Established in 2014, the French-German Master's Double-Degree Program in Physics is a two-year program funded by the Franco-German University (DFH). It aims to cultivate young scientific talent for collaborative research projects, strengthening the innovative potential of both Germany and France. In addition to language courses and intercultural training, students receive mobility support from the DFH during their stay at the partner university."

Two Master’s Degrees in One Program

Double-degree master’s students attend the regular courses of the Master’s programs at Freie Universität Berlin and at the Institut Polytechnique de Paris. After successfully completing their master’s thesis in Berlin or Paris, they receive two university degrees – one from Freie Universität Berlin and one from the Institut Polytechnique de Paris.

“The double master’s program in physics is a unique opportunity to become familiar with two different university systems during your studies, immerse yourself in French culture, and expand your language and intercultural skills”, explains program coordinator and experimental physicist Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kuch. “Many of our graduates go on to pursue PhDs, either in France or Germany, and are now working in leading positions in companies or research institutions.

A Successful Start in Science

One example is Klara Bonneau from Grenoble, who completed the double-degree master’s program in 2022. She spent the research phase of her master’s studies at Freie Universität Berlin. For her master’s thesis, Klara Bonneau was awarded the 2023 Physics Study Prize by the Physical Society of Berlin.

“My studies at École Polytechnique were defined by a broad, multidisciplinary education. In my Master’s at Freie Universität Berlin, I was then able to focus intensively on a specific research topic. This experience inspired me so much that I decided to stay for a PhD,” says Klara Bonneau. She is currently conducting research as a doctoral student in theoretical physics in the group of Prof. Dr. Cecilia Clementi at Freie Universität Berlin.

Klara Bonneau sees the advantage of the double master’s program in the complementarity of both degrees: “The versatile engineering diploma from École Polytechnique and the research-focused Master’s in Physics at Freie Universität Berlin complement each other perfectly. Together, they open up a wide range of career opportunities for me.”

A similar experience is reported by Lisa-Marie Kern, who studied physics at various European universities and obtained the French-German double master’s degree in physics in 2018: “My Franco-German physics studies have had a lasting impact on me both academically and personally. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work in different laboratories, experience diverse working and science cultures, and to form valuable friendships in both countries.” The Master’s program between Freie Universität and the Institut Polytechnique offers a wide range of opportunities to develop and shape one’s specialization and to follow individual interests. “I have also greatly appreciated the experience of living in Berlin and in Paris,” Lisa-Marie Kern concludes.

She later completed her PhD at the Max Born Institute and at the Technical University of Berlin and, in recent years, has received several awards: the Carl Ramsauer Prize of the Physical Society of Berlin, the Dissertation Prize of the Condensed Matter Section of the German Physical Society, as well as the KlarText Prize for Science Communication of the Klaus Tschira Foundation.

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kuch sums up the program's success: “We are pleased with the positive feedback from our students and delighted that the DFH will continue funding our program for the next four years.”

Further information on the German-French double master’s program, including application deadlines, required documents, and the program structure, can be found on the program’s webpage. Contact: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kuch, doublemaster@physik.fu-berlin.de