Application and requirements

Relevant Academic background

The successful completion of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject is required for admission to both Master’s degree programs, Chemistry and Molecular Science. Since these programs build upon the basic concepts generally learned in a Bachelor’s program, the required first degree must be closely related.

Relevant academic background for applicants for M.Sc. Chemistry

A Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Molecular Science at the FAU is considered directly relevant. Applicants with closely related degrees may also be eligible if their studies included at least 80% in general chemistry, material chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry and theoretical chemistry. A minimum of 25% of the above-mentioned subjects have to be covered by sound, independently acquired laboratory knowledge as documented by relevant entries in the lab journal.

Relevant academic background for applicants for M.Sc. Molecular Science

A Bachelor’s degree Chemistry or Molecular Science at the FAU is considered directly relevant. Applicants with closely related degrees may also be eligible if their studies included at least 60% in general and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, material chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry and theoretical/computer chemistry. A minimum of 25% of the above-mentioned subjects have to be covered by sound, independently acquired laboratory knowledge as documented by relevant entries in the lab journal.

For the Molecular Life Science track an additional minimum of 20% in Molecular Science and or Medicinal Chemistry including at least 5 ECTS in mathematics or mathematical methods is required.

For the Molecular Nano Science track an additional minimum of 20% in material chemistry and microscopic methods including at least 5 ECTS in mathematics or mathematical methods is required.

Additional requirements for all applicants

A grade of 2.5 or better according to the German grading system has to be proved in the qualifying Bachelor’s program.
Students who have not yet completed their Bachelor’s degree must have completed the equivalent of at least 135 ECTS (approximately 75% of a standard Bachelor’s program) at the time of application.

Applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency at CEFR level B2 (or equivalent). This requirement is waived if the previous degree was completed entirely in English.
Laboratory journals of independently conducted laboratory experiments (excluding Bachelor’s thesis) as well as an additional summary list of the same in the scope of 1-2 pages (module descriptions are not accepted).

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

Applicants whose nationality does not fall under the Lisbon Recognition Convention may be required to meet additional formal criteria.

In particular:

The Bachelor’s degree must have been obtained from a university listed as H+ in the Anabin database.
Applicants must submit results from a standardized subject-specific test:
- the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) Subject Test in Physics, with FAU specified as a designated recipient, and a minimum score at the 50th percentile, or
- the GATE test in Chemistry (e.g. for applicants from India), reaching a minimum score of 650, or
- the GAT test certificate (Pakistan), minimum score at 65th percentile

Application

All applications must be submitted online via CAMPO, the FAU’s application portal.

Selection Procedure

Admission is based on academic performance and subject-specific background. Depending on qualifications and grades, applicants may be invited to an oral interview conducted in English.

The interview assesses:

Subject and methodical knowledge in the fundamentals of chemistry (80%)
Chosen focus areas in the field of chemistry/molecular sciences (20%)

The final admission decision is made by the program’s admission committee.