Application and admission

Proficiency in English language is required and must be proved by one of the following certificates, which must be submitted at the time of application:

• Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) B2,
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Test with a minimum score of 5.5,
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test with a minimum score of 72 points,
• Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE), Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE), Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE),
• a minimum of seven years in English at a German high school or by equivalent certification, where the equivalency is determined by the admission board.

Note that the mere completion of a B.Sc. degree in English is not sufficient for admission!

While German language skills are quite obviously helpful for studying in Germany, they are not a requirement for successful application to the M.Sc. Geophysics.

Admission is offered for the winter term, which begins on 1 October.

The contents of the M.Sc. Geophysics are described in detail in the module handbook.

The programme is open for applications from 15 February to 31 March.

Eligibility for the M.Sc. Geophysics requires a Bachelor's degree in

• the consecutive B.Sc. Geophysik/Ozeanographie of the Faculty for Mathematics, Informatics, and Natural Sciences of the University of Hamburg,
• an equivalent subject,
• a mathematical or physical programme.

Within the above-mentioned degrees, applicants must have acquired

• a minimum of 90 ECTS credit points that coincide with the curriculum of the B.Sc. Geophysik/Ozeanographie of the Faculty for Mathematics, Informatics, and Natural Sciences of the University of Hamburg, of which
• a minimum of 45 ECTS credit points must be acquired in mathematics and/or physics,
• a minimum of 6 ECTS credit points in computer programming.

Note that the mere designation of an applicant's completed B.Sc. degree does not automatically determine eligibility!

Please upload the mandatory documents listed below in pdf format to the application portal. For documents not issued in English or German, an electronic copy of a certified English or German translation is required.

• Your online application
• English language certificates
• Application letter detailing the motivation for the study of geophysics with regard to your interest in the subject and in further academic training. The application letter should be no longer than two pages and address the following questions:
  • What has been your interest in geophysics to date? Which topics did you focus on particularly during your first degree, e.g. in your bachelor's thesis?
  • Are there any topics from your first degree that you would like to continue and explore in greater depth during your master's degree at the University of Hamburg? If so, which ones?
  • Which of the specialisations offered in Hamburg are you particularly interested in?
  • Why would you like to complete the master's programme in Geophysics at the University of Hamburg?
  • Please elaborate on your programming experience.
• Brief CV including professional experience and/or internships in the field of geophysics
• Higher education entrance eligibility
• Degree certificate or provisional Transcript of Records
  If you are still studying when you apply and cannot yet provide a final certificate containing your grades, please submit your current Transcript of Records confirming your provisional grade point average. If you are admitted to the M.Sc. Geophysics, you would then need to submit your degree certificate by the end of your first semester.

Please see here for information on financing your studies:

• General information by UHH's Campus Centre
• Information regarding the Deutschlandstipendium at UHH
• Information by UHH's Campus Centre regarding undergraduate scholarships
• Scholarships by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
• DAAD scholarship database

If you are still studying when you apply and cannot yet provide a final certificate containing your grades, please submit your current Transcript of Records confirming your provisional grade point average. If you are admitted to the M.Sc. Geophysics, you would then need to submit your degree certificate by the end of your first semester.

Programming experience is essential for the successful completion of the programme and must be proven by a minimum of 6 ECTS upon application. 

Recommended languages are, e.g,

• C, C++, Fortran
• python, matlab

Not acceptable are, e.g.,

• Microsoft Office
• html, css

If you are unsure about your programming skills, take a look at this example exercise from the B.Sc. Geophysics/Oceanography at UHH to assess whether you are able to complete it.

Eligibility for the M.Sc. Geophysics requires a Bachelor's degree in

• the consecutive B.Sc. Geophysik/Ozeanographie of the Faculty for Mathematics, Informatics, and Natural Sciences of the University of Hamburg,
• an equivalent subject,
• a mathematical or physical programme.

Within the above-mentioned degrees, applicants must have acquired

• a minimum of 90 ECTS credit points that coincide with the curriculum of the B.Sc. Geophysik/Ozeanographie of the Faculty for Mathematics, Informatics, and Natural Sciences of the University of Hamburg, of which
• a minimum of 45 ECTS credit points must be acquired in mathematics and/or physics,
• a minimum of 6 ECTS credit points in computer programming.

Selection will be based on the following criteria, for which the relevant supporting documents must be submitted with the application by the deadline:

1. Results of the first professionally qualifying university degree or average grade at the time of application;
2. Comparability of the completed degree programme with the Bachelor's degree programme in Geophysics/Oceanography at the Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences;
3. Motivation of the choice of study programme based on a specified guideline, maximum two pages in length:
• What has been your interest in geophysics to date? Which topics did you focus on particularly during your first degree, e.g. in your bachelor's thesis?
• Are there any topics from your first degree that you would like to continue and explore in greater depth during your master's degree at the University of Hamburg? If so, which ones?
• Which of the specialisations offered in Hamburg are you particularly interested in?
• Why would you like to complete the master's programme in Geophysics at the University of Hamburg?
• Please elaborate on your programming experience.

Criteria b) and c) are assessed according to the grading scale of the examination regulations.

Criterion a) is weighted at 40%, criteria b) and c) at 30% each.

There are no tuition fees, however, a semester contribution must be paid. Please see here for details.