Master's program "Geobiology and Paleobiology"
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Admission

Application Procedure

General

For admission to the Master Program in Geobiology and Paleobiology (MGAP), all applicants have to demonstrate the following:

  1. Fundamental knowledge in Geobiology, Paleobiology, or related fields such as Geology and Biology.
  2. A B.Sc. degree in Geology, Biology, Physical Geography, or a related subject completed before the start of the master's program and (in the case of international students) recognized by the LMU as equivalent to a German Bachelor's degree.
  3. English language skills in writing and speaking - suitable for communicating scientific topics and problems.
  4. Basic German language skills.

Deadlines

There are two deadlines: One for international students with bachelor's degrees from non-EU countries (31 March) and one for students with bachelor's degrees from Germany and states of the European Union (31 May). First-semester courses start in mid-October.

Applications have to be submitted via an online system. Other forms of application cannot be accepted. Students with bachelor's degrees from outside of Germany have to provide additional certified copies and documents that will be reviewed by the International Office (see details below).

Application for the winter semester of 2024/25 is now possible for non-EU candidates until 31 March 2024. Submit your application here:

https://www.efv.verwaltung.uni-muenchen.de/mageopal 

Candidates with a bachelor's degree from the EU can submit their application from mid-April until 31 May. A link to the online application system for EU candidates will be provided here during this period. 

Application procedure in detail

The first step is submitting via an online system, in which the documents listed below must be provided. International students have to send certified copies of some documents by mail in addition to the online application. An admission committee will review your application after the submission deadline. You may be invited to an (online) interview.

Required documents:

  • CV in English, including contact details (address, telephone, email).
  • Certified copy of your B.Sc. degree (either in Geology, Biology, Physical Geography, or a related subject). If the B.Sc. is not finished at the time of application, provide a transcript of records of at least 150 ETCS (in English or German). The transcript of records (in English or German) must explain your University's grading system (highest/lowest possible mark). The copy of the B.Sc. degree has to be delivered as soon as possible.
  • An essay of 750 - 1.000 words in English in which your motivation, scientific background, and competencies for participating in our master's program are explained in detail. Consider this letter as the most important document of the application procedure. This motivation letter must be written by the applicant, unaided, with all necessary references being cited correctly. Plagiarism will result in the rejection of the application.
  • Proof of English language proficiency of level C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), for example, by the following language certificates:
    • TOEFL (iBT) (Test of English as a Foreign Language, internet-based): at least 95 points. 
    • IELTS (International English Language Testing Service): minimum of 7.0 points, and no part less than 5.0 points. 
    • Cambridge CAE (Certificate in Advanced English): Mark "A" or "B". 
    • A university degree in Geology, Biology, or Physical Geography, or a related subject from a study program held in English.
  • Proof of German language proficiency of level A1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). If the evidence cannot be provided at the time of application, it has to be handed in latest one year after beginning the studies in the program.
  • International students must provide certified copies and an application form, which we will forward to the International Office. These documents must be received at least two weeks after the application deadline. Click here for details.

The originals of the same documents have to be presented at the time of actual enrolment.

You can apply for a 'prospective student visa.' If you require a visa, you should not wait to organize the necessary steps until you receive an acceptance notification. The final admission documents will arrive, possibly not before June 2023.

For additional questions, please contact the MGAP coordinator at mgap@geo.lmu.de.

You can find the complete and official version of the admission regulations (in German) here.