Institut für Umweltwissenschaften

How to apply for the Master in Environmental Sciences

Our requirements

We seek highly motivated students, interested in working on environmentally relevant problems using an interdisciplinary approach. As we have many more applications than spaces, we select students on the basis of their qualifications.

You require a Bachelor degree in Environmental Sciences (or equivalent program with a focus on natural sciences and applied mathematics) with a minimum final grade of “good” (e.g., 2.5 on a 5.0 point scale with 5.0 being the worst grade or 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale with 4.0 being the best grade). For international students, this qualification is checked by the external institution uni-assist. Please note that uni-assist provides all further information on higher education entrance qualification in Germany.

Due to the high expectations of the program, we also require evidence of university-level courses in biology, chemistry and maths/statistics. 

The Program runs in English, therefore, good active and passive English language skills are essential. Proficiency in German is not a requirement for your application, although we recommend learning some basic German for your daily life. In Germany, people often can speak English, but a basic grasp of German will help make life easier in every-day situations.

The program starts in the winter semester (October). The deadline for applications from students who completed their Bachelor degree outside of the European Union is 15 June. For those who completed their degree within the European Union, the deadline is 15 July. If you obtained your degree in Germany, the deadline is 15 September.

If you are a non-EU resident, please note that the process of checking documents is very time consuming. The university can only make a decision on your admission after all your documents have been cleared by uni-assist. This takes about six weeks. We therefore strongly advise you to apply well before the deadline to ensure that you receive your admission letter in time to start the visa process. Please also check the visa processing duration with your German Embassy.

Application Process for students with a German degree

Students with a German Bachelor degree must apply via the application portal https://studium.rptu.de. Applications can be submitted from 1 May and will be assessed as quickly as possible. If you have questions about your (chances of) admission, please contact us as early as possible by sending and e-mail to environmentalsciences(at)rptu.de

Please note that if you are a German national who received a Bachelor degree outside of Germany, you will also need to apply through uni-assist (please refer to the international student application process).

For questions regarding your application, please contact the Student Registration Office.

After you have been admitted, you can enrol as a student at the RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau. Further information on the admissions and enrolment procedures is available from this website: https://rptu.de/studium/vor-dem-studium/einschreibung/einschreibung-immatrikulation

Application process for all other students

All applications must be submitted via uni-assist.

The deadline for applications from students who completed their Bachelor degree outside of the European Union is 15 June. For those who completed their degree within the European Union, the deadline is 15 July.

Please note that the process of checking documents is very time consuming. The university can only make a decision on your admission, once uni-assist has cleared all your documents. This takes about six weeks. We therefore strongly advise you to apply well before the deadline to ensure that you receive your admission letter in time to start the visa process. Please also check the visa processing duration with your German Embassy.

We highly recommend you submit your application as early as possible, as visa processes can be lengthy and in several cases, students who applied late, were unable to obtain a visa in time to commence their studies.

The Welcome Center will assist you with questions on the application process, visa application and entry requirements, fees and funding, accommodation, health insurance and the first steps after your arrival.

Enrolment will be done on campus during the Welcome Days, which take place at the beginning of the winter semester in October.

Additional information for applicants

Students enroled at the RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau have to pay a recurring semester fee ("Semesterbeitrag"). It contributes to financing the student association, AStA, your semester ticket and your ID card (first issue). Check here for current information on the semester fee.

Students with a master's degree from a German university will have to pay tuition fees (700 € per semester).

 

Financing your Studies

BAföG

Information about the BAföG system can be found here.

Scholarships

The RPTU does not offer any scholarships.

For information about types of funding for German students provided by other institutions, please see the following links (in German).

Please note that the deadlines of the respective institutions are independent of the deadlines of the master program.

Students can apply for the Deutschlandstipendium. Applications open around May and will be announced by the Welcome Center 

We recommend to also check for funding options with institutions in your home country or search the DAAD database for scholarship options.

Students (regardless of their nationality), who already live in Germany, will have to find accommodation on their own. You may apply for an apartment in the halls of residence or look for private accommodation.

Halls of residence provided by the student union ("Studierendenwerk")

You must apply for an apartment at one of the halls of residence by contacting the "Studierendenwerk". Deadlines for application are 1. February for the summer term and 1. August for the winter term.

Further information about the halls of residence is available on their website:

Additional information on finding accommodation and links to search engines can be found here.

For international students of the Master's programs Ecotoxicology or Environmental Sciences, the Welcome Center has reserved a limited number of single apartments in the student halls of residence.

You can apply for an apartment through the Welcome Center after admission to the study program.

Your time in Landau starts with the Welcome Days, a two week period before the start of your lectures. It is important that you attend the introductory talk on the Environmental Sciences Master Program. You will also need to meet your study advisors to discuss your study program. 

During the Welcome Days, the Welcome Center offers an extensive informational and social program to introduce you to life in Germany, Landau and on campus. They guide new students through the administrative and organisational steps such as obtaining German health insurance, enrolment, registration for the modules, and getting your student ID card.

Alongside important information, the Welcome Days provide a great opportunity to make friends and should not be missed!

If you have further questions please contact the advisory service for the Master’s program in Environmental Sciences
by e-mailing environmentalsciences (at) rptu.de

How do I request a visa for Germany?

The website of the German Foreign Office provides detailed information on how to apply for a visa, as well as a list of all German missions abroad. You can find the website here.

Can I study the program without any knowledge of German?

Yes, you can. German language proficiency is not a precondition for the Master in Environmental Sciences. The entire program can be completed in English. However, we recommend foreign students to acquire German language proficiency, as some optional modules are held in German and daily life will be easier, if you have some basic German skills.

Can I learn German during my studies?

Yes, you can attend German language classes. The university’s Language Learning Centre (USZ) offers the possibility to study a wide range of languages.

What is the total amount of study and registration fees for the whole course?

No tuition fees are charged. However, a registration fee per semester must be paid. In addition, costs for excursions (e.g., for transportation) and laboratory material may need to be paid.

What is the cost of living in Landau per month?

We recommend you plan with monthly costs of approximately 900 950 EUR to cover personal expenses, including accommodation, food, study materials, health insurance, travel costs, culture. These recommendations may vary, depending on each student´s preferences.