Life Science and International Health Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg

The Life Science and International Health degree programme offers a unique combination of scientific expertise and international health competence. It prepares students for the challenges of a globalised world and lays the foundation for a successful career in research, development and healthcare management.

The programme consists of natural science, health science and data science modules on the one hand, and it includes modules with a legal, business and social sciences background on the other hand, and provides students with comprehensive theoretical and practical education.

The programme has a strong focus on research. In the laboratory courses in particular, the interesting and exciting teaching content is continuously applied and deepened through a complex biomedical issue in order to prepare students for the national and international job market. It combines foundational natural sciences with international public health while providing a solid foundation for advanced Master’s programmes.

Study objectives and content:

The programme combines a broad foundation in biophysics, chemistry, and data science with specialised training in biological subjects such as cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology, and genetic engineering. Additionally, it covers international public health to equip students with the skills to address global health challenges.

Core competencies:

• Natural Science foundations: biomedical data science, biochemistry, microbiology, organic chemistry
• Biological specialisation: cell biology, molecular biology, genetic engineering
• Public health: health promotion, disease prevention, international health systems, legal frameworks
• Practical skills: laboratory work, scientific research, experimental methods

Goals of the programme:

• Enable independent research and development
• Plan and conduct experiments
• Coordinate production processes and quality assurance (e.g. GMP in pharmaceuticals)
• Build and optimise healthcare systems for disease prevention and health promotion
• Prepare for advanced Master’s programmes in biotechnology, biomedicine, or public health

The programme spans six semesters with a total of 180 credit points (CP). It consists of core and elective modules, practical laboratory phases, and a mobility window in the final semester.

First Semester (30 CP):

• Biomedical Data Science
• Basic Natural Sciences
• General Biology
• Biomedical Information Science
• Economics of Health Systems

Second Semester (30 CP):

• Ecology
• Microbiology
• Economics
• Organic Chemistry
• Introduction to Laboratory Work

Third Semester (30 CP):

• Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
• Introduction to Scientific Work
• Basics in Theoretical Medicine
• Biochemistry
• Biomedical Lab Course I – Microbiology

Fourth Semester (30 CP):

• International Public Health
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Law in Life Science and Public Health
• Biomedicine
• Biomedical Lab Course II – Functional Bioanalytics

Fifth Semester (30 CP):

• Biomedical Lab Course III – Cell Culture
• Molecular Biotechnology and Society
• Elective Modules (3 out of 8)
  • Examples: Bioeconomy, Personalised Medicine, International Environmental Law, Immunology

Sixth Semester (30 CP):

• Bachelor’s research competence (18 CP)
• Bachelor's thesis (12 CP)

The programme places a strong emphasis on practical experience. Starting from the second semester, regular laboratory internships prepare students for the demands of research and development. The Bachelor’s research competence module serves as the practical component of the Bachelor’s thesis, where students investigate a research hypothesis experimentally and generate scientific data.

Higher education entrance qualification

• General higher education entrance qualification ("Abitur")
• Subject-related higher education entrance qualification
• Advanced technical college entrance qualification ("Fachabitur")
• Higher education degree qualifying for entry into a profession
• Master Craftmanship
• Early school leaving certificate and suitable vocational training with at least two years' work experience
• A comparable higher education entrance qualification

Proof of English language skills

• Read more in the information sheet Language Certificate English.
• For applicants from Germany: Generally, the "Abitur" certificate is adequate proof of sufficient English language skills.

Apart from a few degree programmes, education offered at the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is without tuition fees. However, the university does charge a semester fee each semester (currently: winter semester 2026/27: 391.80 EUR). This covers costs for student services organisation, the Student Council as well as the semester ticket.

Studies abroad often have different types of expenses from the ones you know from your home country. You are responsible for covering your own living expenses. Accommodation and other essential living expenses will amount to around 780 to 1,000 EUR per month. Of course, this amount depends entirely on individual lifestyle. The following list gives you an idea of some fixed and variable costs that you should take into account for your stay in Germany.

Monthly costs:

• rent (including utilities): 250 to 450 EUR
• groceries: approx. 160 to 180 EUR
• health insurance, medical fees, medication: approx. 145 EUR
• miscellaneous (clothing, study materials, other activities): 170 to 220 EUR

Total: 780 to 1,000 EUR

The so-called "Deutschlandticket" included in the semester ticket allows you to travel using all local public means of transportation throughout Germany.

