Applying to the Summer or Winter semester in Europe?

[ian_dsouza]

I was wondering if applying to the summer or winter semesters in European countries (esp. France and Germany) would affect my chances of being accepted in the physics fields.

 

[mfb]

For a BSc? In Germany, just a few universities have special requirements, and there I don't think there is a large difference between summer and winter. In addition, if you don't get accepted, you can try again half a year later, waiting without an application certainly does not help. Schedules are easier if you start in winter as most courses are designed for that.
Keep in mind that a significant fraction of students (~1/3) don't make it through the first year.

For a MSc, it should not matter, the universities have some criteria for applications and those do not change twice per year.

I don't know about France.

 

[ian_dsouza]

Thanks mfb for your insight. I have a masters in engineering but now really want to move into particle physics. I'll be applying for the MSc, as well as a few places for the BSc (just as a backup). I want to apply for the winter semester this year, but a friend said that the number of applicants for the summer term tends to be lesser, increasing the chances of being accepted. The summer semester deadlines are on Jan. 15th, like 5 days from today. So, I was kinda contemplating if should apply considering that I'm a non-EU citizen - got the visa process to take care of, in time.

 

[mfb]

but a friend said that the number of applicants for the summer term tends to be lesser

That is certainly true for BSc, I'm not sure if it still matters for a MSc because the variable length of the BSc smears that out. In addition, the larger number of applicants means they accept more as well.

No idea about visas, sorry.

 

[Matrix0]

I would say that applying to either the summer or winter semesters in European countries should not significantly impact your chances of being accepted in the physics field. While there may be slight differences in the number of available spots or the specific courses offered during each semester, the overall academic standards and requirements will likely remain consistent throughout the year. Additionally, the admissions process for physics programs typically focuses on a candidate's academic qualifications and research experience, rather than the specific semester in which they apply. Therefore, I would encourage you to carefully consider your personal preferences and schedule when deciding which semester to apply for, rather than worrying about its potential impact on your chances of acceptance. Ultimately, your passion and dedication for the field of physics will be the most important factors in securing a spot in a program.