FAQs

Application process | Application requirements | FAU rules | Jobs | Max Planck School of Photonics

Yes, all documents (such as degrees, transcripts of record)  must be officially recognised.

At the time of matriculation (September / October) you will be required to provide the originals of all documents (both in the original language and in an official translation if the originals are not in German or English). Please note: This requirement has been suspended for July – September 2022 matriculation period due to the pandemic.

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 the recognition of document are the following:

  • University
  • Embassy
  • Notary
  • Certified translator

Yes, this is possible. Many applicants are still in the fifth semester of their bachelor’s degree at the time of the application. They can apply with the latest transcript of records which shows all courses they have completed along with the grades achieved.

If admitted, however, they will have to have completed the bachelor’s degree at the time of the 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.

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.

In the first stage of the the application process documents do not have to be officially recognised.
If you are to proceed to the second stage, however, it will be necessary to submit officially recognised documents. At the time of matriculation (September / October) you will be required to provide the originals of all documents (in the original language and in an official translation if the originals are not in German or English).

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 German) the High School Diploma might be accepted if it certifies sufficient English language skills.

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

A bachelor’s degree in physics or a relevant engineering subject qualifies to apply for a place in 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 diverse backgrounds have also been admitted, however. The list below contains some of 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

No, there are no tuition fees. All students have to pay is around 120 € per semester for Student Services. More information on the costs of living can be found here.

A FAU card is necessary in order to use services at FAU such as the student canteen or the copy machines.

Please note: the FAU card is not (!) the student ID, although it looks more offical than the actual student ID. The student ID can be downloaded from the Campo platform.

At German universities it is (in most cases) not necessary to register for a course before the semester. Students simply attend the first session which is announced in the Campo catalogue. They can decide to leave the course at any time (unless they have committed to an assignment such as a presentation, in which case they must talk to the lecturer in advance).

In certain cases (lab courses, special seminars) the number of participants is limited and registration is necessary. This requirement will be announced in the online catalogue. In the absence of such an announcement, students hould simply join the first session of the course.

Registerion is required for the exams, however. This is possible about six weeks after the start of the course.

Many MAOT students work as research assistants at the university or other research institutes (Max Planck, Fraunhofer). Most students who search for a job are able to find one. The search usually takes one to three months. This depends on open positions, students‘ prior qualification and sometimes just a bit of luck.

Finding a job? Students should apply to potential supervisors. Lecturers sometimes announce open positions during classes. You also find open positions on the websites of the institutes, sometimes in the form general remark such as „we are always looking for competent students interested in working  with us, so please contact us”. Unsolicited applications are also welcome at the various institutes. The best point of contact for this are the group leaders at each institute (mostly post-docs or senior PhD students) whom you can find on the websites.

Applications should include a brief (!) CV (1-2 pages), a transcript of prior education and a short description (maximum 3-4 paragraphs) of how you believe your qualifications / interests match the institute’s research field. Further documents should only be sent on request. If a supervisor is interested in you they will invite you for an interview.

Contracts usually comprise 6-12 hours per week, but can be up to 19 hours. The hourly rate is curently (July 2022) 11.45 € for students with a Bachelor degree.

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.
  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 like any other with the same chances of 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 currently meet the requirements for MPSP you can still apply for a place on the MAOT programme. You can apply to MPSP after graduation from MAOT provided that you graduate with very good results.

Note:

Do I have to submit officially recognised copies of my documents?
Yes, all documents (such as degrees, transcripts of record)  must be officially recognised. At the time of matriculation (September / October) you will be required to provide the originals of all documents (both in the original language and in an official translation if the originals are not in German or English). Please note: This requirement has been suspended for July – September 2022 matriculation period due to the pandemic.
Who can officially recognise documents?
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 the recognition of document are the following: University Embassy Notary Certified translator
Can I apply if I have not yet completed my bachelor’s degree?
Yes, this is possible. Many applicants are still in the fifth semester of their bachelor’s degree at the time of the application. They can apply with the latest transcript of records which shows all courses they have completed along with the grades achieved. If admitted, however, they will have to have completed the bachelor’s degree at the time of the 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.
Do I have to provide proof of German 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.
Do I have to submit officially recognised copies of my documents?
In the first stage of the the application process documents do not have to be officially recognised. If you are to proceed to the second stage, however, it will be necessary to submit officially recognised documents. At the time of matriculation (September / October) you will be required to provide the originals of all documents (in the original language and in an official translation if the originals are not in German or English).
What English language skills are required?
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 German) the High School Diploma might be accepted if it certifies sufficient English language skills.
What grades are expected?
Applicants‘ grades should be equivalent to the German ‚good‘. Grades from countries outside Germany will be considered on the basis of publicly accessible information on the grading standard in the respective country. If applicants can provide official information on the grading system in their country or at their university this will be duly considered.
Which bachelor’s degrees are accepted?
A bachelor’s degree in physics or a relevant engineering subject qualifies to apply for a place in 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 diverse backgrounds have also been admitted, however. The list below contains some of 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
Are there tuition fees?
No, there are no tuition fees. All students have to pay is around 120 € per semester for Student Services. More information on the costs of living can be found here.
Obtainig the FAU card?
A FAU card is necessary in order to use services at FAU such as the student canteen or the copy machines. Please note: the FAU card is not (!) the student ID, although it looks more offical than the actual student ID. The student ID can be downloaded from the Campo platform.
Registration for courses
At German universities it is (in most cases) not necessary to register for a course before the semester. Students simply attend the first session which is announced in the Campo catalogue. They can decide to leave the course at any time (unless they have committed to an assignment such as a presentation, in which case they must talk to the lecturer in advance). In certain cases (lab courses, special seminars) the number of participants is limited and registration is necessary. This requirement will be announced in the online catalogue. In the absence of such an announcement, students hould simply join the first session of the course. Registerion is required for the exams, however. This is possible about six weeks after the start of the course.
Finding a job at the university
Many MAOT students work as research assistants at the university or other research institutes (Max Planck, Fraunhofer). Most students who search for a job are able to find one. The search usually takes one to three months. This depends on open positions, students‘ prior qualification and sometimes just a bit of luck. Finding a job? Students should apply to potential supervisors. Lecturers sometimes announce open positions during classes. You also find open positions on the websites of the institutes, sometimes in the form general remark such as „we are always looking for competent students interested in working  with us, so please contact us”. Unsolicited applications are also welcome at the various institutes. The best point of contact for this are the group leaders at each institute (mostly post-docs or senior PhD students) whom you can find on the websites. Applications should include a brief (!) CV (1-2 pages), a transcript of prior education and a short description (maximum 3-4 paragraphs) of how you believe your qualifications / interests match the institute’s research field. Further documents should only be sent on request. If a supervisor is interested in you they will invite you for an interview. Contracts usually comprise 6-12 hours per week, but can be up to 19 hours. The hourly rate is curently (July 2022) 11.45 € for students with a Bachelor degree.
Should I apply to MAOT or the Max Planck School of Photonics?
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. 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. If you are rejected by MPSP you can still apply to MAOT. You will not be automatically rejected but your application will be evaluated like any other with the same chances of admission. Please note that you still have to follow the MAOT application procedures. Your MPSP application cannot be simply forwarded. If you do not feel you currently meet the requirements for MPSP you can still apply for a place on the MAOT programme. You can 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. The deadlines may vary (from year to year). Check the websites.