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How to apply

Below you will find all the information you need for a successful application to the MEG programme. Please take time to read through this page in full.

Applying from a developing country? Consider the MEG-DAAD scholarship. Deadline October 15, 2024 for winter semester 2025 begin. More information here.

 

Application procedure for intake Winter Semester 2024

Application Deadline:               May 15, 2024
Application portal opens:        March 1, 2024

 

Online Eligibility Assessment (OEA)

If you are not sure if you fufill the admissions requirements for the programme, consider filling in the OEA. It is available until May 1.

Step 1 - Prepare your Applications Documents

MEG is a highly selctive and competitive programme. Only applications that contain the following in complete will be considerered in the selection process.process.

1.1. Curriculum Vitae in English, please do not include a photo.

 

1.2. Motivation Letter in English, following this guideline.

 

1.3. Two Recommendations:

Indicate the following information for both of your referees on two separate blank documents and upload with your application:

  • Name
  • Affiliation
  • email address
  • and postal address

Do not upload the reference letters yourself. These must be sent from the referees directly to us. Please see below.

It is preferable that one reference be from a university professor/lecturer. The second from an employer/professional reference. If you cannot provide an employer’s reference, send two academic references or vice versa.

Ask your referees to write a reference letter based on the Guideline for Referees. The reference letter should be on letter head, signed (electronic signatures are permissible), dated, and if possible stamped before sending them by e-mail to info-meg@unr.uni-freiburg.de. Letters that you upload yourself cannot be recognized.

1.4.Transcript of Records (original and certified translation if necessary).

  • The transcript needs to be uploaded in it´s original version and if necessary in it´s  English or German certified translation.
  • Your Bachelor´s transcript must contain a final weighted average/CGPA and a grading scale. The grade must be NUMERIC (not alphabetical or qualitative).  If your transcript lacks the above, please attach an annex with the missing information (e.g. link to your university´s official grading scale). Without this information we cannot assess and consider your application.
  • For the assessment of your application we can only consider your bachelor grade, even if your last degree is a Master´s degree. Therefore, make sure to upload the transcript of your bachelors degree.
  • It you  have a Bachelor and a Master degree please also upload the transcript of your Master degree for our information, but keep in mind that we cannot consider the grade of your Master degree.
     

If you have not yet finished your Bachelor degree

  • please upload your current transcript and provide your current average grade (very important!) and the grading scale. If your transcript doesn´t show it you have to ask your university to calculate it and issue a proof. Without your current average grade and grading scale your application cannot be evaluated.
  • It is not a problem to apply without a completed degree as long as you can provide your current average grade and will be able to present your completed bachelor degree by the end of  September 2024, when you matriculate (in case of being selected for a study place).
     

1.5. Degree certificate

  • The degree certificate needs to be uploaded in it´s original version and if necessary in it´s  English or German certified translation.
  • Exception: Students from the US and Canada do not have to send a degree certificate if the transcript shows that the degree was awarded.
  • If you have not yet finished your Bachelor Degree, you have to upload confirmations of your university about the number of credits obtained so far (if not stated in the transcript of records); about the grading of the final thesis (if applicable and if not stated in the transcript); about submission or registration of the final thesis (if not stated in the transcript).

 

1.6. English Language Certificate (originals or certified copies).

  • Language certificates have to be submitted until May 15. Exceptions are allowed only if applicants can upload the registration proof for a test date on or before May 15 and provide the test result until June 1. No exceptions to this rule.
  • We accept either TOEFL (iBT 95 points, PBT 600), IELTS (Band 7) or Cambridge (level C1) or PTE (Pearson Academic, score 76). Certificates cannot be older than 2 years; 
  • We are registered for TOEFL online verification. Our TOEFL code number is 8692, dept. code 99.
  • For IELTS verification there is no code number and applicants who have not already received a pdf version of their certificate should upload a screenshot of their result, which we will then verify.
  • EXEMPTIONS:
    • Native English speakers are exempted from a language proof. They shall upload a copy of their passport.
    • Applicants who followed their entire university studies in English in an English speaking country (US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) or in a country where English is the official language are exempted from the English Certificate.
       

1.7. APS Certificate for applicants from China,India and Vietnam. It does not need to be uploaded with your application, but only if you are offered a place in the programme (July).

 

Information that can improve your application (not mandatory)

 

Proof of work/practical experience (minimum 6 weeks)

If you have work/practical experience of more than 6 weeks and can provide a proof (e.g. letter from employer, certificates), you can improve your grade in the selection process.Starting and finishing dates must be clearly specified in the proof in order to be valid.

  • Work/practical experience means a fulltime employment or internship (paid or unpaid) related to your Bachelor degree or to the wider area of Environmental Governance. Voluntary work cannot be considered.
  • Not acccepted: internships which have been part of the Bachelor curriculum.
  • Not accepted: internships that have been carried out before the Bachelor degree.


Proof of a stay abroad, career related (minimum 6 months)

  • a semester abroad as exchange student (e.g. Erasmus). Here, 4 months are sufficient.
  • an internship abroad
  • a work experience abroad
 

Step 2 - Online submission of application and document upload

  • Hand in your application online from March 01 to May 15, 2024
  • Please note that the portal is not available between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m. Central European time.
  • Switch the language to English in the bottom right corner of the screen.When filling in the online application form, please check all info buttons to make sure that you fill in the required information.

     

All documents must be uploaded online (by May 15, 24:00). In the case of admission, the originals have to be presented physically upon matriculation. References have to be sent directly from the referees to info-meg@unr.uni-freiburg.de until 24:00, 15 May 2024 (see instructions below).

 

Information for selecting the correct programm and study regulation in the online application portal

IMPORTANT: When filling out the application, you have to select the study programme and the currently valid version of the study regulation (PO 2023),
see screenshot below;  If you select PO 2016 you cannot apply for the 1st semester begin of the programme.

Screenshot PO

Step 3 - Admission

You will be notified by the end of June about the results of the selection process.

In case you get admission you will have to present or send the originals or originally certified copies of the original documents to  Freiburg for matriculation.

Please note: Further information on admission eligibility, application procedure, or anything related to the programme, kindly address your questions to the MEG programme directly and not through the contact form on the application portal. Email

Regulations for the Selection Process

The MEG is a programme with restrictive admissions. The selection of applicants is determined by the Selection Statutes. As this is a legal document it is provided only in German. For your understanding we made a summary in English and in easy language.
 

Application Procedure under DAAD Scholarship

The “Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst” (DAAD) has selected the MEG programme as a postgraduate course with special relevance to developing countries and is offering a limited number of scholarships.

For more information on application deadlines, procedures, and required documents for DAAD Applicants click here.