Application and Admission

Call for Applications and Program Presentation

The image features the text "MOL BIO" prominently, with the "O" replaced by a circular graphic divided into sections with colorful designs representing various biological elements. This graphic symbolizes the field of molecular biology in cancer research.

2026 selection for October intake: COMPLETED

Next application period: 1 February - 15 March 2027

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get first-hand information about the program:

The Faculty of Biosciences of Heidelberg University annually invites all interested applicants to a public online information event where the overall Master program and the application process will be explained.
Representatives of all Majors are there to give an overview of their specific study program and are ready to answer your individual questions, for example about their selection criteria.

Introduction to 'MSc Molecular Biosciences'

Date: Thursday, 5th February 2026, 2 p.m. (Heidelberg time) - announcement for 2027 presentation t.b.a.

Join Zoom Meeting: link expired

Note: the event was not recorded - all information presented can also be found on the general MolBio program and individual Majors' websites - for remaining questions please get in contact by e-mail

Heidelberg University MSc Molecular Biosciences // Major Cancer Biology @ DKFZ

Application and Admission Procedure

Major "Cancer Biology" is an integral part of the International Master Program "Molecular Biosciences" (MolBio) of Heidelberg University, Faculty of Biosciences. Hence, interested candidates must follow the University application procedure, and in case of being selected by the Major Cancer Biology Selection Committee will receive admission for enrollment with Heidelberg University.

Information, Links and Legal Documents

The academic program starts with the winter term (mid-October) of each year, admission is by competitive application, the online application gateway is open every year from Feb. 1 to March 15.
For details about the application and selection procedures, required documents etc., please carefully read the following University instructions and FAQs as well as the supplementary information for Major Cancer Biology applicants (see below).

Application and admission procedure of Heidelberg University

Applicants to the Master Program Molecular Biosciences with a preference for Major Cancer Biology are expected to have finished, or are about to finish, their studies in the field of biosciences with excellent degrees. Their special interest in cancer biology and the DKFZ should be explained in detail in the 'Letter of Motivation' that is a required document in the application process. Further important issues in our evaluation process are the candidate's scientific basis (research experience, special scientific courses, stays abroad, relevant activities in companies), stipends & honours, description of future plans, but we also consider extracurricular activities, social engagement, etc.

If your Bachelor degree is not in the field of biosciences but, for example, medicine, pharmacy, chemistry, etc., this may not have adequately prepared you for our study program. In such cases it is especially important to document to our Selection Committee the contents of your education and whether you have taken additional courses in relevant biological subjects to catch up.
You may also have a look at the students' profiles on our websité to learn about bachelor degree subjects that have been successfully admitted to our program in the past.

Of course, we highly welcome applications from international students who all must meet the same standards of excellence during the evaluation process. The minimum degree for admission to the selection procedure is 2.4 according to the German grade system. International academic degrees, from an accredited institution of higher education, must be equivalent to a German BSc; this will be evaluated and grades will be transformed during the validation procedure by the International Relations Office of the University of Heidelberg, in accordance with the guidelines of Anabin (refer to https://anabin.kmk.org/db/hochschulabschluesse to learn about the equivalency of your academic education and degree).

If you already hold a Master degree that would enable you to apply for a PhD program directly please consider carefully whether you really wish to apply to our program.

Please understand that we do not have the capacitiy to do pre-evaluations to decide whether a candidate's application would potentially be successful!

next Application Round: opens 1st February 2027

2026 Calendar of Application and Selection [completed]

Application is online-only via the heiCO application center, no original documents have to be sent to Heidelberg University by postal mail.
In case of admission, certified copies of all original academic documents that have been the basis for the selection into the program have to be uploaded in the enrollment process.

