Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are my chances of getting into the honours branch?
What happens if I do not make it into the honours branch?
Can I do my Master/PhD in Bonn or Cologne without joining the BCGS?
I am not sure whether I should apply for a program in Bonn or Cologne. What should I do?
Who decides about admission to the Master programs?
Who decides about admission to the PhD programs?
Who decides about admission to the honors program?
What are the deadlines?
Are there any full scholarships or fellowships available?
What is the ratio of German to international students admitted to the Physics program?
Can I apply for a Master course if my BSc degree is not in Physics?
What should I state in my one page essay/motivation letter?
I do not have my Bachelor/Master diploma yet. What do I do?
Can my referee send the recommendation by email?
What are my chances of getting into the honours branch?
We aim to admit about one third of the MSc. and PhD students to the honours branch. Over the past years this has resulted in an ratio of applications to admissions of about three to one.
What happens if I do not make it into the honours branch?
You lose nothing by applying! You can still study in Bonn or Cologne, and you will still be a member of the BCGS and benefit from its activities.
Can I do my Master/PhD in Bonn or Cologne without joining the BCGS?
By default, physics graduate students at Bonn and Cologne become BCGS members. Of course it is possible to opt out of BCGS membership if you so wish.
I am not sure whether I should apply for a program in Bonn or Cologne. What should I do?
Potential MSc students should base their decision primarily on the research foci of the two departments. See Research. PhD students, on the other hand, enroll at the university where their supervisor works.
Who decides about admission to the Master programs?
In both departments there are Admission Committees for the respective Physics Master course. Contact the BCGS office after your admission to receive all information on induction events and other BCGS activities.
Who decides about admission to the PhD programs?
This information is for students who take or took their Masters degree outside Bonn or Cologne. The first step for admission is finding a supervisor for your PhD project, including a commitment for financial support. Beyond this, if your Master degree is not in physics,
but in some other relevant subject, the respective Faculties of Mathematics and Natural Sciences may impose certain requirements, such as taking specific courses in particular areas of physics. Again, contact the BCGS office once you have found a supervisor to receive all information on induction events and other BCGS activities.
Who decides about admission to the honors program?
The BCGS Selection Committee makes these decisions, subject to approval by the Steering Committee. In contrast to the direct admission to one of the Master programs, the Selection Committee for the honors branch consists of faculty members from both departments. Based on the written application, we invite shortlisted candidates to an admissions academy held in early spring. This admissions academy takes place in Bonn and Cologne and allows you to find out about the BCGS, and conversely allows members of the Selection Committee to meet and interview you. We are happy to help you prepare the best application you can, so contact the BCGS office (gradschool.physics(at)uni-bonn.de or gradschool.physics(at)uni-koeln.de) with any questions.
What are the deadlines?
All BCGS courses have their own special set of important dates for when applications are due and when students will receive their admission decision.
Master Courses:
Admission for the winter term in Bonn: 1st of May (Non-EU students), 1st of July
(German and EU-students)
Admission for the winter term in Cologne: 15th of July;
Admission for the summer term in Cologne: 15th of January
Usually, you will be informed about the decision of the selection committee approximately 4 weeks after the deadline.
PhD Courses:
Usually, you can apply throughout the year (even if no PhD positions are advertised).
Honors Branch (H1):
-
National and international students:
15 January 2014, selected applicants will be invited for an admissions academy
(29.3-3.4 2014). Decisions will be announced by April 4th 2014 -
Bonn and Cologne students (preferably):
15th June 2014, decisions will be announced by 10th July 2014
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Are there any full scholarships or fellowships available?
The BCGS grants a number of full scholarships as part of the honors branch. See Student life.
What is the ratio of German to international students admitted to the Physics program?
About 75% of our students are German or have studied in Germany. The remaining 25% are international students from all over the world. The language of instruction is English.
Can I apply for a Master course if my BSc degree is not in Physics?
Applicants whose degree is not in physics will be considered only provided that the respective MSc examination board in Bonn/Cologne declares the applicant’s eligibility. Please check the departments’ webpages in Bonn and Cologne for further details.
What should I state in my one page essay/motivation letter?
We ask you to explain your motivation for joining the BCGS and we would like to learn about your interests and plans for your future. Please specify your research interests and how they match our reseach profile. Especially, you may describe any special qualification or relevant information not appearing in any other part of your application. Please try to keep your statement to roughly one page.
I do not have my Bachelor/Master diploma yet. What do I do?
Most students do not hold their Bachelors/Masters degree at the time of application. The degree certificates (original transcripts and original diploma) are required at the moment you enrol for your course.
Can my referee send the recommendation by email?
In exceptional cases (e.g. the referee is currently abroad), we do accept recommendation letters by email. We ask the referee to send the signed reference letter as pdf to either gradschool.physics(at)uni-bonn.de or gradschool.physics(at)uni-koeln.de from his/her institutional account. We will reply to the referee to confirm the recommendation.