Microbiology, M.Sc.
The course "Microbiology" (M. Sc.) covers all areas of microbiological research with prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. Bacterial and fungal systematics, biotechnology, cell biology, genetics, applied microbiology, as well as the interactions of microorganisms with other organisms, but also with the environment are specific focal points. The study program is interdisciplinary and includes parts of non-university research institutions such as the Leibnitz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, the Hans Knöll Institute and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology as well as cooperation with associated biotechnology companies.
Programme facts
| Degree | Master of Science (M.Sc.) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 semesters, 120 ECTS |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Required English | B2 |
| Study mode | Full-Time |
| Start | Winter semester |
| Application | Directly to the university, winter semester until 31.05 |
| Tuition fee | €0 per semester for international students |
| Semester contribution | €333.05 per semester |
What the tuition fee consists of
Will I get in
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 →About the programme
The Master program "Microbiology" is based at the Institute of Microbiology DE at the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena. It is a scientific-biological study course on fundamental research with special focus on microbiology at its full diversity. This covers phylogeny, physiology, cell and molecular biology of organisms from all three domains of life.
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Compared to other locations providing microbiology studies in Germany, there are two unique selling points, which are important for Jena: the great number of non-university research facilities, which are intensely involved into the universitary education as well as in many cooperative projects, and on the other hand, the great number of biotechnology companies, coming from the research field in Jena and still having close contacts to their mother institutions, making the involvement in research projects reality.
The Master program "Microbiology" at the Friedrich-Schiller-University is directed towards the education of excellent, competitive graduates with a great spectrum of metho-dology, interdisciplinary focus and international qualification for the assignment in research, and in biotechnology companies. The close connection to the local biotechnological job market allows an optimal change to occupation. Here, the potential of biology and - in particular - of molecular biology with focus on microbiology is increasingly used as platform for the networking of other disciplines. The combination and development of technology platforms of various institutes (e.g. proteome, transcriptome, metabolome analyses, chemical, biochemical, physical and cell biological analytics, fermentation) under "Enabling Technologies" allows a strong focussing on research already during the Master study program.
The offer of language courses, e. g. "German for Foreigners" or "Technical English" by FSU and by institutes outside the university allows a special involvement of foreign students, as the studies offered are usually held in English.
In Jena research competence in the field of microbiology of procaryotic and eucaryotic systems exists, and a graduate program has been established. The "Jena School for Microbial Communication" provides excellent opportunities for advanced training of the graduates of the Master study program. Purpose of the training is to become highly competitive scientists for fundamental research, as well as for applied research.
Career
In the M.Sc. Microbiology excellent training for research-related professions in universities, non-university institutes and industry. Occupational fields include: research and development, pharmaceutical industry and biotechnology companies, food industry, chemical industry, examination laboratories of hospitals, public administration (health authorities), teaching and training, business and professional associations. The course also qualifies you for postgraduate scientific doctoral studies, particularly in the fields of biology, microbiology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, cell biology, medical microbiology or biogeosciences, which are offered at Friedrich Schiller University (“Jena School for Microbial Communication” doctoral training program) and in are represented at home and abroad.
Cost of study
| Tuition fee of the federal state (Thuringia), international students | €0 |
|---|---|
| Semester contribution | €333.05 |
Requirements and application
| Previous education | For this master's degree, you need a subject-specific bachelor's degree or an equivalent first professional qualification. |
|---|---|
| Language | English B2 — confirmed by a certificate when you apply |
| Application | Directly to the university, winter semester until 31.05 |
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.
- 2Documents and translationsCertified translations of the certificate and transcript, an APS if required. 3–4 weeks.
- 3Application directly to the university until 31.05Send the documents well before the deadline — an incomplete application cannot be completed after it.
- 4Admission, 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 31.05.2027 (228 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.