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The next Application period

Starting: 1 March 2025

Deadline: 15 May 2025.

go to: Online-Application-Portal >*

 

The program can only be started in the winter semester (October)

 

 * If there are any technical problems with the application portal, please diretly contact cm@rz.uni-freiburg.de.

Open Online Info Session

Join online to receive information and to get answers to all your MSc Envionmental Science Programme application questions.

Tuesday, 06 May 2025 - 14 Uhr (CEST) --> register here and get the Zoom-Link

 

Before you apply

We are happy that you are keen to study the ambitious M.Sc. Environmental Science. It is divided into 5 majors in order to give you focus for your studies and prepare you for your professional career. Please read carefully through the information regarding your application.

Find a major

Before applying you should thoroughly research your prospective major, including its requirements, specialization and deadlines. You can only apply for one major.

Check requirements

Check carefully that you meet the requirements of the specific major you want to study:

Check the application deadlines

The master program has intakes only once per year in October (winter semester). The application portal opens on 1st March and closes on 15th May.

Register for the application portal

You can only apply online. Register in the application portal and create your account and follow the steps for the application procedure.

Prove English language skills

All applicants are required to meet a minimum of English language requirement before you are admitted to your program of study. Please check if you hold a valid and appropriate proof of your English language skills according to the proposed major.

Search for funding opportunities, if applicable

Please make sure you have financial savings or support. You can find scholarships from German institutions here. Please note that you need to apply early for scholarships. Please also check scholarship opportunities in your country of origin.

It is also possible to work part-time at the university or other companies for financial support. This is likely to extend the normal study duration of 2 years. Finding a job (at the university) is easier once you are in Freiburg. There are several opportunities throughout the years.

Schedule an appointment for your visa, if applicable

For International, non EU-students: Please inform yourself how long it takes to get an interview and the Visa and if needed, schedule an interview at your embassy with handing in your application. It is recommended to get an appointment as early as possible as experience showed that the process can take long.

Entry requirements

Postgraduate study at the Freiburg University is intense and intellectually demanding, so the master program has high academic entry requirements. Each major has its own requirements which is set to have a solid academic foundation upon the content that will be taught.

Bachelor degree and grade

You are expected to hold or have achieved by the start of the master program:

  • Bachelor degree in environmental sciences, forestry or related subject
  • B.Sc. degree Minimum with an average grade / GPA of 2.5 or better from a German university or an equivalent from another university.
  • We use the Bavarian Formula to convert the grade if you come from an international university.

Language requirements

Please note that the language certificate / proof needs to be handed in at the time of the application and cannot be delivered afterwards.

The following English language certificates are accepted.

  • Native speakers are exempted from the proof requirement

-> Official language in home country = native language

  • German major

German level C1 (or native language) - English level B2

  • English major

      English level C1 (or native language) - German not required

The German Abitur is only valid if it explicitly states C1 (B2/C1 means language level “B2 and in parts C1” and cannot be considered)

A confirmation that the medium of instruction for your Bachelor at your university was English is not sufficient (unless it has been from an English-speaking country).

Specific academic requirements

The M.Sc. program is divided into 5 majors. As each major has a different specialization, different requirements must be met.

Please check the specific adacdemic requirements for:

Proof of required special knowledge (if applicable)

If you are required to demonstrate specific proof of knowledge (e.g. floristic and faunistic species knowledge), please upload the certificate or highlight it in the transcript of records.

  • Landnutzung und Naturschutz: Proof of floristic and faunistic species knowledge, Population ecology
  • Wildlife and Biodiversity: Proof of floristic and faunistic species knowledge, Population ecology
  • Environmental Modelling & Data Sciences: Knowledge of a higher programming language


Possible certificates:

  • Additional certificates
  • Confirmation of course attendance
  • Compilation of relevant modules
  • Written declaration of intensive self-study including details of the literature/software used

 

How to apply

Please make sure you collect and upload all the necessary documents for the online application. You can only apply to one major. 

Step 1: Prepare your application documents

 

1. Letter of Motivation

In 1-2 pages, please explain your personal motivation to apply and why this program is important to you. Please relate your motivation to your previous education / work experience and to your future aspirations. The motivation letter should not be longer than two pages.

