In the one-year English-language master’s course of study International Physics Studies Program (IPSP), you will acquire in-depth specialised training in modern areas of experimental or theoretical physics. The master’s course of study is research-oriented, with the research phase filling the main part of the programme. In physics elective lectures you can specialise in a current area of physics. You complete the programme with an independent research thesis, the 23-week master’s thesis.

For this one-year English-language master’s course of study, you need a bachelor’s degree in physics with a duration of study of four years (240 credit points). In addition, you must demonstrate sound knowledge in experimental physics in the fields of “Solid state physics” and “Soft matter” as well as in theoretical physics in the fields of “Quantum mechanics” and “Statistical physics” to the extent of at least five credit points (ECTS) each.

enlarge the image: Pattern formation through entropically driven self-assembly of actin
Pattern formation through entropically driven self-assembly of actin, Photo: Fritz Spukti, Leipzig University

In our commitment to diversity, we welcome people of all backgrounds and cultures. We are particularly proud of the fact that more than 1500 students from 38 countries are currently studying in our German and international courses. For an international faculty like ours, diversity and inclusion are important resources for incorporating multifaceted approaches and ways of thinking into innovative teaching and research. We are therefore committed to cosmopolitan coexistence, where everyone is welcome regardless of origin, gender and religion.

Information on the Course of Study

Find out more about the requirements, contents and application for the course of study as well as the career prospects after the study here:

Master IPSP

Additional Information on the Application

You obtained your first university degree in Germany and would like to apply for the IPSP master’s course of study? Then please apply via AlmaWeb and submit the following documents in addition by e-mail or by mail to the dean of our faculty:

  • Application for evaluation of admission requirements (informal letter or email)

  • Transcript of records/certificate of a first professional degree in physics with a duration of four years (240 ECTS credit points), which demonstrates sound knowledge in experimental physics in the subject areas “Solid state physics” and “Soft matter” as well as in theoretical physics in the subject areas “Quantum mechanics” and “Statistical physics” with a minimum of five credit points each

  • Short curriculum vitae in tabular form

  • Proof of knowledge of the English language at the level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (or equivalent)

If you apply for a start in a winter semester, please submit these documents by 1 September of the same year. If you apply for a start in a summer semester, please submit these documents by 1 February of the same year.

The master's admissions committee uses these documents to check whether you meet the requirements for the admission to the master's course of study. You will receive a written notification about this, which you should submit to the Studierendensekretariat with the other documents for your enrolment.

Please apply via AlmaWeb by 15 September of each year for the winter semester and by 15 March of each year for the summer semester.

You obtained your first university degree abroad? In this case, please apply directly via uni-assist e.V.. Please apply for a winter semester by 31 May of the same year and for a summer semester by 31 December of the previous year.

Structure of the Course of Study

The master’s course of study IPSP is divided into the specialisation phase of 15 CP and the research phase of 45 CP.

  Modules
1st Sem. Electives (15 CP) 12-PHY-MFS
Research Practice (15 CP)
2nd Sem. Master's Thesis (30 CP)

In the research phase, you will be guided in a selected specialised field to work on issues relating to current national and international research. In the second semester, the focus is on the master's thesis. You can also do this in cooperation with domestic or foreign companies, universities or research institutions.

Electives

In the first semester, you complete modules with a total of 15 CP for in-depth specialisation in the physis elective area. Modules that you have already completed in the bachelor's course of study are excluded.

You can choose from the experimental physics and theoretical physics modules listed below. You can also attend an advanced seminar with five CP.

You can also take the bachelor's modules mentioned below if the knowledge imparted there is necessary for taking the master's modules.

Please note that not all modules can be offered once a year. You can find the current offer can be found in our course catalogue.

Sem. Module No. Module Title CP
1 12-PHY-MWPE1 Advanced Solid State Physics 10
1 12-PHY-MWPASM Advanced Soft Matter and Biological Physics 10

1

12-PHY-MWPSUM2

Superconductivity II

5

1

12-PHY-MWPSUM3

Laboratory Superconductivity and Magnetism

5

1

12-PHY-MWPIOM6

Magnetism

5

1

12-PHY-MWPSEF1

X-ray Techniques

5

1

12-PHY-MWPHLP3

Semiconductor Physics II: Semiconductor Devices

5

1

12-PHY-MWPHLP5

Laboratory Work in Semiconductors II

5

1

12-PHY-MWPHLP6

Semiconductor Physics III: Semiconductor Optics (Moduldauer 2 Semester)

