FAQ for the Online Application

Regarding the application requirements

Which documents do I need to hand in?

1. Curriculum vitae (containing a photo)
2. Certificate of general university entrance qualification*
3. Bachelor certificate including academic transcript**
4. Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages) stating the skills and expertise that qualify you for the study program

* The "certificate of general university entrance qualification" means a document that allows you to enrol in a University, usually a high school diploma (equivalent to the German "Abitur", containing subjects and grades) and/or an university entrance test.

** If you also have completed a Master, Postgraduate or other degree or are currently enrolled in a program, please also send us your transcript of records and certificate.

High school and university transcripts should be provided in English or German.

International applicants must also upload the following documents:

1. Grade conversion using the Bavarian Formula
2. Grading Scale BACHELOR (required to be awarded the degree)
3. Passport copy

Depending on the country of their previous educational background, international applicants may need to submit additional country-specific documents  (e.g. APS certificate).

Which additional documents can I supply?

Additional documents can include confirmations of stays abroad, e.g. documents attesting semesters abroad, or language certificates as well as internships, field trips or participation in research projects. If you have confirmations of specific qualifications, such as stipends, awards, extra-curricular courses and activities, etc. please add them as well to "Confirmations of stays abroad, internships and language courses" as one combined pdf. These are not mandatory for admission, but they will help us to understand your individual background and motivation for studying Global Change Ecology. If you do not have such certificates, we recommend you to attach special importance to your letter of motivation.

Do I have to provide a TOEFL or IELTS certificate as proof of my English skills?

All courses are taught in English. Therefore, applicants must speak English fluently. The individual language skills will be evaluated in the aptitude assessment procedure (through the letter of motivation and individual interview). Therefore, it is not compulsory to provide certificates applying for Global Change Ecology. However, if you do have proof of your English skills, such as course certificates, confirmation of earlier studies in English or a TOEFL or IELTS test, we recommend to upload these documents in the section of documents that can be submitted.

Do I need German language proficiency to take the courses of this Program?

Proof of knowledge of German language at least level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages for international applicants is required latest by the end of the second semester.

The Language Center (Sprachenzentrum) offers German courses for the students. Click the following link for more information (https://www.sz.uni-bayreuth.de/en/).

I am just finishing my degree and do not have the certificate yet. What should I do?

Please submit your official transcript of records showing that you have completed at least 135 ECTS. If you can obtain a confirmation of your university that you have completed your coursework and are waiting for your certificate, you may also submit this as additional document.

Regarding the online form

Do I have to apply online?

Yes, please use the following link to the Campus Management System of the University of Bayreuth: https://campusonline.uni-bayreuth.de/ubto/ee/ui/ca2/app/desktop/#/login 

A submission of printed (certified) copies is not necessary.

Will I receive a confirmation for the submission of my application?

After submitting your documents through the online portal, you will receive a confirmation to the e-mail address you provided.

I did not receive a confirmation, what should I do?

The confirmation e-mail can take some time to arrive after you have successfully submitted your application. Please make sure to check your spam folder. If you are certain that you did not receive a confirmation, kindly send an e-mail to gce@uni-bayreuth.de.

Regarding the selection process

I have submitted my application and received the confirmation. What will happen now?

Your documents will first be checked whether they fulfill the formal requirements. Afterwards you will have to pass an aptitude assessment consisting of two parts, a pre-selection by means of the application documents and, in case of a positive result, a colloquy.

The application documents (Bachelor certificate and letter of motivation) are each graded in a decimal, five-step scale from 1 = very good to 5 = not sufficient. In case of applicants (or degrees) from foreign countries, grades are converted using country-specific factors. If the sum of the single-weighted letter of motivation and the single-weighted Bachelor certificate does not exceed 4.0 points, the applicant will be invited to an individual colloquy (interview, 20-30 min.). Only if the colloquy is graded by “very good” or "good" (1.0 or 2.0 in the five-step scale mentioned above) and the sum of the single-weighted interview and the single-weighted Bachelor certificate does not exceed 4.0 points, the whole aptitude assessment procedure is completed successfully.

Schedule of the aptitude assessment:
Phase 1: Submission of application documents from 1st of March to 15th of June.
Pre-selection by means of the application documents.
Phase 2: In case of a positive pre-selection, a personal interview – scheduled due to the availability of our aptitude assessment commission – approximately to the end of July. Admission letter will be sent without delay, depending on the result and date of the interview.

How will the interviews take place?

Applicants do not have to travel to Bayreuth to participate in the interview. Interviews will be conducted online, mainly via zoom. The link to join will be provided with the confirmation of the interview.

When will I be notified whether I have been accepted?

The pre-selection by means of the application documents will start as soon as we have received your complete documents. The invitations to the interview (with individual appointments) are sent out shortly after the assessment of your documents. This can be already before the application deadline expires. The official letters of admittance are usually sent shortly after the successful interview. Please check via the “Self-service view” on CAMPUSonline. Date for (late) enrolment is provided at the webpage of the Student Administration Office.

Further questions

I wish to apply, but do not have a degree in any of the subjects listed. Can I still apply?

If you feel that your background in your Bachelor is not entirely related to Global Change Ecology, we suggest placing special emphasis on your letter of motivation and why you feel you would be well suited for the study program. Also, providing internships, confirmations of stays abroad or other confirmations showing your engagement in topics related to Global Change Ecology would be beneficial.

If you have further questions, please contact the coordinators via gce@uni-bayreuth.de.