 

2. Letter of independence / of declaration

Being part of the motivation letter, this is a new page where you declare that you have written everything yourself without help.

Please write the following sentence or something equivalent and sign it. You need to upload it in a separate field as a pdf or word document.

With the signature below, I confirm that I have written the motivation letter by myself without outside help and that I marked clearly all contents taken from other sources.

Place, date:

Signature:

 

3. Transcript of Records (original or certified translation if necessary)

The transcript needs to be uploaded in its original version and if necessary in its English or German certified translation.

Your Bachelor´s transcript must contain a final weighted average/CGPA and a grading scale. If your transcript lacks the above, please attach an annex with the missing information (e.g. link to your university´s official grading scale). Without this information we cannot assess and consider your application.

For the assessment of your application we can only consider your bachelor grade, even if your last degree is a Master´s degree. Therefore, make sure to upload the transcript of your bachelor’s degree.

If you have a Bachelor and a Master degree please also upload the transcript of your Master degree for our information, but keep in mind that we cannot consider the grade of your Master degree.

If you have not yet finished your Bachelor degree: please upload your current transcript and provide your current average grade (very important!) and the grading scale.

 

4. Degree Certificate

The degree certificate needs to be uploaded if applicable.

If you have not yet finished your Bachelor Degree, you have to upload confirmations of your university about the number of credits obtained so far (if not stated in the transcript of records); about the grading of the final thesis (if applicable and if not stated in the transcript); about submission or registration of the final thesis (if not stated in the transcript).

 

5. Language certificate

Please upload a valid and appropriate proof of your English language skills according to the entry requirements. The certificate must be handed in until the deadline of the application.

In case you already handed in your application and are not able to upload the language certificate anymore, please send it via e-mail. Language certificates can only be considered by May 15.

 

6. Proof of the academic requirements

In order to proof if you meet the academic requirements, please upload a summary with your achieved knowledge for each category. This can be in form of a list or a highlighted transcript or a table with the modules with ECTS points for each category.

For example:

Required Proof
Statistics and Genomics (15 ECTS)

1. Basic Concepts of Statistics (5 ECTS)

2. Advanced Spatial Analysis Methods (10 ECTS)
Natural Sciences and Ecology (55 ECTS required)

1. Biodiversity and Conservation (10 ECTS)

2. Basic Concepts of Organic Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry (5 ECTS)

3. Bachelor Thesis with oral examination (15 ECTS), Title:

....

 

Please upload this in the Documents section of your application.

 

7. Proof of required special knwoledge, if applicable

If you are required to demonstrate specific proof of knowledge (e.g. floristic and faunistic species knowledge), please upload the certificate or highlight it in the transcript of records.

  • Landnutzung und Naturschutz: Proof of floristic and faunistic species knowledge, Population ecology
  • Wildlife and Biodiversity: Proof of floristic and faunistic species knowledge, Population ecology
  • Environmental Modelling & Data Sciences: Knowledge of a higher programming language


Possible certificates:

  • Additional certificates
  • Confirmation of course attendance
  • Compilation of relevant modules
  • Written declaration of intensive self-study including details of the literature/software used

 

8. APS certificate, if applicable

For applicants from China and India, you need to upload your APS certificate with the application or latest by the application deadline.

 

9. Optional: Work experience or stay abroad

If you have work/practical experience and can provide a proof (e.g. letter from employer, certificates), you can improve your ranking in the selection process. Starting and finishing dates must be clearly specified in the proof in order to be valid.

Work/practical experience (min. 3 months)

  • means a fulltime employment or internship (paid or unpaid) related to your Bachelor degree or to the wider area of Environmental/ Forest Sciences. Voluntary work cannot be considered.

 

Completed vocational / professional training (German Berufsausbildung)

  • If you have fulfilled a vocational training related to the study program, please submit the certificate with the title, date and the company of the training of the achieved position.

 

Proof of a stay abroad, career related (minimum 6 months)

  • a semester abroad as exchange student (e.g. Erasmus). Here, 4 months are sufficient.
  • an internship abroad
  • a work experience abroad (if you have stated it in the work experience section, this is enough)

 

Please note that a CV is not sufficient for proving your experience. It must be an official document from the company or organisation.

