What you can expect in our master's program

In the master's degree program in Physics at KIT, you benefit from numerous elective options and can expand the basic scientific qualifications in experimental and theoretical physics acquired in the bachelor's degree program to create an individual competence profile. The close contact with research both in the university and large-scale research area is reflected in research-oriented teaching. The standard period of study is 4 semesters, during which you will acquire 120 ECTS credit points.

You begin to develop your profile in the first year of study by choosing a variety of modules within the framework of your Major in physics. You choose modules from the following range of topics:

• Condensed Matter
• Nanophysics
• Optics and Photonics
• Experimental Particle and Astroparticle Physics, Cosmology
• Theoretical Particle Physics
• Condensed Matter Theory

In your compulsory Second Major and your Minor, you will deepen your knowledge of further sub-disciplines from the above-mentioned subject areas, such as

• Solid-State Optics
• Nanotechnology
• Quantum Information
• Methods of Data Analysis
• Accelerator Physics
• Supersymmetry
• suitable courses from Geophysics or Meteorology and Climate Physics

The Non-Physics Elective with courses from the disciplines of mathematics, chemistry, electrical engineering and information technology, mechanical engineering, computer science or economics also contributes to your profile development in the master's degree program in Physics at KIT. You can find more information in the module handbook. You will also complete an Advanced Physics Laboratory Course and acquire Interdisciplinary Qualifications (e.g. language courses, courses offered by the House of Competence).

In the second year of study, you will prepare for the final master's thesis with the module Introduction to Scientific Methods and a specialization phase.

You can start the program in the winter and summer semesters, although we recommend that applicants with a bachelor's degree from institutions other than KIT start in the winter 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.

For the master's degree program in Physics, there is a German-French double master's program with the Université Grenoble Alpes and the École Nationale Supérieure de Physique, Électronique, Matériaux.

Further information can be obtained from the contact persons responsible for stays abroad at the KIT Department or at the 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 paper. The master's thesis takes 6 months to complete. You can start it as soon as you have completed the Specialization Phase and Introduction to Scientific Methods modules, which are worth 30 credit points. Upon request, the master's thesis can also be completed at a company or at another KIT Department.

With a master's degree in physics, you can start your career in a variety of fields, e.g. in university and industrial research and development, in data analysis and process optimization, as well as in program and hardware development, management consulting, the insurance industry or in the patent system. A scientific career, starting with a doctorate, is also a possible career path that you can take after the master's program.

Characteristic features of Physics M.Sc. at KIT

• curriculum based on an exceptionally broad range of scientific topics that can be tailored to personal interests
  

• research focus: Particle and Astroparticle Physics, Quantum Materials and Systems, Optics and Photonics, Geophysics as well as Meteorology and Climate Physics
  

• large variety in non-physical electives (natural sciences, engineering, computer science or economics)
  

• a combination of university education and research at large-scale facilities that is unique in Germany in terms of quality
  

• integration into the Eucor university network enables participation in courses at the universities of Freiburg, Basel, Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse
  

• possibility of a Franco-German double master's degree with the Université Grenoble Alpes and the École Nationale Supérieure de Physique, Électronique, Matériaux
  

• support of future doctoral candidates: Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS)
  

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 Physics are based on the current admission regulations:

• bachelor's degree
  a completed bachelor's degree or at least an equivalent degree in Physics or a related degree course with essentially the same content at a university, university of applied sciences or university of cooperative education or at 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 credit points (CP) in accordance with ECTS
• minimum knowledge and minimum achievements in the subjects
  • Theoretical Physics (Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Physics) amounting to at least 32 ECTS credits
  • Experimental Physics (Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Optics, Thermodynamics, Atomic Physics, Molecular Physics, Nuclear Physics, Solid State Physics) amounting to at least 32 ECTS credits
  • Physics lab courses worth at least 18 ECTS credits
  Other courses can be recognized if they are equivalent.
  If you are missing up to 10 ECTS credits in the above-mentioned subjects, you can still be admitted on condition that you successfully complete the missing credits in addition to the current version of the study plan. Proof of the credits earned must be provided by the end of the second semester at the latest. Any conditions will be determined by the selection commission and communicated to you in your letter of admission.
  If you are applying with fewer than 82 ECTS credits in Theoretical Physics, Experimental Physics and Physics lab courses, but at least 30 ECTS credits in Theoretical Physics, 30 ECTS credits in Experimental Physics and 15 ECTS credits in Physics lab courses, you have the opportunity to prove your knowledge in an interview in accordance with Section 6 of the admission regulations.
• Letter of motivation
  a letter of motivation (approx. 1000-3000 characters) in German or English, in which you explain your motivation for studying in the master's program in Physics at KIT
• 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 Physics or a related degree program with essentially the same content and that you are still entitled to an examination

Language requirements and certificates

For the master's degree program in Physics, you need a very good knowledge of English. Your English language skills must be 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 shows that you have taken English for at least five years up to graduation and your final 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
  • it shows that you were taught exclusively in English and the school confirms English as the sole and official language
    
• a university degree with English as the only 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
• a bachelor's thesis written in English
  

Otherwise, only the following English tests are accepted as proof of English proficiency:

• TOEFL with at least 90 points
• IELTS with an overall score of at least 6.5, no section below 5.5
• Cambridge Certificate C1 Advanced (CAE)
• Cambridge Certificate C2 Proficiency (CPE)
• UNIcert, at least level II

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 certificates than those listed may be accepted if you submit an application to 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
• 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