FAQs - Max Planck School of Photonics

The MPSP supports and educates students within its unique postgraduate program. It is distinguished due to its German-wide network of excellent Fellows who are scientists in the field of photonics and practice at universities, Max Planck Institutes, Fraunhofer Institutes, Leibniz Institutes and Helmholtz Research centers. Besides professional training, the MPSP aims to establish ties between students and excellent researchers in order to actively integrate the participants of the MPSP into the photonics network in Germany.

The overall aim of the program is to obtain your PhD whilst completing your master's degree on the way. The program is thus structured into two phases: a two-year study phase in which you obtain your master's and simultaneously lay the groundwork for your PhD, and a second, three-year research phase which is dedicated fully to your PhD project.
If you have previously completed a master’s degree in the field of phontoics, you may as well solely apply for the PhD program.

The purpose of the MPSP program is to provide a five-year program with the overall aim of obtaining a PhD. Notwithstanding the integrated study phase, the program is not envisaged solely for obtaining a master's degree without the intention of advancing to PhD research.

We accept up to 25 students into the study phase and variable but smaller amount of graduates into the research phase annually.

Yes, you can. You will be enrolled in our Joined degree program 'Master of Photon Science and Technology' combining the course catalog of the Photonics prorgammes of Jena, Erlangen and Karlsruhe. You may choose freely in which of these cities to live.

At which university you complete your PhD depends on your area of research and which institute your supervisor (Fellow) is associated with. Potential PhD research topics offered by our Fellows can be found here.

In your application for the research phase, please follow-up on the topics available and indicate up to three topics of your interest. Changes to the topics can be discussed with the respective Fellow during the interview. We will do our best to accommodate your preferences and will find you a suitable Fellow match.

Students that start the program in the study phase will have ample opportunity to figure out where their research interests lie and to identify potential PhD topics with the help of our Fellows.

The transfer from the study phase to the research phase is subject to the student's final marks in the study phase (master's degree), the availability of a MPSP-Fellow suitable for the supervision of the PhD project envisaged by you as well as a face-to-face interview with MPSP-Fellows towards the end of the study phase.

By the time of admission to the program, applicants must have completed a Bachelor's and/or Master's degree with significant exposure to physics, engineering or a related subject (B.Sc., B.Eng., or B.Tech. and M.Sc., M.Eng. or M.Tech.) depending on the program for which you are applying. More information on the required documents is available here (Study Phase) and here (Research Phase)

Yes, you can apply with a Transcript of Records (ToR) including the marks of all completed courses so far. However, if you are offered a place in the program, your final original ToR as well as your original degree certificates (including, if necessary, certified translations) will be required not later than by the start of the program.

Yes, solid knowledge of the English language is crucial for the successful participation in the MPSP program which is conducted entirely in English. Proof of proficiency in English can be provided by

• TOEFL, IELTS or an equivalent English test certifying at least B2 level
• Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE) exam or Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) exam
• German "Abitur" with comprehensive coverage of the English language.
• Statement from an academic examination office that you completed/are completing a previous degree program where the medium of instruction and examination was solely English.
• Language exemptions: nationals from the USA, U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or Canada, as well as B.Sc. or M.Sc. graduates who obtained their qualification in one of these countries, may upload a proof of nationality or a self-prepared PDF file explaining this circumstance in lieu of a language certificate.

We welcome applications from all countries around the world and your country of origin has no bearing on whether or not you are accepted to the MPSP. However, additional checks are required by the government during the visa process for people from embargoed countries, which may delay the visa process and in some cases may lead to a non-issuance of a visa. Unfortunately, we have no influence on this.
In addition, due to embargo policies there might also be restrictions on internships and PhD positions at some institutions for certain countries of origin and certain research topics. Please contact us if you have any questions in this regard (photonics@maxplanckschools.com).

You can check here on the page of the German customs if you come from an embargo country: List of embargoed countries

Applications can be submitted via an online platform during the application phase from September 1st to December 1st each year (for a start of studies in the fall of the next year). Applications can only be submitted during this time.

First, applicants are required to submit their online applications. Applicants who have been shortlisted will then be required to take an online test. In a last step, applicants that succeeded in the online test shall be interviewed via zoom. 

For more details see below, as well as on the application pages here (Study Phase) and here (Research Phase). 

