Dear students of the Master of Physics programme,
We are delighted to welcome you as a student of the Master of Physics programme at the Department of Physics.
To help you get off to a good start with your studies, we have compiled some important information for you. Please check the website for Students which will be updated regularly, so it is worth checking back here again shortly before the start of the semester.
Information
Visa
If you have to apply for a visa, please do so as soon as possible. Please check out the information provided by the German embassy in your country directly at German Missions Abroad. Note that visa applications might take a long time. Do not wait too long with the application as otherwise you might miss the beginning of the semester in Erlangen.
Tuition fees
The FAU will introduce tuition fees for international students from non-EU states. You do not have to pay any tuition fees (during the complete studies within one study program) if you enrol for the winter semester 2026/27. Note that tuition fees are different from semester fees for registration, which have to be paid by all students.
Information concerning tuition for those who first enroll in the summer semester 2027 or later.
FAU email address
Please note that most information will be sent to your FAU email address. Therefore, please make sure that you have access to your mails as soon as you get your FAU account.
StudOn group Study Service Center (SSC) Phyiscs
For all current study-related information, including contact persons, FAQs, booking advisory appointments, internships and seminars.
Download area
Documents such as examination regulations, documents relating to Bachelor’s and Master’s theses etc. are compiled on this website.
Start your study
Welcome events
The latest information on all introductory events will be available shortly beforehand here.
Late arrival
In case of a late arrival, please book a personal consultation appointments directly on the SSC Physics as soon as you have arrived in Erlangen. Note that consultation appointments are available for all students.
Important note: Students from non-EU countries who first enroll after the winter semester 2026/27 have to pay tuition fees: Information concerning tuition. It does not matter why you might not be able to start your studies or why you do not enroll in the winter term 2026/27.
Can I get a "letter of late arrival"?
Unfortunately, we cannot issue you with a late arrival letter if you are unable to start your studies at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg in time for the start of the semester.
Note that there is no deadline until which you have to start your studies in person. In principle, some courses might be studied (at least in the beginning) from abroad.
What can I do in case I won't be in Erlangen at the start of the semester (e.g. due to Visa delays)?
Please be aware that the start of the semester is not the same as the start of the lecture period – the latter starts about 2~3 weeks later, see semester dates. Furthermore, attendance of lectures is not obligatory. Hence, in principle, late arrival is not an obstacle to starting your degree program at the FAU.
If the delay gets too long, roughly 4 weeks after the beginning of the lecture period, it may be advisable to postpone starting the M.Sc. program to a later semester. In this case you have to reapply for the M.Sc. program. When doing so, please upload the “Zulassungsbescheid” (your note of admission to the M.Sc. program) and you are guaranteed to be accepted (in the next semester). Be aware though that if you postpone the start of the M.Sc. program to a later semester, you will need to apply for a new visa! Furthermore, please note that if you first enroll in the sumer term 2027 or later, you have to pay tuition fees.
Finally, please note that as soon as you are enrolled at the university you usually have to pay for the insurance – no matter whether you are in Erlangen or not.
Are there recordings of the lectures or other online materials?
There are no general rules concerning lectures being offered online or as recording, or which documents are made available by the lecturer. Please contact the lecturer of the courses you wish to attend to find out about online options and available study material.
Mandatory and information events for all M.Sc. Phyiscs Students
The Handout will always be updated shortly before the start of a semester.
- File Name
- Handout_Master_Physics_winter_term_2026-2027 – Updated
- File Size
- 262 KB
- File Type
Information about mandatory and important events with dates for
- First lectures of main courses
- Advanced Laboratory Course: Safety briefings and introductory event (German and English)
- Welcome Week for international students (centrally organized at FAU)
- Welcome Event Physics (Department of Physics)
- More useful information about Elective Courses, Seminar of physics and others
FAQ
There are no scholarships granted by the FAU.
Concerning financing your studies, please see
There might be many reasons why the registration does not work, e.g. the registration might not (yet) be open, the course might be full, registration might not be necessary at all, you might not fulfill all requirements, there might be technical reasons, etc
To find out: Please contact the lecturer of the course.
For any further questions please do not hesitate to contact the SSC Physics.
Contact: physik-ssc@fau.de
We try to answer all inquiries within 2 working days. We ask for your understanding if it takes a little longer in some cases. Please note that we may forward your e-mail to the relevant departments (Dean of Studies, Examination Board, Examination Office, Registrar’s Office, Student Advisory Service, etc.). If you do not wish your e-mail to be forwarded, please let us know.
Student association (Fachschaftsinitiative, FSI) Math/Physics/Data Science
