Optical Technologies, M.Sc.
Master's in Optical Technologies at Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany — an engineering-physics program spanning biophotonics, laser technology, optical metrology, and industrial optics, jointly delivered by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. The Laser Technology specialisation is directly supported by the affiliated Laser Zentrum Hannover. Unusually for a German technical master's, the program is available in both German and English tracks, making it accessible to international applicants without German proficiency.
Programme facts
| Degree | Master of Science (M.Sc.) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 semesters, 120 ECTS |
| Language of instruction | German, English |
| Required German | C1 |
| Required English | C1 |
| Study mode | Full-Time |
| Start | Winter semester, summer semester |
| Application | uni-assist (VPD) + the university, winter semester until 31.05, summer semester until 30.11 |
| Admission | Aptitude assessment: the university evaluates how well your previous education fits the programme |
| Tuition fee | €0 per semester for international students |
| Semester contribution | €434.91 per semester |
| Practical semester | Yes, mandatory |
What the tuition fee consists of
Will I get in
Admission goes through an aptitude assessment: the university checks how well the subjects, credits and grades of your previous education fit the programme. There is no fixed cut-off — the assessment is comparative.
- ✓Those with a bachelor's in physics, mechanical engineering, or energy technology who want to deepen their expertise specifically in optical and photonic systems rather than stay in a generalised engineering track.
- ✓Those who enjoy working at the intersection of precise measurement, light-based technology, and industrial application — comfortable with both theoretical derivation and hands-on experimental work.
- ✓Those drawn to high-demand specialisations: laser systems development, automotive lighting and sensor design, biophotonic instrumentation, or industrial quality control through optical metrology.
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- ✓Those who prefer a structured programme with a clear thematic menu — the five focus areas let you define your own emphasis — rather than a fully open research-first master's.
- ✓Those who value proximity to applied research institutes: direct access to the LZH and HOT means thesis projects and lab work can connect to real ongoing research and industry-facing projects.
- ✓Those who are comfortable self-directing their module selection across semesters, with significant freedom to shape the second semester elective portfolio around personal interests.
- —Bilingual programme, two distinct tracks — the German track and the English track have different module compositions; prospective students should confirm which track fits their language background and that their desired specialisation is accessible in their chosen track.
- —Admission involves a qualification assessment — acceptance is not automatic upon meeting minimum requirements; the university evaluates the subject profile and credit composition of the prior degree, meaning applicants with borderline or non-standard backgrounds may face additional scrutiny.
- —Non-EU applicants face an additional pre-assessment step — a preliminary documentation assessment is required before the main application can be submitted, adding lead time to the process.
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- —Hannover is a mid-sized German city with a reasonable cost of living by German standards, though students should budget for standard German student living costs (accommodation, public transport, health insurance).
- —The field has a genuine skilled-worker shortage in Germany and Europe, which creates strong graduate demand — but the programme is technically demanding, and the combination of physics depth and engineering breadth requires solid preparation from both directions.
How the selection works and how strong the competition is — we go through it against your certificate when we select programmes for you.
Programme selection →About the programme
The Master's in Optical Technologies at Leibniz Universität Hannover trains engineers and physicists to become specialists across the full breadth of the optical industry. The programme is jointly supported by both the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, creating a curriculum that deliberately bridges applied engineering and fundamental optics science.
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Students choose between a German-language track and an English-language track, both covering the same core thematic landscape but differing in module composition and integration sequence. Both tracks conclude with a 30-credit master's thesis.
Thematic architecture — the programme organises its elective and compulsory-elective modules around five application-driven focus areas: - Biophotonics — optical methods in life sciences and medical technology - Laser Technology — high-power and precision laser systems and processes - Optics in Production and Energy Technology — industrial optical systems, quality inspection, energy applications - Optical Metrology — sensor-based measurement systems, interferometry, precision sensing - Technical Optics and Vehicle Applications — optical design and lighting systems for automotive contexts
The programme structure allows students to concentrate their elective modules around one or two of these areas, aligning coursework with their intended thesis direction and career focus.
A mandatory practical phase (Praxissemester) is embedded in the curriculum, grounding students in industrial or research environments. The programme also encourages, though does not require, time abroad.
