FOKUS Life Sciences Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

While all courses are taught in English, it is very helpful to know some German for everyday life early on. The study programme regulations require that students prove basic competency in the German language before the start of the third semester. Complimentary courses at every level are offered through the university's language centre.

The programme features the leading Life Sciences expertise at the University of Würzburg under the auspices of the Faculty of Biology. It also includes research groups from the faculties of medicine, psychology, chemistry & pharmacy as well as of physics. The programme is designed to be a fast track programme, accelerating access to a doctoral project within the Graduate School of Life Sciences, comprising more than 280 research groups.

The programme provides an entry point for a research career in academia or industry.

Who should apply?

Substantial relevant experimental research experience using state-of-the-art methodology is essential for joining this programme (minimum: experimental Bachelor's thesis, or alternatively, comparable academic experimental research experience may be acceptable under certain conditions).

Furthermore, this is the right programme for you if you:

• have finished your BSc programme (or are close to completion) with a strong foundation in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics)
• have excellent theoretical knowledge
• want to embark on a doctoral thesis project as quickly as possible
• are willing and able to take on a high workload to achieve that goal
• are very independent and self-organised (this is not a classroom programme)
• want to study together with a highly international group of peers
• are truly fully proficient in reading and speaking English, but especially also in writing in English, our teaching language
• are keen to work in a very interdisciplinary environment

This is not the right study programme for you if any of the below is true:

• You lack experimental research experience (practical courses or methodological internships cannot substitute research).
• Your main career goal is an MSc degree.
• Your main objective it to study any programme taught in English.
• You have only a basic education in the natural sciences: study programmes that have a mostly technical/applied content such as nursing, laboratory technology, industrial biotechnology, fisheries science, etc., are not normally a sufficient prerequisite to apply, and neither are medical/veterinary programmes.

While our study programme is not formally a combined MSc/PhD programme, the goal is to enter a doctoral project in an accelerated fashion, ideally after one year into the MSc programme ("fast track"). See the programme description for further information.

15 March for the following winter semester

In the first semester, students are required to pass three obligatory modules mentioned below with a grade of at least a B+ to stay on the fast track. If they also manage to obtain at least an A- in the subsequent Master's thesis projects, they can start a doctoral project as early as in the second year of the programme. The remaining credit points for obtaining the Master's degree en route to the doctoral degree are earned in parallel with the doctoral project for activities that are obligatory during the doctoral study programme, such as special lectures and courses provided by the various GSLS sections, participation in conferences, attending group seminars, journal clubs, summer schools, etc.

If the fast track criteria are not met, the programme can also be finished as a regular Master's programme within a regular study period of two years.

First semester

• lecture series

"Topics and Concepts in Life Sciences" (10 ECTS)
"Methods in Life Sciences" (10 ECTS)

• research internship

"Research Concepts in Life Sciences" (10 ECTS)

The lectures are taught by principal investigators who are also members of the Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS). The research internship will take place at one of the GSLS research labs. During the first semester, students will decide which of the various fields of the life sciences they want to pursue, exemplified by the five sections of the GSLS.

Second semester and following
The Master's thesis project (25 ECTS) will take place in one of the laboratories of the over 280 participating research groups. If the thesis is evaluated with an A- or better, candidates may proceed directly to a doctoral project. The Master's thesis defence (5 ECTS) and the other remaining 60 ECTS credit points may then be obtained in parallel with doctoral research (see above).

Important note: The current success rate for the fast track is approx. 70%. Nevertheless, please be warned, it is essential that you have sufficient financial resources to cover two years if necessary. Even fast track students may need more than one year until transition to a funded doctoral project is possible.

No tuition fees

There are generally no tuition fees at the University of Würzburg. However, each semester, students are required to pay a contribution for enrolment or registration. This fee, approximately 170 EUR, not only supports various student services but also includes a semester ticket that grants you unlimited access to public transportation throughout the city of Würzburg.

Living in Würzburg is quite affordable compared to other German cities, making it an attractive option. While individual lifestyles vary, here is an estimate of typical costs:

• Food: 300 EUR
• Rent: 350 to 500 EUR
• Student health insurance: 140 EUR

Würzburg offers a vibrant student life with plenty of affordable options for dining, entertainment, and leisure activities. The University of Würzburg, its student representation and wider network of local partners help you manage your budget effectively, also by offering student discounts.