 

10. Confirmation form

Please fill in and sign the confirmation form at that you will find at the end of the application process and upload it.

Step 2: Online submission to your application

Hand in your application online from March 01 to May 15.

  • Please note that the online portal is not available between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m. Central European time.
  • Switch the language to English in the bottom right corner of the screen. When filling in the online application form, please check all info buttons to make sure that you fill in the required information.
  • All documents must be uploaded online by May 15, 24:00. In the case of admission, the originals have to be presented physically upon matriculation.

 

Information for selecting the correct program and study regulation in the online application portal

IMPORTANT: When filling out the application, you have to select the study programme and the currently valid version of the study regulation, that is PO 2023.

 

Step 3: Admission

You will be notified by Mid-End of June about the results of the selection process if you are granted admission.

A letter of rejection will only be made available as a download in the application portal. It will not be sent by post.

In case you get admission, you will have to present or send the originals or originally certified copies of the original documents to Freiburg for matriculation.

Please note: Further information on admission eligibility, application procedure, or anything related to the programme, kindly address your questions to the programme directly via e-mail and not through the contact form on the application portal. E-mail:

 

After you apply

Once you have submitted all your documents, your application will be reviewed to determine whether it meets the formal and academic requirements

Your application is being reviewed

The applications are professionally assessed by the faculty. There, an admission committee will review your application according to the selection statutes (Auswahlsatzung). If the faculty decides to recommend you for admission, the Service Center Studium (International Office) will then consider your application. They particularly check all the formal requirements and validity of your documents. If they approve your application, you will then receive an offer of admission.

The decision

Admission letters will be sent by post to the address submitted in the portal and you can download it in the inbox of the application portal by the end of June.

A letter of rejection will only be made available as a download in the application portal. It will not be sent by post.

 

Information for successful applicants

Here, successful applicants may find more important and relevant information regarding the university, steps to take upon arrival as well as living in Freiburg

Getting a visa

For International, non EU-students: While you wait your application being processed, please schedule an interview at your embassy for getting a study visa. It is recommended to get an appointment as early as possible as experience showed that the process can take long.

Students from EU or EFTA countries, as well as from Australia, Canada, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand and the United States of America do not need a student visa.

Students of other nationalities must have a student visa. The visa must be obtained from the German embassy in the student's home country. If you wish to come to Germany to do a language course before the master course begins you can obtain an applicant's visa. To obtain a student visa you must have the official letter of acceptance from the university and provide proof that you have funding for your stay in Germany.

IMPORTANT: Do not in any case enter Germany with a tourist visa! For more detailed information about visa procedures and requirements, please refer to the DAAD website or Studying in Germany.

Getting prepared for University

 

Finding housing

As Freiburg is a beautiful city and many people desire to live there, the housing market is very tight. That is why we highly recommend you to register for student residency.

For international students:

For our successful international applicants, the International Office will provide rooms for the first semester. You will get an e-mail to apply to student housing separate from the normal procedure. You will receive an e-mail after admission. Please also check your Spam-folder.

How much would a room in the student residence cost?

A fully furnished apartment costs approx. 370€ - 450€ per month per person.

A fully furnished shared flat costs around 300 – 400 € per month per person.

For German students, you can apply for student housing here.

Also, accommodation in the private market can be found here:

In case you have difficulties finding something for the long-term, you could stay at the Freiburg youth hostel, the ‘Backpacker Hotel’ or the Greencity Boardinghouse.

It is best to already start looking for accommodation as early as July up to September. In October it is very difficult to find accommodation.

Living in Freiburg

  • Freiburg is young and dynamic, a big city, but still small, traditional and modern

 Insights from students of geography into their student life in Freiburg (only in German): Film: YouTube

German language:

Many local people can speak English so you will get around. However, many students are also interested to take language courses aside from the regular M.Sc. curriculum. There are various institutes that offer intensive or extensive German courses.

 

Frequently asked questions and answers

Applying to the Master programme can be quite challenging and questions arise during the process. Here you find some frequently asked questions and answers to guide you through.

Can I apply for several majors?

The decision for one of the majors must be made at the time of application, as each major has different admission requirements.

