Double Degree with Keio University

A unique cultural experience, which opens simultaneously the doors to two leading world markets, while providing graduate students with excellent competence in advanced science and technology.

Group of students at the Keio University. Photo: I. Groß / TUM

Our DD with Keio University is a three-year program, consisting of six semesters: TUM students spend two semester at TUM and four semesters at Keio; Keio students spend three to four semesters at TUM and two to three semesters at Keio.
Tuition is in English and Japanese or German language skills are very helpful for the everyday life in Japan or Germany, accordingly.
Once abroad, students are enrolled both at Keio and at TUM, but tuition fees have to be paid according to the existing regulations at the home university. At the partner university, the students have the degree-seeking student status and a semester fee may apply.
The host institution will render assistance to the incoming students in finding appropriate accommodation.
Graduates are entitled both degrees: Master of Science in one of the International Graduate Programs on Advanced Science and Technology at Keio and Master of Science in the Master's degree program in Physics (Applied and Engineering Physics) at TUM. TUM and Keio students with sufficient German language skills may choose a different Master program in physics at TUM.

For admission to the program, the prerequisites for:

the Master's degree programs in physics at TUM and
the International Graduate Programs on Advanced Science and Technology at the Keio University (DD candidates do not need to present TOEFL and/or GRE)

have to be fulfilled and the student has to be enrolled in one of both universities (i.e. home university).

Students enrolled at TUM

Students will follow an individual study plan, approved by both program coordinators at Keio and at TUM.

First year at TUM

The student must complete 60 ECTS points accordingly to the first year of the chosen Master program: 10 ECTS corresponding theoretical physics course to the specialization, 30 ECTS in special courses (at least 20 ECTS from the chosen specialization), 6 ECTS advanced lab course (at least 4 ECTS from the chosen specialization), 8 ECTS non-physics elective courses, 4 ECTS student seminar and 2 ECTS soft skills. The catalogs for non-physics elective courses, student seminars and soft skills are open catalogs and new courses may be included upon request of a student.

Second and third year at Keio

The students must complete 20 KC in Master courses (see curriculum) and in parallel do a short research stay in one of the groups in Keio University (independent study, 4 KRC). The students will become an official member of the School of Fundamental Science and Technology and conduct research under the supervision of a faculty member belonging to one of the centres of the school (see selection of advisor).

During their third year at Keio, TUM students will work on their Master's thesis (graduate research, 6 KRC) following the usual TUM requirements (one year of full-time work, including a written work and a colloquium presenting the final results). The students should produce one final thesis in English, common for both Master's degrees, with abstracts in English and Japanese, which shall be defined and supervised by professors at both institutions and presented at both institutions. The Master's thesis is registered and submitted in the same way regular TUM students do it.

Students have to stay enrolled at TUM during the whole double degree studies.

Finanzierungsmöglichkeiten

Research groups at Keio University

During the two years of your stay at Keio University, you will be affiliated to one of their research groups either in the Department of Physics or in the Department of Applied Physics and Physico-Informatics – both within the School of Fundamental Science and Technology. You can have a look at these research groups through Keio's staff profiles and make yourself an impression of the vast research possiblities that you have at our partner university.

If your home university is TUM and you are enrolled in a Master's degree program in physics, you can apply during your first semester of studies and it is possible to apply in parallel to TUMexchange Japan.

Internal application at TUM

The next possible application period is between October 17 and October 31, 2023.

Using your TUM e-mail address, please register in the online application portal
Please note your login address and password for post processing
Select the form Application for Erasmus+ SMS, Switzerland - SEMP Studies, Double Degree and Departmental Program
Please also submit an electronic copy of your application documents (compiled as one PDF) to global.ph@nat.tum.de
Around mid-November: confirmation/rejection to your e-mail address

Note: Please regularly check the e-mail account you used for your Double Degree application. Check all SPAM folders too, as serial e-mails are often sorted out.

Clarification of some application documents

Letter of motivation in English (min. one page, A4), addressing why you have chosen the DD program and why are you a good candidate for the program. Besides your intererest for Japan and its culture, you should make clear your reasons for choosing the Keio University, including your choice of courses and your prospective research plans in this institution (including possible advisors) - for this purpose, Keio's staff profiles or their yearly publication Emerging may be helpful (look for the staff in the Department of Physics or the Department of Applied Physics and Physico-Informatics, both in the School of Fundamental Science and Technology)
Draft of your study plan (see information for TUM students going to Keio)
Curriculum vitae in English, including a photo, internships, language skills (e.g. A1-C2), social commitment, hobbies etc.
Transcript of records (e.g. Leistungsnachweis from TUMonline)
English language skills certificate: DAAD language test, TUM language course, Abitur certificate etc.

External application at Keio

In case of successful application at TUM, you will be nominated for the Double Degree program and you have to apply at Keio University (see application) during their DD-Application Period II (February-March). Please have already a look at the required application documents, you need to start making preparations well in advance.

The application is only possible, if you have been nominated by us!

Do something nice for someone else - room ready for incomings

To support international exchange students in their accommodation search, TUM Global and Alumni has organized an accommodation exchange platform. Regular TUM students going abroad, can offer their rooms or apartments for sublet. You will find more information at website of TUM Global & Alumni Office. These offers only apply to incoming exchange students coming to TUM for 1 to 2 semesters.

Students enrolled at Keio

Students will follow an individual study plan, approved by both program coordinators at Keio and at TUM.

First semester at Keio

Students follow the first semester of the Master at Keio.

Second semester and second year at TUM

The student must complete 60 ECTS points accordingly to the first year of the Master program in Applied and Engineering Physics (AEP): 10 ECTS theory course, 30 ECTS in special courses (at least 20 ECTS from the AEP specialization), 6 ECTS advanced lab course (at least 4 ECTS from the AEP specialization), 8 ECTS non-physics elective courses, 4 ECTS student seminar and 2 ECTS soft skills. The catalogs for non-physics elective courses, student seminars and soft skills are open catalogs and new courses may be included upon request of a student.

The student will complete 30 ECTS points with extra courses and a short research stay, in a ratio agreed with the student's supervisor at Keio.

Third year at Keio or partly at TUM

Upon request, Keio students may extend their stay at TUM and write their Master's thesis at TUM. Otherwise, they would go back to Japan for their last year in the program.

During their third year, Keio students will complete 6 KRC in graduate research, following as well TUM requirements for the Master's thesis (one year of full-time work, including a written work and a colloquium presenting the final results). The students should produce one final thesis in English, common for both Master's degrees, with abstracts in English and Japanese, which shall be defined and supervised by professors at both institutions and presented at both institutions.

Students have to stay enrolled at TUM during this period, registering and submitting the Master's thesis in the same way regular TUM students do it.

If your home university is Keio, please contact the Office of Student Services (International) corresponding to the Faculty of Science and Technology.

After being selected by your home university and nominated as a Double Degree candidate at TUM, you may apply as a Double Degree student at TUM.