What you can expect in our master's program

The interdisciplinary master's degree program in Optics & Photonics covers the most important fields of application of optical technologies in addition to in-depth engineering and scientific fundamentals. It is part of the "Karlsruhe School of Optics and Photonics" (KSOP), which also offers a corresponding doctoral program. Admission is open to graduates from various disciplines. To compensate for the differences in the subjects of origin, there are adaptation courses with topics from the bachelor's program. If you have already studied photonics and would like to focus on optical technologies, this master's degree program is the right choice for you. The language of instruction is English and the student body is international. Therefore, in addition to scientific curiosity, intercultural openness is also important in this degree program.

Program structure

The curriculum consists of a compulsory area, a compulsory elective area, a professional internship and the Master's thesis.

The compulsory subjects comprise 62 credit points (according to ECTS). Within the subjects, you have options at module level, depending on the subjects. The following compulsory subjects must be taken:

• Engineering Optics & Photonics (8 CP)
  
• Physical Optics & Photonics (8 CP)
  
• Advanced Optics & Photonics - Theory and Materials (8 CP)
  
• Advanced Optics & Photonics - Methods and Components (10 CP)
  
• Adjustment Courses (8 CP)
  
• Optics & Photonics Lab (10 CP)
  
• Seminar Course (4 CP)
  
• Interdisciplinary Qualifications (6 CP)
  

In the compulsory elective area, you choose a specialization worth 16 CP. You choose one of the following options:

• Specialization - Photonic Materials and Devices
  
• Specialization - Quantum Optics & Spectroscopy
• Specialization - Biomedical Photonics
• Specialization - Optical Systems
• Specialization - Solar Energy

The modules available for selection and the subject assignment can be found in the module handbook.

Sample study plan

Internship

During the master's degree program, you are required to complete an internship of at least eight weeks. You apply to suitable companies or public institutions for this. A report is written about the internship and a short presentation is given. A particularly suitable period for the internship is between the end of the 2nd and the beginning of the 3rd semester; a later date is also possible. The internship is worth 12 CP.

Master's thesis

The degree program concludes with a master's thesis (30 CP). The master's thesis should demonstrate that you are able to work on a problem from your field of study independently and within a limited period of time using scientific methods. The maximum processing time for the master's thesis is 6 months. You can choose the topic from the range of subjects offered by one of the institutes involved in teaching Optics & Photonics. You may also choose a topic from your internship or seminar course.

Characteristic features of Optics and Photonics M.Sc. at KIT

• international orientation through English-language teaching and students from all over the world
  
• future-oriented topics such as solar energy, new materials....
  
• integrated into current research and industrial applications
  
• highly interdisciplinary
  
• small degree program with good supervision and networking
  
• semester abroad possible without loss at partner universities of the EUROPHOTONICS program
  
• good career opportunities through industry partners, internships and KSOP doctoral program
  

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

Admission requirements for the master's degree program in Optics and Photonics are based on the current admission regulations:

• bachelor's degree
  a bachelor's degree or at least an equivalent degree in one of the following degree programs:
  • Optics & Photonics
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Biology
  • Mathematics
  • Mechatronics and Computer Science
  or a related degree program with essentially the same content with a standard period of study of at least three years and a minimum number of 180 ECTS credits.
• minimum knowledge and minimum achievements in the following areas:
  • Mathematics: 12 credit points
  • Physics: 12 credit points
• subject-related aptitude
  in addition to the above-mentioned admission requirements, the selection commission will assess your academic aptitude in a two-stage process. You must receive at least 105 points to prove your aptitude.
  1st stage:
  In the 1st stage, you must receive at least 70 points in order to receive an invitation to the second stage. The following points are awarded:
  • overall grade of the academic degree: max. 80 points
  • outstanding grade in mathematics: max. 5 points
  • university achievements in Optics and Photonics: max. 10 points
  • letter of motivation: max. 10 points
  • letter of recommendation from a professional supervisor: max. 10 points
  2nd stage:
  an interview is now conducted. The dates are usually announced two weeks before the interview and you will be invited in good time. The interview lasts approx. 30 minutes. You will receive points as follows:
  • presentation and discussion of an activity related to the subject Optics & Photonics: max. 20 points
  • extracurricular achievements related to the subject: max. 10 points
  • intercultural skills: max. 5 points

Language requirements and certificates

For the master's degree program in Optics & Photonics, 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.

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:

• Karlsruhe School of Optics and Photonics
• Academic advisor

Teaching calendar

Course catalog

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