Physics, M.Sc.
Physics deals with the study of inorganic nature. It provides the fundamental science for other natural sciences and numerous engineering sciences. Two typical and complementary aspects characterize its access to the understanding of nature: On the one hand, natural phenomena are quantitatively analyzed in experiments; on the other hand, the observed laws are formulated in mathematical "language". From these models ("theory"), further projections are made in a wider field of application and are re-examined in experiments. If the models are confirmed, "natural laws" are deduced. If phenomena are found that are not contained in the theory, more comprehensive models must be sought. This explains the division of physics into theoretical physics and experimental physics, which also applies to the main research areas of the Institutes of Physics and Nuclear Physics at Mainz University: Atomic physics, physics of condensed matter, physics of the atmosphere (meteorology), nuclear physics, and particle physics. Mainz offers a particularly wide range of research opportunities, supported by large instruments on site and several research institutes, e.g. various Max-Planck Institutes. Accordingly, there is a broad spectrum of lectures that are directly associated with modern research.
Programme facts
| Degree | Master of Science (M.Sc.) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 semesters, 120 ECTS |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Study mode | Full-Time |
| Start | Summer semester, winter semester |
| Application | Directly to the university, winter semester until 01.09, summer semester until 01.03 |
| Admission | No admission restriction: every eligible applicant is admitted |
| Tuition fee | €0 per semester for international students |
| Semester contribution | €322.18 per semester |
What the tuition fee consists of
Will I get in
Every applicant who meets the formal requirements is admitted — but places can run out before the deadline, so apply at the start of the window.
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 two year Master’s degree program is strongly oriented towards research on the “frontier of knowledge” and places an emphasis on practical training. In Mainz, our programs in Physics include the following subject areas that many of our research groups contribute to:
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- Quantum and atomic physics
- Hadron and nuclear physics
- Particle and astroparticle physics
- Condensed matter physics
In the first year of the Master’s program, students can select from a wide range of courses in both theoretical and experimental fields. Our goal is to provide students with room for flexibility in the Master’s degree program, allowing them to determine the focus of their studies. The second year is reserved for a comprehensive research project that is completed with the Master’s thesis. This is when – with the assistance of their supervisors – students determine their chosen field of research. Although not obligatory, it makes sense if the topic corresponds to the student’s selected specialist lectures.
During the course of the Master’s program, students will be integrated into one of more than fifty different scientific groups and will work at the forefront of science. They will also have the chance to participate in international research or work in international university laboratories. During the course of their research, students will work with state-of-the-art equipment and work in cooperation with other academics in their field. Students will be assisted and advised by a supervisor as well as an experienced member of the research group. On top of mathematical abilities, students will acquire soft skills such as cooperativeness, problem solving skills, as well as writing and presentation techniques.
Since the beginning of the winter term 2016/2017 all courses belonging to this Master's degree program are exclusively held in English.
What you study
The consecutive courses consist of a 6-semester bachelor's and a 4-semester's master’s program with exams. The study phases are completed by Bachelor and Master theses in the scientific working groups.
The full curriculum and the programme's parameters are part of programme selection: we compare them with your profile.
Pick programmesCareer
According to the character of physics as basic science, physicists are “generalists”. Your professional field is therefore characterized by a large breadth. Physicists work among other things in the electro-technical and chemical industry, information and communication industry as well as car industry, in banks and management consultancies. In addition, there is state research and teaching in universities and large research institutes. At the moment it is still possible to start as a physics teacher.
Cost of study
| Tuition fee of the federal state (Rhineland-Palatinate), international students | €0 |
|---|---|
| Semester contribution | €322.18 |
Requirements and application
| Previous education | All courses in physics will be held in English from winter semester 2016/17. |
|---|---|
| Application | Directly to the university, winter semester until 01.09, summer semester until 01.03 |
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.
- 2Documents and translationsCertified translations of the certificate and transcript, an APS if required. 3–4 weeks.
- 3Application directly to the university until 01.03Send the documents well before the deadline — an incomplete application cannot be completed after it.
- 4Admission, 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?
When do I need to apply?
Don't postpone the application
The deadline is 01.03.2027 (138 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.