FAQs

MAOT is part of the Max Planck School of Photonics (MPSP). Students who join the MPSP with a bachelor’s degree take the MAOT or another master’s course (in Jena or Karlsruhe) during the MPSP qualification phase. The MAOT office is involved in the evaluation process for applications to MPSP. Admission to MPSP will also lead to admission to the MAOT programme. You can, however, also apply directly to MAOT. The application requirements are similar but not exactly the same.
  1. If you feel you meet the requirments for the MPSP school we recommend applying there as admission to MPSP includes a scholarship that MAOT cannot provide. You can name MAOT as your preferred master’s course for the MPSP qualification phase. This does not, however, guarantee you a place on the MAOT programme if you are admitted.
  2. If you are rejected by MPSP you can still apply to MAOT. You will not be automatically rejected but your application will be evaluated as any other application with the same chances for admission. Please note that you still have to follow the MAOT application procedures. Your MPSP application cannot be simply forwarded.
  3. If you do not feel you meet the requirements for MPSP at this time you can still apply for a place on the MAOT programme. You can still apply to MPSP after graduation from MAOT provided that you graduate with very good results.
Note:
  • If you are applying directly to MAOT follow our application procedure. If you are applying to MPSP follow the MPSP procedure if you apply to MPSP.
  • The deadlines may vary (from year to year). Check the websites.

Yes, this is possible. Many applicants are still in the fifth semester of their bachelor’s degree at the time of their application. They can apply with their latest transcript of records which shows all courses they have completed along with grades achieved. If admitted, however, you will have to have completed the bachelor’s degree at the time of matriculation (around September/October). In individual cases, the graduation documents for the completed course can be submitted up to one year after matriculation if not yet available. Contact the MAOT office.

A bachelor’s degree in physics or a relevant engineering subject qualifies you to apply for a place on the MAOT programme. The most common degrees held by our current students are physics, electrical engineering (including related programmes such as telecommunication) or an optics-related course. Students with very divers backgrounds have also been admitted, however. The list below contains the bachelor’s degrees previously completed by current students:
  • Avionics engineering
  • Biomedical engineering
  • Computer science
  • Vehicle technology
  • International production engineering
  • Nanotechnology
  • Life science engineering
  • Materials science
  • Mechatronics
  • Sustainable energy engineering
  • Thermal power engineering

If the previous university degree was completed in English it is not necessary to submit a further proof of your English language skills. Otherwise a certificate of TOEFL iBT with a minimum score of 85 points or an IELTS score of at least 5.0 must be provided. Your command of English during your telephone interview will also be taken into account. For German applicants (and „Bildungsinländer” – international students who completed their secondary education or a university degree in Germany) the High School Diploma might be accepted if it certifies sufficient English language skills.

International students must provide proof of German language skills at level A1, even if they study exclusively in English. This is intended to support their capability to study at a German university and to live in Germany. If this proof cannot be provided at the time of matriculation it may be submitted until one year after matriculation. The university offers courses to achieve the required level free of charge.

Your grades should be equivalent to the German ‚good‘. Grades from countries outside Germany of an applicant will be considered on the basis of publicly accessible information on the grading standard in the home country of issue. If applicants can provide official information on the grading system in their country or at their university this will be duly considered.

Please follow the directions at the application portal „Campo”.

There are a number of ways to have your documents recognised. It depends on the nature of the document with country-specific requirements applying in certain cases. The most common institutions for recognition of document are the following:
  • University
  • Embassy
  • Notary
  • Certified translator

No, there are no tuition fees. All you have to pay is around 115 € per semester for Student Services. More information on the costs of living can be found here.

We do not need letters of reference in the original document. Scans of the document are fine and can be submitted by the applicant or the referee. There is no template for letters of reference. The referees can write references in whatever format they choose.