What you can expect in our master's program

The master's degree program in Applied Geosciences at KIT offers you the freedom to design your studies individually - with a clear focus on practice-oriented work and research-oriented teaching. The standard period of study is 4 semesters and you will earn 120 ECTS credits.

You will study the processes of the earth used by humans and learn how geoscientific expertise can contribute to solving current challenges - from sustainable geoenergy and groundwater management to raw materials and energy storage for the energy transition.

With your knowledge, you will help shape the future sustainably.

By choosing the Specialization in Geoscience, you can tailor your studies to suit your interests:

• Sustainable Energy-Resources-Storage - ERS: here you will focus on the sustainable use of geo-energy, geo-resources, raw materials and geothermal energy. The profile is studied entirely in English.
  
• Engineering and Hydrogeology - HYDRO-ING: in this profile, you will learn the basics, applications and methods of engineering and hydrogeology, e.g. sampling and data acquisition in the field, state-of-the-art laboratory analysis and experimental techniques as well as modeling of groundwater flow, heat and pollutant transport, mass movements or underground structures.
  
• Mineralogy and geochemistry - MiG: you will deepen your knowledge of the building blocks of the earth (minerals, rocks, soils) as well as their structural composition and chemical composition. The focus is on the processes and mechanisms that lead to the formation and overprinting of minerals, rocks, soils and fluids/water.
  

By choosing a specialization, you give your studies a content orientation that can also point the way for your future career. In the master's degree program in Applied Geosciences at KIT, you choose one of these specializations. In each specialization, compulsory modules of 20 CP and compulsory elective modules of 50 CP must be completed.

In addition to the Specialization in Geosciences (70 CP), which makes up the majority of your master's degree, there is a Specific Supplement (20 CP). Here you choose modules on supplementary geoscientific topics (20 CP). There are over 60 modules to choose from.

You complete the modules in the subjects Specialization in Geosciences and Specific Supplement in master's semesters 1-3. A look at the module handbook will tell you exactly which modules are offered.

The master's degree program in Applied Geosciences at KIT prepares you optimally for a career in industry, the service sector or public administration. You are also excellently qualified for an academic career - such as a doctorate - with this degree.

Program structure

Sample study plan

Specialization: Sustainable Energy-Resources-Storage – ERS

Internship

The study program does not include a compulsory internship. You can complete a voluntary internship during your studies. If it serves the objectives of your studies and covers at least half of the lecture period, you can apply for a semester off (leave of absence). Such an internship offers you valuable experience outside the university and can make it easier for you to start your career later on.

Master's thesis

At the end of your studies, you will complete your master's thesis (30 CP), an academic paper that allows you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It deals with a specific topic from your field of study and requires independent research, analysis and the preparation of a written thesis. The master's thesis takes 6 months to complete. You can start it as soon as you have achieved 70 credit points, whereby 10 credit points must come from the compulsory modules of the Geosciences specialization. Upon request, the master's thesis can also be completed in a company or at another KIT Department. The master's thesis also includes a presentation of your results.

Make your studies international

You have various options for integrating a stay abroad into your master's degree course. For example, you can study at a foreign university of your choice for one or two semesters via Erasmus+ or as a freemover. You can also do an internship abroad. In addition, selective mobility is possible via Eucor - The European Campus: KIT students can flexibly attend individual courses in addition to courses at KIT or study full-time for an entire semester or year at an Eucor partner university.

Further information on outgoing programs offered by the KIT Department of Civil Engineering, Geo- and Environmental Sciences can be found on the website, from the contact persons of the KIT Department responsible for stays abroad or from the International Students Office.

Graduates of Applied Geosciences are offered a multitude of possibilites in engineering offices, business consultancies or in other areas of the industry (construction industry, mining, oil industry, drilling industry, water supply works...) as well as in administration, administrative bodies and orginazations. The work area ranges from renewable energy, ground water exploitation and protection to exploitation and restoration of residual waste, survey and exploration of natural resources, prognosis and prevention of natural disasters to preservation of the environment. Aside of a direct start in a professional career, graduates with very good grades can also consider a doctorate which can offer a subsequent career in research and teaching.

Characteristic features of the Applied Geosciences M.Sc. at KIT

• involvement of students in current research projects
  
• close contact with lecturers and scientific staff
  
• numerous excursions lasting several days in Germany and abroad
  
• state-of-the-art laboratory equipment
  
• international programs such as EPICUR and Eucor as well as overseas programs
  

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• 24-hour library offering single and group working places
  
• wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
  
• numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
  
• study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
  
• excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
  
• comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
  
• extensive support for career entry and self-employment
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• Lernraum app
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network
  

Admission requirements

Admission requirements for the master's degree program in Applied Geosciences are based on the current admission regulations:

• bachelor's degree
  an above-average bachelor's degree (or at least an equivalent degree) in Applied Geosciences (or a degree program with essentially the same content) at a university, university of applied sciences, university of cooperative education or dual university or at a foreign university. The above-average grade is measured by the average final grade of bachelor's students of Applied Geosciences at KIT in the last three years. The program must have been completed within a standard period of study of at least three years and with a minimum number of 180 ECTS credits.
  
