Study Engineering Physics in Germany

Students in the engineering physics field receive interdisciplinary training. Initially, physics is taught in its entire breadth. This includes learning about mechanics, thermodynamics, electrodynamics, and optics, as well as atomic, nuclear, and solid-state physics. You will also spend a lot of time with the minor subjects of mathematics, chemistry, and computer science.

With the comprehensive technical foundation acquired in this first study phase, students can then choose to specialise in various areas, depending on the specific degree programme and institution of higher education. Technical optics, laser technology, materials science, and simulation and micro computer technology are just a few of the areas you may choose to specialise in.

Bachelor’s degree programmes often take six to seven semesters and Master’s degree programmes three to four semesters. Regardless of the standard period of study, most courses of study include intensive practical units or project work – sometimes even an entire practical semester. For studying in the field of engineering physics, you should therefore above all bring joy and curiosity for the physical research areas and applications, but a creative approach to development and analytical thinking will also help you to successfully graduate. In addition, English-language skills are also advantageous, as some technical literature is only available in English or individual lectures are held in English.

Many degree programmes in the field of physical engineering are admission-free, i.e. you only need to provide your general or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification, a (technical) university of applied sciences entrance qualification or an equivalent. If you do not have these entrance qualifications, some higher education institutions also accept work experience in a field relevant to your studies as an admission requirement.

Some degree programmes are subject to admission restrictions. It is thus possible that, in addition to the higher education entrance qualification, you will have to meet a numerus clausus (NC), i.e. a minimum grade requirement, complete a pre-study internship or take part in some other admission procedure. If the degree programme is conducted entirely in English, you will also have to prove your English language skills.

By the way: If a pre-study internship is a prerequisite, but you have not yet had the opportunity to complete it, you don’t have to stress yourself out. Some higher education institutions also allow you to do an internship during your studies. Nevertheless, it is advisable to complete at least a large part of the internship before you start studying, as you will be confronted with new content and tasks during your studies.

If you choose to study at a public higher education institution, you can expect to pay semester contributions only. These contributions are used, for example, to pay for administration or the student union. Sometimes they also cover a ticket for local public transport or you can purchase a discounted ticket. Depending on where you study, this may be valid for the city, the region or even for all of Germany. Ask your higher education institution whether such an offer is currently available. You should also plan for expenses for books, excursions or lab work – but these are usually very manageable additional costs.

Tip: Although mostly there are no tuition fees at public higher education institutions, please note that exceptions can occur! If you are unsure whether your desired degree programme is subject to tuition fees, you can simply ask the respective higher education institution. Private higher education institutions usually charge tuition fees.

In addition to the costs of the studies themselves, you should also consider the costs of rent and living expenses. Rents vary depending on the city you want to study in. In large cities, housing is often scarce and expensive, while in smaller cities it is comparatively affordable. In any case, student halls of residence are usually your cheapest option. As soon as you have decided on where you want to study, you should start looking, as halls of residence can fill up quickly. Here, you can find information on local halls of residence and the respective application process for most cities. Living expenses include, for example, food, clothing and drugstore items. But hobbies, internet costs and health insurance contributions should also be taken into account.

To finance your studies in Germany, you should also find out about scholarships. There are many different scholarship programmes and excellent grades are not the only deciding factor. You can learn more about scholarships here and find suitable programmes directly on My GUIDE.

Graduates of engineering physics are generalists who can work in a broad spectrum of sectors, ranging from the automotive and electrical industries to the optical or even biotechnological industries. You can also find potential employers in the aerospace industry, bio and medical technologies or environmental and energy economics. You may find a role in which you are responsible for the design, calculation, construction, and commissioning of physical-technological instruments or the analysis and simulation of technical systems using mathematical models. You could also work on the development of new measurement, test, and manufacturing processes or find a job in technical marketing and sales or in project planning and management.

Since many of these sectors are very important for the economy and will remain important, you have very good career opportunities with a degree in engineering physics. A positive job market situation is also very likely in the future. As a result, entry-level graduates generally earn average to above-average salaries. Please note that your salary depends on the respective industry, the size of the company and your degree, among other things.