This international joint Master of Science is delivered collaboratively by three European universities and backed by a network of internationally recognised partner institutions. The curriculum concentrates on both experimental and theoretical particle physics while giving equal emphasis to the modern methods that drive research in the field.
Teaching is organised around three methodological pillars—machine learning and statistical data analysis; instrumentation and detector physics; and large-scale scientific computing and programming—each tied to one of the partner universities. Students progress together as a cohort, attending courses at the University of Clermont Auvergne in the first semester, TU Dortmund University in the second, and the University of Bologna in the third. The fourth semester is devoted to an individual Master’s thesis, which may be completed at any of the three universities or at one of the affiliated partner institutions.
This structure provides sustained mobility, close peer collaboration, and hands-on exposure to the computational, experimental and analytical techniques commonly used in particle-physics research and related industries—preparing graduates for advanced research roles or technically demanding positions in industry and research organisations.
This joint master’s curriculum is spread over four semesters and combines coursework, practical training and a research thesis across partner institutions. In the first three semesters students take roughly 30 ECTS each, delivered as lectures, seminars, laboratory courses and a dedicated spring/summer school. The final (fourth) semester is reserved for an independent research project culminating in the Master’s thesis, which can be carried out at any of the three universities or at one of the programme’s partner universities, laboratories or industry partners.
Course content is deliberately broad and integrated to build both theoretical understanding and hands‑on skills. In the first semester (University of Clermont Auvergne) students study quantum field theory and gauge theories, foundations of particle physics and the experimental Standard Model, together with programming, data analysis, statistics and artificial intelligence. The second semester (TU Dortmund University) covers model building in particle physics, practical aspects of measurements, detector systems (including medical physics applications) and includes the spring/summer school for concentrated training. The third semester (University of Bologna) advances theoretical and phenomenological topics (Advanced Standard Model, flavour physics), high‑energy physics computing, and provides preparation and orientation for scientific research and internships, plus introductions to potential thesis hosts.
Learning outcomes focus on producing graduates who can: apply quantum field theory and Standard Model concepts to current problems; design and interpret particle physics measurements; develop and use software tools for data analysis, statistics and AI in HEP contexts; understand detector technologies and their applications; and carry out independent research projects in academic or industrial environments. The programme also prepares students for mobility between partner institutions and for engaging with external research laboratories and companies when performing their master’s thesis.
Program structure and requirements (concise)
You must hold a first-cycle (Bachelor’s level) degree in Physics — as defined by the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) — or an internationally equivalent qualification. If your degree was awarded outside the EQF system, the programme’s Admissions Board will review your documents to determine whether it is equivalent.
In addition to subject-area equivalence, the degree must demonstrate a strong academic record: an overall or final grade at least at the ECTS level B. For international applicants this ECTS B threshold is mapped to several national grading systems to help interpretation.
Admission requirements (summary)
Winter Semester (International)
15 July 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
31 December 2026
Graduates are prepared for research careers in experimental and theoretical particle physics and for doctoral studies (PhD) at international universities and research centres. The programme’s strong training in detector technology, data analysis, machine learning and high-performance computing also makes graduates attractive to technology-focused industries.
Typical career paths include positions at national and international research laboratories (e.g. CERN), roles in detector development and instrumentation, data science and machine learning positions in industry, and further academic research leading to PhD programmes.
Friedrich Schiller University Jena — Jena
University of Göttingen — Göttingen
Technical University of Munich — München
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz — Mainz