Advanced Quantum Physics (MSc) University of Tübingen

The course language is English.

German courses specially designed for international Master's and PhD students are available at the university’s House of Languages. The full German course programme is available at: www.uni-tuebingen.de/en/1056.

The Master's programme includes experimental and theoretical courses in the following fields:

• quantum optics and quantum matter
• laser cooling and quantum gases
• laser physics
• superconductors, Josephson junctions and their applications
• open and many-body quantum systems
• mathematical quantum theory
• quantum information theory

Practical contents are contained in the quantum labs on the following:

• lasers and elements of quantum optics
• superconductors
• photons and photon statistics

In addition, students choose modules from a neighbouring field with a minimum of 6 credit points. This can be fulfilled also by completing an industrial internship.

The following is valid for applicants from: EU countries
For the summer semester:
1 December - 15 March

The following is valid for applicants from: non-EU countries
For the summer semester:
1 December - 15 January

The following is valid for applicants from: EU countries
For the winter semester:
1 March - 15 September

The following is valid for applicants from: non-EU countries
For the winter semester:
1 March - 15 July

Details can be found on the Advanced Quantum Physics website.

The Master's programme is a two-year consecutive study with a modular structure. Students may join the programme in the winter and summer semester. A start in the winter semester is favourable.

In the first year, students attend lectures, seminars and practical courses consisting of 60 ECTS credit points. Students take both experimental and theoretical quantum optics, which lays the foundations for all students. These are augmented by a lab course.

Besides compulsory modules, students can choose modules from a variety of different topics. Moreover, students will learn to discuss problems of quantum science in a comprehensive way both within a journal club in which they will present a current topic of quantum science, and within a peer-learning seminar in which they will discuss topics of quantum science in small groups of their peers.

In the second year, students will begin with research on a topic of their choice in the areas of the Centre for Quantum Science and finally write the Master's thesis. In total, students will earn 60 credit points for this (30 for acquiring research oriented skills and 30 for the thesis). The thesis is concluded with an oral scientific presentation of the results.

The Master's programme actively supports industrial internships by establishing contacts to high-tech companies in Germany and by granting credit points for the internship.

Varied

Enrolment fees at the University of Tübingen are currently about 200 EUR per semester. This includes use of local public transport free of charge from Monday to Friday (in the evenings), on weekends and on public holidays. In addition, students may purchase a semester ticket for unlimited use of public transport in the city of Tübingen and the surrounding area (currently about 160 EUR).

Estimated basic student expenses are around 1,000 EUR per month according to the Tübingen Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk”), including rent for student accommodation. Rent for private accommodation will be more expensive.

Academic admission requirements include a Bachelor's degree in physics with a grade of at least 2.5 (German grading system) and a solid background in quantum mechanics, atom physics and physics of condensed matter.

No minimum language level required

• Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First
• TOEFL iBT Home Edition (since 2026): 4
• Reading: 4
• Listening: 4
• Speaking: 4
• Writing: 4
• TOEFL iBT Home Edition (before 2026): 72
• Reading: 18
• Listening: 17
• Speaking: 20
• Writing: 17
• TOEFL Essentials: 8
• Reading: 8
• Listening: 8
• Speaking: 8
• Writing: 8
• TOEFL iBT (since 2026): 4
• Reading: 4
• Listening: 4
• Speaking: 4
• Writing: 4
• TOEFL iBT (before 2026): 72
• Reading: 18
• Listening: 17
• Speaking: 20
• Writing: 17
• IELTS Academic: 5.5

No

Students may find jobs as graduate research assistants for projects of the Department of Physics.

Accommodation is available through the Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk“) or on the private market. Rooms in student accommodation cost approx. 250–480 EUR per month. As Tübingen is a very attractive place to live, private accommodation is more expensive and can take some effort to find. To make sure you find a suitable place to live, you should start looking as early as possible.

We recommend you apply for student accommodation through the “Studierendenwerk” at the same time that you apply for admission to the Master's programme (please see: https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/halls-of-residence-tuebingen/ and https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/faqs/) and send in a copy of your notification of admission as soon as you have received it (your application won’t be finally processed before the “Studierendenwerk” has received proof of your admission). For further information, check out the “Studierendenwerk” pages on housing in Tübingen (https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/housing-infos/).

The university offers several “on-boarding” services for newly arriving international students. These include:

• a help desk
• a buddy programme
• an advisory programme “How to Study at the University of Tübingen”
• a wide range of social activities offered by student groups

For further information, please refer to: https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/182071 (on-boarding for degree-seeking students).