MSc Study Program in the Geosciences

The GMG is an ideal place to study the geosciences because of it is one of the only insitutes in German universities that offers such a wide array of disciplines within one insitute.  It also has an international team of instructors and a bi-national study program (at the MSc level) that allow students many opportunities to gain international experience. Because of the range of specialties, students can prepare from a wide range of careers in the geosciences by building their expertise in a diverse, cross-disciplinary, and international environment that give them a competitive edge in the job market. 

The MSc program at the GMG provides students the flexibility to tailor their study to their academic and professional interests.  Students design their individualized program together with a prospective MSc advisor based on their interests and the advisor’s recommendations. They then create a study plan agreement that is intended to prepared them to write an MSc degree in the topic of their choice.  Some examples of specialized study streams include (but are not limited to):

• Crystallography and geomaterials
• Economic geology
• Engineering geology
• Experimental rock physics
• Hydrogeology
• Geochemistry: Soft and hard rock petrology
• Observational Seismology: Earthquake and Earth structure
• Structural geology

Tips from current students are coming soon....

Fieldwork is an integral part of the BSc and MSc training here at the GMG.  It ranges from local and regional field trips in remote areas that build on basic mapping skills, to more advanced structural mapping courses. It also includes more technical courses that require sampling and specialized equipment, and relates to all aspects of the geosciences program, including petrology, engineering geology, hydrogeology, and geophysical field work in Germany and other parts of Europe, as well as in locations as far away as Argentina. 

Here are some of the experiences of current students at the IGMG:

• "The interaction with each other is very uncomplicated, friendly and unbureaucratic, as there is no anonymity in the institute and people know each other." 
• "As in the bachelor's program, the atmosphere between students and teachers in the master's program is very personal and pleasant; you are not just a number here."
• "The correspondence or meetings with lecturers were always respectful, helpful and above all "relaxed" or easy-going."

Prospective students have to schedule a mandatory counselling meeting with a professor whose scientific work fits his/her study interests. An overview of our working grops can be found here: https://www.geos.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/index.php/en/working-directions. 

After successful completion of the counselling meeting, you will receive a document ("Proof of mandatory counselling"), which is required to complete your enrolment.

For enrolment please follow the directions here.

For general information about applying for admission to the RUB, see the following link. To find out specific details about applying to the program at GMG, contact Sabine Feige in the exam office. Generally, there is no application procedure for Germans and EU foreigners. Online application deadlines for non-EU citizens are the 15 July for the Winter semester and the 15 January for the Summer semester. 

Application information for Non-EU citizens can be found here. 

An internship in the BSc program is recommended but not mandatory. Students can find out about opportunities in the exam office.