most other courses during this phase are elective courses and can be chosen according to your interests and desired specialisation. The lectures are accompanied by practical classes in which experiments are performed and/or theoretical exercises in which solutions to physics problems are worked out 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 two seminars. In addition, there are two courses on technical English, which expand subject-related English skills and promote the necessary communication skills for study, research and work.
In your second year, you will join one of the research groups within the department and work on a supervised individual research project that will form the basis for your Master's thesis. The special skills and knowledge required for the project are acquired during a preparatory phase in the third semester. After completion of the research project, the written thesis will be submitted at the end of the fourth semester. Usually, the thesis work is defended in a colloquium, which consists of a presentation followed by questions.

Course objectives

Degree holders have a deep understanding of the fundamentals of physics and have the qualifications for independent scientific work in research and technology. The special expertise in quantum technologies, optoelectronics, materials science, and/or computational physics (depending on the choice of specialisation), represents a key advantage for employment in the optics and electronics industry or in relevant 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 Germany.

Approx. 1,000 EUR per month is needed to cover personal expenses.

Bachelor's degree in physics (or equivalent)

The applicant's final grade should be at least 3.0 (according to the German grading system).

Applicants must provide proof of their English skills:

• Cambridge English Certificate: Advanced (CAE) or Proficiency (CPE) or
• Test of English as 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.

Winter semester:
31 May for international applicants
(21 September for applicants from Germany/EU)

Summer semester:
30 November for international applicants
(21 March for applicants from Germany/EU)

No

Students can obtain paid jobs tutoring, performing technical work, or 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. Typically, 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.

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