Physics (Applied and Engineering Physics)

The Master’s degree program gives an insight into current research trends in modern applied physics. Possible areas for specialization within the Master's program are: 

• Applied solid state physics – including topics such as magnetism, semiconductor physics,applied superconductivity, spin electronics
• Energy sciences – including topics such as fuel cells, energy conversion, reactor physics and nuclear technology, nonlinear dynamics and complex systems, renewable energy.
• Experimental techniques and numerical methods – including topics such as physics with neutrons, modern x-ray physics, advanced materials analysis with synchroton radiation, magnetic measurement methods.
• High energy physics – including topics such as particle detectors, particle physics with highest energy particle colliders, computational physics, data analysis and Monte Carlo methods.
• Medical engineering – including topics such as image processing in physics, biomedical physics.
• Nanosciences – including topics such as nanosystems, nanomaterials, nanostructured soft materials, surface and nanoscale science.
• Plasma physics – including topics such as plasma physics, fusion research, kinetic plasma physics, magneto hydrodynamics, turbulence in neutral fluids and plasmas.
• Soft matter science – including topics such as polymer physics, nanostructured soft materials.
• Science of light – including topics such as quantum optics, ultrafast physics and attosecond science, various light sources from infrared to X-rays, optoelectronics, ultra cold quantum gases. 

For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the degree program documentation:

• Degree program documentation for the master's program in Physics (Applied and Engineering Physics) (PDF, German)

The Master's program is divided in a course phase of advanced studies in the first two semesters and a research phase in the second year.

During the advanced studies students chose modules from the theoretical physics catalog and a number of special courses from the comprehensive offer. These special courses deal with selected topics of modern physics and reach the frontiers of actual research. Here the diversity of the research activities of our Physics Department is visible and accessible to the students. A student seminar, the advanced lab course and the non-physics elective courses, which give an insight into related sciences of the student's choice complete the profile. A mentor supports students in choosing the courses.

The research phase brings the students directly in contact with current topics of research in physics. After a period of vocational adjustment (Master's seminar and Master's training, 3rd semester) students work on their own research project for the Master's thesis. An intense supervision during the whole research phase is assured by the large number of senior scientists at the campus Garching and students benefit from the excellent research environment with a broad national and international research network.

• Overview Degree Structure

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient English language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your English language skills.

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies. Be sure to take a look at the services of our Language Center.  

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is English.

• Information on exams
• Information on studying abroad

The tuition fees for international students from third countries for this degree program are 6,000 euros per semester.

Many international students can have their fees waived or receive scholarships to finance them. You can find all information on waivers and scholarships here.

Please note: The semester fee as a contribution to the student union must be paid additionally. It varies depending on where you are studying. You can find all information on the semester fee here.

Minimum requirements to apply for a Master's program at TUM are a recognized undergraduate degree (e.g. a bachelor’s) and the successful completion of the aptitude assessment procedure. Aptitude assessment allows the TUM school or department to which you are applying the opportunity to evaluate your individual talents and motivation for study.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents.

If you receive an offer of admission, you will additionally have to submit individual documents as notarized hardcopies by post to be enrolled.

Generally, applicants with a qualification for postgraduate studies (e.g. a bachelor’s) obtained outside of the EU / EEA must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist.

In detail:

• Applying for a master’s program: Application, admission requirements and more 
• Important information about your application from the TUM school

• Degree Certificate and Diploma or Subject and Grade Transcript of Studies to Date
• Transcript of Records
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• Letter of Motivation
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) if the qualification for graduate studies (e.g. a bachelor’s) was obtained outside the EU/EEA (from winter semester 2025/26: outside Germany)

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents. 

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Degree Certificate and Diploma (certified copy)
• Transcript of Records (certified copy)
• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Digital notification of your health insurance status from a German public health insurance provider (requested by applicant)

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin. After accepting an offer of admission in TUMonline, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to TUM in hardcopy for enrollment.

Application period for winter semester: 01.01. – 31.05.
Application period for summer semester: 01.09. – 30.11.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents. Please be aware that we can only process your application if you upload all required documents within the application period.

We will review your application as soon as it is complete. Please check your TUMonline account regularly, to see if we have any queries to your documents or if you have to amend one or more documents.

After receiving admission, you will see in TUMonline which documents you have to submit for enrollment, and in which form. Please note that you always have to send the signed application for enrollment and all notarized hardcopies by post.

We recommend that you submit the documents for enrollment as soon as possible after receiving admission. If individual documents are not available by then, you can submit them up to 5 weeks after the start of the lecture period. You will, however, only be enrolled once we have received all documents.

You can check the status of your application at any time in your TUMonline account.

The minimum requirements for a Master's degree at TUM are a first recognized university degree (e.g. a Bachelor's degree) and the successful completion of the aptitude assessment process. In this process, the School assesses your individual aptitude and motivation for the respective degree program.

In detail:

• Aptitude Assessment for Master
• The aptitude assessment procedure for the degree program Physics (Applied and Engineering Physics) (PDF 278 KB)