• A deep interest in global environment and climate changes within the Earth system
• A solid basic understanding in the natural sciences, analytical thinking skills, and an interest in interdisciplinary work, quantitative methods, and data analysis
• Openness to practical components such as fieldwork and laboratory work
• A good command of English is required, as the degree program is conducted entirely in English

Entrance requirements

Proof of a bachelor’s degree in

• Environmental Sciences or Meteorology (Focus area “Environmental Sciences”), or
• Geosciences (Focus areas „Paleoclimate“, „Solid Earth Science“, and „Quantitative Earth System Science“) or Geophysics („Quantitative Earth System Science“)

from a higher education institution or a comparable degree from a higher education institution. Qualifications that were not part of the bachelor’s degree program may also be recognized.

For other degrees, the following applies:

• Focus area „Environmental Sciences“: Proof of the required knowledge in environmental sciences amounting to at least 18 credit points (CP) or an equivalent scope as part of the previous degree program.
• Focus area „Paleoclimate“: Proof of the required knowledge in geosciences amounting to at least 18 credit points (CP) or an equivalent scope as part of the previous degree program.
• Focus area „Solid Earth Science“: Proof of the required knowledge in geosciences amounting to at least 18 credit points or an equivalent scope as part of the previous degree program.
• Focus area „Quantitative Earth System Science“: Proof of the required knowledge in geosciences, geophysics, or atmospheric physics amounting to at least 18 credit points or an equivalent scope as part of the previous degree program.

If a student’s prior knowledge in the respective focus area amounts to fewer than 18 credit points, admission to the master’s program is granted subject to the following condition: successful completion of the remedial module worth 18 credit points by the end of the first year of study.

If you have not yet received your bachelor’s degree certificate by the application deadline, but have earned at least 135 credits in your bachelor’s program, you must apply by the set deadline with a transcript (certified copy issued by your university) of all coursework and exams completed to date, including your average grade to date; this certificate must be issued by the responsible higher education institution. If the admission requirements listed above require proof of a specific number of credit points, applicants must provide proof of two-thirds of that number by the end of the application deadline.

Applicants who did not earn their university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, HZB) at a German-language institution or complete a German-language degree program must provide proof of English proficiency at the B2 level.

Good to know: The legally binding basis for selection, admission and enrollment is the text of the entrance requirements as specified in Section 2 of the currently valid examination regulations and, where applicable, in the appendix.

The examination regulations provide further details.

Prior to starting your studies, you choose from four focus areas:

Environmental Science

This focus are provides an in-depth understanding of current environmental and climate processes, ranging from global material cycles to urban climates and air quality. You work with measurement data, models and remote sensing, and learn technical approaches to addressing environmental problems. Practical components such as field measurement projects and environmental analysis complement your training.

Paleoclimate

The focus is on the reconstruction and analysis of past climate changes. You will learn about methods of climate reconstruction, remote sensing, and isotopic and geochemical analysis techniques. The goal is to evaluate climate archives and understand climate change processes over geological time scales.

Solid Earth Science

This focus area deals with processes of the solid Earth, ranging from geodynamics to plate tectonics. You acquire skills in geomechanical and numerical modeling as well as geological field methods. Applications include, among others, geothermal systems and the underground storage of fluids and gases.

Quantitative Earth System Science

This focus area concentrates on mathematical and computer-based methods for analyzing the Earth system. You learn numerical modeling, data analysis, and machine learning, as well as their application to climate, environmental, and earth science questions such as in risk modeling or material transport processes.

In addition to subject-specific content, you acquire key methodological competencies throughout your studies, particularly in quantitative modeling, data analysis, remote sensing, and modern measurement techniques. Practice-oriented formats such as laboratory and field work, excursions, and project-based learning allow you to apply theoretical knowledge and foster independent scientific work.

A accompanying seminar on Earth System Sciences and the master’s thesis in the fourth semester round off your studies.

Internships

This program of study does not include a mandatory internship. However, voluntary internships are a great way to gain insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

In this master’s degree program, you will acquire essential professional competencies for careers in academia, government agencies, and industry. The focus is on independent scientific work, analytical thinking, and the ability to address complex questions in a structured manner and develop solutions independently.

As a graduate, you will have access to a diverse range of career fields in the environment, industry, energy, and research sectors. Depending on the chosen focus area, different opportunities open up:

In Environmental Science, typical fields of work are found in environmental agencies or environmental protection roles within companies or municipalities, etc. The industry also offers opportunities, particularly in the areas of renewable energy, chemistry, mobility, as well as drive and propulsion engineering.

With specializations in Solid Earth Science or Paleoclimate, prospects arise in infrastructure planning, the extractive industry, as well as water and resource management. These are gaining increasing importance against the backdrop of climate change and extreme events. In the energy sector, particularly in geothermal energy, there are further important employment opportunities.

Graduates with the focus area Quantitative Earth System Science are also in high demand in fields that require robust modeling and analytical competencies, such as risk assessment, atmospheric modeling, or deposit analysis.

Regardless of your chosen focus area, you are in high demand as a graduate due to your skills in handling large amounts of data in data analysis. For example in the following fields:

• Remote sensing (satellites)
• Financial sector
• Insurance industry
• Risk analysis of climate and environmental events

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.