Department of Physics

Master of Science Astro and Particle Physics

Important facts

DegreeMaster of Science (M.Sc.)
Duration of the program4 semesters
StartingWinter and summer term
Admission restrictionno
RequirementsApplicants must have completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics (or a comparable undergraduate degree) with a German grade of 2.5 or better (or international equivalent). Proof must be provided of knowledge in areas relevant to astrophysics and particle physics (in particular theoretical physics, experimental physics, laboratory practicals).
Language of instructionEnglish
Minor subjectno
ApplicationAdmission website Master of the University
CostsTuition fees for international students and those seeking a second degree

Short descrpition of the study program

The focus of the master programme Astro and Particle Physics is put on a distinct quantitative approach as usual in physics, along with the acquisition of essential practical skills with respect to problem sets in the field of Astro and Particle Physics.

The Master Astro and Particle Physics is an international research-oriented two year program established by the Kepler-Center. This programme connects science from the fields of particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology and combines different disciplines in experimental and theoretical physics, astronomy and astrophysics. The education will be in English throughout which prepares the students for the increasing internationalization in industry and modern society.

Study program

 

* Participants select four of the eleven specialisation modules.
** The module APP301 should be taken from neighboring scientic fields. This includes advanced modules from the 4-year Bachelor study of Physics or other advanced modules from Mathematics. Choices from other fields are also possible but require a decision of the Exam Committee on an individual basis.

Career Options

  • Professional Qualifications: This master program is designed to prepare students for a research career in academia or industry by introducing advanced ideas and techniques that are applicable to a wide range of research areas and sectors including academia, industry, and education. Graduates receive a comprehensive education in experimental as well as theoretical physics with a practical section and they are well prepared for the duties in industry and in other research oriented institutions.

  • Further Opportunities: Under certain conditions, there is a possibility to undertake doctoral research in the Department of Physics. The KeplerCenter manages a coordinated PhD-programme with the topic: Particles, Fields and Messengers of the Universe with about 30 PhD students.

Requirements

The study program requires enthusiasm, curiosity, and a solid basic knowledge in physics.
Applicants must have completed a Bachelor of Science degree in physics or a similar degree with a grade 2.5 or better. Proof must be provided of knowledge in areas relevant to astrophysics and particle physics (in particular theoretical physics, experimental physics, laboratory practicals).
We expect broad interest in natural science as well as willingness to familiarize and work with complex scientific details, and to be able to scientifically communicate in English in written and oral form.
English is the language of instruction and examination in the degree program. The language knowledge requirement is level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Application Procedure

Students may join the M.Sc. Astro and Particle Physics program for the twice a year. Deadline for applications from abroad (Non-EU) is July 15 each year for the winter term and January 15 for the summer term. For applicants from within the EU, the deadline is September 15 and March 15 for the winter and summer term, respectively.

For further information, please visit:

www.uni-tuebingen.de/en/international/study-in-tuebingen/advice-and-counseling-for-international-students.html

Information on admission to studies (requirements, restrictions, necessary documents, application deadlines, etc.) is available via the Student Administration (zsbspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de) or the study coordinator of Astro and Particle Physics.

The application is to be submitted online via the central portal ALMA.

The program is free for EU citizens, please see the following page for information about tuition fees for international students: https://www.uni-tuebingen.de/en/study/organizing-your-studies/fees/tuition-fees/tuition-fees-for-international-students.html

If you have any questions regarding the Master program, please contact the study coordinator:
Christoph Schäfer (ch.schaeferspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de)
 

latest change of this webpage: 2025-04-29

Information for new students

 

Dear new students of the winter term 2025,

Welcome to Tübingen!

We will have an orientation meeting on the campus. We will meet on Thursday, 9 October 2025 at 2pm (ct, that is +15 min) in room “Seminarraum 1.034” in the “Verfügungsgebäude” (postal address is Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, see the information on ALMA).

Please consider to attend the orientation week for international students organized by the university, see https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/study/organizing-your-studies/orientation/ for more information.

 

The best starting point at your arrival with important information is https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/182071.

Helpful information about housing can be found on https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/224925.

If you have any problems, please contact me via email christoph.schaeferspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de (Christoph Schaefer).

 

 

 

Information concerning Master's Theses

In the 2nd year of the programme, our students work on their Master's theses in the workgroup of the respective supervisor.

