Max Planck School Matter to Life – Master's to PhD Direct Track Programme Heidelberg University

University of Göttingen, University of Bayreuth, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, RWTH Aachen University, Saarland University, Technical University of Munich, Technical University of Dresden, Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials at RWTH Aachen, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and various Max Planck Institutes

The daily scientific communication at the institutions is in English. All courses are taught in English.

The Max Planck School Matter to Life offers an MSc to PhD direct track programme. Students receive their joint Master's degree in Matter to Life by regularly studying at the two teaching universities (University of Göttingen or Heidelberg University). Subsequently, the students pursue their own research in the PhD phase of the programme under the supervision of a fellow within the Matter to Life Faculty with a matching research interest.

Applications must be submitted by 1 December for a study start in September of the following year.

The joint degree Master's programme will be spent at one of the following two teaching universities, depending on your choice of focus:

• 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. Laboratory rotations at associated institutions during the Master's phase of the programme are encouraged and the students are supported in building their own research networks in this highly interdisciplinary area. All students are given a buddy and a mentor to guide them through the programme.

After you have successfully completed your Master's, you can continue with a three-year PhD programme under the supervision of one of the school's fellows.

Voluntary preparatory courses in mathematics, chemistry and physical chemistry are offered prior to the start of the Master's programme.

Six-month internship in collaboration with the fellows of the Max Planck School Matter to Life as part of the Master's programme

No tuition fees

The semester contribution for Göttingen University is approx. 400 EUR (including a semester ticket) and approx. 170 EUR for Heidelberg University.

Between 800 EUR and 1,200 EUR, depending on the chosen living situation

Applicants with

• a Bachelor of Science degree (e.g. in Chemistry, Physics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Materials Science, Biotechnology) or
• a Bachelor of Engineering (e.g. in the subjects Molecular Systems Engineering, Bioengineering) or
• a completed course of study in a related natural science or engineering discipline in at least six semesters

are welcome to apply for the five-year Master's to PhD Direct Track programme of the Max Planck School Matter to Life. Applicants who already have a Master's degree are eligible to apply as well.

Very good English language skills are required. Proof of a successfully completed test is required when applying (must be submitted no later than 15 July of the year in which the programme begins). 

The accepted tests are:

• TOEFL paper based: minimum score 570 
• TOEFL iBT: minimum score 90 
• TOEFL computer based: minimum score 230
• IELTS: minimum band score of 6.5
• UNIcert®: minimum UNIcert® II with a minimum grade of 2.3
• NULTE: minimum B2+
• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) – minimum score 173 points
• at least two years of relevant study or professional stay in an English speaking country or successful completion of an English-language study programme within the three years prior to the application submission

Applications must be submitted by 1 December for a study start in September of the following year.

The Max Planck School Matter to Life offers full funding in form of a generous scholarship that covers costs of living (including tuition and fees) as well as, if applicable, a subsidy for health insurance and material costs in the Master's phase and a contract according to the local wage agreement for public service in the PhD phase.

We also offer financial support for conference participation.

This will allow you to fully concentrate on the research and develop your scientific and personal skills.

The Max Planck School Matter to Life offers assistance with finding accommodation for the first semester.

A career service is provided at the universities:

University of Göttingen: 
https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/292.html

Heidelberg University: 
https://www.heiskills.uni-heidelberg.de/en/about-us/career-service

• Support with administration issues and enrolment
• Mentoring programme
• Skill courses
• Support on short notice for any topic by the coordination team
• Monthly coffee hour
• Support of exchange with MtL (Matter to Life) fellows (meet your future supervisor)
• Support of student-to-student exchange

The Max Planck School Matter to Life brings together internationally renowned scientists from different locations across Germany under one scientific topic. The school offers an interdisciplinary and unique study programme within an excellent research environment to outstanding undergraduate students from all over the world.