The application process is explained in detail here (study phase) and here (research phase). It consists of three steps:

• Step 0: Register at the OpenCampus Portal for either study or research phase

• Step 1: Add the contact details of at least two referees and invite them to fill out a reference questionnaire. Doing this first will allow your referees more time to provide their references. You also have the option to upload letters of reference. However, the invitation-based reference is considered the default option and strongly recommended.

• Step 2 (study phase only): Fill in the application for a place at our teaching universities at campo.
  Applicants for the study phase will have to complete 2 different application forms:
  a) The application for a place at our teaching universities at campo, the application platform of the FAU Erlangen
  b) The application for the stipend and networking program of the MPSP on OpenCampus you started with steps 0 and 1 above
  
  Despite these applications being organisationally separated, the selection process is jointly conducted by the MPSP. The selection criteria for the Master’s program and for the MPSP are equivalent.
  
  In order to ease the process for our applicants, we implemented a way to transfer your data from application a) at campo to application b) at OpenCampus. Therefore, we recommend completing application a) first.
  
  After completing the application at campo, you are asked to agree to a data transfer to OpenCampus. If you do so, a UUID is generated which enables you to import to OpenCampus most of the data you entered.

• Step 3: Finish your Application at OpenCampus: Complete the application form by adding the required information and uploading the required documents. Click Save whenever you add any new content. You may revisit and modify your application at any time prior to final submission. Once the application is completed you submit it ("Submit Application").

Please make sure that you revised the application thoroughly before submitting. Your application is only considered complete if application and both letters of reference have been submitted before the corresponding deadline. After submission you will no longer be able to edit your application. Your submitted data will be available to view throughout the application process. Applications can only be submitted via the online platform within the indicated application period. Applications via email cannot be considered.

Campo is the application portal of the Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg. There you apply for the place in our study program "Master of Photon Science and Technology".

OpenCampus is the application portal of the Max Planck School of Photonics, where you apply for the MPSP's stipend and networking program.

In order to apply for the MPSP, you have to fill in the application forms at both portals. Despite these applications being organisationally separated, the selection process is jointly conducted by the MPSP. The selection criteria for the Master’s program and for the MPSP are equivalent.

The study program "Master of Photon Science and Technology" is a joint initiative hosted by the three universities of Jena, Erlangen and Karlsruhe, which is run by the MPSP. All MPSP students are enrolled in the "Master of Photon Science and Technology" program. Furthermore, the MPSP offers a stipend and a unique networking program.

• Study Phase: On your Dashboard at the study phase application portal, you enter contact details of at least 2 referees. You can at any time before the reference enquiry deadline at Dec 13 remind or change your referees.

• Research Phase: You enter the complete contact details once at the beginning of your application and click the "Submit to Send E-mails to referees" button. You cannot change your referees later.

Yes, until you finalize your submission you can change your application. After registering at the application portal, you need to enter contact information of your reference persons first. The application portal will then send out emails and invite them to provide feedback about you.

You will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt after completion of your online application. All applicants shall receive notice on the success of their application as soon as possible. Shortlisted applicants shall then also be provided with details regarding the next steps of the selection procedure. Final decisions shall be made by April next year.

Having a Master's degree is not an reason for exclusion in itself, be prepared though to explain your reasons for your decision to the selection committee.

It is not considered automatically. However, you are welcome to apply for both.

Yes, you can apply both for the study phase and the research phase. In this case, please write an email written to photonics@maxplanckschools.de mentioning both of your reference numbers, so we can connect your applications in our system.

We will get in contact with you. Because we receive so many applications, please refrain from sending additional e-mails.

The selection test for the study phase can be taken from any location with internet access. It is wide-ranging and comprises a catalogue of questions relating to fundamentals of mathematics, physics, and electrical engineering with a focus on optics. This means e.g. solving simple differential equations of harmonic oscillators, simple lens design considerations, calculating the equation of motion of a charged particle in an electric and/or magnetic field, calculating the frequency domain of a signal in the time domain via Fourier transformation etc.

The test must be taken within a specified time span. During the test, you will probably not have enough time to answer all the questions, so you might select the ones you feel most comfortable with first. You will receive more information about the test if you are invited.

The test for the research phase is more aimed at your personal abilities that are important for independent research. For example, you might have to review a paper yourself or develop an idea. The test must be taken within a specified time span. During the test, you will probably not have enough time to answer all the questions, so you might select the ones you feel most comfortable with first. You will receive more information about the test if you are invited.

