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

Integrated five-year MSc/PhD programme in Matter to Life combining a two-year master's phase at Göttingen or Heidelberg with a subsequent three-year doctoral phase in interdisciplinary research across physics, chemistry, biology, and related fields.

Academic requirements

Applicants who already have a Master's degree are eligible to apply as well.

Minimum GPA

Minimum GPA 2.3 in the German grading system or proof of ranking in the top 20% of the graduating class.

English requirements

For non-native English speakers, accepted proof includes TOEFL paper-based 570/677, TOEFL iBT 90/120, IELTS 6.5, UNIcert II with minimum grade 2.3, NULTE B2+, Cambridge CAE grade C, or proof of at least two years of relevant study or professional stay in an English-speaking country or successful completion of an English-taught degree within the three years before application. The final proof must be submitted by 15 July of the start year.

Accepted bachelor fields

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Physics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Materials Science, Biotechnology, or a related natural science discipline; Bachelor of Engineering in Molecular Systems Engineering, Bioengineering, or a related engineering discipline of at least six semesters. Applicants must also provide evidence of 96 ECTS in study-relevant subjects; mathematics modules can be counted.

APS Certificate

Yes

Mandatory internship

Yes

Tuition fee

None

Semester contribution

Not published on the reviewed official programme pages.

ECTS credits

120

Funding info

Tuition: None Semester contribution: Not published on the reviewed official programme pages.

The official programme homepage says graduates are prepared for careers in academia, research management, industrial R&D, consulting, data science, and related fields.

• 1

  Philosophy & Economics (P&E)

  University of Bayreuth

  Bayreuth · Master of Arts · English

• 2

  Railway Systems Engineering

  RWTH Aachen University

  Aachen · Master of Science · English

• 3

  Bielefeld Graduate School in Theoretical Sciences

  Bielefeld University

  Bielefeld · PhD · English

• 4

  The Business of German Engineering

  Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences

  Hamm · Certificate · English

• 5

  ACCESS² Preparation Year

  Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences

  Heilbronn · Preparatory Programme · German, English