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M.Sc. Physical Geography: Climate and Environmental Sciences

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg) Erlangen

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  • Over 1,500 EUR/sem
    Tuition
  • Winter intake
    Intake
  • English
    Language
  • 31 May
    Next deadline

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About the programme

Physical Geography: Climate and Environmental Sciences at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg is a four-semester Master of Science taught completely in English, starting in the winter semester. It studies how climate change affects environmental processes, landscape dynamics and socio-ecological systems, with a focus on high mountain regions as well as polar regions and drylands. You specialise in one of the institute's three research pillars: climate research, geoinformatics or environmental analysis. The first three semesters are for your specialisation and methods training, with labs for soil and sediments, tree rings and stable isotopes, meteorological measurement and climate modelling, and GIS and remote sensing. A field trip near the end of the second semester and a research training course, where you run your own project from data collection to analysis, put this into practice. The fourth semester is for your Master's thesis. It suits graduates who want to research climate and environmental change.

Fields of study

Environmental Engineering(Engineering)

How to apply

ChannelDirect to university
Modeonline_plus_hardcopy
APSRequired for Application

APS checks your degree papers. You need it if your degree is from India, China or Vietnam.

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Requirements

What you need to apply for Physical Geography: Climate and Environmental Sciences at University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg)

English language

IELTS Overall
5.5/ 9.0
View English requirements details

Level B2

Applicants have to proof intermediate knowledge of the English language (level B2) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or an equivalent score in an internationally recognised test.

German language

Maximum German grade(lower is better)
2.3
View German requirements details

The proficiency of a basic knowledge of German (A1) has to be proven within the first academic year.

Academic requirements

Completed Bachelor's degree
Required
MOI accepted as English proof
Not Accepted
View academic requirements details

Successful applications must proof good basic knowledge in Physical Geography or a related subject as well as basic technical skill sets, e.g. GIS or programming/scripting. Note that the examination regulations require you to have at least 30 ECTS (40 ECTS starting summer term 2021 onwards) in one or more geography-related subjects (e.g. ecology, climatology/meteorology, GIS, soil science and geomorphology, hydrology, forestry, and environmental physics). Applications without specific motivation letter, with too little geography-related background, or from entirely technical subjects (e.g., mechanical engineering) will be dismissed. Please be aware of the minimum Bachelor entry grade of at least 2.3 or better (without additional exam) or 2.3-2.5 (with additional exam). Grades below this threshold will be excluded from further review. Grades refer to the German higher education system or equivalent.

Students shall be considered to have met the qualification requirementsfor the Master's degree programme if they:

1.Have completed an undergraduate degree that is subject-specific or subject-re-lated to the Master's degree programme in question from a university or another degree with equivalent content; .

2.Applicants should have completed the relevant degree with an overall grade of at least 2.5 (= good)

Therefore, your chances of success are greater if you do not apply until summer term 2021. The application deadlines are 31 January for the following summer term (starting in April).The application period for the summer semester starts in early December.

Note that the examination regulations require you to have at least 30 ECTS in one or more geography-related subjects (e.g. ecology, climatology/meteorology, GIS, soil science and geomorphology, hydrology, forestry, and environmental physics).

Tests and documents

Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Required
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Required
Letters of Recommendation
Required
GRE
Not required
GMAT
Not required
View document requirements details

Yes

Yes

APS verification

APS certificate
Required for Application

APS checks your degree papers. You need it if your degree is from India, China or Vietnam.

Prerequisites

Please read the following carefully.

1. Due to the course structure, we strongly recommend to start in the winter term.

2. Successful applications must proof good basic knowledge in Physical Geography or a related subject as well as basic technical skill sets, e.g. GIS or programming/scripting. Note that the examination regulations require you to have at least 30 ECTS (40 ECTS starting summer term 2021 onwards) in one or more geography-related subjects (e.g. ecology, climatology/meteorology, GIS, soil science and geomorphology, hydrology, forestry, and environmental physics). Applications without specific motivation letter, with too little geography-related background, or from entirely technical subjects (e.g., mechanical engineering) will be dismissed.

