Admission
Application Procedure
General
For admission to the Master Program in Geobiology and Paleobiology (MGAP), all applicants have to demonstrate the following:
- Fundamental knowledge in Geobiology, Paleobiology, or related fields such as Geology and Biology.
- 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.
- English language skills in writing and speaking - suitable for communicating scientific topics and problems.
- 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 must be submitted online. A link can be found here during application periods. We will not accept any other forms of application. 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).
Applications to start in our programme in the winter semester 2025/26 are now welcomed for EU graduates until 31 May. Applications must be submitted via our online system:
https://www.efv.verwaltung.uni-muenchen.de/mageopal
We will not consider other forms of application.
Applications for non-EU Bachelor graduates for the winter semester 2025/26 are no longer possible.
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:
- A CV in English, including contact details (address, telephone, email).
- A certified copy of your B.Sc. degree (geology, biology, physical geography, or a related subject) is required. 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. The applicant must write this motivation letter 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 you cannot provide the evidence 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. We must receive these documents at least two weeks after the application deadline. Click here for details.
You will have to present the originals of the same documents at the time of 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 2025.
You can find the complete and official version of the admission regulations (in German) here.
Please read all the information here carefully. If you have additional questions, contact us via admission.mgap@palmuc.org