What you can expect in our master's program

You can study our master's degree program in Mathematics entirely in German, entirely in English or in mixed languages. You therefore need either very good German or very good English language skills (see language requirements). As you no longer have any compulsory courses, you can tailor your studies to your personal interests and choose your modules according to the language of instruction. The focus is clearly on research-oriented teaching. The standard period of study is 4 semesters and you earn 120 ECTS credit points (CP).

All modules that can be selected in the degree program are assigned to one of the mathematical fields of Algebra and Geometry, Analysis, Applied and Numerical Mathematics and Stochastics.

Program structure

• Mathematical Methods I (24 CP): you decide on one of the four areas mentioned above and choose your desired modules.
  
• Mathematical Methods II (16 CP): here you choose your modules from a second mathematical field.
  
• Complementary Field (16-24 CP): this subject is a specialty of the KIT and gives you an insight into a possible professional field of application. The intended fields are Computer Science, Physics, Economics, Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering. However, you can also deepen your mathematical methods. If you want something completely different, you can apply to the examination board.
  
• Mathematical Specialization (14-22 CP): in this subject, you can choose modules from different mathematical fields as long as they are listed in the module handbook.
  
• Mathematical Seminar (6 CP): in this subject, you attend two seminars on topics of your choice. You will give a presentation of approx. 45 minutes each to your group.
  
• Interdisciplinary Qualifications (6 CP): here you can choose from a variety of interdisciplinary courses at KIT, be it language courses, presentation techniques or courses on work-life balance. You can also take more than 6 CP if you wish. However, these cannot be credited towards your master's degree.
  
• Master's thesis (30 LP)

Please note that at least one of the subjects Mathematical Methods 1/2 must be in the field of Algebra and Geometry or Analysis. The Complementary Field and the Mathematical Specialization must comprise a total of at least 38 CP. Within all subjects, you have a large selection of courses to choose from. You can find out what these are in the module handbook.

Master's thesis

At the end of your studies, you will complete your master's thesis (30 CP), an academic paper that enables 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 achieved 70 CP. Upon request, the master's thesis can also be completed in a company or at another KIT Department. A presentation of your results is not mandatory.

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.

Further information can be obtained from the contact person responsible for stays abroad at the KIT Department or at the International Students Office.

With a completed master's degree program in mathematics, you will be very flexible in the job market, as mathematics is considered a key science. Not only do you possess strong analytical skills and a structured approach to complex issues, but you have also acquired an application-oriented specialization during your studies. This opens up excellent career prospects for you as a specialist and manager, both nationally and internationally, wherever complex situations exist and a high degree of security and commitment is required. Examples include medical technology, IT companies, the automotive industry and the telecommunications sector. With a master's degree and/or a doctorate, your expertise isn't only in demand in industry, consulting companies and the service sector, but also in (interdisciplinary) research.

Characteristic features of Mathematics M.Sc. at KIT

• orientation phase before the start of studies for those who have not completed their bachelor's degree at KIT.
  

• large selection of possible application subjects, possibly at other KIT departments, offer you a look beyond the horizon and possible professional fields of activity
  

• many lectures offered in English
  

• attractive and modern faculty building with many seminar rooms, workstations, specialist library and cafeteria
  

• good advisory infrastructure
  

• possibility to write a master's thesis at another KIT department or in cooperation with a company
  

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 Mathematics are based on the current admission regulations:

• bachelor's degree
  a bachelor's degree (or at least an equivalent degree) in Mathematics (or a degree program with essentially the same content) from a university, university of applied sciences, university of cooperative education or a foreign university. The degree must have been completed within a standard period of study of at least three years and with a minimum number of 180 ECTS credits.

Language requirements and certificates

For the master's degree program in Mathematics, you need sufficient knowledge of German or English. It is therefore sufficient to prove that you can speak one of the two languages at the required level. Your knowledge of German must be at least level C1 and your knowledge of English 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 German language skills

As proof of your German language skills, your higher education or master's entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, university degree or a professional qualification that entitles you to study) is sufficient if you have acquired it at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction.

In concrete terms, this means that you do not have to submit additional proof of German if you

• have obtained your Abitur at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad,
• are a graduate of a bilingual secondary school in Germany or abroad and have passed a bilingual German examination, such as the AbiBac or the Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureat (GIB) or
• you graduated from a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country regarding the recognition of your school-leaving certificate or language certificate as proof of language proficiency for university studies in Germany.

A complete list of foreign school-leaving qualifications and language certificates that are recognized as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the website of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Laender (KMK) in the Federal Republic of Germany.

If you have already completed a German-language degree at a German university, this can also count as proof of German language proficiency - but only if the diploma supplement, transcript of records or degree certificate clearly states that German was the sole language of instruction and examination.

If, on the other hand, you did not obtain your higher education or master's entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction, you must provide proof of German language proficiency at least at DSH-2 level. This corresponds to CEFR level C1.

Only the following certificates are accepted in accordance with the KIT admission and enrollment regulations:

• passed German section of the Feststellungspruefung (assessment test)
• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with overall result DSH-2
• passed Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) with level 4 in all four parts of the exam
• German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - second level (DSD II)
• Goethe certificate C1 or higher
• passed telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule exam
• Austrian Language Diploma C1 or higher

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.

What if I cannot provide suitable C1 proof of German at the time of application?

If you are unable to provide any of the C1 certificates listed above demonstrating your German language skills by the application deadline, you may still be admitted if you can provisionally demonstrate at least B1 language proficiency. Proof of B1 level is provided by a recognized language certificate or other certification from a language or other educational institution that clearly shows that B1 level has been achieved.

But please don't forget: you still have to submit the C1 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 a recognized language test.

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

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.

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.

Weitere Ansprechpersonen:

• KIT-Fakultät für Mathematik
• Fachstudienberatung
• Vorsitzender des Prüfungsausschusses
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Fachschaft Mathematik Informatik

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