Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz > Faculty 08 > Physics > Studying Physics > Pre-University Program


Want to try out your chosen subject at university while still at school? The pre-university program makes it possible! School pupils have the opportunity to get a taste of a program of study at JGU while still at school. You can attend lectures, get to know other (pre-university) students and find out whether the program of study is right for you. If you want to, you can even acquire course certificates that will be recognized for a later regular program of study in Rhineland-Palatinate.

The physics and meteorology degree programs are very similar at the beginning, as both start out with the basics of experimental physics, theoretical physics, and with the study of mathematical principles. The pre-university program in physics is therefore intended for school pupils interested in physics and/or meteorology (by the way, the official term for meteorology at JGU is “Atmospheric Physics”). Please note that the introductory courses are taught in German.

In general, the offer is aimed at motivated pupils in grades 10 to 12 (G8) or 11 to 13 (G9), but in some cases younger pupils may also enroll. Your school grades are not necessarily a deciding factor. The pre-university program in physics may be right for you if…

  • you are interested in physics.
  • you like math (math is the “language of physics”).
  • you wish your physics lessons were more intensive.
  • your physics lessons raise more questions than they answer.
  • you want to find out whether studying physics is right for you.

You can decide how much you want to take on in the pre-university program. We will be happy to advise you. Most students take one course per semester in addition to their school lessons, usually experimental physics or calculation methods.

What does that mean? There are courses on four different topics in the physics degree program:

  • experimental physics: comparable to an advanced physics course in school, but of course at a higher level, faster, and more interesting
  • calculation methods: comparable to an advanced mathematics course in school, but of course at a higher level, faster, and more interesting
  • theoretical physics (starting in the second semester): formal description of physics, based on a few fundamental principles; is unlike any classes at school
  • mathematics: much more formal than at school; concepts are defined and relationships between these concepts are proven

A course includes:

  • The professor lectures and the students listen, excepting some interposed questions
  • Lectures take place at fixed times each week
  • We provide video recordings of the lectures for participants in the pre-university program
  • Questions are answered and exercises are discussed in groups of approx. 15 students
  • There are several different time slots available for practice groups, generally in the afternoon
  • There is an online practice group for pupils taking part in the pre-university program
  • Questions are discussed in groups of approx. 15 students, but without homework
  • Tutorials are only available for experimental physics
  • There are several different time slots available for tutorials, generally in the afternoon
  • There is an online tutorial for pupils taking part in the pre-university program

Exercises are homework; they are usually solved together in groups of two or three (in the physics program, collaboration is not only allowed, but encouraged). The solutions to the exercises are corrected. If you want to be admitted to the written exam after the end of the lecture, you need to earn at least 50% of the possible points awarded during the semester (and must have regularly attended practice groups).

There is always an online option for courses in the pre-university program in physics. This means that you have a choice: If it is feasible for you, you can attend the lectures, practice groups, and tutorials on campus and get a taste of “real” university life. However, if you live too far away or have other appointments shortly before or after a course (e.g., school lessons…), you also have the option of attending lectures remotely or watching them afterwards, and taking part in online tutorial groups.

Even the online version of the pre-university program in physics at Mainz University offers much more personal contact than a regular online course. This is important to us because we are convinced that physics is the most fun when you study together with others.

After all that, you still feel like you’re in the right place? Great! Before starting into the pre-university-program, we will schedule an individual meeting. Don’t worry: the meeting is for information and advising purposes – it’s not a job interview in which you have to prove yourself! During the meeting, we will answer any questions you have and talk about the formalities for the application (which is not too difficult, don’t worry). All you need to know for now is that you apply between the end of January and the middle of March for the summer semester or between the beginning of July and the middle of September for the winter semester.

This meeting takes about an hour. To make an appointment, simply send us an email to fruehstudium-physik@uni-mainz.de and we’ll get back to you with available time slots. We can meet with you and your friends at the same time if they are also interested.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely, Frank and Margarita