Geosciences, B.Sc.
The geosciences study the development of the earth and life from their origins to the present day. Through their understanding of the relevant geoprocesses, geoscientists can answer scientific questions about global change, environmental influences and risk, and the availability of needed raw materials.
The geological study of the earth’s structure and the rocks near its surface provide valuable clues to past and future processes (volcanism, tsunamis, earthquakes, climate change). While geophysical processes allow us a glimpse into the earth’s interior, geochemical analyses provide us with clues to past events, the only remaining traces of which are preserved in rocks. Understanding hydrogeological systems in the upper regions of the earth’s crust helps us to ensure that drinking water is available worldwide. Paleontology is the study of the evolution of life and how it is affected living space and climate, also with a view to current-day scenarios.
This broad-based degree program offers all the core geoscience fields: geology, paleontology, geochemistry/petrology and geophysics. Initially, all students acquire basic geoscientific knowledge in common courses in chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics. Regardless of their geoscience specialization, all students are trained — in the field, in the laboratory, and at the computer — with an emphasis on actual practice and an orientation toward research.
Programme facts
| Degree | Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 semesters, 180 ECTS |
| Language of instruction | German |
| Required German | C1 |
| Study mode | Full-Time |
| Start | Winter semester |
| Application | Directly to the university, winter semester until 15.07 |
| Admission | No admission restriction: every eligible applicant is admitted |
| Tuition fee | €0 per semester for international students |
| Semester contribution | €363.07 per semester |
What the tuition fee consists of
Will I get in
Every applicant who meets the formal requirements is admitted — but places can run out before the deadline, so apply at the start of the window.
How the selection works and how strong the competition is — we go through it against your certificate when we select programmes for you.
Programme selection →What you study
The Bachelor's degree in Geosciences lasts 6 semesters and gives you access to the Master's degree in Geosciences, as well as to the professional world as a first professional qualification. Due to the high proportion of elective modules, you can choose your specialist focus from a wide range early on.
The full curriculum and the programme's parameters are part of programme selection: we compare them with your profile.
Pick programmesCareer
Applied geology (groundwater resources, development cooperation, environmental protection, georisks), ministries and government offices (environmental protection), geological services, raw materials exploration/use and production materials (industrial sector), public relations, museums, academia (teaching/research at universities, research institutions.)
Cost of study
| Tuition fee of the federal state (North Rhine-Westphalia), international students | €0 |
|---|---|
| Semester contribution | €363.07 |
Requirements and application
| Previous education | Interest in the Earth's processes Motivation to acquire basic knowledge of chemistry, physics and mathematics (not a requirement) Basic knowledge of the English language for the course (English-language specialist literature and publications in specialist journals) |
|---|---|
| Language | German C1 — confirmed by a certificate when you apply |
| Application | Directly to the university, winter semester until 15.07 |
The procedure and the set of documents depend on your certificate. We check the university's requirements against your documents and give you a list: what to submit, how to certify and translate it, where and when to apply.
Check the requirementsHow to get into this programme
- 1Check your certificate and its recognitionDirect admission, a year at a university at home, or Studienkolleg first — this decides the whole plan.
- 2German up to C1 and a certificateDSH or TestDaF has to be passed before you apply.
- 3Documents and translationsCertified translations of the certificate and transcript, an APS if required. 3–4 weeks.
- 4Application directly to the university until 15.07Send the documents well before the deadline — an incomplete application cannot be completed after it.
- 5Admission, visa, movingPlan 2–3 months for the visa and the blocked account in parallel.
How to apply
You can submit the application yourself or with our help — the university decides on admission in both cases.
Applications go through the university's portal or uni-assist. Typical mistakes:
- ×incorrectly made certified copies and translations
- ×a wrong set of documents
- ×the application submitted the wrong way
- ×errors or gaps in the application form
- ×the application submitted at the wrong time — too early or too late
An incomplete or incorrectly prepared application is excluded from the selection — it can no longer be corrected after the deadline.
StudyInFocus does not represent the university and does not influence the admission decision. We do not sell study places and do not guarantee admission — this is a service for preparing and submitting documents on the applicant's side.
If your level is not enough yet
The two most common stoppers are a language level below the requirement and a certificate without direct admission. Both can be solved, but they take months — plan them now, not after a rejection.
Questions about this programme
How much does the programme cost?
What language level do I need?
When do I need to apply?
Don't postpone the application
The deadline is 15.07.2027 (274 days left). Language, translations and the document check take months, not weeks. In 30 minutes we will build a plan backwards from the deadline and tell you honestly whether you can make it.