All courses are offered in English. There is a possibility of participating in courses from other programmes, but most of them are only available in German.
Please see our website for the most up-to-date application deadlines: https://palaeobiology.nat.fau.de/.
Please note that we have two deadlines: one for countries that require a lengthy visa process and another for those within the EU/UK or USA.
The International Master's (MSc) programme at FAU is for students with a passion for palaeontology, students who wish to be trained in theoretical concepts and cutting-edge quantitative techniques in palaeobiology, macroevolution, and macroecology. Students will deepen their knowledge in these subjects by taking courses such as analytical palaeobiology, phylogenetics, biostratigraphy, vertebrate palaeobiology, and science communication. In addition to these courses, students have the opportunity to choose a variety of supplementary courses, which can include field excursions to destinations such as Italy, Poland, and Sweden, as well as short-term research projects and bespoke training courses in computational and laboratory techniques. During each of these courses, students will develop a wide range of professional and transferable skills including data analysis and interpretation, research project planning, ethics, problem-solving and hypothesis testing. Students will learn to communicate research findings and data through written reports, oral presentations, and graphical displays.
Our Master’s programme in Palaeobiology takes place over two years and is made up of four semesters. During the first three semesters (year one and half of year two), students will take regular courses. The final (fourth) semester is dedicated to the Master's thesis. In addition to the regular courses, students will take supplementary courses, which include field excursions to various European destinations and block courses on a range of topics. Students who complete the programme will earn an MSc in Geosciences (Palaeobiology).
The programme consists of two modules:
Palaeobiology (major) – which provides the theoretical framework in macroevolution, ecology, palaeoenvironmental reconstruction, and statistical analysis
Climate and Earth Systems (minor) – which consists of individual field- and specimen-based projects and provides students with skills such as preparation of funding applications and scientific writing and communication as well as an environmental and geochemical background for interdisciplinary cooperation
PDF DownloadFAU does not charge tuition fees. However, each semester students must pay semester fees consisting of student services fees and a fee for the basic semester ticket (144 EUR per semester in 2023).
According to a study by the German National Association for Student Affairs, students in former West Germany who no longer live with their parents have an average amount of more than 930 EUR per month at their disposal. However, monthly expenditures for personal lifestyle vary a lot. The study shows that approx. 25 per cent of the students asked have less than 700 EUR while 10 per cent have more than 1,300 EUR per month. For former West Germany, the study revealed the following details regarding average expenditures:
There is a wide range of scholarships available for outstanding students. In addition to requiring applicants to have excellent grades, most scholarship programmes have additional conditions regarding cultural, political, religious, or social involvement. If you have any questions about the application procedure or selection criteria, you can contact the Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) or speak directly to FAU’s liaison officer for the scholarship organisation you wish to apply to.
https://www.fau.eu/study/prospective-students/financing-your-studies
To be successfully admitted to the programme, you need to have a Bachelor’s degree in Geosciences or a related field. These are usually Geoscience- and/or Biology-related degrees (e.g. Earth Sciences, Biosciences, Environmental Sciences, Palaeontology), but students with other backgrounds have also been admitted to the programme.
The language of the programme is English. Therefore, having good English language skills is a must. Please see details below.
Before applying to the Master’s programme, you will need to have access to several documents. Please see the course website for details: https://palaeobiology.nat.fau.de/admission/requirements/.
Confirmation of the required English level: “vantage or upper intermediate” level (B2) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or an equivalent score in an internationally recognised test, e.g. IELTS 5.5, TOEFL PBT 552. Exemptions: native speakers, holders of university degrees taught in English
Please see our website for the most up-to-date application deadlines: https://palaeobiology.nat.fau.de/.
Please note that we have two deadlines: one for countries that require a lengthy visa process and another for those within the EU/UK or USA.
Please see the instructions at: https://palaeobiology.nat.fau.de/admission/process/
The cities of Erlangen, Fürth, and Nuremberg offer a very good standard of living. They are popular places to live, meaning that accommodation is in high demand but often in short supply. This is particularly the case during the period before the start of a new semester. We therefore recommend that you start looking for accommodation as soon as possible. If you are flexible and also look in the surrounding area, you will have a better chance of finding somewhere affordable to live. The region has an excellent public transport system, so you should not have any problems getting to your place of study or work.
It is worth checking the available accommodation on the Internet every day, as new accommodation becomes available on a day-to-day basis. It pays to be flexible when it comes to the price, location, and available facilities of your accommodation.
Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg runs its own student accommodation in Erlangen and Nuremberg. You will be informed about how to apply for a room in Student Services accommodation while you are in the process of applying to be admitted to FAU.
For more information, please see: https://www.fau.eu/education/international/from-abroad/welcome-programme-for-international-students/.
Founded in 1743, FAU has a rich history. It is a strong research university with an international perspective and one of the largest universities in Germany with 39,657 students, 272 degree programmes, 4,000 academic staff (including over 624 professors), 243 million EUR third-party funding, and partnerships with universities all over the world. Teaching at the university is closely linked to research and focuses on training students in both theory and practice to enable them to think critically and work independently. The research itself also strikes the perfect balance between a theoretical approach and practical application.
FAU’s outstanding research and teaching is reflected in top positions in both national and international rankings as well as the high amount of DFG funding that its researchers are able to secure.
FAU’s two main sites, the cities of Erlangen and Nuremberg, are located at the heart of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. Both Erlangen, a city of 100,000 inhabitants that was the former home of the Huguenots and is a key location for Siemens, and Nuremberg, a city with a metropolitan flair and a population of half a million, have their own unique charms. The opera, theatre, and museums, along with a lively pub scene and nightlife, offer plenty of opportunities to relax after a day in the lecture theatre, lab, or library. The highlights of the cultural calendar in Erlangen include the Hörkunstfestival (acoustic art festival), International Comic Salon, figuren.theater.festival (puppet theatre festival), Poetenfest (poetry festival), and the "ARENA… of the young arts" theatre and performance festival. A wide range of cultural institutions open their doors to visitors during the Blue Night in Nuremberg, and once every two years, the Long Night of Sciences gives the public a chance to take a look inside research institutions in Erlangen, Nuremberg, and Fürth. In summary, the mixture of academia, innovative companies, art, and culture makes the region the perfect place for creative minds. There is also plenty on offer for keen athletes and nature lovers. Fränkische Schweiz, a paradise for climbers and walkers, is located to the north of Erlangen and is at FAU’s doorstep. Water sports enthusiasts will love the Franconian lakes and the university’s water sports centre, which is located just south of Nuremberg.
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