Next application period: March to mid-April 2027!
More information at "how to apply"
How to Apply: Winter Semester 2027/2028
| WHEN? March 2027 to mid-April 2027 (tbd) |
Please note that only complete applications that have been submitted by the end of the deadline can be considered in the evaluation process.
Program Requirements
Essential Application Documents
| Bachelor of Science in Biology | Bachelor Degree not awarded yet? Applications can be submitted if the degree is awarded within the year of the application. Please submit an official transcript of records including all completed modules and grades with your application. |
| Non-biological Bachelor degrees | Demonstrate a minimum of 60 ECTS (>30%) within the field of biology by submitting the respective module descriptions with your application |
| Minimum grade point average of ‘good’ (i.e. 2.5) in the German university grading system | Please submit information on the grading system of your university so your grades can be converted into the German system. At best, your transcript also includes a preliminary / final average grade. |
| Proficiency in English | · CEFR level C1 Please note that German high school leaving certificates (Abiturzeugnis) are not accepted as proof of English proficiency. |
| Mandatory for all applicants from China, Vietnam and India | |
| Letter of Motivation | Please address the following questions: · What distinguishes the Biological Oceanography program from other programs? · Why are you applying to this program specifically? · Which areas or contents of the study program correspond to your interests and skills? · Which topics and contents could be suitable for your Master’s thesis? Note: Do not use AI assistants! We are interested in your own personal experience and your very own choice of words. Grammatical errors will not be taken into account. |
Additional Application Documents
Highly Recommended
- Abstract of your Bachelor Thesis or semester project if your curriculum does not require a thesis
Recommended
- Internship Certificates
Plan ahead and do an internship in the field of Biological Oceanography or related areas of research. We are interested to see if you have already put some thought into your future study focus and possible scientific career paths.
- Confirmation of Cruise Participations
- Confirmation of Student Assistants’ Positions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the application process
Application Feedback
You will receive feedback on your application by mid-June. We will then provide you with information on tfurther steps towards enrollment CAU Kiel. In order to plan ahead we ask each admitted student to give us feedback on whether they accept their spot or not.
The winter semester 2026/2027 starts on 12 October 2026 with our introductory event. Please note that we require in-person attendance at the introductory event and on the first day of classes as the first semester contains mandatory, fundamental modules that must not be skipped.
International Applicants
If you need a visa to study in Germany, we strongly recommend for you to get in contact with the respective embassy or consulate before you have received any feedback on your application. The visa process can take a very long time and securing an appointment can be tedious. Usually, you can make visa appointments without having received final feedback on an application. You will, however, need an admission letter for the physical appointment.
For more information on visa requirement please take a look at the website of study-in-germany.
At CAU Kiel the International Center is your place of contact for further information and guidance. The orientation program of the International Center will provide you with everything you need to know about studying in Kiel and living in Germany.
If you are interested in learning about scholarships, please consult the programs offered by DAAD. Get in touch with us if you are applying for a specific DAAD program and we will try to match you with a senior student currently holding a scholarship. Please note that the application deadlines for scholarships are often about a year in advance of the beginning of a study program. Make sure to plan accordingly.