You can follow the status of your application in your personal heiCO section and the overall process here:

[exact calendar dates] of the various steps will be continuously added

CLOSED

[1 Feb - 15 March]

Registration with Heidelberg University Campus Online "heiCO":

Create your user account for the application portal heiCO; after successfully completing this process you will be able to submit your application

Application documents: Carefully follow instruction how to prepare your application documents for MSc Molecular Biosciences/Major Cancer Biology completely and correctly:

Submission of online application:

heiCO Application Gateway for MSc Molecular Biosciences open from 1. February to 15. March

Start of course: select ‘Winter semester 2026/27’
Select degree programme
Type of studies: Master programme; Degree programme: Molecular Biosciences; Entrance semester: 1; Form of studies: Consecutive master program
Personal data
Correspondence address (provide an e-mail address that will be valid and regularly read by you during the entire application and selection process period)
Higher education entrance qualification: this section asks for your school (high-school) education and final exam/diploma that qualified you to enter University for your bachelor studies
Academic background/Entrance qualification for Master's programme: this section asks for your undergraduate University education = your bachelor studies and whether your BSc is already completed or if not the prospective graduation date as well as the final, or current average, grade (in the original value of the grading system used by your home university)
Major selection: choose one Major of first preference, and optionally one of second preference
Motivation letter(s): one per chosen Major, in English language, 1 page max!
Upload of relevant academic documents: digital certificates or scans of originals; if the original document is not in German or English, a translation by a sworn translator into German or English is required, together with the original document in original language
CV (in English language) and Proof of other relevant and extra-curricular accomplishments: if the original documents are not in German or English, unofficial translations into English are acceptable

Cost/Tuition Fees

see relevant pages of Heidelberg University

Contributions & Fees

none

All students must pay a standard fee of currently 189.80 €/semester to the student union for common facilities, administration and Studentenrat. There is no difference in fees between German, EU, and non-EU students.
The contribution consists of the following individual fees:

EUR 80 Administrative costs
EUR 95 Social contribution for student services (Studierendenwerk)
EUR 10 for the Constituted student body
EUR 4.80 for the complementary financing of nextbike and theaterflatrate)

Fees for study at Heidelberg University

As of Winter semester 2017/18, tuition fees amounting to 1,500 €/semester for both Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes at higher education institutions in Baden-Württemberg, to which the University of Heidelberg belongs, have been introduced by the Ministry of Education for international students from non-EU/EEA countries and international students without a German university-entrance qualification ("Abitur") from Germany or a German school abroad.

further information, legal definitions, exemption possibilities:

Tuition fees for international students

Funding and Support

Financial Support for MSc students with Major Cancer Biology

We are happy to announce that the International PhD Program of the German Cancer Research Center DKFZ is able to provide funding for a limited number (max. 4/year) of competitive MSc fellowships to outstanding applicants from all over the world, enabling them to enroll in the MSc program Molecular Biosciences with Major Cancer Biology.

The DKFZ MSc fellowships include the following benefits:

Finanical support:

Amount: approximately 1,040 € net/month
Duration of the support: 18 months
for further details and conditions see explanations and requirements as outlined on the Application Form

Associate Member status at the DKFZ International PhD Program of the German Cancer Research Center during the time of your MSc program.

This includes:
- Access to advanced training courses offered by the DKFZ PhD Program
- Access to extracurricular and extramural activities offered by the DKFZ PhD Program
- Access to DKFZ Career Service

Note:
As only a limited number of students can be supported, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply to other funding agencies in parallel!

Application Form for financial support program for students in Major Cancer Biology

available for download during the application and selection period (1st Feb until 15th May)
Word form
PDF form

Helpful information, for national and international students newly coming to Heidelberg/Germany, can be found on the following pages:

Scholarships for Students info page from Heidelberg University

Student Services ("Studierendenwerk") of Heidelberg University Management of Student Dorms -Service Packages - early application recommended!

Deutsches Studentenwerk provides extensive collection of Information for International Students

DAAD Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst "Study & Research in Germany", with Scholarship Database

"Research in Germany ... Land of Ideas" Funding programs

MolBio Students Activities Symposium - Off-Campus Events - Buddy Program

Fachschaft Biologie Heidelberg Biology Students Association