Research depth is supported through institutional partnerships with the Laser Zentrum Hannover (LZH) and the Hannoversches Zentrum für Optische Technologien (HOT), giving students access to working research environments in applied photonics and optical engineering. A Master's Lab module in the first semester offers early hands-on experimental experience before students specialise through elective coursework in the second semester.
The fourth and final semester is devoted entirely to the master's thesis — an independent research project supervised within one of the programme's affiliated research groups or industry partners.
What you study
German Track
Semester 1 - Foundations A — Physics (for Engineers): Coherent Optics (8 LP) — covers wave optics, interference, diffraction, and laser fundamentals; entry point for students from engineering backgrounds - Foundations B — Mechanical Engineering (for Physicists): Design of Optical Systems (5 LP) — introduces optical system construction and optomechanical integration for students coming from physics - Compulsory elective modules (5 LP total) — chosen from the thematic specialisation areas - Elective modules — Engineers: 11 LP; Physicists: 12 LP — free elective selection from the programme's thematic catalogue - Master's Lab (5 LP) — hands-on laboratory course introducing experimental methods in optical technologies
The full curriculum and the programme's parameters are part of programme selection: we compare them with your profile.
Pick programmesCareer
Graduates are positioned as specialists and future technical leads across the optical and photonic industries. Typical employment fields include:
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- Laser technology — development and application of industrial and medical laser systems
- Optical metrology and sensing — precision measurement systems, quality assurance, industrial inspection
- Biophotonics and medical technology — optical diagnostics, imaging systems, life science instrumentation
- Automotive optics — lighting systems, LiDAR, driver assistance sensor technology
- Production and energy technology — optical process control, solar energy systems, manufacturing quality systems
- Optical information technology — fibre optics, display technology, optical communication
The combination of engineering and physics competencies allows graduates to move between R&D roles, technical project management, and product development. Given the current shortage of skilled optical engineers in Germany, graduates entering this field face consistently strong demand.
Cost of study
| Tuition fee of the federal state (Lower Saxony), international students | €0 |
|---|---|
| Semester contribution | €434.91 |
Requirements and application
| Previous education | Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree (Bachelor of Science) in a qualifying subject area — typically physics, mechanical engineering, or energy technology — comprising at least 180 ECTS credits. |
|---|---|
| Language | German C1, English C1 — confirmed by a certificate when you apply |
| Application | uni-assist (VPD) + the university, winter semester until 31.05, summer semester until 30.11 |
The procedure and the set of documents depend on your certificate. We check the university's requirements against your documents and give you a list: what to submit, how to certify and translate it, where and when to apply.
Check the requirementsHow to get into this programme
- 1Check your certificate and its recognitionDirect admission, a year at a university at home, or Studienkolleg first — this decides the whole plan.
- 2German up to C1 and a certificateDSH or TestDaF has to be passed before you apply.
- 3Documents and translationsCertified translations of the certificate and transcript, an APS if required. 3–4 weeks.
- 4Application uni-assist (VPD) + the university until 30.11uni-assist checks documents for 4–6 weeks — send them well before the deadline.
- 5Admission, visa, movingPlan 2–3 months for the visa and the blocked account in parallel.
How to apply
You can submit the application yourself or with our help — the university decides on admission in both cases.
Applications go through the university's portal or uni-assist. Typical mistakes:
- ×incorrectly made certified copies and translations
- ×a wrong set of documents
- ×the application submitted the wrong way
- ×errors or gaps in the application form
- ×the application submitted at the wrong time — too early or too late
An incomplete or incorrectly prepared application is excluded from the selection — it can no longer be corrected after the deadline.
StudyInFocus does not represent the university and does not influence the admission decision. We do not sell study places and do not guarantee admission — this is a service for preparing and submitting documents on the applicant's side.
If your level is not enough yet
The two most common stoppers are a language level below the requirement and a certificate without direct admission. Both can be solved, but they take months — plan them now, not after a rejection.
Questions about this programme
How much does the programme cost?
What language level do I need?
When do I need to apply?
Don't postpone the application
The deadline is 30.11.2026 (47 days left). Language, translations and the document check take months, not weeks. In 30 minutes we will build a plan backwards from the deadline and tell you honestly whether you can make it.