Application and Admission for the Bachelor's Degree Program in Chemistry

The following interests and qualities are helpful for a successful study:

• Enjoyment and interest in scientific research.
• Ability to recognize, describe, and address complex problems that require abstract, analytical, and logical thinking.
• Enjoyment of technically demanding practical activities and careful handling of unusual and reactive substances.
• Resilience, perseverance, and capacity for learning.

In order to determine whether you meet these requirements, you must participate in the study orientation process before being admitted to this degree program.

The application deadlines for the Bachelor's degree program in Chemistry are set from May 15 to July 15 for the winter semester, and from November 15 to January 15 of the following year for the summer semester (for advanced semesters only).

First-time applicants initially create an application account online at campus.tum.de and enter all required data truthfully. Multiple applications for different TUM degree programs are easily possible with this application account. Repeat applicants should use the existing application account. The application portal provides relevant information and explanations for each step of the application process.

The following documents must be uploaded:

• University entrance qualification (= high school diploma) in the form of a certified copy
• Curriculum vitae with a complete record of education and experience up to the time of the study application – digital upload and/or in paper form
• Independently written, individual letter of motivation, which represents the choice of program and preferred university and self-assessment – maximum two pages – as an integral part of the online application or digital upload
• An essay of maximum one page on a self-chosen topic from chemistry (e.g., from previous school material) – digital upload and/or in paper form

The following documents can be additionally uploaded, if applicable and relevant:

• Proof of a program-specific vocational training, voluntary internships, or other activities, e.g., participation in scientific competitions that qualify for the study of chemistry – regular copy
• Proof of other extracurricular activities – regular copy

• All applicants for the Bachelor's degree program in Chemistry who have not obtained their university entrance qualification in Germany or at a school with the German Abitur examination regulations must timely obtain a - fee-based! - preliminary evaluation documentation of their university entrance qualification from uni-assist, the work and service center for international student applications. This also applies to applicants who are applying for a place in a higher semester and even if a decision from the certificate recognition office for the Free State of Bavaria or another federal state is available. Further information can be found at Uni-Assist.
• All applicants without German citizenship, who do not come from a German-speaking country and have not obtained a German university entrance qualification, must provide proof of German language proficiency. A list of recognized language certificates can be found on the central TUM website.

The Bachelor's degree program in Chemistry at TUM follows a two-stage Study Orientation Procedure (SOP). The legal basis for this is the "Regulations on the Study Orientation Procedure for the Bachelor's degree program in Chemistry at the Technical University of Munich" dated February 12, 2018.

• In Stage 1 of the SOP, your submitted application documents are evaluated: The average grade of the university entrance qualification contributes 50%, while the evaluation of subject-specific individual grades (Mathematics, the best Natural Science subject, and English) contributes 30% to the overall assessment. Any existing, program-specific additional qualifications (e.g., vocational training or other professional activities in the field of Chemistry) can be considered for up to 20% in the overall evaluation. Depending on the evaluation result in Stage 1, you will either be directly assessed as suitable and admitted, or you will need to go through Stage 2.
• Most applicants proceed to Stage 2 of the SOP: You will be invited to a personal study orientation interview to inquire about your prior knowledge and motivation for the desired program and to assess your inclination for the subject of Chemistry. Your submitted application documents will again serve as the basis for the interview. The conversation also serves an advisory role and can provide important insights into the choice of study program in some cases. The result is either admission with suitability for the program or advice to reconsider the choice of study program.

The study orientation interviews take place from mid-August to the end of September, depending on semester deadlines and application volume. TUM expects that seriously interested applicants will be available for an interview during this period. The invitation for the interview will be sent to you via email approximately one week before the interview date. Please regularly check the email address provided in your application and its spam filter settings. Replacement appointments will only be granted in justified exceptional cases, such as illness or force majeure. Planned events, such as a vacation trip, are not considered excuses for rescheduling the appointment.

Special appointments in September and October are available for international applicants with longer visa processing times and longer travel distances, as needed.