1. Besides applying online, do I need to send the printed application along with the documents through surface mail or courier? Or is the online application sufficient?

The application is submitted online only. Unless we specifically request it, please do not send any documents by post or email. For data security reasons, unsolicited email attachments will be deleted without review.

2. I tried to apply but encountered difficulties when uploading my file. Is it possible to submit all documents via air mail?

No, applications can only be submitted through the online system.

3. Can I scan all certificates and upload them as PDF files?

Yes. Documents can be scanned and uploaded as PDF files. Please ensure that the total file size does not exceed the limit. If admitted, you will be required to present the original documents upon arrival in Bonn.

4. How can I contact a study advisor and apply for scholarships?

The program does not assign individual study advisors. However, students regularly interact with peers and faculty throughout the program. The M.Sc. Plant Sciences program itself does not offer scholarships, but external funding options may be found, for example, through the DAAD database (www.daad.de).

5. Which B.Sc. degree fields are eligible for admission?

A Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Life Sciences (e.g., Biology, Biochemistry, Plant Sciences, Agricultural Biology, Biotechnology) are eligible. Applicants with a B.Sc. in pharmacy, chemistry, physics or geosciences will also be considered provided the remaining requirements are met. 

Please note while the degrees in applied natural sciences (agriculture, horticulture, forestry, etc.) are eligible for application, this M.Sc. Plant Sciences program focuses on fundamental plant sciences rather than applied fields such as agriculture or crop sciences.

6. My GPA is 2.65/4 (76/100). Is this sufficient?

Yes. A grade corresponding to approximately 70% or higher of the maximum score meets the general requirement.

7. Can I apply without an English certificate and submit it later?

No. Proof of English proficiency must be provided at the time of application. The application window is designed to allow sufficient time to complete this requirement.

8. Who can translate my certificates?

Certificates must be provided in English or German. If they are in another language, they must be translated only by a certified translator.

9. Is a three-year bachelor’s degree sufficient?

Yes. A three-year bachelor’s degree is acceptable and generally equivalent to standard German bachelor’s programs.

10. When will I receive a decision on my application?

The evaluation process usually takes about 6-8 weeks after the application deadline.

 11. My referees have not received a request for a reference letter. Is this a problem?

Not necessarily. Referees are only contacted if additional clarification is required during the evaluation process.

1. When do we receive the admission letters (Zulassungsbescheide)?

You will be notified about updates in your application status via email. Admission letters can be downloaded from the application portal. 

2. What are the next steps after obtaining the acceptance letter?

Please ensure that the email address provided in your application is working and check your inbox regularly (at least once per week) for updates. You may already begin preparing for the following: financing living in Bonn, visa application (if applicable), accommodation, travel arrangements, etc.

The admission letter will also include instructions for enrollment at the University of Bonn. Enrollment is completed online until the stated deadline (typically early August).

3. How do I get my visa?

This is part of your own responsibilities. We can not provide information on the different visa requirements in the various countries.

4. When do I have to select my courses?

As stated above, you will be contacted by us and requested to select modules. This will typically happen in late August.

5. Where and when should I show my original documents? Should I mail them after I received my admission letter?

No. You do not need to send any documents until requested. You only need to show the original documents after arrival at University of Bonn. However, please be aware that if the final Bachelor degree certificate has not yet been issued, the admission and the enrolment in the M.Sc. Plant Sciences program is provided only provisionally, as long as the presentation of the final certificate is pending. The Bachelor degree certificate and proof of English proficiency must be presented to the coordination office before the end of the first semester. If prove for language skills or the Bachelor degree cannot be provided by 31st March of the 1st semester, the enrolment will be officially cancelled without further notice.

6. I would like to know that if there is any vacant spots available as a teaching/laboratory assistant?

Unfortunately, M.Sc. Plant sciences program currently is not hosting any central database for student jobs and the program coordination cannot assist you in this. However, please feel free to get in touch with the individual research groups for employment possibilities yourself.

1. Which courses/modules should I choose?

You have flexibility in choosing your modules. Apart from the mandatory theoretical modules, there are no fixed requirements regarding module selection.

2. Can I replace a module if I received a low grade?

No. All successfully completed modules remain part of your final transcript. The program does not allow modules or examinations to be retaken or replaced to improve grades. 

3. How do I register for modules offered by the Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional and Engineering Sciences (AEI)?

These modules must be arranged directly with the responsible course instructor. After agreement, please inform the M.Sc. Plant Sciences coordinator. Please note that course organization in the AEI may be flexible and schedules can be announced at short notice, so coordination is required to ensure compatibility with your study plan. 

4. How are grades recorded and where can I see them?

Grades are entered by the respective lecturers in the University of Bonn BASIS system ( https://basis.uni-bonn.de). You can view your transcript there. For questions about specific grades, please first contact the responsible lecturer.

5. My grade is not visible yet. What should I do?

Grades are usually entered by lecturers directly. If a grade is missing, it may simply not have been uploaded yet. In such cases, it is appropriate to contact the lecturer as a reminder.

6. Can I exclude modules if I exceed 120 credit points?

No. All completed modules and their grades will appear in your final degree transcript.

7. Can I withdraw from a lab module after starting it?

Withdrawal is only possible before the module has started. Once you begin a lab module, it must be completed and will be graded as passed or failed. If a module is not passed, it can be repeated according to the examination rules (e.g. twice failed in the examination). Please note that obligatory theoretical modules cannot be replaced.

8. Is a Master’s thesis defense required?

No formal thesis defense is required. The thesis is evaluated by two reviewers, one of whom is usually the supervisor. However, presenting your work in a seminar setting is encouraged to receive feedback before submission.

9. What are the main rules for the Master’s thesis?

The thesis must be registered before starting. The standard duration is six months, including writing. It is evaluated by two reviewers, and both provide a grade. You will have access to the written evaluations.

10. Can I start my Master’s thesis before earning 90 credit points?

In general, the thesis is started after completing 90 CP. In exceptional cases (for example, due to biological constraints such as plant growth cycles), it may be possible to start after collecting at least 60 CP. This requires prior approval from the program coordinator.

11. How is the thesis deadline calculated?

The submission deadline is exactly six months minus one day after the start date. For example, if you start on 1 April, the deadline is 30 September. 

12. What if my thesis deadline falls on a weekend or holiday?

If the deadline falls on a non-working day, submission is possible on the next working day. However, submission is usually done in person during office hours, and an appointment should be arranged in advance. Early submission is recommended whenever possible.

13. When will I receive my thesis results and final documents?

After submission, the thesis is sent to two reviewers for evaluation. This process usually takes up to six weeks. Once both reviews have been received, the final documents are prepared and forwarded for official signing and sealing. The overall processing time depends on the reviewers’ evaluation period.

14. What are the main student portals and what are they for?

The university uses three main platforms.

BASIS
Your main student portal for both academic and administrative matters. Use it to register for courses and exams, check grades, download enrollment certificates (e.g. for BAföG or health insurance), check your semester fee payment status, and retrieve your Uni-ID after enrollment. 

eCampus
Your digital classroom. Once enrolled in a course, you will find materials, assignments, and instructor announcements here.

Webmail
Your official university email. Check it regularly, all formal communications from the university and professors go here.

All three use your Uni-ID, which you receive upon enrollment. Make sure to activate it first via GOsa before logging in anywhere.