DTU-TUM 1:1 Master Program in Physics and Nanotechnology

Since 2006 DTU and TUM joined the European University Alliance, a contract between universities of excellence. Together the universities have developed a novel concept for English taught Master programs, where students spend one year at each university and obtain at the end the Master degree of their home institution.

The Quantum Optics Lab at DTU comprises equipment for the study of the quantum properties of light and of color centers in diamond. A unique collection of low-noise laser sources, non-linear optical systems, and quantum detectors are used to generate, control, and characterize non-classical states of light and matter and to implement quantum information protocols. Photo: Quantum Optics Lab / DTU

  • The DTU-TUM 1:1 is an intensive exchange program at Master level: it contains a workload of 120 ECTS credit points distributed over four semesters and all students spend one year at each university.
  • Tuition is in English and the program contains a workload of 120 ECTS credit points.
  • Students are enrolled either at TUM or at DTU and tuition fees have to be paid according to the existing regulations at the university of enrollment.
  • When staying at the partner university, students are registered as exchange students through the Erasmus+ program and shall receive the Erasmus+ grant from their home university for the stay abroad.
  • Graduates are entitled either Master of Science in Engineering in Physics and Nanotechnology at DTU or Master of Science in Physics (Applied and Engineering Physics) at TUM. Which diploma they obtain, depends on the university of enrollment.

This program aims at students with an above-average performance in their previous studies, which should correspond to one of the following:

  • a Bachelor's degree in physics obtained at TUM,
  • a Bachelor's degree in physics and nanotechnology obtained at DTU,
  • a relevant Bachelor's degree obtained at a Danish, German or an internationally recognized foreign university or
  • a degree obtained from a foreign institution of higher education which is equivalent to any of those specified above.

In particular, for admission as a TUM student the regular prerequisites for the Master program in Physics (Applied and Engineering Physics) have to be fulfilled.

Students enrolled at TUM

The students will follow an individual study plan, approved by both program coordinators at DTU and at TUM. The study plan will follow the guidelines described in this section.

    • Students will fulfill all regular requirements from the first year of the Master program in Physics (Applied and Engineering Physics) at TUM.
    • Students will spend year-two at DTU, where they will elaborate a 50 ECTS Master's thesis and take 10 ECTS of courses, selected from the list of courses from the Technological Specialization at DTU. For the Master's thesis, students will have to have as well a supervisor at TUM. Formally, students have an internal advisor at TUM and an external advisor at DTU. Grading at TUM is done by two professors; the grade is averaged over the written thesis and colloquium weighting 30 ECTS and 5 ECTS, respectively.

    • Students have to take the "Advanced Quantum Mechanics" course at DTU (course code 10112) and select courses for a total of 30 ECTS points from the list of the Technological Specialization Courseswithin the Master program Physics and Nanotechnology (see curriculum, appendix B). These courses are either related to the topics of Applied and Engineering Physics, Biophysics or Condensed Matter Physics. Students have to choose one project course and general competence courses to follow up to 60 credits in total. At least 10 ECTS should come from a complementary area to be defined in collaboration with the mentor at TUM.
    • In the second year students will elaborate the Master's thesis at TUM following the usual requirements, including the Master's seminar, Master's training and Master's colloquium.

    DTU courses available to TUM students

    Available courses are those belonging to the Technological Specialization. All courses are offered in English and are listed in DTU's Study Handbook. Minor revisions of the list take place every year before the fall term.

    If you are a TUM student or decide to enroll at TUM as a degree-seeking student, the application procedure consists of two parts: you have to apply both for the Master program in Physics (Applied and Engineering Physics) and for the exchange program. The latter runs together with our Erasmus+ application, being the application deadline every year around January 10.

    As described in our Erasmus+ application, besides the online application you also need to submit an electronic copy of the following documents (compiled as one PDF) to global.ph@nat.tum.de:

    • letter of motivation in English (min. one page, A4), please address the following points: why the 1:1 program, including your choice of courses as well as research interests, and why are you a good candidate for the program
    • draft of study plan (prior discusion with the academic advisor for internationalization is necessary)
    • curriculum vitae in English, including a photo, internships, language skills (e.g. A1-C2), social commitment (e.g. fellow program), hobbies, etc.
    • transcript of records (from TUMonline)
    • document certifying your English language skills (DAAD language test, TUM language course, Abitur certificate etc.)

    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 DTU

    The student will follow an individual study plan, approved by both program coordinators at DTU and at TUM. The study plan will follow the guidelines described on DTU's website on our 1:1 Master program.

    TUM courses available to DTU students

    DTU students may choose from special courses in physics. As a general rule, courses counting towards the specialization in Applied and Engineering Physics are taught in English, others have to be checked individually. This list is revised before the start of each winter semester.

    The application procedure for DTU students is described on DTU's website on our 1:1 Master program. After being selected by your home university and nominated as a 1:1 candidate at TUM, you may apply as an exchange student at TUM.