5

1

12-PHY-MWPAMR1

Magnetic Resonance and Imaging in Soft-Matter

5

1

12-PHY-MWPMQ3

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Laboratory

5

1

12-PHY-MWPMQ4

Electronic Spin Resonance Laboratory

5

1

12-PHY-MWPKP1

Nuclear Physics

5

1

12-PHY-MWPXT2

Particle Physics

5

1

12-PHY-MWPQT2

Quantum Technology 2

5

1

12-PHY-MWPQT3

Quantum Technology 3

5

1

12-PHY-MWPMON3

Active Matter Physics

5

1

12-PHY-MWPGFP

Physics of Nanoporous Materials

5

1

12-PHY-MWPEMSP

Single-Molecule Spectroscopy

5

1

12-PHY-MWPM1

Cellular Biophysics

5

1

12-PHY-MWPM3

Experimental Methods in Biophysics

5

1

12-PHY-MWPPOC1

Physics of Cancer I

5

1

12-PHY-MWPPOC2

Physics of Cancer II

5

Sem. Module No. Module Title CP
1 12-PHY-MWPT1 Advanced Quantum Mechanics 10
1 12-PHY-MWPT2 Advanced Solid State Physics 10

1

12-PHY-MWPTKS1

Stochastic Processes in Physics, Biology and Earth Sciences

10

1

12-PHY-MWPTKS2

Non-linear Dynamics and Pattern Formation

10

1

12-PHY-MWPTKS3

Practical Course: Complex Systems

5

1

12-PHY-MWPTKM3

Theory of Soft and Bio Matter

10

1

12-PHY-MWPTKM4

Practical Course: Condensed Matter Theory

5

1 12-PHY-MWPCQM1 Practical Course: Quantum Theory of Condensed Matter 5

1

12-PHY-MWPQFG1

General Relativity

10

1

12-PHY-MWPQFG2

Cosmology

10

1

12-PHY-MWPQFG3

Quantum Field Theory on Curved Space Times

10

1

12-PHY-MWPQFG6

Practical Course: Quantum Field Theory and Gravity

5

1

12-PHY-MWPTET4

Relativistic Quantum Field Theory

10

1

12-PHY-MWPSTP1

Quantum Field Theory of Many-Particle Systems

10

1

12-PHY-MWPSTP2

Statistical Mechanics of Deep Learning

10

1

12-PHY-MWPTKM5

Practical Course: Quantum Statistical Physics

5

1

12-PHY-MWPMMP1

Black Holes

10

1

12-PHY-MWPXT1

Group Theory and Its Applications in Physics

10

Sem. Module No. Module Title CP
1 12-PHY-MWPSKM Specialised Topics of Solid State Physics 5
1 12-PHY-MWPSWM Specialised Topics of Soft Matter Physics 5
1 12-PHY-MWPSTP Specialised Topics of Theoretical Physics 5
1 12-PHY-MWPSMP Specialised Topics of Theoretical and Mathematical Physics 5


In advanced seminars, the focus is not only on imparting specialist knowledge, but also on developing and improving methodological skills. These are literature research, presentation skills and academic writing. You choose a module from the following compulsory elective modules.

In each semester, aspects of current topics from the research areas of our departments are studied in the main seminars. Possible topics include: surface physics, magnetism and superconductors, biological physics, cell mechanics, molecular nanotechnology, quantum optics, quantum field theory, gravity, condensed matter theory, quantum theory of condensed matter, quantum statistical physics, complex systems and complex quantum systems.

Sem. Module No. Module Title CP
1 12-PHY-BW3MO1 Introduction to Photonics I 5
1 12-PHY-BMWMO2 Introduction to Polymer Physics 5
1 12-PHY-BW3CS1 Introduction to Computer Simulation I 5
1 12-PHY-BMWEMB Experimental Methods of Biophysics 5
1 12-PHY-BW3HL1 Semiconductor Physics I 10
1 12-PHY-BW3HL2 Laboratory Work in Semiconductors I 5
1 12-PHY-BMWOFP1 Surface Physics, Nanostructures and Thin Films 5
1 12-PHY-BMWIOM2 Plasma Physics, Thin Film Deposition and Characterisation 5
1 12-PHY-BMWIOM3 Microstructural Characterisation 5
1 12-PHY-BMWQMAT Quantum Matter 5
1 12-PHY-BW3QN1 Quantum Physics of Nanostructures 5
1 12-PHY-BMWQT1 Quantum Technology 1 5
1 12-PHY-BMWQTPR Quantum Technology – Lab Course 5
1 12-PHY-BW3MQ1 Spin Resonance I 5
1 12-PHY-BMWSUM Fundamentals of Magnetism 5
1 12-PHY-BW3SU1 Superconductivity I 5
1 12-PHY-BW3XAS1 Stellar Physics 5
1 12-PHY-BMWXAS2 Stellar Physics Laboratory 5
1 12-PHY-BMWXAS3 Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology 5
1 12-PHY-BMWXAS4 Extragalactic Astronomy Laboratory 5
1 12-PHY-BMWBNE1 Action Competence for Sustainable Development – Fundamental Module 10