There are job opportunities both in town and on campus. Nevertheless, please do not come to Germany expecting to be able to finance your entire studies by working. The study load is high, it is not always easy to find a part-time job and you will need at least basic German skills for many of the available jobs. Students from non-European countries are allowed to work either 120 whole days or 240 half days annually. The 120-day rule is not affected by mandatory internships or student assistance jobs at university. Students from EU member countries, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland can work without restrictions during their studies in Germany.

Studying at BTU is mostly free of (tuition) fees. Because of this, there are only limited scholarship opportunities for international students. The International Relations Office is nonetheless pleased to be able to award a limited number of scholarships to international students already enrolled at BTU. You can find more information on BTU scholarship opportunities on our websites.

The BTU Career Center offers extensive support to international students and graduates, ensuring that students experience a smooth transition into the job market. We help students on their journey to a successful career path by offering seminars, workshops and career advisory services to ensure that students succeed in their job application processes and land great positions.

Our offers include:

• BTU Job Market: online job board for students
• BTU Campus-X-Change and BTU Matching Day: annual job fair and online recruiting event to connect students with employers
• FIT@BTU: a DAAD-funded project that helps students make the transition to a successful career
• Start up your Career in Brandenburg: a project co-financed by the EU and Brandenburg, with the aim of preparing international students for the Brandenburg job market

BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is a university with three locations where numerous student dormitories are provided. Students can choose between different room types. The room capacities in our dormitories are limited, thus we recommend to apply as early as you receive your admission letter for an apartment in the dormitories.

In Germany, it is also very common for students to live alone or with friends. If three or more people share an apartment together, this is called a "WG" in German ("Wohngemeinschaft", which means a shared flat). A comprehensive list on student accommodation and housing options at BTU's three locations can be found on our websites, as well as a video about how students live in both Cottbus and Senftenberg.

Located on three campuses and with over 70 study programmes, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg offers a broad spectrum of market-oriented programmes as well as traditional degree programmes.

From the natural sciences and engineering to economics, cultural studies, and even health sciences, BTU offers a wide range of courses. Our 21 study programmes taught exclusively in English are very popular among both German and international students from all over the world.

BTU is partnered with over 220 universities throughout the world, which provides students with a multitude of excellent opportunities to spend part of their time studying or conducting research abroad. Furthermore, in cooperation with our international partner universities, BTU offers a wide range of double degree and joint degree programmes.

Cottbus is located in the northeast of Germany, between the country’s capital, Berlin (100 km), and Dresden (120 km). With a population of approx. 100,000 inhabitants, Cottbus is the second largest city after Potsdam in the federal state of Brandenburg. The Polish border is only approx. 30 km away. The location of Cottbus offers a convenient starting point for trips into the picturesque region of Lower Lusatia. The landscape of Lower Lusatia is characterised by the Spreewald with its small canals and waterways as well as by the Slavonic minority called Sorbs or Wends. Their language, similar to Polish, is still used and spoken in Lower Lusatia. For this reason, many of the road signs and informational boards in Cottbus and the surrounding region are written in both Sorbian and German. 

Cottbus gained importance as a trade centre in the 12th century. Parts of the original city wall from the 14th century as well as the beautiful townhouses around the old market square are proof of the city’s early splendour. Additionally, the city is characterised by buildings from the "Wilhelminian" times of rapid industrial growth in Germany, which occurred towards the end of the 19th century. The city that first rose to prominence with its cloth and linen weaving industry soon evolved into a growing centre of brown coal mining. Today, Cottbus is in the midst of a structural transformation. BTU supports this development with its engagement in the Lausitz Science Park megaproject, which aims to build an appealing innovation landscape.

Senftenberg is the centre of the Lusatia Lake District. Former excavation and mining pits have been flooded in order to create the largest artificial lake system in Europe, with a total of 23 large lakes. The water sports area "Senftenberger See", with its water surface of 1,300 hectares, offers exceptional sailing and surfing opportunities, and it is suitable for all kinds of water sports. Senftenberg has thus become a tourist attraction within the region.