Information for prospective students

• A CV in English, including contact details (address, telephone, email).
• A certified copy of your B.Sc. degree (geology, biology, physical geography, or a related subject) is required. If the B.Sc. is not finished at the time of application, provide a transcript of records of at least 150 ETCS (in English or German). The transcript of records (in English or German) must explain your University's grading system (highest/lowest possible mark). The copy of the B.Sc. degree has to be delivered as soon as possible.
• An essay of 750 - 1.000 words in English in which your motivation, scientific background, and competencies for participating in our master's program are explained in detail. Consider this letter as the most important document of the application procedure. The applicant must write this motivation letter unaided, with all necessary references being cited correctly. Plagiarism will result in the rejection of the application.
• Proof of English language proficiency of level C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), for example, by the following language certificates:
  • TOEFL (iBT) (Test of English as a Foreign Language, internet-based): at least 95 points.
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing Service): minimum of 7.0 points, and no part less than 5.0 points.
  • Cambridge CAE (Certificate in Advanced English): Mark "A" or "B".
  • A university degree in Geology, Biology, or Physical Geography, or a related subject from a study program held in English.
• Proof of German language proficiency of level A1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). If you cannot provide the evidence at the time of application, it has to be handed in latest one year after beginning the studies in the program.

In addition to the online application, international students must provide certified copies and an application form, which we will forward to the International Office. We must receive these documents at least two weeks after the application deadline. Click here for details.
You will have to present the originals of the same documents at the time of enrolment.
You can apply for a 'prospective student visa.' If you require a visa, you should not wait to organize the necessary steps until you receive an acceptance notification. The final admission documents will arrive, possibly not before June 2025.

You can find the complete and official version of the admission regulations (in German) here.
Please read all the information here carefully. If you have additional questions, contact us via admission.mgap@palmuc.org

Students with a bachelor degree from outside of Germany have to provide additional documents that will be forwarded and reviewed by the LMU International Office LMU. The application of international students is not complete when the documents are not physically received the latest two weeks after the application deadline.
The documents will be forwarded by us to the LMU International Office. If they are found to be in order, a final admission letter will be prepared.

Send the documents in a way that neither fees nor signatures are necessary for the recipient. Any fees incurred (customs, etc.) cannot be covered by our side and we will refuse to accept such shipments.

Please send the documents listed below to the following mail address:

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Department of Earth- and Environmental Sciences
Palaeontology and Geobiology - Master’s program in Geobiology and Paleobiology (MGAP)
PD Dr Oliver Voigt
Richard-Wagner-Str. 10
80333 Munich, Germany

Include the following documents:

• A completed and hand-signed application form for the International Office (PDF, 989 KB).
  Please fill in information for the following sections in the form:
  • Personal details
  • Postal address
  • Educational background
  • Other applications
  • Place, date
  • Cross out Sections 5-7,9-11, they are not required for your application to MGAP.

• Certified copies of all higher education/university certificates and diplomas and all transcripts of records in the original language – as officially certified copies and with officially certified translations where applicable. Only certificates in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Catalan, Latin, Portuguese and Romanian do not have to be translated. Please refer to the LMU central website for requirements of certifications and translations.
  Applicants from the USA require to provide a transcript of records from their university in a closed envelope.
• If applicable, registration and confirmation of programs previously studied at any other German university.
• An up-to-date and signed CV
• Where applicable, marriage certificate or official name change document.

In case you require a visa (non-EU citizens), you should not wait to organize the necessary steps until you will receive an acceptance notification. The final admission documents will not be sent before May/June.