Max Planck School of Photonics

MSc in Photon Science and Technology

The Max Planck School of Photonics (MPSP) is a top-tier interdisciplinary graduate school in Germany that provides an integrated MSc and PhD program (2-year MSc + 3-year PhD) in Photonics for excellent graduates from all over the world. We are not a single university, but a network of top universities and research institutions across Germany. Therefore, we combine the knowledge of the best researchers and offer our students a unique graduate school experience.

The "Study Phase" - Our M.Sc. Program

During the "study phase", MPSP candidates undergo the full-time master's program in Photon Science and Technology at one of the three internationally recognized universities within the Max Planck School of Photonics network:

• Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen (FAU)
• Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena (FSU)
• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

Our teaching universities are world heavyweights of academic and science-related education, as well as epicenters of photonics research.

Besides the university courses, study phase candidates also participate in courses aimed at the development and advancement of scientific and social skills via e-learning or workshops, such as practical laboratory skills training or scientific writing seminars.

At all three locations, our study phase candidates can decide between courses on a wide range of topics in the field of photonics and thus convey profound theoretical knowledge and practical training as a foundation for their first research projects or even become an expert in a specific research field.

Towards the end of the two-year master’s program, the MPSP study phase candidates carry out an internship at one of the network institutes and write their master's thesis. The master's thesis is written under the supervision of one of the scientists within the MPSP network (so-called "Fellows"). Fellows also assist the PhD candidates in identifying potential research topics for the subsequent research phase of the program.

Spring and Autumn Schools

The MPSP organizes spring and autumn schools in which all PhD candidates from different locations get to know each other and exchange experiences and research ideas. We provide different expert and soft skill courses to prepare the PhD candidates for their research and their professional lives.  Moreover, spring and autumn schools aim to connect the study phase candidates with MPSP Fellows who match their research interests and could act as PhD supervisors. All study phase candidates are encouraged to conduct their curricular internships and master theses at the various locations within the MPSP network.

Our three teaching universities

Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen (FAU)

Erlangen is a university city located in northern Bavaria, close to Nuremberg. The Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is Bavaria's second-largest university with around 40,000 students.

The city has a long tradition in optics research and teaching and is home to the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light.

Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena (FSU)

Known as the "City of Light," Jena is a center for optics and photonics in Thuringia. The Friedrich Schiller University Jena hosts about 17,000 students and is one of Germany’s oldest universities.

Nestled along the Saale River and surrounded by scenic limestone slopes, Jena offers both academic excellence and space for many outdoor activities.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

Karlsruhe, known as the “Residence of Law,” is home to Germany’s Federal Court of Justice and the Federal Constitutional Court. It is also the location of the renowned Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).

KIT is part of the Helmholtz Association and was named Germany’s top university for engineering and natural sciences in 2024, educating over 22,000 students.