Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution (BEE) University of Tübingen

The diversity of the biosphere is shaped by selection and evolution in complex and dynamic environments characterised by a complex mix of biotic and abiotic agents. Since the start of the Anthropogenic Era, it faces accelerating, large-scale anthropogenic changes in land use, pollutants, biological invasions and climate. Students of the Master of Science in “Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution” develop an in-depth understanding of the processes and service functions associated with biodiversity from molecular to global scales. They can quantify diversity in genes, morphology, behaviour, or community composition and link it with biological function and ecosystem stability. With this integrative view, students learn to predict ecological and anthropogenic effects on biodiversity, and to design, conduct and analyse rigorous empirical investigations under laboratory and field settings. Furthermore, BEE MSc students strengthen their skills to communicate their findings and to contribute actively to ongoing societal debates.

The Master in Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution programme is designed for a duration of four semesters (120 ECTS credits). Specifically, the programme focuses on the study, complexity, function, interactive nature and ecological service of organismal diversity in environments under varying degrees of human impact. The programme trains students in dealing with ecological and biological complexity both from a short-term, local, and a long-term, global perspective. It fuses top-down and bottom-up approaches in the study of plasticity, adaptability, evolvability, functionality, resilience, facilitation, and conservation at levels ranging from ecosystems down to populations and their genetic and molecular diversity.

For admission to the MSc Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, a BSc degree in Biology with a grade of 2.50 or better (German grading scheme) is required. This degree programme is designed entirely in English. Students have the option of adding German courses to their elective modules. Proof of English language proficiency at level B2 and German language proficiency at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages must be provided. 

• English language skills must be proven by: 
  • an official language test (see below)
  • or, a completed degree programme of at least two years' duration – obtained in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA – and with sufficient evidence from the institution that the language of instruction and examination for the degree was English. This only applies to degrees obtained at institutions within the aforementioned English-speaking countries (no branches in other countries and no distance learning).
• International applicants without a German-language university entrance qualification must provide proof of German language proficiency.

Enrolment fees at the University of Tübingen are currently approx. 200 EUR per semester. This includes use of local public transport free of charge on Mondays to Fridays in the evening, at weekends and on public holidays. In addition, students may purchase a semester ticket for unlimited use of public transport in the city of Tübingen and the surrounding area (currently approx. 160 EUR).

Estimated basic student expenses are around 1,000 EUR per month according to the Tübingen Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk”), including rent for student accommodation. Rent for private accommodation will be more expensive.

Accommodation is available through the Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk“) or on the private market. Rooms in student accommodation cost approx. 250 to 480 EUR per month. As Tübingen is a very attractive place to live, private accommodation is more expensive and can take some effort to find. To make sure you find a suitable place to live, you should start looking as early as possible.

We recommend you apply for student accommodation through the “Studierendenwerk” at the same time that you apply for admission to the Master's programme (please see: https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/halls-of-residence-tuebingen/ and https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/faqs/) and send in a copy of your notification of admission as soon as you have received it (your application won’t be finally processed before the “Studierendenwerk” has received proof of your admission). For further information, check out the “Studierendenwerk” pages on housing in Tübingen (https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/housing-infos/).