Is the IPSP at University of Leipzig Right for a Future in Theoretical HEP?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the International Physics Studies Program (IPSP) at the University of Leipzig, focusing on its reputation, program quality, and the experiences of current and prospective students. Participants express concerns and curiosity about the program's rigor, the university's standing in the field of physics, and the implications for future academic opportunities in theoretical high-energy physics (HEP).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the reputation of the University of Leipzig and whether it affects the quality of the IPSP program.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential impact of graduating from a lower-ranked university on future applications to top graduate schools.
  • One participant shares insights from current students, indicating that rankings may not be as significant as funding and other qualitative factors.
  • It is noted that many students find the IPSP program more challenging than expected, with a high dropout rate after the first semester.
  • Several participants express interest in the program's mathematical rigor, with some viewing the difficulty as an attractive feature.
  • A current student describes the teaching approach, highlighting a disconnect between the mathematics covered and the theoretical physics taught, which can lead to confusion.
  • Concerns are raised about the level of support from lecturers and teaching assistants, with some participants noting a perceived lack of guidance.
  • Despite challenges, a current student emphasizes the program's potential to provide excellent preparation for a career in physics.
  • Participants discuss the demographic composition of the program, noting a higher than usual representation of female students in physics.
  • Leipzig is described as an affordable city, which may be a consideration for students facing academic challenges.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of concerns and positive sentiments about the IPSP program. There is no consensus on the program's overall quality or the implications of attending a less prestigious university, indicating multiple competing views remain.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention varying experiences with the program's structure, teaching methods, and support systems, reflecting a range of expectations and realities. The discussion highlights the complexity of evaluating academic programs based on reputation, personal experiences, and individual academic goals.

Who May Find This Useful

Prospective students considering the IPSP at the University of Leipzig, individuals interested in theoretical high-energy physics, and those evaluating the impact of university rankings on academic and career opportunities.

  • #121
Hello everyone! I'm also applying for next winter semester. I've been studying economics at university for a couple of years but I'm not happy about it, so I've decided to switch to physics. Nice to meet you all! :)
 
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  • #122
Hi, guys! I'm from Venezuela and my main concerned about applying to the program is if I'm going to be able to find a work in Leipzig. I know that if you have a student visa you can work 120 full days a year, but I don't speak German and the university doesn't offer jobs opportunities until the 3rd trimester. Do you know if I can find a job in the city?

Thanks.
 
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  • #123
I think an inability to speak the language will dramatically reduce the number of jobs you might get.
 
  • #124
Val said:
Hi, guys! I'm from Venezuela and my main concerned about applying to the program is if I'm going to be able to find a work in Leipzig. I know that if you have a student visa you can work 120 full days a year, but I don't speak German and the university doesn't offer jobs opportunities until the 3rd trimester. Do you know if I can find a job in the city?

Thanks.
Nothing is impossible, but it will be hard. I will be looking for employment too and my German is limited.

Before leaving make sure you have enough money to last for couple of months, the more the better. Maybe find local groups of people from your country, those are usually very useful while looking for a job and you could potentially pass the language barrier. Think if you could do some sort of freelancing in English.
 
  • #125
Arya Prasetya said:
Hi Patricio, I am currently enrolled in IPSP and the programme is still well and alive. They've just moved the page recently. If you do have questions though, feel free to PM me.
Arya
I just passed my cbse board exams. Am I eligible for this course?
The course page said 12 years of school but many people here have been talking about the bridge year, is that required?
Is any German proficiency test required?
 
  • #126
Hi, guys! My name is Shabdan. I'm from Krasnoyarsk, Russia. I'm going to study in IPSP(b) this winter from the first semester.
I already sent my documents to uni-assist a week ago from Berlin post office and I'm waiting the answer that they received ones. In their website I found that I need to wait 2 week and then write them. I'm going to write them in Monday. How long did you wait until they gave the answer, that they have your documents?
 