You can find the 5 majors described on our website, where you will also find the exact content and specialisation, as well as the admission requirements. Check carefully which major best suits you.

What are the requirements?

General requirements:

  •     Bachelor's degree in environmental sciences or forestry or related
  •     B.Sc. Graduation with a grade average of at least 2.5 (German grade)
  •     German elective track: German C1, English B2
  •     English elective track: English C1

 

Specif academic requirements:

The academic admission requirements can be found directly at the  majors pages.

What documents do I need?

The following documents are required for a complete application:

  • Motivation letter and declaration of independence
  • Bachelor certificate (if already available, must be submitted at the latest upon enrolment)
  • Transcript of records
  • Proof of academic requirements (please upload this in the major section of the application)
  • If applicable, proof of required special knowledge (depending on the requirements of the desired major)
  • Language certificate
  • If applicable, proof of completed education, practical relevant experiences, stays abroad
  • If applicable, APS Certificate (Applicants from China, Vietnam und Mongolia)
  • Signed confirmation form (you can download it at the end of the application process)

 

What language certificates are accepted?

  • Native speakers are exempted from the proof requirement

-> Official language in home country = native language

  • German major

German level C1 (or native language) - English level B2

  • English major

English level C1 (or native language) - German not required

Can I hand in my language certificate after the application deadline?

You must upload an official accepted language certificate until the end of the application period (May 15th). If you don't, your application is invalid unfortunately.

Are there any guidelines on how to write a motivation letter?

A letter of motivation of no more than two A4 pages in German or English in which the applicant describes his personal reasons for applying and reasons for wanting to study on the Master of Science in Environmental Sciences program in the desired major at the University of Freiburg.

What does the letter of declaration mean?

For this you draft a new page and declare that you have written everything yourself without help, and if you had used references that you indicated them. Please sign that and attach it to the application system.

Here is an example that you can use:

With the signature below, I confirm that I have written the motivation letter by myself ithout outside help and that I marked clearly all contents taken from other sources.

Place, date:

Signature:

How can I provide evidence that I meet the academic requirements?

You can use the transcript of records and highlight with different colours the specific modules for each category.

Another option is that you make a table or list with all the modules, the category of requirement and the ECTS.

Example:

Required Proof
Statistics and Genomics (15 ECTS)

1. Basic Concepts of Statistics (5 ECTS)

2. Advanced Spatial Analysis Methods (10 ECTS)
Natural Sciences and Ecology (55 ECTS required)

1. Biodiversity and Conservation (10 ECTS)

2. Basic Concepts of Organic Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry (5 ECTS)

....

 

Please upload this in the major section of the application.

Can I catch up on missing course content during my studies?

Unfortunately, no. You must fulfil the academic requirements until the start of the Master programme.

What if I do not yet have all the proof required?

If you have not yet completed your university studies by the application deadline of Mai 15th, you still can apply. You must submit a certificate from the university confirming all achievements already made (including grades and details of ECTS points) and a confirmation from the university stating the grade of the final thesis or, alternatively, that the thesis has been submitted or at least registered.

What if I finished my Bachelor degree but do not yet have the certificate?

If the applicant has already completed his university degree at the time of the application deadline, but cannot yet submit a copy of the certificate of the completed degree, it is sufficient for the application to submit a confirmation from the university that this degree was completed and with what overall grade, as well as an overview of achievements with details of individual grades and ECTS points earned. The certified copy of the certificate of the first university degree must be submitted to the Admissions Committee immediately, but at the latest upon enrolment.

How do I transfer my grade into the German grading system?

Please upload your Bachelor degree and the specific grading system of your country. We will then transfer your grade using the Bavarian Formula. For this we need the lower and the upper limit of the grading system. Please provide this in the application portal. You do not need to convert your grade, we will do that for you.

I have missed the application deadline. How can I still be considered?

We only take applications once per year for the intake of the winter semester. Please apply in the next year then.

Do you have scholarships available?

Here you can inform yourself about scholarships. Your application to the study programme is separate from the scholarship process. Please also check scholarships from your country of origin.

Contact

In case you have queries regarding the application, admission or need assistance upon organising your start at the University of Freiburg, please contact: