What is the application deadline for the Scholarship Program?

All applicants for the Scholarship Program (EU and non-EU applicants):
1st of December (for the winter semester in the following year)

Important: The application portal will only open 3-4 weeks prior to the respective deadline stated above.

Please note: All courses start in winter semesters. Summer semester starts are not offered!

To be admitted to our M. Sc. programs, a B. Sc. degree (or equivalent) in Physics (or related fields) is required.

In particular, we require applicants to have successfully completed the following coursework:

Experimental physics: 
Courses in atomic, molecular, solid-state, nuclear and/or particle physics, corresponding to at least 15 credit points in total.

Theoretical physics: 
Courses in quantum mechanics and statistical physics, corresponding to at least 15 credit points in total.

Lab courses: 
Lab courses corresponding in total to at least 15 credit points (University of Bonn) or 12 credit points (University of Cologne).

For the M. Sc. program in Physics at the University of Cologne furthermore 15 credit points in mathematics are required.

For the M. Sc. program in Astrophysics at the University of Bonn it is certainly helpful, but is not mandatory, having taken an introductory course in astronomy and/or astrophysics.

Please note:

• In case it is not evident from the transcript that these criteria are fulfilled (e. g. due to additional coursework), the applicant should address this in the application.
• The applicant has to prove that she or he has taken at least two lab courses performing experiments individually or in small groups and worked out written analyses of these experiments. Just watching someone else doing the experiment is not sufficient.

General remarks:
Our Master courses in Physics and Astrophysics are designed as "consecutive Master" courses, i. e. a solid foundation in physics is required. Applicants should have prior knowledge not only of classical mechanics (including Lagrange and Hamiltonian formulations) and electrodynamics (Maxwell equations and their solutions), but should also have taken introductory classes in atomic, molecular, solid state and nuclear and/or particle physics.
Furthermore, the Master courses require prior knowledge of non-relativistic quantum mechanics (including the axioms of quantum mechanics, the Schrödinger equation and its time-independent solution for the harmonic oscillator and the hydrogen atom, the angular momentum algebra and time-independent perturbation theory) and of thermodynamics and statistical physics (energy conservation, the principle of entropy, the canonical ensembles and introductory quantum statistics).

Additional information on the admission requirements can be found on the respective application pages for the Master's programs of the University of Bonn or of the University of Cologne.

All information on necessary documents and language certificates.

The following documents are necessary for the application:

• Curriculum Vitae
• One-page essay indicating your motivation for joining the program (in German or English). What is asked for is not a description of why you are interested in physics/astrophysics in general but why you think that the Bonn/Cologne area is the right place for you.
• Certified copies of each university degree and/or a statement about degrees you plan to complete before joining the BCGS.
• Certified copy of your transcript of records.
• As many lab reports in the graded version (i. e. with the tutor's comments and with the grade) as possible.
• Module catalogue of your degree program (in Englisch or German).
• Certified copy of the school leaving certificate (or an equivalent degree of qualification for access to universities). In some countries this is also called "High-School Diploma" and it enabled you to move on to higher education facilities/University.
• Proof of English language proficiency B2 or higher e. g.
  • CAE
  • CPE
  • IELTS: min. score 5.0
  • TOEFL iBT: min. 72 points
  or an official document stating the language of instruction issued by the university of the candidate.
  For German applicants the high school diploma (Abiturzeugnis) is sufficient, if it proves 6 years of English classes.
• Two letters of recommendation (German applicants: minimum one).
• Applicants from India: Proof of APS registration (PDF of summary page after registering succesfully and filling out the form/uploading all required documents on their portal).

For a definition of "certified copy" an "module catalogue" please refer to the FAQ.

Students who studied at the University of Bonn or University of Cologne do not need to send certified copies.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to our virtual Admissions Academy.

During one whole week in early spring, candidates will be interviewed for the BCGS Scholarship Program.

Successful candidates will be informed two weeks after the Admissions Academy week has concluded.

Shortlisted candidates who will not receive a scholarship might be admitted to our regular M. Sc. courses. They will be informed within four weeks after the Admissions Academy has concluded.

Applicants from India, please note the following:

Application deadline 1st of December: A proof of APS registration is required.

Proof of application: PDF of summary page after registering succesfully and filling out the form/uploading all required documents on their portal.

Reason: Although scholarship holders do not require an APS certificate to obtain a Visa, only a very small number of students will be granted a scholarship. If  the scholarship application is not successful, there might not be enough time to apply and receive the APS certificate in time for the semester deadline.