FAQs for Prospective Students

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Prospective Students

D

No. We do only require scanned copies for the application. Upon acceptance, we will inform you about the subsequent formal process in all detail.

The MAP office is the central drop-in center if you need to talk about your worries, wishes, concerns or points of criticism. It is also the place where all basic aspects of the program are clarified. The MAP chairs and the focal subject heads are also points of contact for academic issues.

H

The Elite Master’s Program Advanced Materials and Processes was established in the winter semester 2005/06.

There are up to 50 places per year. 466 students have started the MAP programme since 2005.

There is no tuition fee at FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg. The only fees to pay consist of the semester contribution to the student services fee.

I

The chances to get one of the highly demanded student jobs in the University are good. It just takes a certain amount of initiative of the students. Notes on the institutes’ notice boards sometimes show job offers. There is also the option to approach the respective professor directly. Please consider that the workload of the MAP curriculum is high and that professors prefer to employ students, who are known to them from lectures etc. Thus, most research assistantships are available from the second semester onwards.

L

The program is regulated by the “Allgemeine Prüfungsordnung” (general exam regulations) and the “Fachprüfungsordnung” (subject exam regulations). These and a partial, unofficial English translation of the “Fachprüfungsordnung” can be found on the MAP website: https://www.map.tf.fau.de/current-students/programme-regulation/#collapse_0

U

Please apply via the FAU online application form using the electronic system campo and uploading all required documents before the application deadline of 31 May.

W

The institutes making up the Chemical and Biological Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering Departments have many industrial contacts, which can also be used by MAP students. Several excursions to renowned German companies and institutes will be offered during your MAP studies. Additionally, many of our graduates find excellent positions and become leaders in industry. The MAP team organizes opportunities for exchange between our alumni and students on a regular basis through a variety of events and an active social media group.

Our host departments offer a great variety of different Master’s programs:

Note that the minimum requirement for these Master’s programs is at least a German language level of B2 GER (Clean Energy Processes, Nanotechnology, and Materials Science are the exceptions as they are English-taught). As these are not explicitly international study programmes, some courses are held in German.

In addition, the Master’s program Computational Engineering offers so-called Transition Studies Engineering. Once you have completed the Transition Studies Engineering and you are still interested in MAP, please reapply to us and make it clear in your cover letter that you have completed the Transition Studies Engineering. Please inform us about your reapplication on map-applications(at)fau.de at the same time. Although the chances of getting one of the coveted MAP study places will increase by completing the Transition Studies Engineering, we cannot guarantee the acceptance by the MAP Admission Board.

MAP is examined through written or oral exams, student presentations as well as through literature reviews, miniprojects and a Master’s thesis. Oral exams can be a talk to clarify your state of knowledge without a mark (you just pass or fail), or an exam with a mark. Sometimes the exams consist of a presentation that has to be prepared by the student in advance and is to be held during the exam. All grades that you achieve during the program are part of the final grade although various grades are weighted more than others.

We are aware that degree certificates are not provided right away, and some applicants may still be in their last semester. In this case it is sufficient to provide some proof that you either have completed your studies or that you are still studying, including the estimated end of studies. Be aware that you can only apply under the conditions that at least 140 ECTS are credited in the current Transcript of Records. If a provisional certificate has been issued, please submit this document.

The short cover letter serves as your letter of application and we would like you to state your connection to MAP and your motivation to study our program.

Our search for interdisciplinary-minded students has an impact on our application process. We invite our applicants to explain how the different subjects offered by the MAP program correlate with their personal goals for career and life. Therefore, it should for example include your professional interests and background.

The letter should be around one page but no more than two pages in length.

The MAP Admission Board meets several times during the admission season (February to July). Once the Admission Board has assessed your application, we will inform you on the decision.

The MAP students from 2005 to 2024 originate from 62 different countries from all over the world. We are always pleased to welcome a student from a “new” country!

Applicants are required to have an excellent Bachelor’s degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering or related subjects. Examples for related subjects are: Mechanical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Life Science Engineering, Medical Technology and Energy Technology and comparable degrees.

The application deadline is 31 May. Non-EU citizens are strongly encouraged to submit their applications until 31 March, to have sufficient time for their visa applications.

All applicants from India, Vietnam and China (not Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan) do need an APS certificate. The APS certificate is essential for the application and enrolment process. Unfortunately, it is not possible to accept someone with a missing APS certificate, where it is required.

