Information for Prospective Undergraduate Students

The METU Department of Physics is one of the most academically rich physics departments in Turkey, with numerous faculty members publishing internationally cited research. As a result, students have access to a wide range of elective courses covering many sub-fields of physics.

The department hosts many active research groups led by faculty members, both in theoretical and applied areas, in which undergraduate students can participate. METU's vibrant campus culture, interdisciplinary environment, and active student communities further enhance the experience.

Specialization is possible in many areas, including astrophysics, condensed matter physics, mathematical physics and relativity theory, optoelectronics and photonics, particle physics, nuclear and atomic physics, plasma physics, and hardware physics.

METU offers various international opportunities through Erasmus and internship programs during undergraduate study. After graduation, many students continue their education abroad — commonly in European countries and the United States — for MSc and PhD programs.

METU Physics has sent students to many universities worldwide over the years, building a strong track record that encourages those institutions to view applications from our graduates favourably. The extensive international networks of our faculty also open doors for graduates seeking education abroad.

There are two main career paths: academic and industry. An academic career progresses from undergraduate through MSc, PhD, postdoctoral research, and ultimately a faculty position. For industry, graduates work in areas such as R&D, manufacturing, planning, management, and entrepreneurship.

Physics graduates who enter industry typically work in technology and manufacturing-related fields. Common sectors include defence, aviation, space research, optics, materials science, telecommunications, electrical engineering, energy, medicine and healthcare, data science, and artificial intelligence.

Yes. Our undergraduate curriculum is comparable in content to leading international physics programmes, and our graduates regularly publish internationally cited research. Our faculty — many of whom completed their own graduate training abroad and maintain active international collaborations — create an excellent environment for training the next generation of academics.

This is completely normal. The education you receive will prepare you to pursue many different directions. You will begin taking elective courses in your chosen area of interest from the third year onward — and you can still change direction after that. Students regularly change their research focus during their BSc, MSc, or even PhD.

Both. The curriculum is aligned with those of the world's leading physics departments. Theoretical courses include classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, statistical thermodynamics, mathematical methods in physics, and electromagnetic theory. Applied courses include mechanics and electromagnetism experiments, optics and waves, electronics, modern physics, and analogue and digital electronics laboratory courses. Additional electives allow further study in both theoretical and applied areas.

The department has many active research groups. Students typically begin joining these groups in their third year, working in both theoretical and experimental areas. Undergraduate students can take on roles in our research centres and laboratories, and there are also internship and part-time opportunities at various external institutions.

The department hosts numerous research laboratories, including the Center for Space and Accelerator Technologies and the Solar Energy Research and Application Center. The METU campus also accommodates major institutions such as TUSAŞ, HAVELSAN, ASELSAN, TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute, and TÜBİTAK ULAKBIM, and many students participate in active experimental research in those facilities.

In addition to research labs, we have dedicated teaching laboratories — see our curriculum for details.

Beyond coursework, students can attend weekly departmental seminars and events organised by student societies. METU is also well known for its vibrant sports culture and the breadth of its student clubs — we encourage prospective students to explore METU's official website and social media for more.

Physics can be challenging for those who do not enjoy mathematics or physics — but for students who are genuinely interested and willing to put in the effort, it is very manageable. Any student who attends to their coursework diligently will be able to pass their classes without undue difficulty. Rumours that "students fail to graduate" or that "everyone struggles" do not reflect reality.

Graduate admission requires a qualifying undergraduate GPA, as well as minimum scores in ALES (the national graduate admissions exam) and a recognised language proficiency test. Full details are available at physics.metu.edu.tr/Education/Graduate.

Specialisation is chosen through elective courses and the thesis research topic. The thesis must focus on a specific area, and electives can be selected to build deeper knowledge in that area. Thesis work is conducted under the supervision of a faculty advisor.

Both programmes include compulsory courses in analytical mechanics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, electromagnetic theory, and mathematical methods in physics, alongside a required number of electives. Completion of the programme requires submission of an MSc or PhD thesis.

After a research assistantship position is announced in the Official Gazette, applicants are evaluated based on their YDS language score, ALES score, and undergraduate GPA. Candidates are ranked and those within ten times the number of available positions pass an initial screening and are invited to sit the department's own exam. The final score is calculated as: 30% department exam + 30% ALES + 30% undergraduate GPA percentile equivalent + 10% language score. Positions are filled in order of this ranking.