LMU Tuition-Free Education Scholar Saloni from India Shares Her Journey of Securing a Tuition-Free Master's at the LMU, Germany

I am Saloni. I recently graduated from LMU with a Master’s in Molecular and Cellular Biology. I come from India, and my bachelor’s was in Biotechnology. I have always been interested in life science and research. I chose LMU because it was one of the most reputable universities in Europe and the curriculum involved the opportunity to do research courses and internships, which was fascinating for me.

Educational Background

I did my bachelor’s in biotechnology with a CGPA of 10/10 (I had 96% when I graduated). During my bachelor’s, I completed internships, research courses, and poster presentations, and organized debates and cultural events.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to LMU?

I had to take an entrance exam, which was not really complicated, to be honest. As I was still in my bachelor's and had the basic concepts clear, it was easy for me, and I only revised everything 1 week prior to the exam. After I passed the entrance exam, I was called for an interview, during which I presented my Bachelor’s thesis and discussed my motivation for studying at LMU.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

No

What Drew You to Choose This Country to Pursue Your Degree?

The research environment and opportunities were really good, especially during my master's. I had the opportunity to work in different domains of life sciences.

What Were Some of the Challenges You Faced as an International Student, Particularly Regarding Living Costs or Part-time Work Opportunities?

I think one of the biggest struggles was finding affordable accommodation in the city, as the student dorms are limited and getting them is a lottery. Apart from that, I feel getting a working student job in the life science industry is very difficult because the opportunities are limited, and there are higher chances of getting a working student job in the university as a research assistant, etc.

Looking Back, Would You Recommend Studying Here for International Students Seeking Affordable Higher Education? Why or Why Not?

I think that is very individualistic. If the person just wants an education, I would 100% recommend it, as the professors are very skilled and have ongoing research, where you can contribute. LMU has very difficult exams, but otherwise it is a very relaxed and supportive university. But if someone wants to get a job or use this degree as a launchpad into a PhD in another country, then it might be different, given the difficult job market.

How is Your Experience at LMU?

I would say it was a mixed bag: some administrative tasks took way longer than they should, while I had the freedom and opportunity to explore different domains of science, which I appreciate. I had the opportunity to learn a lot and work in different areas.

Is the Institution That You Are Studying at Free for Molecular and Cellular Biology? If You Had to Pay Semester Fees, how much would it be?

Yes, it had no tuition fees; I just had to pay 85 euros per semester in fees.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or German?

It was in English