  • #127
Shabdan said:
Hi, guys! My name is Shabdan. I'm from Krasnoyarsk, Russia. I'm going to study in IPSP(b) this winter from the first semester.
I already sent my documents to uni-assist a week ago from Berlin post office and I'm waiting the answer that they received ones. In their website I found that I need to wait 2 week and then write them. I'm going to write them in Monday. How long did you wait until they gave the answer, that they have your documents?

Hey Shabdan,

I'm in the same situation, mailed in my physical application to Uni-assist last Thursday, still waiting to here back. Just out of curiosity, which address did you send it to? I want to make sure I sent it to the right place. I know its not quite two weeks just yet, but I'm going to send them an email tonight, in the hopes they'll see it Monday and get back to me.

Here's the address I used;

Universität Leipzig
c/o uni-assist e. V.
Geneststraße 5
10829 Berlin
GERMANY

Got it off of the checklist found on Universitaet Leipzig's website; https://www.uni-leipzig.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Studium/akademisches_auslandsamt/pdf/internl_checklist_ipsp.pdf
 
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  • #128
Chris_H_R said:
Hey Shabdan,

I'm in the same situation, mailed in my physical application to Uni-assist last Thursday, still waiting to here back. Just out of curiosity, which address did you send it to? I want to make sure I sent it to the right place. I know its not quite two weeks just yet, but I'm going to send them an email tonight, in the hopes they'll see it Monday and get back to me.

Here's the address I used;

Universität Leipzig
c/o uni-assist e. V.
Geneststraße 5
10829 Berlin
GERMANY

Got it off of the checklist found on Universitaet Leipzig's website; https://www.uni-leipzig.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Studium/akademisches_auslandsamt/pdf/internl_checklist_ipsp.pdf

I wrote them few days ago, and they said that they have my documents and confirmed my payment, but the processing is not started yet. Someone who work with students like us told me that I have to wait 3-6 weeks until they start processing.

Here is the address I used:

uni-assist e.V.
11507 Berlin
GERMANY

But, of course, the address you used is correct too. http://www.uni-assist.de/contact-en.html
 
  • #129
Shabdan said:
I wrote them few days ago, and they said that they have my documents and confirmed my payment, but the processing is not started yet. Someone who work with students like us told me that I have to wait 3-6 weeks until they start processing.

Here is the address I used:

uni-assist e.V.
11507 Berlin
GERMANY

But, of course, the address you used is correct too. http://www.uni-assist.de/contact-en.html

Just
Shabdan said:
I wrote them few days ago, and they said that they have my documents and confirmed my payment, but the processing is not started yet. Someone who work with students like us told me that I have to wait 3-6 weeks until they start processing.

Here is the address I used:

uni-assist e.V.
11507 Berlin
GERMANY

But, of course, the address you used is correct too. http://www.uni-assist.de/contact-en.html

*Whew*, alright good, thanks ...was concerned I shot myself in the foot already by botching the address. Just checked their news feed; https://www.uni-assist.de/news.html, seems like they are just backlogged a bit, yesterday (Friday June 9th) they registered mail from the 31st of May. I'll send them an email just to make sure they have mine, but sounds like it has arrived but is awaiting opening/processing. So did they update your status on uni-assist? Where it says whether or not your documents have arrived and your payment has been received?
 
  • #130
Chris_H_R said:
So did they update your status on uni-assist? Where it says whether or not your documents have arrived and your payment has been received?

Now my status looks like this:
upload_2017-6-10_22-48-9.png

Before I wrote them, there was "No" in "PAID". That is all)
About documents I know from e-mail I received as an answer to my question to them.
 
  • #131
Wow this thread is active, I have been trying to decide between Leipzig or TU Eindhoven for Physics over the past month. Eindhoven is in the Netherlands, and they teach Applied Physics in english there which is nice, although Eindhoven is more expensive. I am familiar with differences between physics and applied physics, but am having difficulty finding a program review for Eindhoven's physics as this is the first year they are doing english applied physics. Does anyone know how different Dutch physics are from German? Eindhoven apparently has a higher ranking although I understand Germany doesn't really do ranking the same way as the rest of the world. Also Eindhovens campus seems much nicer (Leipzig is nice too but Eindhoven is brand new and much more centralized). Also I want to become a research Physicist and aspire to work at a particle accelerator or fusion reactor some day (Eindhoven has an excellent fusion masters program, but I could also pursue that after going to Leipzig). What are international activities like at Leipzig? I am having difficulty finding many but it seems like there are many international students here (I read somewhere 3000 of the 30000 students at Leipzig are international). Also I have already been accepted to Eindhoven. Does anyone have any advice is much appreciated!
 
