University of Heidelberg, Technical University of Munich, LMU Munich, RWTH Aachen University, Saarland University, Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials at RWTH Aachen, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), and various Max Planck Institutes
Teaching language
English
Languages
Day-to-day communication at the associated institutions is in English. Courses are held in English.
Full-time / part-time
full-time
Mode of study
Less than 50% online
Programme duration
9 semesters or more
Beginning
Winter semester
Application deadline
1 December to begin the programme in the winter semester of the following year
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
Yes
Joint degree / double degree programme
Yes
Description/content
Max Planck School Matter to Life offers a PhD programme with an integrated Master’s degree programme.
Students receive their Master’s degrees in Matter to Life by studying at one of the universities (University of Göttingen, Heidelberg University).
Subsequently, the students pursue their own research in the PhD phase of the programme under the supervision of a fellow of the Matter to Life Faculty who has matching research interests.
Course organisation
You will spend the first phase (Master's study phase) of the programme at one of the following universities, depending on your choice of specialisation:
Complex Systems and Biological Physics (University of Göttingen)
Molecular Systems Chemistry and Engineering (Heidelberg University)
The universities share a core curriculum with classes taught in connected classrooms. Voluntary preparatory courses in mathematics, chemistry, physical chemistry, and statistics are offered prior to the start of the Master's programme.
During the Master's phase of the programme, laboratory rotations to associated institutions are encouraged, and the students are supported in building their own research networks in this highly interdisciplinary area. All students are given a mentor to guide them through the programme.
After you have successfully completed the Master's programme, you can continue with the three-year PhD programme under the supervision of one of the school's fellows.
A Diploma supplement will be issued
Yes
International elements
International guest lecturers
Specialist literature in other languages
Projects with partners in Germany and abroad
Integrated internships
Six-month internship in collaboration with the fellows of the Max Planck School Matter to Life as part of the Master's programme.
Special promotion / funding of the programme
Other (e.g. state level)
Course-specific, integrated German language courses
No
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
No
Pace of course
Instructor-led (Specific due dates for lectures/assignments/exams)
Phase(s) of attendance in Germany (applies to the entire programme)
Yes, compulsory
Types of online learning elements
Access to databases with study material
Chats (with lecturers and other students)
Discussion forums and / or groups
Flipped Classroom
Message Boards
Online sessions
Online study material provided by institution
Online tutorials
Video learning (Pre-recorded videos, Vlogs, Video-Podcasts)
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Semester contribution
Fees are around 400 EUR per semester. The fees include a prepaid semester ticket that entitles students to use regional trains (in Lower Saxony and Bremen) and city buses in Göttingen free of charge. Students of the University of Göttingen receive discounts for cultural events. Meals and drinks are also available at reduced prices at all university canteens.
Fees: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/fee
Semester ticket: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/16432.html
Costs of living
The average cost of living in Göttingen is modest compared to other major university cities in Germany. Currently, expenses for accommodation, food, health insurance and books are about 850 EUR per month. Please note that fees for health insurance may vary according to age.
For further information, please see the following link: www.uni-goettingen.de/en/54664.html.
Funding opportunities within the university
Yes
Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university
During the Master's phase of the programme, students will receive generous stipends from the Max Planck Society with a minimum of 1,365 EUR gross pay per month. As PhD student, you will receive a position as a scientist and be paid according to German salary regulations TV-L / TVöD E13. This will result in a monthly salary of at least 4,800 EUR before taxes. This will allow you to fully concentrate on your studies and research.
Academic admission requirements
Bachelor's degree in natural science or engineering with at least three years of study and at least 180 credits:
including at least 96 credits in the fields of physics, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, molecular systems engineering, or bioengineering
English certificate (for non-native speakers)
More details regarding the admission requirements and admissions process are available on our website.
Language requirements
Very good English language skills are required: level B2 and above. Proof of a successfully completed test (IELTS, TOEFL, or CAE) is required when applying.
Application deadline
1 December to begin the programme in the winter semester of the following year
The university supports students in finding part-time jobs in local industries and businesses. A number of student jobs are also available at the university. They are announced on the following website: www.stellenwerk-goettingen.de.
Please note that restrictions may apply with your scholarship or visa. Non-EU students are subject to special regulations.
Foreign applicants should note that it is not easy to find a job to finance their studies, as German students are also searching for jobs. Some proficiency in German may be indispensable to your job search. Non-EU students are permitted to work a maximum of 120 full days (240 half days) per year.
Accommodation
For the first semester, students have the option to stay in accommodation organised by the Max Planck School Matter to Life.
The Accommodation Service of the International Office supports international students who are enrolled at the University of Göttingen in finding accommodation and serves as a point of contact for related queries. The Accommodation Service also publishes suitable offers from private landlords in Göttingen and collaborates with the Student Services ("Studentenwerk"). As the number of available accommodation options in Göttingen is limited, it is highly recommended to contact the Accommodation Service as early as possible.
The Career Service of the University of Göttingen offers individual support to facilitate your successful transition from the academic to the professional world — whether you want to work in Germany or abroad. Especially for international students aiming for a career entry in Germany, the Career Service provides topic-specific "Career Impulse Sessions", workshops, online learning modules, and a qualification programme in “Building International Careers” as well as digital career tools and a virtual community for international employment opportunities: www.uni-goettingen.de/en/292.html.
The office of the Dean of Studies offers:
CV check
Job wall
Career-related talks with physicists.
Support for international students and doctoral candidates
Welcome event
Buddy programme
General services and support for international students and doctoral candidates
The International Office provides a complimentary pick-up service ("Buddy Exchange Service") from the Göttingen railway station to the accommodation. German students help newly arrived students to adapt to the university and the city during their first weeks. http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/49307.html
There is also an orientation week for new international students, which provides valuable information about Göttingen and the university. http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/196392.html
To activate the map, click on the "Show map" button. We would like to point out that data will be transmitted to OpenStreetMap after activation. You can find out more in our privacy policy. You can revoke your consent to the transmission of data at any time.
We need your help to improve our website!
Dear students and all interested parties,
we are re-designing our website and want to include you in the process.
Please fill out a short questionnaire. This will only take a few minutes,
but will help us tremendously to determine how we can improve the usability of our website.
Thank you very much for your support!