Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About the Master's Program

This page contains answers to frequently asked questions about the master’s program. If you have any questions not answered here, please contact the Academic Advising Office. You can find additional advising services and contact information here.

Please note:
This page is intended as a guide and is meant to supplement the examination regulations and module handbooks. The information provided here is not intended to be exhaustive. In case of doubt, only the examination regulations are binding.

How are weekly teaching hours (SWS) converted to ECTS credits in the master’s program?
  • In the master’s program, both lectures and exercises are generally worth 2 ECTS credit points per SWS. Lab courses are worth 1 ECTS credit point per SWS.
  • An exception to this rule is the non-physics mandatory elective subject: For the 8 ECTS credit points, courses generally require at least 6 SWS, with at least 4 lecture hours included.
Which courses can I have credited as a non-physics mandatory elective subject in the master’s program?
A list of approved courses can be found on the Department’s website. In some cases, there are several possible combinations of courses. Courses that deviate from this list must be approved by the examination board.
Can I combine multiple courses for my non-physics mandatory elective subject in the Master’s program?
  • The requirements for the non-physics mandatory elective subject are generally fulfilled by a single oral exam. If multiple courses are to be combined for this exam, it may be conducted jointly by several examiners.
  • The examination board decides on exceptions.
Can I also have coursework from other degree programs, from other universities, or non-university courses recognized, and what do I need to do to have it recognized?
  • The examination board decides whether credits from other degree programs or from other universities (in part, if applicable) or credits earned outside of universities can be recognized.
    Please note that if you are newly enrolled in a master's degree program, applications for recognition must be submitted within one semester of enrollment. (SPO § 18 (2)).
  • The examination board will assess whether the competencies acquired in the courses meet the requirements of the degree program at the Physics Department of KIT. If necessary, a detailed overview may be required, e.g., module handbooks, lecture notes, or lab reports.
  • The process typically proceeds as follows:
    • Students in Geophysics and Meteorology should first contact the academic advising office for their degree program.
    • You must apply to the responsible member of the examination board with the required documents to request recognition.
    • After reviewing the documents, the examination board will issue a form listing the accomplishments, completed coursework, and study achievements to be recognized.
    • If the recognition applies only to courses recognized by the examination board of the KIT Physics Department, the examination board will send the form directly to the physics examination office.
    • If courses from another department are also to be recognized, take the form to the examination board of the other department and return the form to the examination board of the Physics Department. From there, it will be forwarded to the physics examination office.
How are grades from a foreign university converted for recognition?
Grades from foreign universities are generally converted using the modified Bavarian formula:
KIT Grade Conversion
Here, P is the score achieved, P_min is the minimum score required to pass, and P_max is the highest possible score. The score is mapped linearly to our grading system, rounded to thirds of a grade where necessary. In some countries, the grading scale is not linear. This is accounted for in the modified Bavarian Formula by using a different maximum grade. Exceptions include France (maximum grade of 16 instead of 20), Ireland (85 instead of 100), the Netherlands (9 instead of 10), and Portugal (18 instead of 20). As is the case throughout KIT, we thus essentially follow the recommendation of the Conference of Ministers of Education.
I would like to take courses during my stay abroad and have them credited later at KIT. Is that possible?
  • It is advisable to submit the desired list of courses to the examination board before your stay abroad and to discuss the possibilities for credit recognition in advance. A confirmation of credit recognition can be documented in a Learning Agreement.
  • The courses for which credit transfer is requested should align with the subject areas offered by KIT within the degree program so that they can be classified as a major, second major, or physics minor. Other subjects must be approved by the examination board.
What is a Learning Agreement?
  • A Learning Agreement is an agreement that facilitates the recognition of completed coursework and study achievements during students’ study abroad stays.
  • Before the study abroad period, suitable courses are identified in collaboration with the academic advising, Student Advisory Service at both the home and host universities, and the examination board may issue a preliminary approval of credit recognition.
  • A Learning Agreement is required for the Erasmus+ exchange program.
I need a transcript of records for my BAföG application. What should I do?
First, you’ll need the official “Form 5” from the BAföG office or the website www.bafög.de. Take this form, along with a current transcript, to the physics examination office (Physics Tower, Room 9-13, Ms. Müller). There, the form will be filled out and forwarded to the examination board. Provided there is no excessive delay in your progress in the course of studies, we will confirm on the form that you have met the standard academic requirements for your program. You will receive the form back from the examination office and can submit it, along with your transcript, to the BAföG office.
What are additional achievements?
Additional achievements are courses offered by KIT that are not required to fulfill your studies plan. You may earn up to 30 ECTS credit points through additional achievements. Additional achievements do not affect the scope or grade of the degree you are pursuing. Any exams offered by KIT can be selected as additional achievements. In this way, you can, for example, also take modules or module components from other disciplines or degree programs. Additional achievements that cannot be selected online in your studies plan can be added to your studies plan by contacting the physics examination office to be added to your studies plan. This will also allow for online registration, provided that this feature is available.
Will additional achievements be listed on my certificate?
  • It is possible to include additional achievements on the certificate. Additional achievements must be achievements completed exclusively at KIT. Please note that only module titles are displayed on the certificate, not individual module components. If there is no separate module for an additional achievement(s), additional accomplishment, the module title “Additional Courses” may be used for display purposes.
    Once all requirements for your degree program have been completed and recorded, you will receive an email from SLE (Business Unit for Studying and Teaching) asking you to contact the “Degree Certificates” team within two weeks and to specify which of your additional achievements should be listed on the certicate.
  • All additional achievements are always listed on the Transcript of Records, regardless of whether they appear on the certifcate or not.
  • Please contact the physics examination office well in advance of the completion of your studies if you have paper-based course certificates (“Scheine”) that you would like to submit as additional achievement.
I would like to write an “external” master’s thesis at another institution. Is that possible? What do I need to do?
  • Upon written request, the examination board may approve master's theses to be completed at other departments, universities, research institutions, or companies (including those abroad). Here you will find a form to apply for an external master's thesis.
  • As your primary advisor, you must have a professor from the KIT Physics Department who is willing to officially supervise the thesis. He or she must adhere to the KIT Department of Physics’ restrictions regarding the number of external master’s theses.
  • As a rule, the advisor at the external institution is a professor or a researcher with a habilitation. In this case, he or she should also serve as the co-advisor. Otherwise, the co-advisor must also be a professor or a researcher who is habilitated at the KIT Physics Department.
  • The application to the examination board must be accompanied by a work plan of at least one page, endorsed by the external advisor and the first reviewer from the KIT Physics Department.
  • Please also note this KIT information sheet on external theses.
What options are available for completing an internship during your studies?

  • In the master’s program in Physics, an internship is not a mandatory component of the master’s degree program and is not offered as an elective or additional achievement.

  • Students who wish to gain insight into fields of work outside the university while pursuing their master’s degree have opportunities to do so.
    One such opportunity is to write your master's thesis at a company or a non-university research institution. In this context, please note the applicable regulations for external master's theses, particularly regarding supervision, topic selection, and examination requirements. (see above.)
    In addition, students have the option of completing voluntary and self-organized internships during the break between semesters. These are independent of the studies plan.