3. Please be aware of the minimum Bachelor entry grade of at least 2.3 or better (without additional exam) or 2.3-2.5 (with additional exam). Grades below this threshold will be excluded from further review. Grades refer to the German higher education system or equivalent.

4. If the minimum entry grade is fulfilled, yet theextent of your geography-related background is not clear enogh, we will offer you a coaching (digital meeting) after your application to help you assess the fit with our program.

5. Applicants have to proof intermediate knowledge of the English language (level B2) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or an equivalent score in an internationally recognised test. The proficiency of a basic knowledge of German (A1) has to be proven within the first academic year

Documents checklist

What to prepare for your application to Physical Geography: Climate and Environmental Sciences

Programme-specific documents

1. CV (without photo)

2. school leaving certificate (complete certificate)

3. if applicable: pre-university year certificate (e.g. applicants from Iran)

4. if applicable: university entrance examination certificate from your home country

5. if you have completed previous periods of study: complete academic report/transcript of records

6. if you have completed a previous degree: degree certificate (e.g. Bachelor’s degree, Diplom)

7. German language certificates (regular copy)-if required

8. if available: preliminary review documentation from uni-assist (regular copy)

Certified copies of foreign certificates that are not issued in German, English or French must be submitted along with a certified translation. If your documents do not fulfil the requirements or if important certificates are missing, your application will not be processed.

This programme applies directly to the university. Submit your documents through the correct channel before the deadline.

Open application portal (opens in a new tab)

Apostille and notarization

Requirements vary by nationality and issuing country. Many German universities require certified translations and, in some cases, document apostilles. Verify current requirements directly with the admissions office, or use our document services for guided preparation.

Need help preparing your documents?

Our document preparation bundle covers SOP, CV, LOR, and translation coordination, reviewed by our team.

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How to apply

Step-by-step guide to applying for Physical Geography: Climate and Environmental Sciences at University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg)

Application procedure

Register link : https://www.idm.fau.de/go/signup/index (opens in a new tab)

Application Link : https://www.campo.fau.de/qisserver/pages/cs/sys/portal/hi... (opens in a new tab)

Please send your application form together with all the required documents to the FAU Admissions Office (Zulassungsstelle):

Postal address:

Zulassungsstelle der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

Schlossplatz 4

91054 Erlangen

Application quick facts

Apply via

Direct to university

Mode

online_plus_hardcopy

APS

Required for Application

APS checks your degree papers. You need it if your degree is from India, China or Vietnam.

Application fee

0 EUR

Complexity

Medium

Address

All documents required for the application must be sent by post to the Master’s Office (Masterbüro):

Referat L 4 – Masterbüro

Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

Schloßplatz 4

D-91054 Erlangen

Open application portal (opens in a new tab)

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Costs

Tuition

Over 1,500 EUR

per semester

Semester contribution

N/A

per semester

Application fee

0 EUR

per application

Estimated year-1 total cost

14,904 – 23,904 EUR

Includes tuition, semester contribution, and estimated living costs. Range accounts for lifestyle differences.

Additional fee information

New students from outside the EU and EEA pay 2,000 EUR per semester from Summer 2027. Students who enrolled before Summer 2027 may be exempt. This does not include the semester contribution.

Plan your total budget for Germany

Use the MS in Germany cost calculator to estimate living expenses, insurance, and your full year-one spend.

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Admission outcomes

Community-reported data from MS in Germany students (2018-2025)

Acceptance rate

0%

0 accepted out of 6 total applications

Grade distributionGerman scale (1.0 = best, 4.0 = passing)

AdmittedRejected
1.02.03.04.0

Based on 6 applications from MS in Germany students 2018-2025.

Based on 6 applications from MS in Germany students 2018-2025.

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