• minimum knowledge and minimum achievements in the following areas
  • Geosciences 20 LP
  • Mathematics 10 CP
  • Chemistry and/or Physics 10 CP
  • at least a further 30 CP from Natural Sciences, Geosciences or Environmental Sciences
    

Language requirements and certificates

For the master's degree course in Applied Geosciences, you need sufficient knowledge of German or English. It is sufficient to demonstrate proficiency in one of the two languages at the required level. It is enough to demonstrate knowledge of one of the languages. Your knowledge of German must be at least level C1 and your knowledge of English at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Important: you must provide proof of the required language skills regardless of your citizenship and by the end of the enrollment period at the latest, but preferably at the time of application.

In what form do I have to provide the language certificates? Please read the following chapters on this website carefully. If you have any further questions, please contact

• Students Office if you are applying as a German, German national or a person with German equivalent status
• the International Students Office if you are a non-EU national

Proof of sufficient German language skills

As proof of your German language skills, your higher education or master's entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, university degree or a professional qualification that entitles you to study) is sufficient if you have acquired it at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction.

In concrete terms, this means that you do not have to submit additional proof of German if you

• have obtained your Abitur at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad,
• are a graduate of a bilingual secondary school in Germany or abroad and have passed a bilingual German examination, such as the AbiBac or the Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureat (GIB) or
• you graduated from a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country regarding the recognition of your school-leaving certificate or language certificate as proof of language proficiency for university studies in Germany.

A complete list of foreign school-leaving qualifications and language certificates that are recognized as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the website of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Laender (KMK) in the Federal Republic of Germany.

If you have already completed a German-language degree at a German university, this can also count as proof of German language proficiency - but only if the diploma supplement, transcript of records or degree certificate clearly states that German was the sole language of instruction and examination.

If, on the other hand, you did not obtain your higher education or master's entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction, you must provide proof of German language proficiency at least at DSH-2 level. This corresponds to CEFR level C1.

Only the following certificates are accepted in accordance with the KIT admission and enrollment regulations:

• passed German section of the Feststellungspruefung (assessment test)
• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with overall result DSH-2
• passed Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) with level 4 in all four parts of the exam
• German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - second level (DSD II)
• Goethe certificate C1 or higher
• passed telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule exam
• Austrian Language Diploma C1 or higher

Note: The above-mentioned tests are accepted as proof of language proficiency for an unlimited period of time, even if the provider specifies an expiration date.

What if I cannot provide suitable C1 proof of German at the time of application?

If you are unable to provide any of the C1 certificates listed above demonstrating your German language skills by the application deadline, you may still be admitted if you can provisionally demonstrate at least B1 language proficiency. Proof of B1 level is provided by a recognized language certificate or other certification from a language or other educational institution that clearly shows that B1 level has been achieved.

But please don't forget: you still have to submit the C1 certificate by the end of your enrollment period at the latest, which is stated in your admission letter.

Therefore, check early on whether you can provide the necessary language certificates by the deadline and, if necessary, plan to take a recognized language test.

In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of the enrollment deadline to provide proof of your language skills, but this extensvion can only be granted up to the day before the start of the lecture period. Please contact the Student Office or the International Students Office - depending on who is named as your point of contact in your letter of admission.

Proof of sufficient English language skills

The following is sufficient proof of your English language skills

• your university entrance qualification, if

  • it certifies English language proficiency at CEFR level B2 or higher or

  • it shows that you have studied English for at least five years up to graduation and your final or average grade of the last two years of English lessons corresponds to at least the German grade 4 (sufficient) or at least 5 grade points or

• a university degree with English as the only language of instruction and examination in the completed degree program - this must be clearly stated in the Diploma Supplement, Transcript of Records or in the degree certificate.

Otherwise, only the following English tests are accepted as proof of English proficiency in accordance with the statutes for admission to the master's degree program in Applied Geosciences:

• TOEFL iBT (internet-based) with at least 90 points

• IELTS with an overall score of at least 6.5, no section below 5.5

• Cambridge Certificate C1 Advanced (CAE)

• Cambridge Certificate C2 Proficiency (CPE)

• UNIcert, at least level II

Note: The above tests are accepted as proof of language proficiency for an unlimited period of time, even if the provider specifies an expiration date.

What if I cannot provide suitable B2 proof of English at the time of application?

If you are unable to provide any of the B2 certificates listed above demonstrating your English language skills by the application deadline, you may still be admitted if you can provisionally demonstrate that you have already acquired English language skills.

But please don't forget: you will still have to submit the actual B2 certificate by the end of your enrollment period at the latest, which is stated in your admission letter.

Therefore, check early on whether you can provide the necessary language certificates by the deadline and, if necessary, plan to take one of the recognized language tests.

In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of the enrollment deadline to provide proof of your language skills, but this extension can only be granted up to the day before the start of the lecture period. Please contact the Students Office or the International Students Office - depending on who is named as your point of contact in your letter of admission.

• KIT-Department of Civil Engineering, Geo and Environmental Sciences
• Institute of Applied Geosciences
• Academic advisor
• Head of examination board
• Information about exchange programs and studying abroad
• Study Association Geosciences

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