Biomedical Engineering

Our students acquire practice-based engineering and research skills which enable them to participate in the development and improvement of technical and organisational healthcare solutions. The course places strong emphasis on inter-professional collaboration, including with physicians, nurses, therapists and technicians. This Master of Science degree qualifies graduates for positions in research and development and delivers skills required for effective scientific work in further studies, including doctoral studies.

The Master’s degree course in Biomedical Engineering is aimed principally at graduates with a degree in medical technology or biomedical engineering or a related field. Applicants should be motivated to acquire skills relevant for work with cutting-edge biomedical devices in a range of application contexts and for carrying out innovative R&D.

The core curriculum consists of modules in applied mathematics, data acquisition, advanced biosignal processing, medical image processing and application of imaging modalities, advanced control systems, modelling medical systems, real-time medical systems, simulation and VR in medicine, and health technology assessment/regulatory affairs, alongside a biomedical project.

Depending on your individual interests and background, you may choose to substitute one of those modules with a module selected from any Master’s degree course at HAW Hamburg or at another institution in Germany or elsewhere (subject to approval of the specific combination of modules/courses by the Examinations Committee).

In addition to teaching specialised content, we will train you in interpersonal skills. You will complete your degree by writing your Master's thesis, for which you have a period of six months and the aim of which is to enable you to demonstrate your research and development expertise, preferably in an interdisciplinary setting.

The admission requirements are as follows:

• Bachelor's degree (in a related discipline) qualifying the applicant for a professional career or a comparable course of studies, or a university Diplom degree with 210 credit points
• English language skills as demonstrated in Abitur or Fachhochschul transcripts (see Admissons Policy) or accepted certificates: TOEFL test (at least 87 points, Internet-based); IELTS (minimum: Band 5.5 level); CAE, CPE or FCE (minimum C); or certificates of good performance in foreign countries
• German language skills at A2 level, certified by an acknowledged institution such as the Goethe Institute
• Applicants holding a first academic degree (Bachelor, Diplom, etc.) from non-EU-countries: Graduate Record Examination (GRE); further information is available at www.gre.org

Additional documents you may submit to enhance your application (optional):

• CV
• Statement of motivation
• Letter of recommendation from a university professor
• Proof of particular professional experience

Important note for applicants with 180 credit points (ECTS) for courses which require 210 credit points (ECTS) from the first degree: Applicants whose Bachelor's degree consists of 180 credit points (ECTS) must acquire another 30 credit points during the first semester of their studies. The specific department decides which examinations and courses must be completed. Applicants will then be temporarily admitted and enrolled for one term in order to complete the missing 30 credit points. After the end of the first semester, the department will inform the Student Admissions and Registration Office whether the missing credit points have been acquired and the student may continue his or her studies.

Important note for applicants with 180 credit points (ECTS) who have not completed 20 weeks in an industrial internship during or after their first degree: These applicants can be temporarily admitted and enrolled under the condition that they make up the missing weeks of practical experience within the Master's programme. This will likely prolong the total study time. The details will be determined by the department.