Overview This two-year, English-taught Master of Science programme in Applied and Engineering Physics is an advanced, international graduate degree delivered by the School of Natural Sciences. It builds on the Department of Physics’s active research environment to introduce students to contemporary trends and developments across modern physics. Research strengths feeding into the programme include particle detectors, the science of light, nanoscience, soft matter, applied solid-state physics, medical engineering, and energy sciences.
Curriculum and research training The curriculum emphasises specialised coursework closely tied to current departmental research—special courses mirror ongoing projects and discoveries. Students can broaden their studies with electives from informatics, chemistry, and electrical or mechanical engineering, reflecting the programme’s interdisciplinary opportunities. The first two semesters are focused on advanced lectures, laboratory practicals and seminars; the second year is a research-intensive phase in which students join a research group within the Department of Physics or at affiliated institutes to carry out and write up their master’s thesis.
Why this location matters The programme is based at TUM’s Campus Garching, strategically positioned alongside several Max Planck Institutes and other prominent research centres, giving students easy access to cutting-edge facilities and collaborative projects. Graduates are awarded the Master of Science degree in Physics (Applied and Engineering Physics) from TUM upon successful completion.
Key facts and programme structure
This two-year Master's is structured into a first year of advanced coursework and a second year dedicated to independent research. The first year builds a solid, interdisciplinary foundation through advanced theoretical and applied modules, laboratory work and transferable-skill training. The second year is research-focused: you join a research group full-time to carry out a supervised project culminating in a written Master's thesis and an oral defence (colloquium).
Key modules in the taught year cover core theoretical physics, a broad selection of special topics, and hands-on experimental training, supplemented by soft-skills training and carefully chosen electives from mathematics, computer science, chemistry and engineering. In the research year you take part in a Master's seminar and research-methods/project-planning training while working on your thesis. From the start of the programme every student is assigned a mentor to help define a personal study plan and research focus, and academic counsellors are available for additional support.
What you will learn: advanced theoretical concepts and methods in physics; specialist knowledge from elective special courses; experimental techniques and laboratory methodology; scientific communication (seminars and thesis writing); research design, methodology and project planning; and how to carry out and defend an independent research project within a research team.
Requirements / curriculum components
This master's programme requires a completed Bachelor's-level education in physics (or an internationally equivalent qualification). Admissions staff evaluate whether your previous studies provide the necessary foundation for the MSc; they pay particular attention to courses in theoretical physics, condensed matter physics, and nuclear & particle physics. Applicants with predominantly engineering degrees should be aware that those programmes typically do not meet the admission requirements.
Because degree structures and credit systems vary worldwide, you must supply detailed evidence of your coursework to allow a fair evaluation. One ECTS equals 30 hours of student work (in and outside the classroom); how your credits convert will depend on your home university's credit definitions. To avoid misunderstandings, attach course descriptions or syllabi for the classes you took when you submit your application. For full application procedures and prerequisite details, consult: https://academics.nat.tum.de/msc/ph/bewerbung
Admission requirements (summary)
Winter Semester (International)
31 May 2026
Summer Semester (International)
30 November 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
31 May 2026
Summer Semester (EU/EEA)
30 November 2026
Graduates are well prepared for research careers, including direct progression to PhD programmes or combined Master–PhD tracks, particularly within universities, Max Planck Institutes and other research centres. The programme’s emphasis on joining research groups and completing a substantial Master’s thesis gives strong preparation for roles in experimental and theoretical research.
Outside academia, alumni can pursue R&D and engineering positions in industries such as medical technology, semiconductors, photonics, energy systems and materials science, as well as roles in data analysis, technical consulting and development engineering. The interdisciplinary electives and lab training support transitions into applied industrial research and development roles.
Friedrich Schiller University Jena — Jena
University of Göttingen — Göttingen
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz — Mainz
University of Regensburg — Regensburg