Unless specified otherwise, all candidates applying for both the study phase and the research phase must provide the following documents:

Candidates applying for the study phase must provide a copy of their Bachelor's certificate. Candidates applying for the research phase must additionally provide a copy of their Master's certificate (so, Bachelor + Master certificate). If you have not yet finished your degree, you may apply with a preliminary Transcript of Records (ToR) including the marks of all completed courses so far. A brief description of the courses would be helpful.

Candidates applying for the study phase must provide a school leaving certificate with marks.

A comprehensive and up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV). Please list all stages of your education chronologically, as well as a clear statement as to your current status and/or occupation including information on (un-)employment or parental leave. Any prizes, scholarships or extraordinary social, cultural or sportive activities may also be listed.

A typewritten letter of motivation. The letter should not exceed 500 words and should describe your personal background, your interests and reasons for applying to the MPSP program. Candidates applying for the research phase should include their choice of research topics (for further details click here).

Contact information of at least two referees that will be contacted through our application portal in order to fill in a questionnaire about you. Letters of reference can also be uploaded. However, it is strongly recommend to use the invitation based process. For further details, check the FAQ.

A copy of your passport or ID card

Proof of English proficiency. (Please have a look at the Question "Am I required to submit a certificate of proficiency in English?" above)

Our strongly preferred way of receiving feedback from your reference person is through a questionnaire that is submitted by the MPSP application portal. When you register as an applicant, the first step in the application portal is to add the contact details of two referees who can attest to your research, academic, or professional abilities in the context of your interest in pursuing a graduate degree. Then you click the corresponding button and an email invitation will be sent, providing the Referees with all the necessary information to electronically fill out the reference questionnaire. We recommend that you personally contact the referee regarding your reference form before triggering the email invitation.

In some cases, email invitations may be directed to the spam folder of a referee's email account. Therefore, it may make sense to confirm with the respective referee that email invitation has arrived in the regular inbox.

However, you could also upload letters of recommendation in the application portal. Please make sure that each letter of recommendation is signed. If one or both referees prefer personalized recommendation letters, they should contain a date and an official letterhead/stamp from the higher education institution with which the referee is affiliated. Uploading those documents is not recommended since it can downgrade your application.

Research Phase

• You must complete this section and trigger the email invitation to your referees first to continue with your application.
• Inviting referees early gives them sufficient time to submit the reference forms before the deadline.
• At least two referees must be invited before you can submit your application.
• You will receive an email confirmation once a referee has submitted a questionnaire.
• Once referees have been contacted, their information cannot be modified.

Study Phase

• On your Dashboard, enter contact details of at least two referees.
• You can remind or change referees any time before the deadline of Dec 13.

You need two referees for your application. We cannot make any exceptions, please therefore ask another person feedback.

• Study Phase: On your Dashboard at the study phase application portal, you can at any time before the reference enquiry deadline at Dec 13 remind or change your referees. It is your responsibility to use these features for acquiring at least 2 references.
• Research Phase: We recommend that you personally contact the referee regarding your reference form before triggering the email invitation. It will not be possible to make any modifications or corrections to the information about your referees, once they have been contacted. In case a referee is not responding, you may send a personal message as reminder.

Please list all stages of your education in chronological order. The CV must contain a clear statement about your current status and/or occupation including information on current employment, unemployment, or parental leave. Any prizes, scholarships, extraordinary social, cultural or sportive activities may also be part of your CV.

It is the school certificate with which you gained qualification for admission to a university or another higher academic institution (e.g. the Abitur in Germany, International Baccalaureate, the graduation of a high school in the USA, the A-Levels in the UK, etc.).

If you do not have your final school leaving certificate yet: If you cannot submit a final certificate, you can also apply with an unofficial document or the most recent documents you have (e.g. transcript of records). Please explain this accordingly in your application and send the final documents to photonics@maxplanckschools.de as soon as you have them, even after the application deadline. Please note: You still have to submit an application to us in time (i.e. by December 1st 2020) via the application portal, even without final documents.

Please upload transcripts from all your degree-level studies. In fact, these documents are highly relevant for your application.

During the application process applicants for the research phase, you can identify up to five different research topics. If you start the program in the study phase you will be able to find an appropriate supervisor for internships and your Master's thesis during the course of the study.

