Physics

Founded in 1999, the International Master of Science in Physics was established to offer students from foreign countries the opportunity to pursue their education at a top-tier university in Germany. The programme is taught entirely in English, and provides a balance between courses in general physics and a rich variety of elective lectures for specialisation. German students wishing to study in an international environment are welcome to join the programme.
Excellence in education and teaching is ensured by the experience with international study programmes at the university and a close connection to the research of the participating institutes. The focus of the programme is to provide a postgraduate education in physics and aim at students interested in pursuing a scientific career in research and industry. Outstanding graduates of the programme will have the opportunity to continue towards earning a PhD in Germany and many other countries without any further requirements.
The physics department at the University of Stuttgart and local Max Planck Institutes for Solid State Research and Intelligent Systems are well known for their outstanding scientific research on solid state physics, atom and quantum optics, photonics, soft matter physics, strongly correlated many-body systems, physical modelling, and numerical simulation. Its high-ranking international reputation and excellent facilities attract scientists from all over the world.

Educational organisation

The curriculum is divided into two parts. During the first and second semester, the lectures focus on a postgraduate education in general physics, lab courses, and seminars. Elective lectures allow for a specialisation and may be chosen from a rich variety of topics in different field of physics.
For the third and fourth semester, students concentrate on their Master's thesis. This research project is carried out in a physics institute at the university or any participating Max Planck institute. Students full integrate into the research activity of the institute, and their education then focuses on the skills required to perform state-of-the-art scientific research.

The Master's studies in physics include the following modules:
First year: Lectures, Lab-course and Seminars

• Advanced Experimental Physics (first semester)
• Advanced Quantum Theory (first semester)
• Seminar in Physics (first semester)
• Elective Lecture 1 (first and second semester)
• Advanced Physics Laboratory (first and second semester)
• Advanced Condensed Matter Physics (second semester)
• Advanced Seminar in Physics (second semester)
• Elective Lecture 2 (second semester)

Second year: One-Year Research Project

• Scientific Specialisation
• Practical Skills and Project Planning
• Master's thesis

For more details on the educational programme please have a look at: http://www.msc.physics.uni-stuttgart.de

Study abroad unit(s)

Recommended for German students who want to join collaborating partner universities.

Internships

Please check our website for more information.

Forms of assessment

• Lectures: oral exams, problem classes
• lab course: lab work, report, oral exam
• seminar: seminar talks,contribution to discussion

Course objectives

Graduates of the MSc Physics programme will have experienced a balanced but diverse period of postgraduate studies and will be qualified to find employment in a wide range of professions. They have excellent chances of starting a career worldwide. Not only do physics graduates find employment in universities or research laboratories but they are frequently found in computer companies, management consultancies, in the automotive industry or in the field of telecommunications. A qualified graduate of this programme will be entitled to continue to study towards a doctoral degree in physics at a German university without having to fulfil additional academic requirements.

Language requirements

Applicants must provide proof of their English skills:
TOEFL ibt: 80, cbt: 213, pbt: 550; IELTS: overall Band 6.0
Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE) or Cambridge Proficiency in English Certificate (CPE)
For international students without sufficient knowledge of the German language, the intensive German language course preceding the programme in September is mandatory.

Academic requirements

All applicants must provide:

• Bachelor's degree in physics, certified copies of both the BSc degree certificate and the transcript are needed
• official English test with sufficient score (TOEFL (institutional code: 0460): ibt: 80, cbt: 213, pbt: 550; IELTS: band 6.0)
• school leaving/university entrance certificate (certified copy)

Applicants from China, Mongolia, or Vietnam have to submit an APS certificate issued by the "Akademische Prüfstelle für chinesische Studienbewerber (APS)" at the corresponding German embassy.

Enrolment fees

Approx. 170 EUR per semester

Costs of living

To cover living expenses, you will need about 750 EUR per month. This is for rent (approx. 300-350 EUR), health insurance for non-EU residents (approx. 80 EUR), the semester ticket for public transport (190 EUR/six months), food (approx. 200 EUR), other incidental expenses and working materials (approx. 100 EUR).

Job opportunities

Owing to its location in the heart of one of Europe's largest high-tech regions, there are many opportunities to find employment. Nevertheless, please do not come to Germany expecting to be able to finance your entire studies by working. The study load is very high and it is not always easy to find a part-time job. Non-EU citizens are allowed by law to work for a maximum of 120 full days (240 half days) per year. Students who are employed by the university in one of the institutes or departments ("Studentische Hilfskräfte") are exempt from this regulation, but other restrictions apply. You are not allowed to work during the first year while attending a German language class in preparation for the test of German as a foreign language (TestDaF).

Funding opportunities within the university

A limited amount of fellowships are available for excellent students. The application procedure and deadlines are announced on our website.
http://www.msc.physics.uni-stuttgart.de/admission/fellowship/

Arrival support

A pick-up service is part of our welcome package. If you wish, you will be contacted before your departure, and if you arrive between 8am and 8pm, you will be met at Stuttgart airport or railway station and taken to your accommodation. Your host partner will also help you to deal with all formalities. This service is free of charge.

Services and support for international students

Cross-Cultural Mentoring Programme
The Office of International Affairs invites international degree students to sign up for the "Cross-Cultural Mentoring Programme". The programme is intended to ease initial challenges at the university as well as to offer study information, counselling services, subject-specific tutorials, courses, and activities during the whole study programme.
For further information, please contact: heidenreich@ia.uni-stuttgart.de.

The Welcoming Service
The Office of International Affairs offers a buddy programme in order to support you with all formalities at the beginning of your studies. For further information, please visit our website: http://www.ia.uni-stuttgart.de/internat/studierende/services/buddyprogramm/index.en.html.

Accommodation

Both campuses in Stuttgart-Vaihingen and in Stuttgart city centre have on-site halls of residence. Dorm rooms (ranging from 240-350 EUR per month) are furnished, some are equipped with a sink, and all have access to kitchen and sanitary facilities, telephone, and Internet. From the campus in Stuttgart-Vaihingen, the city of Stuttgart can be reached by suburban railway within 10 minutes. If you are under 30 years old and want to apply for a room in one of the student dormitories, please contact the student service:

Studentenwerk Stuttgart
Rosenbergstraße 18
70174 Stuttgart
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)7 11-9 57 44 70
Fax: +49 (0)7 11-9 57 44 50
E-mail: wohnen.sws@t-online.de
Internet: http://www.sws-internet.de