Master of Science in Physics Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Our degree programme is offered in English. The examination language is English. By mutual agreement between the examiners and the candidates, German can be chosen alternatively as the examination language.

Top level research and excellent teaching – we offer you a comprehensive degree programme, with our education providing both subject-specific and professional skills.

Our Master of Science Physics course of study offers you a comprehensive study programme with the possibility to individually set your focus. Considering the requirements and changes in the professional world, the programme provides you with the necessary specialist knowledge, skills, abilities, and methods to enable you to carry out scientific work according to scientific principles, to critically classify scientific findings and to act responsibly in a professional setting. The teaching and learning processes enable you to study independently at an early stage and to pursue individual development perspectives.

Goal

In our programme, you should acquire the competence to work independently in an academic context and learn problem-solving strategies for new, unfamiliar situations in multidisciplinary contexts. You should also acquire the ability to exchange ideas with specialist representatives at a scientific level and to take on responsibility in a team.

Why should you choose this study programme?

Our programme aims to provide you with the necessary specialist knowledge, competences, skills and methods, enabling you to carry out academic and research work in accordance with scientific principles, to critically classify scientific findings and to act responsibly. The programme is designed to enable you early on to study independently and pursue your individual growth perspectives, teaching you problem-solving strategies to deal with new unfamiliar situations in multidisciplinary contexts.

Interdisciplinary work is key to our success at RUB. The university offers a large variety of departments as well as a wonderful network with other universities all over the world. On a smaller scale, we are a very familial and cordial faculty, where students and professors are helpful and open.

In a nutshell:

• Five specialisation areas: nuclear and particle physics, solid state physics, plasma physics, astronomy/astrophysics, biophysics
• Individual course of studies due to many possible combinations of programme modules
• Key competence modules, granting practical skills for your future career
• More than 20 research groups, well-known scientists and prestigious research programmes
• No tuition fees, only a social contribution per semester (includes free public transport ticket)
• Low living cost in the Ruhr area

Further information:
https://www.physik.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/forschung/forschungsfelder/

Application deadline for national applicants:
The application process is described here in detail:
https://www.physik.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/studium/unsere-studiengaenge/master-of-science/.

The application process is to be finished before the regular deadline of enrolment (see website below).

Application period for international applicants:

• Winter semester: 1 June to 15 July
• Summer semester: 1 December to 15 January

Additional information can be found here:
https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/internationals-application-masters-degree.

In principle, there are no tuition fees at RUB. However, there are a few exceptions. Therefore, please inform yourself in advance about any additional costs for the degree programme you are interested in.

Our MSc Physics is set up as a two-year-programme divided into a two-semester study phase and a two-semester research phase.

During the study phase, the basic knowledge and methods acquired in experimental physics and theoretical physics during the Bachelor’s degree programme will be completed. You will then gain insight into current research in a chosen focus area and learn about scientific work and independent research in detail. The physics programme is supplemented by modules from other subjects as well as modules that teach key interdisciplinary skills.

The research phase begins with a three-month period that allows you to prepare and familiarise yourself with your research topic. The Master’s degree programme concludes with the Master’s thesis, which should be completed within nine months. As with the focus of your study programme, you may also choose the topic of your thesis yourself, in consultation with the professor supervising your work.

Varied

In principle, there are no tuition fees at RUB. However, there are a few exceptions. Therefore, please inform yourself in advance about any additional costs for the degree programme you are interested in.

Students have to pay a social contribution fee of approx. 330 EUR per semester, including a semester ticket covering public transport in Germany (https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/re-registration-and-social-contribution).

Minimum of 950 EUR per month to cover personal and living expenses in Germany

Admission to the Master’s programme in physics is open to students who have completed at least six semesters of a Bachelor’s programme in physics with a total of 180 CP or an equivalent programme.

The admission requirements also include one of the following:

• proof of a minimum of 25 CP in basic experimental physics
• proof of a minimum of 15 CP in theoretical physics
  (Proof of a module on quantum mechanics in a BSc or MSc degree programme in physics or comparable achievements in another degree programme must be submitted.)
• proof of a minimum of 15 CP in higher mathematics in the fields of analysis and linear algebra and geometry
• proof of a minimum of 10 CP in a basic laboratory course in physics
• a Bachelor’s thesis of at least 8 CP in a physics-related subject

If you do not meet all the requirements mentioned, you can still apply to our programme. In fact, we encourage you to apply and speak to our advisers about the conditions for your individual case.

Admission to the Master's degree programme in physics can be granted subject to conditions, provided that the missing CP do not exceed 40 CP. The conditions must be met at the latest upon admission to the Master’s thesis. This means that you can be admitted to the programme and start your studies, but you will have to make up some course work. Your work in regard to the conditions does not have any effect upon your Master’s programme, and grades, etc. will not be counted towards your Master’s degree.

If one of the following applies to you, we do not require any language certificates:

• English is your native language
• You have a German Abitur certificate
• You already completed an English-language degree programme
• Your Bachelor’s thesis is in the English language

If none of the criteria mentioned above apply to you, you must provide a certificate of proficiency in English at B2 level as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (TOEFL PBT 550 points, TOEFL iBT 72-94, English test at B2 level of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) or equivalent results).

Application deadline for national applicants:
The application process is described here in detail:
https://www.physik.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/studium/unsere-studiengaenge/master-of-science/.

The application process is to be finished before the regular deadline of enrolment (see website below).

Application period for international applicants:

• Winter semester: 1 June to 15 July
• Summer semester: 1 December to 15 January

Additional information can be found here:
https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/internationals-application-masters-degree.

Students with good academic achievements and a high degree of social responsibility can apply for the “Deutschlandstipendium” grant. They will receive a one-year scholarship of 300 EUR per month from the Ruhr-Universität Scholarship Fund: http://www.rub.de/bildungsfonds/info-studierende/en/index_en.html.

International students can also apply at the International Office, e.g. for financial support during their final phase of study, such as graduation grants: https://international.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/scholarships?_wrapper_format=html.

In the city of Bochum, you can find different types of accommodation. On average, students in Bochum pay approximately 350 to 600 EUR per month for a single apartment, which is below the average rent in Germany. A room in a shared apartment is usually less expensive.

About 5,000 students in Bochum live in multiple student halls close to the campus, which are run by the Akademisches Förderungswerk (AKAFÖ). In the halls, students have their own single room and share a kitchen and bathroom with other students, they rent an apartment with a private bathroom and kitchen, or they share an apartment with one or several flatmates. 

More information on the student halls can be found at https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/de/wohnen.

In addition, private and church-affiliated student halls accommodate up to 1,000 students: http://www.stuwo.de/wohnheim-region/bochum/.

The Career Service supports students by providing information and advice, events and lectures, courses and workshops as well as personal coaching in order to help organise theirs studies in a praxis-oriented way, so as to start successfully in the world of employment.
https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/welcome-career-service

Support services of our university:

RUBiss – international student services
The RUBiss team is responsible for all international students and prospective students at RUB. We are your contact persons for all formal, social and study-related questions. At our events, workshops and excursions, you will get to know other students, receive orientation and get important information.
https://international.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/coming-bochum

Support services of our faculty:

• Buddy programme
• Welcome event for all national/international freshmen

Further information is given during the application process.