Master Photonics and Laser Engineering (MSE)
In the Master’s program in Photonics and Laser Engineering, you will deepen your knowledge of light-based technologies and learn from the ground up how innovative products are developed and implemented. You will be trained to become interdisciplinary professionals who understand complex interrelationships and apply them effectively.
With this background, you’ll be well-prepared for the future: you’ll have the expertise for a wide range of career opportunities in research and development, management, or marketing of technological innovations.
Program at a Glance
Degree
Master of Science in Engineering with Specialization in Photonics and Laser Engineering (90 ETCS)
Program Start
Spring semester: 22 February 2027
Autumn semester: 20 September 2027
Duration
3 semesters fulltime full-time or 5-6 semesters part-time
The degree program can be completed alongside professional employment.
Tuition
CHF 1,000 per semester
Campus
Rapperswil-Jona or Buchs: You select one of these locations for your area of specialization.
Zurich: Theory and Context Modules
Admission
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the field of Photonics. Academic performance across the entire Bachelor’s program must correspond to an ECTS grade of A or B.
More Information on Admission
Accepted Bachelor's degrees:
BSc in Photonics
BSc in Mechatronics
BSc in Microtechnology
BSc in Electrical Engineering
BSc in Mechanical Engineering
BSc in Medical Engineering
BSc in Data Science
BSc in Materials and Process Engineering
Admission Deadline
Spring semester: 30. November 2026
Autumn semester: 30 April 2027
Advantages of MSE Photonics and Laser Engineering:
- Study in a personalised and flexible way: you can structure your Master’s programme on a modular basis to suit your interests, deepen your knowledge in a targeted manner, and complete your studies on a full-time or part-time basis.
- Specialisation with a future: Building on your Bachelor’s degree, you will develop a clear specialisation in one of the key technologies of the 21st century with a wide range of applications. OST offers a broad spectrum of applications and specialisation topics in photonics, ranging from optical manufacturing technology to high-tech optoelectronics and miniaturised sensor technology
- Strongly practice-oriented: A large part of the programme consists of projects in which you tackle real-world challenges and gain valuable practical experience.
- Closely linked to industry and research: You will benefit from lecturers with strong links to industry, as well as from practical projects carried out in collaboration with companies.
- Advisor support: During their Master’s programme, students receive individual support from an advisor, a professor in their chosen field. The advisor ensures that the students’ academic goals are achieved through the appropriate choice of modules.
Modern laser-based precision manufacturing
High-power and ultra-short-pulse lasers play a vital role in precision manufacturing today. In combination with modern fibre systems and optical diagnostics, they have dramatically transformed the design of manufacturing systems.
Fundamentals and applications of laser-material interaction
Optics, imaging and beam guidance in industrial manufacturing processes
Laser welding, cutting, drilling, marking and sintering
3D additive and subtractive processes
Optical metrology and image processing
A qualified measurement engineering specialist is characterised by their knowledge of the fundamentals of light detection, their mastery of the most common optical measurement methods, their understanding of their fundamental limitations, and their ability to apply them correctly to a wide variety of applications. Furthermore, they must be familiar with modern optical sensors and be able to select them and integrate them, for example, into digital factories.
Imaging systems: microscopy, vision-based systems for quality control, biomedical imaging
Spectroscopy for colourimetry or the analysis of chemical compounds
Interferometry for dimensional metrology or optical coherence tomography
Optoelectronics and electro-optics
The generation, control and conversion of light are of paramount importance for the development of light-based systems. These typically include semiconductor-based light sources and detectors, as well as electro-optical components that enable light to be shaped spatially, temporally and spectrally. Optoelectronics also forms the interface between optical and electronic systems.
Light sources: lasers, LEDs, OLEDs, thermal emitters, displays
Detectors: PIN diodes, APDs, PSDs, CCD and CMOS sensors
Electro-optical modulators
Design and modelling of photonic systems
The design and modelling of photonic systems for free-space or guided optical signal processing require a high degree of system simulation to analyse relevant optical, thermal and mechanical properties. Prototyping, testing, measurement, validation and optimisation of photonic components, modules or systems complete the interdisciplinary scope of work of a photonic systems engineer.
Simulation: ray tracing, wave optics simulation, thin-film design, CAD and FEM simulation
Prototyping, testing, measuring, validating and optimising photonic components, modules or systems
Fibre optics, integrated optics and optical microsystems
Micro-technologies
The trend towards miniaturisation and the increasing complexity of photonic components require high-precision manufacturing processes in order to achieve the required performance and meet tight tolerances. Microtechnologies are playing an increasingly crucial role in the design and manufacture of miniaturised photonic systems such as waveguides, micro-optics or systems with highly integrated photonic components.
Lithography processes combined with etching technologies
Replication processes
Thin-film technology
Photonics packaging