Courses are taught entirely in English.
Beginning: Start in winter semester strongly recommended due to curriculum
Non-EU applicants: 1 March for the following winter semester and 1 September for the following summer semester
EU applicants: 15 July for the following winter semester and 15 January for the following summer semester
Apply here.
The worldwide renowned department of Physics of RWTH Aachen University, comprising of eleven institutes, offers an international Master's programme in physics held in English.
The programme provides the following:
RWTH Aachen University is a world renowned institution in the international community of particle physicists, both in theoretical and experimental fields. For instance, our institutes are involved in the CMS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Geneva, at which the last sought-after elementary particle of the standard model was discovered, the Higgs-Boson. Questions from astroparticle physics and cosmology are also answered through involvement in the AMS experiment on the International Space Station.
Research focuses in experimental solid-state physics are placed on quantum systems and the development of new materials. Here, we particularly profit from the collaboration with research groups at the nearby Forschungszentrum Jülich as part of the Jülich Aachen Research Alliance or JARA. Topics in the theory of condensed matter range from the study of electron systems to the research on quantum information.
The research groups in the Department of Physics have strong international networks. For this reason, the international experience of our graduates is very important to us. We happily support stays abroad. However, work with international research groups during Master's thesis also offers diverse opportunities for international experiences.
As a technical university, RWTH Aachen University offers many possibilities to get to know interdisciplinary topics in engineering. This is illustrated in the Master's specialisation field nanoelectronics, which is offered together with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology or the Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Technology are also collaborators.
Overall, the MSc Physics programme in Aachen offers graduates a great deal which prepares them outstandingly for later professional challenges in basic research or in industry.
Please find more information on our website.
The international Master's programme in Physics at RWTH Aachen University is an English-taught two-year programme. In the first year, students join lectures, seminars and lab courses. In the second year, students can do individual research projects.
The international Master's course structure is organised along seven different tracks:
1) Experimental Particle Physics
2) Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology
3) Quantum Field Theory and Gauge Theories
4) Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
5) Nanoelectronics
6) Quantum Technology
7) Condensed Matter Theory
Each track implies several mandatory courses as well as elective courses. The elective courses can be chosen from various specialisation courses offered by the physics faculty and researchers at the research centre in Jülich as well as elective courses from other related Master's programmes. An overview of these courses is available in the course module catalogue (see here).
Subsidiary subjects
Courses from other Master's degree programmes can be selected to broaden your study profile. Examples include aerospace technology, astronomy, biomedical engineering, biophysics, chemistry, computer science, geophysics, laser technology, mathematics, patent law, philosophy, technical acoustics, and material physics.
Laboratory courses and research projects
The laboratory courses take place in special laboratories of the Department of Physics, which offer excellent, up-to-date equipment. The courses in the first year of study provide the qualification for the research project in the second year. The results of this research project are presented in the Master's thesis.
The research project can be chosen from one of the current research fields of the Department of Physics, the Forschungszentrum Jülich, or of another institute of RWTH Aachen University. Please find an overview of the department's research activities here.
RWTH Aachen University offers many exchange programmes with other universities.
Mandatory internship in one of the research groups of the department as preparation for the Master's thesis
The RWTH Aachen University’s semester fee of approx. 300 EUR is a student body and social contribution fee that every student must pay each semester in order to stay enrolled as an active student. It includes, among other benefits, a "semester ticket" covering free access to local public transportation within Germany ("Deutschlandticket").
The average cost of living, including food, accommodation, personal and social expenses, and study-related costs, is estimated to be at least 1,000 EUR per month. A detailed calculation can be found here.
Informations regarding financial matters and funding opportunities are listed here.
These must be equivalent to the courses in the Bachelor's programme in Physics at RWTH Aachen University. If your submitted documents do not prove sufficient qualification in these fields, your application may be refused or you may be admitted to the Master's degree programme with the condition of having to take courses from the Bachelor's programme in Physics at RWTH Aachen University.
The English-taught Master's programme in Physics requires proficiency in English (oral and written) in order to understand lectures, textbooks, and manuals. English is also necessary for participation in laboratory projects, industrial internships, and examinations. Proficiency in English must be proven by one of the following certificates that can be found here.
Non-EU applicants: 1 March for the following winter semester and 1 September for the following summer semester
EU applicants: 15 July for the following winter semester and 15 January for the following summer semester
Apply here.
Please use the official online application portal of RWTH Aachen University and submit your electronic application.
With 260 institutes, nine faculties and three Clusters of Excellence, RWTH Aachen University is one of Europe's leading institutions for science and research. Currently, more than 45,000 students are enrolled in 174 courses of study. Of these students, more than 14,000 are international students. RWTH Aachen is well-known for its state-of-the-art education that tackles some of the world’s most pressing global challenges. Our graduates are highly sought after by businesses and industry as trainees and for executive positions.
The student city of Aachen is a vibrant and historic place located at the border triangle of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. Aachen was a favoured residence of Charlemagne. After the departure of the Romans from this region, Charlemagne finally managed to forge the lion’s share of Europe into something that resembled an administrative unity, with Aachen as the beating heart of the empire. The "Rathaus" (city hall) and "Dom" (cathedral) bear witness to this earliest Carolingian building history. During your time in Aachen, you will have the opportunity to discover the city, its history and its most important sights. Moreover, you will experience student life at one of Europe's leading technical universities and become part of the international student community. There is no better place to encounter European culture while challenging yourself in our programmes.
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