Requirements
Academic Background
- Degree: A Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Life Sciences (e.g., Biology, Biochemistry, Plant Sciences, Agricultural Biology, Biotechnology) or a closely related field. Applicants with degrees in related fields should consult the FAQ (Before studies, point no. 5) for further information on eligibility.
- Academic Standing: A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 70% (equivalent to a German grade of 2.7 or better).
- Experience in practical laboratory work (at least 20 ECTS) is mandatory.
English Language Proficiency
- All applicants must demonstrate fluency (CEFR level B2) in written and spoken English. If English is not your first language, you must provide one of the following official certificates:
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- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with a minimal passing scores of:
- iBT (Internet-based): 80
- PBT (Paper-based): 550
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with a minimal passing scores of:
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IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with a minimal passing scores of 6.0.
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- German language proficiency is not required.
Language Test Exemptions
You are not required to submit a language test if you fall into one of these categories:
- Native Speakers: Applicants whose first language is English.
- English-taught Degrees: Applicants with a B.Sc. from an institution where English was the sole medium of instruction (requires an official confirmation letter from the university).
- European Students: Applicants who completed seven consecutive years of English in secondary school (reaching at least B1 level). Please provide your high school certificate as proof.
How to apply
The application process is strictly online. We do not accept applications via post or email.
Please note that the online application consists of two steps:
- Registration: Log in the system and submit your personal details
- Submission: Enter your academic history, upload your PDF documents, and submit your motivation letter directly into the portal text field.
Note: Please prepare all materials in advance, as you will need to complete these steps during the application period (March – April).
Required documents
All documents must be uploaded as PDF files (Maximum total size: 5 MB). Documents not in English or German must be accompanied by a certified translation.
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree certificate. If not yet available by the deadline, please upload a recent transcript and indicate your expected graduation date.
If your certificate does not include a final grade, a transcript or mark sheet must be provided. - Upper secondary school certificate (e.g., Abitur, High School Diploma, GCE A-Levels, or equivalent).
- Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent demonstrating at least CEFR level B2), unless you meet exemption criteria.
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
Additional requirements
- References: Names and contact details of two potential referees. Recommendation letters are not required at the time of application but may be requested later.
- Letter of Motivation: A short statement (max. 300 words) explaining your interest in the M.Sc. Plant Sciences at the University of Bonn.
- Note: The statement must be entered directly into the online portal text box (English only, no special characters).
Timeline and decision
- Application Period: 1st March – 1st May.
- Review Process: Applications are reviewed by a committee of professors, staff, and students.
- Admission Decisions: Communicated by the beginning of July.
- Program Start: Early October.