Applied Biology (B.Sc.)

About the course

An applied biology degree covering cell and molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, human biology and physiology, with a focus on biomedical and biotechnical applications and a grounding in chemistry and physics. It involves a lot of hands-on lab work and includes a practical phase late in the course, which you can do in Germany or abroad.

Entry requirements for Irish students

• H-BRS does not publish its own Leaving Certificate rules. Under German national rules (KMK/ZAB), the Leaving Cert gives direct entry only if you meet the subject and level rules. You need six subjects: at least two at Higher Level with H5 or better, the other four at O6/H6 or better, including two languages and Maths at O5/H6 or better. For a science course like this you also need Higher Level Maths at H5 and a Higher Level science at H5. LCA and LCVP are not accepted. Confirm with H-BRS Student Services or uni-assist.
• H-BRS lists the course as restricted admission (numerus clausus). If there are more applicants than places, your Leaving Cert is converted to a German grade and you are ranked on it. In winter 2024/25 every eligible applicant got a place, but this changes from year to year.
• You need English at CEFR level B2. H-BRS accepts, among others, Cambridge B2 First (160), IELTS Academic (5.5), TOEFL iBT (72), PTE Academic (59), Oxford Test of English (111) and telc English B2. The list does not say whether Leaving Cert English counts, so ask Student Services (student.services@h-brs.de) before you book a test.

How to apply

1. Check your subjectsBefore you pick your Leaving Cert levels, make sure you will have Higher Level Maths at H5 or better and a Higher Level science at H5 or better, as well as meeting the general six-subject rule.
2. Sort out proof of EnglishAsk H-BRS Student Services whether Leaving Cert English counts as B2 proof. If it does not, sit an accepted test, such as IELTS Academic (5.5) or Cambridge B2 First (160), before you apply.
3. Apply through uni-assist, about 15 May to 15 July 2027Applicants with international certificates, including the Leaving Cert, must apply through uni-assist. Apply early, because uni-assist needs time to check your documents. Leaving Cert results come out after 15 July, so ask uni-assist and H-BRS how to apply before you have them.
4. Accept and enrol by late AugustIf you get an offer, enrol online by the deadline (29 August in 2026), pay the semester contribution of about EUR 367 and find accommodation near Rheinbach.

Costs

• No tuition fees for EU students at this public university. You pay only a semester contribution: EUR 367 for winter semester 2026/27 and EUR 349 for summer semester 2026 (about EUR 716 a year). It includes the Deutschlandsemesterticket, a Germany-wide public transport ticket (EUR 226.80 in winter, EUR 208.80 in summer), and a EUR 115 Studierendenwerk Bonn social fee. uni-assist charges its own application processing fee, which it sets.

At a glance