Degree/credit requirements
In order to be admitted, by the time of admission (not application!), you must have finished a BSc study programme of at least three years with an equivalent of 180 credit points according to ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). If you apply from outside Europe, your BSc study programme will, in principle, be considered as equal, but will be evaluated for equivalence in case of doubt. A decisive authority in this process is the federal "Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen". (http://www.kmk.org/zab)

If you have not yet finished your BSc at the time of application, you need to provide documents that prove that you have completed 5/6 of your regular study programme (e.g. 150 of 180 ECTS credit points in European study programmes).

Subject requirements
Your BSc programme must be in biology or at least have a special emphasis/specialisation/major in some aspect of the life sciences and natural sciences (e.g. biophysics, biotechnology, pharmacology, etc.). Experimental research experience through working in a natural science laboratory is essential. Please note that study programmes that have mostly technical or applied content, such as nursing, laboratory technology, industrial biotechnology, fisheries science, agriculture, and similar programmes, are normally not a sufficient prerequisite to apply. A medical education is also not normally a sufficient prerequisite.

Assessment is in three steps:

1. Screening of documents (upload of scans, sending of originals not required)
2. Exam
3. Interview

International English Language Test System (IELTS) with a score of at least 6.5 or similar

Please note that writing skills have to be at or above that threshold, irrespective of the other components of the score.

For details, see: https://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/studium/msc-life-sciences/program/essential-qualifications/

15 March for the following winter semester

You should not depend on funding opportunities through the university, as there are only limited options.

A highly competitive partial scholarship is available at the university, for which you may be eligible to apply: Deutschlandstipendium

Finding part-time employment in Würzburg is a great way to gain experience, make new connections, and supplement your finances while studying. Students from EU and EEA countries enjoy equal terms in the labour market and can work freely during their studies. Students from other countries can work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year, including voluntary internships. If you wish to work more, you'll need permission from the employment agency ("Agentur für Arbeit") or the immigration office.

It's important to ensure that your studies remain your top priority, so choose a side job that complements your academic schedule. The University of Würzburg offers resources to help you find part-time work, such as the student job portal. Popular student jobs include roles as academic assistants, bartenders, cashiers, personal trainers, translators, and more.

FOKUS Life Sciences is a small programme with intensive individual advisory support provided by the study programme coordinators. In addition, the Service Center BioCareers is there to help.

• Intercultural communication
• Cultural programme (excursions, etc.)
• Good scientific practice
• International mentor

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU) is an internationally acclaimed university offering a wide range of subjects. We are committed to continuing excellence in research and teaching across all branches of science. Established for the first time in 1402, the University of Würzburg now covers the humanities, social and natural sciences, life sciences, medicine, and selected areas of engineering. Our students work with renowned scientists from all over the world and, with the completion of their Bachelor’s, Master’s, or doctoral degrees, make their own contributions to science.

In addition to delivering research and teaching of international standing, we must never forget our ethics and responsibility towards society. Our motto – "Veritati", meaning devoted to the truth – also reflects this attitude. We fulfil our social responsibility by advocating for the basic rights of democracy, supporting humanitarian activities, and promoting the sustainable use of resources.

Many eminent scholars have studied, taught, and researched at our university. Among them was Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, who discovered X-rays in Würzburg, an achievement for which he received the first ever Nobel Prize in Physics. This was one of 14 prizes that went to researchers who have worked and taught here in successive years, including three of them since 1985: Klaus von Klitzing (physics), Hartmut Michel (chemistry), and Harald zur Hausen (medicine).

Our university, the city of Würzburg, and the entire region of Main-Franconia are attractive places for our students and staff members to live, learn, and work. Its architectural beauty, easily accessible geographic location, scenic surroundings, and wide variety of recreational activities make Würzburg a popular place among students and researchers alike. The Main-Franconia region is characterised by vineyards, the Main river, and a climate reminiscent of the Mediterranean. Many guests of our university who come from all over the world to research, teach, or study in Würzburg fall in love with the city.