  • #132
Hey guys, I am Agnes from Brazil, and I also plan on applying for this Winter Semester in Leipzig :D Do you guys know if we are going to need to do Studienkolleg since the course is 100% in english? and do some of you already know where to live? thanks :)
 
  • #133
AgnesOlivo said:
Hey guys, I am Agnes from Brazil, and I also plan on applying for this Winter Semester in Leipzig :D Do you guys know if we are going to need to do Studienkolleg since the course is 100% in english? and do some of you already know where to live? thanks :)

I believe the studienkellog depends on wether or not your high school degree qualifies you for the course, but there are optional classes in German you can take as an elective (first semester elective is German or chemistry I think) :)
 
  • #134
Shabdan said:
Now my status looks like this:
View attachment 205212
Before I wrote them, there was "No" in "PAID". That is all)
About documents I know from e-mail I received as an answer to my question to them.

I am still not in back in Europe for another week, so I wasn't able to send my application yet.. Did you submit digital copies of all the required documents on uni-assist as well or did you just mail them physically?

Oh and Hi Shabdan! Seems like we'll know a big part of our coursemates from these forums hehe
 
  • #135
Alex_Zendo said:
I am still not in back in Europe for another week, so I wasn't able to send my application yet.. Did you submit digital copies of all the required documents on uni-assist as well or did you just mail them physically?

Oh and Hi Shabdan! Seems like we'll know a big part of our coursemates from these forums hehe

Yes, I sent them(uni-assist) both digital and physical copies of my documents, the physical ones being official copies. Just received an email early this morning stating that they've received & registered my application...now the wait begins.
 
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  • #136
Chris_H_R said:
Yes, I sent them(uni-assist) both digital and physical copies of my documents, the physical ones being official copies. Just received an email early this morning stating that they've received & registered my application...now the wait begins.
hey chris
How long did they take to acknowledge that they have received your mailed documents? Fedex shows that mine reached 3 days ago, still no confirmation.
And for the payment did you put all the prescribed details in the reference line? The reference line I am being provided is too small to fit all the details. don't know what to do.
 
  • #137
Hi chris i have sent them(uni-assist) digital too ibut i want tsend physical too can you write the address please
 
  • #138
Shabdan said:
Now my status looks like this:
View attachment 205212
Before I wrote them, there was "No" in "PAID". That is all)
About documents I know from e-mail I received as an answer to my question to them.
hey shabdan
How did you pay the fees?
The reference line my bank provides is too small to fit the details, how did you do it?
please help I am stuck.
 
  • #139
Shaig93 said:
Hi chris i have sent them(uni-assist) digital too ibut i want tsend physical too can you write the address please
hey
you can send the attested copies to

Universität Leipzig
c/o uni-assist e. V.
Geneststrasse 5
10829 Berlin
GERMANY.
remember the copies need to be attested first, and then do it quickly we don't have much time at our disposal now.
 
  • #140
Vikash ranjan said:
hey chris
How long did they take to acknowledge that they have received your mailed documents? Fedex shows that mine reached 3 days ago, still no confirmation.
And for the payment did you put all the prescribed details in the reference line? The reference line I am being provided is too small to fit all the details. don't know what to do.

Hi! In my case it took them 6 days to acknowledge the reception of my documents. Regarding the payment, the same thing happened to me, and I just put all the information (birthday,name,semester,uni-assist number) separated in comas without spaces and they accepted it. I guess that as long as you put your uni-assist number and your name or your birthday it's fine. The more the better, though.
 
