Ability assessment

The following criteria will be taken into consideration when assessing your application:

1. Molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry

  • You need Bachelor's level biology knowledge (this includes basic biochemistry knowledge) and a good knowledge of the basics of molecular biology. That includes both theoretical knowledge and skills in the lab. Those are minimum requirements.
  • Studying Medical Life Sciences requires a sound knowledge of at least vertebrate physiology. You need to document having acquired sufficient knowledge in physiology during your Bachelor's studies by providing a detailed module description for the vertebrate/human physiology course you passed. Substituting it by developmental, microbial, cell or plant physiology is not possible. Expect questions accordingly.

2. Language skills

  • Your English skills must be very good since the entire programme is conducted in English (i.e. written and oral exams are conducted in English, that includes your Master's thesis, which needs to be written in English). The minimum level of English requested for the programme is C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference.
  • Your language skills will be assessed via the ability assessment, not via any certificates. We request you to write your application in English.
  • If you are invited for an interview, this will be conducted in English. It is important that you can converse freely in English and answer scientific questions in English adequately as well.

3. Degree and grade

  • To be able to evaluate the relevance of your university education, we require your diploma supplement, diploma and transcripts of records in English, German, Russian, Spanish or Dutch. Should you have studied at more than one university or more than one programme (even if you have not concluded all programmes), include ALL transcripts. Spanish, Russian, French and Dutch are in order for the application, but be prepared to hand in a certified German or English translation for enrolment should you be accepted.
  • Grades will also be taken into consideration.
  • For degrees obtained at non-German institutions, it will be checked whether they provide eligibility to study a Master's degree at German universities.

4. Motivation/interest in research

  • It is important to know why you want to study Medical Life Sciences, what you intend to achieve and which of your strengths you see as specifically useful for being successful in Medical Life Sciences. Please cover these aspects in your motivation letter. Do not confuse the motiuvation letter with a narrative CV, starting with a narrative of your early schoool days is wrong for a motivation letter.
  • You have to be able to study self-reliantly. Work in the lab and at the computer can be repetitive and long-winded. The desire to get to the bottom of things despite difficulties as well as scientific curiosity are prerequisites. Expect to tackle areas of knowledge that you are not well acquainted with yet and that cost time and effort to master.
  • Expect to spend the 750-900 hours per semester on your studies (study time for acquiring 30 credit points per semester).