What you can expect in our master's program

In the English-language master's degree program in Geophysics at KIT, you will benefit from research-oriented teaching, which is based on close contact with research in the university and large-scale research areas. The lecturers have received several awards for their outstanding teaching, and you will also study in small, very well supervised groups. The standard period of study is 4 semesters, during which you will earn 120 ECTS credits.

In the first year of study, you will complete modules from the compulsory subject Geophysics and also set your own focus through compulsory elective courses and interdisciplinary qualifications. In the third semester, you will undergo a specialization phase to prepare you for your master's thesis, which you will complete in the fourth semester.

Program structure

Internship

The study program does not include a compulsory internship. You can complete a voluntary internship during your studies. If it serves the objectives of your studies and covers at least half of the lecture period, you can apply for a semester off (leave of absence). Such an internship offers you valuable experience outside the university and can make it easier for you to start your career later on.

Make your studies international

You have various options for integrating a stay abroad into your master's degree course. For example, you can study at a foreign university of your choice for one or two semesters via Erasmus+ or as a freemover. You can also do an internship abroad. In addition, selective mobility is possible via Eucor - The European Campus: KIT students can flexibly attend individual courses in addition to courses at KIT or study full-time for an entire semester or year at an Eucor partner university.

Weitere Informationen erhältst du bei den für Auslandsaufenthalte zuständigen Ansprechpersonen der KIT-Fakultät oder beim International Students Office. 

Master's thesis

At the end of your studies, you will complete your master's thesis (30 CP), an academic paper that allows you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It deals with a specific topic from your field of study and requires independent research, analysis and the preparation of a written thesis. The master's thesis takes 6 months to complete. You can start it as soon as you have completed the modules Scientific Focusing Phase, Introduction to Scientific Practice and Scientific Seminars - all of which are part of the specialization phase - for a total of 30 credit points. Upon request, the master's thesis can also be completed at a company or at another KIT Department. The master's thesis also includes an oral presentation of your results as part of the defense.

A master's degree in Geophysics opens up career prospects in university and non-university research, development and application, e.g. in the field of raw materials development (geothermal energy, minerals), in the field of environmental management (pollutant detection, landfill investigations, hydrogeological work). But there are also jobs in construction projects (underground investigations for tunnels, dams, buildings, detection of unexploded ordnance (UXO); non-destructive testing (NDT)) or in the monitoring of natural hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes) as well as in the exploration of the earth's interior from the crust to the core. Graduates also have prospects in related fields (e.g. geodesy, physics or geosciences) and, due to their experience with large amounts of scientific data and associated software, in professions that generally deal with analytics, data analysis and software development. A scientific career, starting with a doctorate, is also a possible career path you can take after completing your master's degree.

Characteristic features of Geophysics M.Sc. at KIT

• internationally renowned research institute
• small number of students, therefore very personal atmosphere
  
• opportunity to participate in current research activities at an early stage
  
• numerous trade fair expeditions and large international research projects per year
  
• in-situ lectures with practical experience
  
• several GPI lecturers have received multiple awards for their outstanding, innovative teaching
• for prospective doctoral students: Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KYHS)

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• 24-hour library offering single and group working places
  
• wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
  
• numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
  
• study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
  
• excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
  
• comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
  
• extensive support for career entry and self-employment
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• Lernraum app
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network
  

Admission requirements

The requirements for admission to the master's degree program in Geophysics are based on the current admission regulations:

• bachelor's degree
  A passed bachelor's degree or at least an equivalent degree from a university, university of applied sciences or university of cooperative education, whereby the course must have been completed with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits, alternatively with a standard period of study of at least three years in the subject of Geophysics or a related subject area
  
• minimum knowledge and minimum performance in the subjects
  • Geophysics amounting to at least 20 ECTS credits
  • Physics and Mathematics amounting to at least 36 ECTS credits
  If you are missing up to 20 ECTS credits in Geophysics, you may be admitted on condition that you make up the missing credits by the end of the 2nd semester at the latest. Any condition will be decided by the admissions commission and you will be informed when you are admitted.
  
• Proof of entitlement to an examination
  Proof that you have not definitively failed an examination required by the examination regulations in the master's degree program in Geophysics or a related degree program with essentially the same content and that you are still entitled to take the examination
  

Language requirements and certificates

For the master's degree program in Geophysics, you need sufficient knowledge of the English language. Your English language skills must correspond to at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Important: you must provide proof of the required language skills regardless of your citizenship and by the end of the enrollment period at the latest, but preferably at the time of application.

In what form do I have to provide the language certificates? Please read the following chapters on this website carefully. If you have any further questions, please contact

• Students Office if you are applying as a German, German national or a person with German equivalent status
• the International Students Office if you are a non-EU national

Proof of sufficient knowledge of English

The following is sufficient proof of your English language skills

• your university entrance qualification, if
  • it certifies English language proficiency at CEFR level B2 or higher or
  • it shows that you have studied English for at least five years up to graduation and your final grade or average grade of the last two years of English lessons corresponds to at least the German grade 4 (sufficient) or at least 5 grade points or
• a university degree with English as the sole language of instruction and examination in the completed degree program - this must be clearly stated in the Diploma Supplement, Transcript of Records or in the degree certificate.

Otherwise, only the following English tests listed in the KIT admission and enrollment regulations are accepted as proof of English proficiency:

• TOEFL iBT (internet-based) with at least 90 points
• IELTS with an overall score of at least 6.5, no section below 5.5
• TOEIC with at least 400 points in Listening, 385 in Reading, 160 in Speaking, 150 in Writing
• Cambridge Certificate C1 Advanced (CAE)
• Cambridge Certificate C2 Proficiency (CPE)
• Cambridge Certificate B2 First (FCE)
• UNIcert, at least level II
• Pearson PTE Academic with at least 58.5 points overall and at least 56.8 in Listening, 60.6 in Reading, 53.5 in Speaking, 74.1 in Writing

Note: The above-mentioned tests are accepted as proof of language proficiency for an unlimited period of time, even if the provider specifies an expiration date.

In individual cases, other proof may be accepted at the applicant's request. Alternative proofs are in particular

• a degree certificate from an English-language degree program
• a university entrance qualification from institutions with English as the language of instruction
• a bachelor's or master's thesis written in English or an equivalent final thesis
  

The decision on this matter is made by the selection commission.

What if I cannot provide suitable B2 proof of English at the time of application?

If you are unable to provide any of the B2 certificates listed above demonstrating your English language skills by the application deadline, you may still be admitted if you can provisionally demonstrate that you have already acquired English language skills.

But please don't forget: you will still have to submit the actual B2 certificate by the end of your enrollment period at the latest, which is stated in your admission letter.

Therefore, check early on whether you can provide the necessary language certificates by the deadline and, if necessary, plan to take one of the recognized language tests.

In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of the enrollment deadline to provide proof of your language skills, but this extension can only be granted up to the day before the start of the lecture period. Please contact the Students Office or the International Students Office - depending on who is named as your point of contact in your letter of admission.

Additional contacts:

• KIT-Department of Physics
• Geophysical Institute
• Academic advisor
• Examination board
• Information about exchange programs and studying abroad
• Student representatives Physics

Teaching calendar

Course catalog

• Course catalog current term
• Course catalog current term PDF (English)
• Archive of previous catalogs