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  • #141
Heey all:))
I'm Algerian student in mechanical Engineering, I would like to apply for bachelor degree in IPSP Leipzig this witer term 2017/2018.
I've all the required documents, I just didn't submit my application into Uni-assist yet. I've some questions regarding the application please:
-I've IELTS as proof of English, should I just send a copie of it, or there's another way ??
-as for someone who's medium in both math and physics, do I have the possibility to pass my years with some hard work?
-ABout the city: is it easy to get an accomodation in University? is it cheap? and living fees (expensive or not?)
-as student in bachelor IPSP could I have a partly job while studying??
-There's possibility to apply for scholarships once you're accepted there ?

Best regards to all.

Walid Taberkokt.
 
  • #142
Vikash ranjan said:
hey shabdan
How did you pay the fees?
The reference line my bank provides is too small to fit the details, how did you do it?
please help I am stuck.
I paid fees through my friends in Berlin. Sending money directly to uni-assist from Russia is too expensive (~20$). But it is possible I guess.
Hope here you can find information you need: http://www.uni-assist.de/bank-account.html.
I also heard somewhere in youtube, that somebody just sent them the numbers of his credit card (https://www.uni-assist.de/methods-payment.html "Payment by credit card (Visa or MasterCard)").
 
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  • #143
Now uni-assist is saying my english certificate of conclusion is not valid so they can't forward my application for uni-leipzig but I've concluded the last level, there's nothing left for me to do. How come? The uni-leipzig website says "or adequate proof of language (english)" Doesn't a conclusion certificate count as that? :(
I really want to get in :(
 
  • #144
Stephany Vasiljevic said:
Now uni-assist is saying my english certificate of conclusion is not valid so they can't forward my application for uni-leipzig but I've concluded the last level, there's nothing left for me to do. How come? The uni-leipzig website says "or adequate proof of language (english)" Doesn't a conclusion certificate count as that? :(
I really want to get in :(
Hello! That's too bad... However, you still have options! This text below should be in the pdf you've received from uniassist:

"uni-assist has carried out the pre-check of your documents with the greatest care and accuracy.
Should you however feel that we have made a mistake in our pre-check, please write to us.
State the reasons for your complaint and please include your application number. uni-assist's
management will look into your complaint and get back to you in writing. If you still disagree with
this response, we will forward your application to the respective university. The university will
then issue you a decision vested with legal capacity."

Or maybe you still have time to get a certificate they can recognize easily.
 
  • #145
Stephany Vasiljevic said:
Now uni-assist is saying my english certificate of conclusion is not valid so they can't forward my application for uni-leipzig but I've concluded the last level, there's nothing left for me to do. How come? The uni-leipzig website says "or adequate proof of language (english)" Doesn't a conclusion certificate count as that? :(
I really want to get in :(
Proof of a minimum of 500 hours of English
(proof needs to be provided in the form of
transcript of the secondary school leaving cert
ificate or letter of confirmation from the
secondary school where the
certificate was received)
Now did your certificate include a transcript?
 
  • #146
Heey People,

I've sent my documents to Uni-assist and I sent a "copy" of my IELTS certificate as proof of profiency of English.
Does just a copy of IELTS is valid?? I can't sent my original certificate. Because they can verify with the test report number .

Can anyone reply me and help me.

 
  • #147
The Taberkokt said:
Heey People,

I've sent my documents to Uni-assist and I sent a "copy" of my IELTS certificate as proof of profiency of English.
Does just a copy of IELTS is valid?? I can't sent my original certificate. Because they can verify with the test report number .

Can anyone reply me and help me.
although I didn,t send IELTS, did you send an attested copy or just a photocopy?
 
  • #148
Vikash ranjan said:
although I didn,t send IELTS, did you send an attested copy or just a photocopy?
I sent a copy of my Certificate
 
  • #149
The Taberkokt said:
I sent a copy of my Certificate
if you think your documents were complete you can appeal their decision and eventually force them to send your documents as they are to the university. The university only can take a legal binding decision. That's what I read from their website.
 
  • #150
The Taberkokt said:
I sent a copy of my Certificate
by the way when did you send your documents, mine has still not been processed.
 

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