Geosciences address some of the most pressing challenges facing the Earth system today. Climate change alters physical, geochemical and ecological processes at Earth’s surface, with far-reaching social and economic consequences. This program examines those changes and their implications for land-surface development and management, the exploration and use of vital natural resources (water, soil, energy sources, metallic and non‑metallic raw materials), the assessment and mitigation of geohazards, and the development of new materials and processes aimed at energy efficiency and environmental protection.
The curriculum blends modern physical–chemical measurement techniques with rigorous theoretical and mathematical–physical modelling. Students learn to analyse and model processes occurring at and below the surface across multiple spatial and temporal scales. The master’s programme is designed to give you a solid scientific foundation and hands-on, state-of-the-art methods needed to tackle the economic and societal problems driven by global environmental change.
This Master's curriculum is highly flexible and research-oriented. Only one module is compulsory: a seminar focused on communicating scientific results at conferences, which trains you to present research clearly, prepare scientific talks and posters, and engage with scholarly audiences. Beyond that, the programme is built from elective modules so you can tailor your studies around a chosen area of expertise and career goals.
You choose modules from four specialisation tracks:
The programme also supports practical and interdisciplinary training: you can undertake individual research projects (up to 21 credit points) and participate in field excursions within each specialisation, and you may take complementary courses from other degree programmes (maximum 20 credit points). The degree is completed by a 30‑credit Master's thesis. Overall learning outcomes include specialist knowledge in your chosen subfield, practical field and laboratory skills, numerical and modelling competencies where relevant, and the ability to design and report independent research—capped by the thesis and reinforced by the compulsory communication seminar. Note that several courses in the sedimentary/tectonic and applied geology/geophysics tracks are offered mainly in German, so check language requirements when planning your pathway.
Requirements and key structure (concise)
This master’s programme requires a relevant undergraduate background and a solid grounding in the core natural-science subjects. The standard entry qualification is a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Geosciences. Applicants who hold degrees in other, related fields can also be considered, provided their prior studies cover most of the foundational material needed for this MSc.
You should have adequate knowledge of the fundamentals in natural sciences—specifically mathematics, physics and chemistry—as well as core geoscience topics. Before final decisions are made, the admission committee may request a short online interview with programme lecturers to assess whether you are prepared to succeed in the master’s curriculum.
Admission requirements (summary):
Winter Semester (International)
31 May 2026
Summer Semester (International)
30 November 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 July 2026
Summer Semester (EU/EEA)
15 January 2027
Graduates are prepared for careers in environmental and resource sectors, including groundwater and soil management, mineral and raw material exploration, geotechnical and engineering geology, and geophysical surveying. The programme’s strong methodological focus on measurement techniques and numerical modelling also equips students for roles in environmental consulting, risk and geohazard assessment, and public sector agencies responsible for land-use and environmental protection.
The solid scientific training and research orientation make graduates competitive for doctoral studies and research positions at universities and research institutes, as well as technical and management roles in industry (e.g., energy, mining, engineering firms) and specialised laboratories focused on geochemistry, mineralogy and climate-related studies.