Beforehand they have to apply for the admission of the Master's thesis using the following form

Application form "Admission to a Master's Thesis in Astro and Particle Physics"

If you intend to start your thesis, please fill out the form, let your supervisor sign it, sign it yourself and send it directly to the central examinations office (Ms. Sandra Grahl,  pruefungsamt.mathematik-physik <at> uni-tuebingen.de, post address https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/facilities/administration/iv-student-affairs/central-examinations-office/). 

 

The thesis has to include a declaration of originality such as

Hereby I confirm, ____________________________________, Matr. Nr. _________________, that this assignment is my own work and that I have only sought and used mentioned tools. I have clearly referenced in the text and the bibliography all sources used in the work (printed sources, internet or any other source), including verbatim citations or paraphrases. I am aware of the fact that plagiarism is an attempt to deceit which, in case of recurrence, can result in a loss of test authorization. Furthermore, I confirm that neither this work nor parts of it have been previously, or concurrently, used as an exam work – neither for other courses nor within other exam processes.

Place and date ______________________ Signature __________________

 

Available Theses

Here, we list some currently open theses. Please note, that this is not a complete list and if you are interested in a special topic, please contact the specific Professor directly.

 

Module Handbook

Here, you find the latest versions of the Module Handbook:

Module Handbook Master Astro and Particle Physics PO2017

Module Handbook Master Astro and Particle Physics PO2025

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question regarding the Master programme, please contact us either by email (Christoph Schaefer) or using the contact form below. We will collect and publish all FAQs here.

For more general questions about living in Tübingen, please do not hesitate to contact also the helpdesk for international students, see https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/182215. 

 

  1. Which lecture belongs to which module?
    On the last page of our Module Handbook, you will find a lecture-module-dependency table. Additionally, you can see in ALMA the link from the lecture/seminar/labwork to its module.
    Specific issues or prerequisites, not included in the table, can and shall be discussed with teachers. 
     
  2. How do I register for a course?
    All lectures and courses can be found on ALMA (https://alma.uni-tuebingen.de). However, for the MAPP course we do not use the registration feature of ALMA. Usually, our lecturers put the corresponding link on ILIAS on the ALMA page or share this information during the very first lecture. Additionally, the times of the lecturers may still change during the first week when courses are shifted by the lecturers in order to avoid as many time clashes as possible. If it happens that you want to participate in two courses which have a time clash, please contact one of the lecturers before via email and go to the first date of the other lecture in person.
     
  3. What is module APP104?
    Module APP104 consists of a lecture with 3 CP and the seminar "Modern Topics in Astronomy and Astrophysics" from the summer term or "Astro and Particle Physics/Seminar für Astro- und Teilchen-Physik " in the winter term with 3 CP. You can combine any 3 CP lecture from the lectures belonging to the elective modules with the seminar for this module.
     
  4. Which lectures/seminars can be used in APP401? (only relevant for PO2017)
    Module APP401 "Scientific Specialisation in Thesis Topic" requires 6 CP in PO2017. Any lecture from the elective lectures or any group seminar can be used for this module.
     
  5. Why are not all lectures available in this term?
    Most of the lectures from the elective modules are given once per year, not once per term. 
     
  6. Beginning in the summer term, which lecture do I attend: Astronomy & Astrophysics (APP101) or Particle Physics (APP102)?
    We advice you to start only one of the obligatory modules A&A and particle physics. You can decide which one based on your background and level of competence. If in doubt, please contact the lecturers and/or coordinators. 
    Consider that passing both course is necessary for officially starting the master thesis (see also below) and that PP is only available in the summer term.
     
  7. When should I attend the seminar for APP104?
    In your 2nd or 3rd term.
     
  8. When does the labwork APP103 take place?
    APP103 is during the term break. See the central webpage for the labwork here.
     
  9. Which courses have to be passed to officially begin with the master thesis?
    For PO2017: APP101, APP102, APP103, APP104, 18 CP out of the mandatory 24 CP from the elective modules.
    For PO2025: APP101, APP102, APP103, APP105, 18 CP out of the mandatory 24 CP from the elective modules.
     
  10. How to submit the master thesis?
    Please see the information in the Provisions (available here): Submit three bound copies to the examination office plus a digital version (pdf preferred) of the thesis via email to the examination office. See also the information on Theses.