Master's degree programs

Explore our master's degree programs, scopes, course schedules, application process and scholarship offerings. Enrolled ASP students will find important information for each semester.

Gruppenbild Photonics 2022

Image: ASP

Abbe School of Photonics

Image: ASP
Master's degree programs Explore our master's degree programs, scopes, course schedules, application process and scholarship offerings. Enrolled ASP students will find important information for each semester.
Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)
Scholarships available! Our master's scholarships are based on criteria of academic excellence and are granted for 12 and sometimes even 24 months, thus covering either one year or the entire two-year master's degree adapted to the living expenses in Jena.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Doctoral/PhD program The Abbe School of Photonics doctoral program offers complementary educational modules during your doctoral studies, including additional skills training, guest lectures and specialization courses.
Image: MPSP/FSU Jena
At a Glance The Abbe School of Photonics (ASP) offers a full-scale academic education in optics and photonics at one of the oldest and most reputable universities in Germany.
Image: Jenoptik AG
Events ASP and their partners are organizing a thrilling and inspiring program throughout the whole year, including international conferences and workshops, keynote lectures, and research group seminars.
Image: Jan Bernert (IAP Jena)
MSc Photonics Alumni Since 2009, more than 500 students successfully graduated in the Photonics Master's programme at ASP.

Upcoming events at ASP and partners

Collage: Sabine Müller
WelcomeCafé at the International Centre
29 Sept—17 Oct 2025
- Seminar
Informations about study start for international students
- presence
- public
- barrier-free
Collage: Sabine Müller
WelcomeCafé: study organisation (regular studies)
29 Sept 2025
15:30 ·
- Workshop
First steps and advice on building a timetable and everyday student life, learning culture, how to communicate at university and where to get help
- presence
- public
- barrier-free
Collage: Sabine Müller
WelcomeCafé: Residence permit / Visa
30 Sept 2025
15:30 ·
- Workshop
Information event for international students
- presence
- public
- barrier-free
Image: Private
Compact White Light Laser Source using Spectral Beam Combining Concept
30 Sept 2025
15:30 ·
- Seminar
Jacob Schwanke's research project with BOSCH
- presence
- public
- barrier-free
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
WelcomeCafé: Eat & Meet
1 Oct 2025
11 s.t. ·
- Workshop
Meet and eat with us in the Abbe canteen
- presence
- public
- barrier-free
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Efficient and high speed electro-optic modulators in thin film lithium niobate
1 Oct 2025
12:00 ·
- Seminar
Master's thesis defense by Efe Kiraz
- presence
- public
- barrier-free

All events

Who we are

Holographic setup in the main physics lecture hall
Picture: MPSP.

The Abbe School of Photonics (ASP) offers internationalized education programs with multidisciplinary coverage in the field of optics, photonics and quantum technology. Topics range from current scientific aspects to engineering with product applications possible in major economic sectors, such as information and communication technology, medicine and health, manufacturing, and energy consumption. Enrolled students are trained for positions in the technical industry or in the world of scientific research in higher academia. Our school is part of the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. Students enrolled in our Master of Science in Photonics or Master of Science in Quantum Science & Technology programs are offered a distinguished education track culminating in a structured doctoral program (equivalent to Ph.D. level). Attractive scholarships are available for high-performance applicants. Likewise, students who are enrolled in a Master of Science in Physics can specialize in optics and photonics by choosing from among all elective modules offered by ASP.

What we do

Front facet of the ACP research building.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

The Master's degree and doctoral programs are based on the profound experience in optics education which distinguishes the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. The university has established optics and photonics as one of its key profile fields in education and research. ASP's education programs are embedded in the modern research environment of the Abbe Center of Photonics (ACP). This interfaculty center of the FSU Jena maintains strong bonds with local research institutions, such as the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision EngineeringExternal link, the Leibniz Institute of Photonic TechnologyExternal link, and the Helmholtz Institute JenaExternal link, as well as with several prominent industrial partners.