Career prospects
As a graduate you will be prepared for a career in basic research at universities or with external organisations. This opens up a large variety of professional fields in industry or science.

Typical career prospects include:

• work in biomedical, biotechnological, chemical and pharmaceutical companies
• research in development departments in product control
• teaching and research at universities in federal or state institutions
• work in other research institutions and facilities with assignments in research, planning and controlling, contamination and/or pollutant monitoring

Master’s graduates who want to work in research and development will continue studying for a doctorate.

You can find out more about career entry in the interview series #dreamjob - Starting a career. Alumni of the University of Konstanz report on their very personal career entry.

Start of study

Winter semester | Summer semester

Study structure

You can find an exemplary structure of the study programme in this table.

These documents will support you in planning your studies:

• Module guide
• Examination regulation

At the University of Konstanz, you have a broad range of opportunities and training options that complement your study programme, for example orientation programmes to support new students, learning guidance, language courses, a data and information literacy programme as well as options promoting career-oriented skills and social commitment.

• GoMINt – orientation programme in STEM subjects
• Writing Centre – writing tutoring, joint writing sessions and workshops
• Language courses at the Language Institute
• Learning guidance, study tips, time management – workshops offered by the Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB)

• Advanced Data and Information Literacy Track (ADILT) – programme can be completed with a certificate
• Transfer – practical projects (research, business, politics and society)
• qualification N – Sustainability Certificate at the University of Konstanz

• Profil+ – programme for career skills (German skills required)
• Career Passport – programme for career skills (for international students)
• Advice on career entry, opportunities and workshops from Career Service

Internship
The Master's Programme in Biological Sciences includes an integrated internship which you can carry out at an external research institution or a private company in Germany or abroad.

Stay abroad
A study abroad stay is not compulsory. However, you have the option of carrying out the obligatory internship during a stay abroad. The university promotes study abroad via Erasmus+ and numerous other exchange programmes.

Hear from students and lecturers
In our interview series, students talk about their subject, teachers explain the department's research and tell you what topics they cover in seminars and lectures.

• Three Questions to Mariam, M.Sc. Biological Sciences
• Three Questions to Lara, B. Ed. Biologie und Deutsch

Get an impression
Discover online lectures and websites with more information about your prospective subject.

• Information page on studying biology
• Lecture recordings of biology

• Documentation of a degree in a three-year (or more) study programme at an institution of higher education in the subject Biological Sciences (minimum degree Bachelor of Sciences (BSc) or equivalent), or a related subject.
• Documentation of your English language skills (minimum level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
• For applicants with a university degree obtained in a country that is not in the Bologna process, documentation of a successfully passed GRE test with at least 155 points (Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning score). Our GRE Designated Institution (DI) Code is 4527.

Further information can be found in the admission regulations.

Semester fee
All students enrolled at the University of Konstanz are charged a semester fee each semester, similar to all other German universities. Here you can find the current semester fee and its individual components.

Tuition fees for first degree studies for certain international students
Since winter semester 2017/18, the state of Baden-Württemberg has required some international students to pay tuition fees for their first degree studies. The following students are not required to pay tuition fees: citizens of a country within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), doctoral students and certain “Bildungsinländer” (e.g. non-EU citizens with a German “Abitur”). More detailed information can be found here.

Each year, the University of Konstanz grants exemptions to a limited number of particularly gifted international degree-seeking students in accordance with the university’s “Begabtenbefreiungssatzung” (statutes governing the exemption of gifted students). More detailed information can be found here.

Tuition fees for second degree studies for all students
All students are required to pay tuition fees for their second degree studies. More detailed information can be found here.

Foreign language skills
You have to provide documentation of advanced English language skills, minimum level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, documented by either:

• TOEFL-Test (Test of English as a Foreign Language), minimum 90 points (internet based)
• Cambridge First Certificate in English, minimum grade C
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System), minimum result: band scale 6
• Five years of continuous English lessons at a German secondary education school (also abroad) with a minimum grade of 7 points or 'satisfactory'.
• Successful completion of a minimum of three courses held in English in a previous study programme.
• We may test your English skills here at the University of Konstanz if they seem to be inadequate. In such cases enrolment depends on the result of the test.
• English native speakers do not have to document their language skills.
   

German language skills
 International applicants do not have to prove their German language skills.

The MSc in Biological Science is taught in English.

• A strong interest and knowledge in the natural sciences
• Very good knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics
• Good English skills
• Ability to work under pressure, endurance
• High level of commitment to work
• Practical aptitudes and skills
• Good observation skills
• Logical and analytical thinking
• Good IT user skills

Application documents
To submit your online application you are required to upload the following supporting documents as PDF-files:

• description of your career, study goals and desired course profile
• documentation of your academic degree including details on course work and performance (ECTS-Credits and course hours per week, if applicable). If you have not received your degree certificate by the end of the application deadline, please attach a Transcript of Records
• documentation of your preliminary final grade
• average grade for your graduating class or the the previous one, if yours is not available
• basic English language skills, e.g. TOEFL (minimum of 90 points in internet-test), CPE (grade C), IELTS (band scale 6.0 or better) (except native speakers)
• documentation of work experience (if applicable)
• documentation of academic achievements (papers, publications, research activities, study and research stays abroad, if applicable)
• documentation of relevant employment or training periods (if applicable)
• evidence of prizes and awards (if applicable)
• documentation of relevant volunteer work /extra-curricular activities (if applicable)
• documentation of the average grade of your completed bachelor's programme
• to apply for a focus area of study, please attach an informal application, stating the focus area according to § 7 para. 2 of the admission regulations. Please add a short letter of motivation.
• current certificate of enrolment or proof of exmatriculation (if you have studied at a German university, please indicate your 'Fachsemester’ and ‘Hochschulsemester’).
  
  Important note: Please note the information provided under the tab "Admission requirements".
   

International applicants:

• If your documents are not available in German or English, you will need to have them translated. Please submit a German or English translation of your documents along with the original versions.
• Applicants from countries not belonging to the Bologna Zone: Results of the GRE test (Graduate Record Examinations); original score sheet with at least 155 point (Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning Score), our GRE code is 4527.
• Applicants from China, India and Vietnam: APS certificate (original) issued by the German Embassy of your home country

An application is possible during the following period: 07.05. - 15.06. | 29.11. - 15.01.
There may be other deadlines if you are applying for admission to a higher semester (for instance, if you are changing subjects or universities). For more information please consult the university website .

The Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB) can help you with general questions about finding the right study programme as well as when you are concerned or unsure about your studies. We will be happy to advise you and support you with a wide range of services.

Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB)
Room: D 409 – 412a
Make an appointment: termin.zsb@uni-konstanz.de

Questions related to the content or organization of the study programme:
Student Advisory Service Biology
Stefanie Bucifal
Room: M 602
Phone: +49 7531 88-2304
E-Mail: stefanie.bucifal@uni-konstanz.de