APPLICATION AND ADMISSION

Students from all countries are welcome applicants. They are selected based on their excellence as proven by their university record and by letters of recommendation. A selection committee composed of members from all participating institutes will review the applications and advise the potential supervisors about the candidates and their qualifications. However, the final decision about the acceptance of a student rests soley with his/her potential supervisor. Generally, students are admitted for the Graduate School once a year. The program starts each September 1^st, application deadline is December 1st of the year before. Applicants should have a degree equivalent to the German Physics Diploma (e.g. a Master of Science degree, including a Master Thesis) to obtain a Ph.D. (Dr. rer.nat.) from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (applications are encouraged even if the degree will not be obtained before December 1, 2009).

German applicants must have a Diploma in Physics or must have passed the Vordiplom with having completed two semesters of Advanced Level Courses (Hauptstudium) by the end of the "Sommersemester" 2009. Interested students are asked to contact the Program Administrators - preferably directly after the Vordiplom - for further information.

Candidates whose native language is not English or German are required to provide a certificate documenting proficiency in English, for example TOEFL (of at least 550 points (computer-based: 220 points) or IELTS (of at least 6 points) or equivalent. If you are unsure on that or if you have difficulties in getting the certificates in time please contact us.

Ph.D. fellowships :

Successful applicants with a degree equivalent to the Diploma can receive tax-free fellowships of about EUR 1100-1200 per month, (depending on family status) for a maximum period of three years if required.

Degree Requirements:

The Ph.D. thesis has to be written in English. Students are expected to publish a minimum of two papers during their Ph.D. period. The Ph.D. (Dr.rer.nat.) will be granted by the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, according to its standard rules, after acceptance of the Ph.D. thesis and a successful defense. On application, students may work in Munich/Garching but receive their Ph.D from a university other than the LMU, though this requires supervisors at both Universities/institutes.

Application

Applications for the program starting in September 2010 can be submitted to the Admission Office until December1^st, 2009. A complete application must include the following items:

• a complete and signed application form, including a list of all courses including credits
• three letters of recommendation (sealed) if possible or sent by e-mail directly from the referee
• copies of academic certificates including High School Diploma, B.Sc., Vordiplom etc. - originals must be presented if you are invited for an interview)
• a curriculum vitae
• a portrait photo
• a statement of purpose and goals (if the space provided in the application form is not enough)
• a summary of outside interests (see above)
• proof of English Language ability when applicable (e.g. transcript of TOEFL / IELTS scores or equivalent, our TEOFL Institution and Department Code is 8223).
• a copy of your M.Sc. or Diploma thesis (with English abstract if the thesis is not written in English)

Material can be submitted electronicaly as PDF or as MS-Word documents or as paper copies. Electronic submission is possible by email to <office @ imprs-astro.mpg.de> only.

NOTE that incomplete applications are not accepted!

For easier handling at IMPRS we ask you NOT TO STAPLE YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.

Due date for application for the program starting on September 1st., 2010 is December 1, 2009

Selection of students for admission will be achieved by a selection procedure (see below) that may include invitations to interviews in Munich. All applicants will be notified by about April 2010 or earlier.

Applications will be reviewed by an Admissions Committee that includes faculty members of the participating institutes. Candidates will be selected based on their academic qualifications, recommendations, and their performance during an interview. The interview may be held in Munich or in one of the partner institutes. Alternatively, it may be conducted by phone.

An important part of the selection procedure can be an interview by several faculty members for which the applicants under consideration will be invited. This will give the opportunity to meet the training faculty, to visit the participating scientific institutions, and to learn more about life in Munich. Applicants who are invited for an interview to Munich will receive financial assistance for travel and accommodation expenses.

Decisions about admission will be made in April 2010 or earlier and all students will be notified thereafter. Admission to the Program may be dependent on the fulfillment of certain requirements that need to be met before the begin of the new academic year (e.g. completion of a degree, completion of credit courses, participation in an English language course).