During the study phase of the program, students receive generous stipends with a minimum of 1365€ gross per month from the Max Planck Society. During the research phase of the program, students are employed by the university or research institute of the respective MPSP-Fellow (the salary is granted according to the tariff agreement for the public civil service of the federal states (at least 75% of TV-L/TVöD E13) and is considarbly higher than the amount of the stipend granted during the study phase).

This depends on your location. Living expenses will tend to be slightly lower in Jena and Erlangen in comparison to Karlsruhe, especially in terms of rent. The universities estimate that students will need between 700€ and 800€ per month on average. 

Students are expected to arrange their own housing for the duration of the program. However, we are happy to help in finding appropriate accommodation in a student dormitory, or in a private or shared flat to rent. The scholarships or salaries you'll receive are easily enough to cover the living costs in Germany.

This depends on your country of origin. Students are responsible for checking their own visa requirements. For some guidance, see here for the Federal Foreign Office's FAQs on living in Germany. 

Please feel free to contact our coordination team at any time via email photonics@maxplanckschools.de. You are also welcome to ask questions via Social Media.

During the study phase of the program, students receive generous stipends with a minimum of 1365€ gross per month from the Max Planck Society.

All scholarship agreements are concluded between the student and the HR department at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Erlangen, regardless in which city the student is studying. However, students must be enrolled in the "Master of Photon Science and Technology" program in order to receive the scholarship payment.

The fees for students of the M.Sc. Photon Science and Technology apply for one semester and amount to the following for the current semester (winter semester 2025/26):

Administrative fee (KIT Karlsruhe)	€80.00
Student Services (Studierendenwerk) fee (KIT Karlsruhe)	€109.50
Student body contribution (KIT Karlsruhe)	€12.00
Student ID card (thoska) – FSU Jena	€20.00
Total	€221.50

Additionally, tuition fees of 1500 € per semester may apply for non-EU nationals.

Changes to the amount of all fees are possible until the start of the programme.

More information about the tuition fee here.

We would like everyone who finishes the study phase to move onto the research phase in order to obtain their PhD. There is no additional application or selection process, and the transition is part of the program. However, we cannot guarantee that there will be a Fellow with matching research interests, and we cannot oblige any of the Fellows to supervise/employ you. To make the process as smooth as possible, we offer all kinds of events/meetings/internship opportunities in order for you to get to know the MPSP Fellows and to establish contact to those who you could envisage as a PhD supervisor. You should keep this in mind when you attend the MSc program. Ideally, you would do your MSc thesis work in one of the MPSP Fellow’s labs and stay there for your PhD. If you finish the MSc program and cannot find a matching Fellow or your grades are insufficient, you will not be able to continue with the MPSP program. However, even if this happens it is not a tragedy, at there are many “regular” PhD positions in Germany for which you can apply in such a case.

No. See answer above.

The winter semester starts in October. However, the MPSP Autumn School usually takes place in September, before the official start of the university semester. If your circumstances permit, we would be delighted to welcome you to our Autumn School!

After being accepted for our program, we will provide you with information and contact adresses necessary for your arrival in Germany. This will also depend on which city (Jena, Erlangen or Karlsruhe) you choose to study in.

You have to move to Germany and we expect you to live near one of our teaching universities (Jena, Erlangen or Karlsruhe). All relevant lecture courses of the three universities will be available in hybrid mode, whereas the practical labwork will be organised locally or jointly.

During the research phase of the program, the PhD candidates are employed by the university or research institute of the respective MPSP Fellow (the salary is granted according to the tariff agreement for the public civil service of the federal states (at least 75% of TV-L/TVöD E13) and is considerably higher than the amount of the stipend granted during the study phase).

The MPSP provides funding for your PhD for 3 years. A substantial part of your salary (75% of TV-L/TVöD E13 at universities, 50% of TV-L/TVöD E13 at non-universitary research institutions) will be provided via MPSP funding. The actual amount of your salary is subject of personal negotiation with your PhD supervisor, who has to provide the remaining part.

The final interviews were conducted by a group of MPSP Fellows who were trying to determine whether you could be recommended for admission to the MPSP generally, independent of your field of expertise. After these more general interviews, the Fellow that had previously expressed an interest in your application will interview you again with more specific questions on your respective field and, depending on the outcome, may contact you shortly thereafter to offer you a position.