We do require either a TOEFL or an IELTS test from all applicants whose previous degree was not conducted in English. This test should not be older than three years. In a TOEFL test applicants should at least reach 85 points. In an IELTS test applicants should at least reach an average of 6. These scores are equivalent to the level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Do I have to send the application documents also via regular mail?
No. We do only require scanned copies for the application. Upon acceptance, we will inform you about the subsequent formal process in all detail.
Do MAP students get special support during the program?
The MAP office is the central drop-in center if you need to talk about your worries, wishes, concerns or points of criticism. It is also the place where all basic aspects of the program are clarified. The MAP chairs and the focal subject heads are also points of contact for academic issues.
How long has the MAP program been existing?
The Elite Master’s Program Advanced Materials and Processes was established in the winter semester 2005/06.
How many places are in the program?
There are up to 50 places per year. 466 students have started the MAP programme since 2005.
How much is the tuition fee?
There is no tuition fee at FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg. The only fees to pay consist of the semester contribution to the student services fee.
Is it possible to get a student job?
The chances to get one of the highly demanded student jobs in the University are good. It just takes a certain amount of initiative of the students. Notes on the institutes’ notice boards sometimes show job offers. There is also the option to approach the respective professor directly. Please consider that the workload of the MAP curriculum is high and that professors prefer to employ students, who are known to them from lectures etc. Thus, most research assistantships are available from the second semester onwards.
Legal Documents
The program is regulated by the “Allgemeine Prüfungsordnung” (general exam regulations) and the “Fachprüfungsordnung” (subject exam regulations). These and a partial, unofficial English translation of the “Fachprüfungsordnung” can be found on the MAP website: https://www.map.tf.fau.de/current-students/programme-regulation/#collapse_0
Until when do I have to provide the supporting documents?
Please apply via the FAU online application form using the electronic system campo and uploading all required documents before the application deadline of 31 May.
What about industry contacts?
The institutes making up the Chemical and Biological Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering Departments have many industrial contacts, which can also be used by MAP students. Several excursions to renowned German companies and institutes will be offered during your MAP studies. Additionally, many of our graduates find excellent positions and become leaders in industry. The MAP team organizes opportunities for exchange between our alumni and students on a regular basis through a variety of events and an active social media group.
What do I do if I have been rejected by the MAP Admission Board?
Our host departments offer a great variety of different Master’s programs: Department “Chemie- und Bioingenieurswesen” (CBI): www.cbi.studium.uni-erlangen.de/ Department „Werkstoffwissenschaften” (WW): www.ww.tf.fau.de/ Note that the minimum requirement for these Master’s programs is at least a German language level of B2 GER (Clean Energy Processes, Nanotechnology, and Materials Science are the exceptions as they are English-taught). As these are not explicitly international study programmes, some courses are held in German. In addition, the Master’s program Computational Engineering offers so-called Transition Studies Engineering. Once you have completed the Transition Studies Engineering and you are still interested in MAP, please reapply to us and make it clear in your cover letter that you have completed the Transition Studies Engineering. Please inform us about your reapplication on map-applications(at)fau.de at the same time. Although the chances of getting one of the coveted MAP study places will increase by completing the Transition Studies Engineering, we cannot guarantee the acceptance by the MAP Admission Board.
What do the exams look like?
MAP is examined through written or oral exams, student presentations as well as through literature reviews, miniprojects and a Master’s thesis. Oral exams can be a talk to clarify your state of knowledge without a mark (you just pass or fail), or an exam with a mark. Sometimes the exams consist of a presentation that has to be prepared by the student in advance and is to be held during the exam. All grades that you achieve during the program are part of the final grade although various grades are weighted more than others.
What if I don’t have my degree certificate yet?
We are aware that degree certificates are not provided right away, and some applicants may still be in their last semester. In this case it is sufficient to provide some proof that you either have completed your studies or that you are still studying, including the estimated end of studies. Be aware that you can only apply under the conditions that at least 140 ECTS are credited in the current Transcript of Records. If a provisional certificate has been issued, please submit this document.
What is meant by “short cover letter”?
The short cover letter serves as your letter of application and we would like you to state your connection to MAP and your motivation to study our program. Our search for interdisciplinary-minded students has an impact on our application process. We invite our applicants to explain how the different subjects offered by the MAP program correlate with their personal goals for career and life. Therefore, it should for example include your professional interests and background. The letter should be around one page but no more than two pages in length.
When will I get information about my application status?
The MAP Admission Board meets several times during the admission season (February to July). Once the Admission Board has assessed your application, we will inform you on the decision.
Where are the MAP students from?
The MAP students from 2005 to 2024 originate from 62 different countries from all over the world. We are always pleased to welcome a student from a “new” country!
Which Bachelor degrees are sufficient for an application?
Applicants are required to have an excellent Bachelor’s degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering or related subjects. Examples for related subjects are: Mechanical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Life Science Engineering, Medical Technology and Energy Technology and comparable degrees.
Which deadline applies to me?
The application deadline is 31 May. Non-EU citizens are strongly encouraged to submit their applications until 31 March, to have sufficient time for their visa applications.
Who is required to submit an APS certificate?
All applicants from India, Vietnam and China (not Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan) do need an APS certificate. The APS certificate is essential for the application and enrolment process. Unfortunately, it is not possible to accept someone with a missing APS certificate, where it is required.
Who is required to submit an IELTS or TOEFL test?
We do require either a TOEFL or an IELTS test from all applicants whose previous degree was not conducted in English. This test should not be older than three years. In a TOEFL test applicants should at least reach 85 points. In an IELTS test applicants should at least reach an average of 6. These scores are equivalent to the level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

We are currently updating our FAQs for prospective students. The FAQs are not complete and include certain infos for MAP students. The process will be completed soon.