Application and Admission (MSc) #
Who is eligible to apply for the study program? #
Detailed information on the application requirements can be found in the university’s statute regulating admission, studies, and examinations ( ZSP-HU). The ZSP-HU outlines general admission regulations and program specific regulations. The specific requirements for the Global Change Geography MSc are available in German and English.
Applicants are required to have obtained or be in the process of obtaining a B.Sc. or B.A. degree. Applicants must provide either the bachelor certificate or a statement from their home university on the successful completion of 150 ECTS (out of 180 ECTS). The certificate needs to show that no more than 30 ECTS (out of 180 ECTS) are missing for the completion of the degree. The german version of this certificate (“Zusatzbescheinigung”) can be found here. International applicants may use this form.
All applicants must also have successfully completed credits in four knowledge areas:
- 5 ECTS in statistics and/or non-spatial modelling.
- 10 ECTS in geodata analysis such as GIS, remote sensing, geostatistics, spatial modeling.
- 30 ECTS in physical geography such as climate geography, geomorphology, geography of soils/soil science, hydrogeography/hydrology, biogeography, vegetation geography, landscape ecology, geo-ecology, earth system science, land system science
- 25 ECTS in applied geosciences such as geology, geophysics, geomathematics, geoinformatics, geobotany, geochemistry, ecology, ecosystem modelling meteorology, oceanography, climatology, environmental engineering or planning. Credits from knowledge area 1), 2), 3) that exceed the minimum requirement can also be counted.
The admission requirements must be met and documented by the application deadline. Provisional admission with the completion of requirements after admission is not possible.
What language skills are required? #
English language skills at B2-level are required for all students. An overview of B2 equivalent certificates and exemptions can be found the in the ZSP-HU ( english translation). For example, students with an academic degree or school leaving certificate from an institution where English is a formal language can use this certificate to prove English skills. Also, students with a German school leaving certificate may use this certificate to prove their English skills, if the subject English as a foreign language was taken in the last four half-years of the Abitur, and a performance level of at least 5 grade points (or equivalent) was achieved during the entire duration of the qualification phase.
German language skills are not required for this study program; however, students are encouraged to attend German classes at the university’s language center.
How can I apply with a degree from a German university? #
The application for study programs at HU is organized by the central admissions office. Information on application procedures can be found in compass: how to apply. See also these instructions for Master applications.
Applicants with a German school leaving certificate and a bachelor’s degree from a German university should apply directly through the online portal of Humboldt University of Berlin. The same applies to students who have previously been enrolled at Humboldt University (excluding Erasmus students). If you’re unsure how to apply, you may check this online questionnaire.
How can I apply with a degree from a foreign university? #
The application process for international students at HU is managed by the International Admissions Office. Information on application procedures for international students can be found here. See also these instructions for Master applications.
All students with a foreign school leaving certificate or foreign bachelor degree must apply via the online portal uni-assist. You can find our program on uni-assist’s “My assist” platform. Note, the study programs from Humboldt University of Berlin may only be visible during the application period.
Your application, along with all necessary documents (in PDF format), must be submitted online to uni-assist by the end of the application period. Please ensure that you have submitted all required documents. It is not possible to submit additional documents after the application deadline has passed. The documents required for your application depend on the country where you obtained your qualifications. Therefore, it is essential to review the specific country information on uni-assist (see here).
Please scan and upload all required original documents as PDF files in the application portal “My assist”. If you do not have the original documents, please upload officially certified copies as the original documents (all pages). Language certificates must also be uploaded as PDF files (originals). If the original documents are not in German or English, please also scan and upload an official translation of the documents as a PDF file in the “My assist” application portal. Translations from your home country must be prepared by a state-approved translator or translation agency. Translations can also be prepared by an officially authorized translator licensed in the Federal Republic of Germany. Information about the required translations can also be found on the uni-assist website here.
When can I apply? #
The application period for the winter semester typically runs from May 2 to May 31. The application deadline is a strict cut-off deadline (“Ausschlussfrist”). This means that any submissions made after the deadline will not be considered and will not be accepted. Compliance with the deadline is determined by the receipt of all required application documents. The winter term begins October, 1st ( academic calendar).
Can I apply for the summer semester? #
It is technically possible to apply for the summer semester (see application deadlines), but only if you intend to skip the first semester and start in a higher semester. Starting in a higher semester is only allowed if you have already completed coursework equivalent to the first semester through another master’s program. Please refer to our study regulations for an overview of the modules taught in the first semester of the Global Change Geography program.
I am studying another Master’s program and would like to switch. #
This is technically possible, but starting in a higher semester is only allowed if you have already completed coursework equivalent to the first semester through another master’s program. Please refer to our study regulations for an overview of the modules taught in the first semester of the Global Change Geography program.
Who do I contact? #
Dr. Dirk Pflugmacher
Academic advisor, MSc Global Change Geography
masterofscience.geo@hu-berlin.de