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

Heidelberg University (Joint Degree), 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

Day-to-day communication at the associated institutions is in English. Courses are held 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.

1 December to begin the programme in the winter semester of the following year

You will spend the first phase (Master's study phase) of the programme at one of the following universities, depending on your choice of specialisation:

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

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

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

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 the University of Göttingen 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

1 December to begin the programme in the winter semester 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.

The Accommodation Service of the International Office supports international students who are enrolled at the University of Göttingen in finding accommodation and serves as a point of contact for related queries. The Accommodation Service also publishes suitable offers from private landlords in Göttingen and collaborates with the Student Services ("Studentenwerk"). As the number of available accommodation options in Göttingen is limited, it is highly recommended to contact the Accommodation Service as early as possible.

For further information, please see the following link: https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/617883.html.

The Career Service of the University of Göttingen offers individual support to facilitate your successful transition from the academic to the professional world — whether you want to work in Germany or abroad. Especially for international students aiming for a career entry in Germany, the Career Service provides topic-specific "Career Impulse Sessions", workshops, online learning modules, and a qualification programme in “Building International Careers” as well as digital career tools and a virtual community for international employment opportunities: www.uni-goettingen.de/en/292.html

The office of the Dean of Studies offers:

• CV check
• Job wall
• Career-related talks with physicists.

• 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