MSc Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

Programme content: see module handbook (tab “Course details”)

IMPORTANT: This is an engineering-intensive Master's degree intended for biotechnology graduates. To successfully complete the programme, prior engineering knowledge, and practical experience are essential. These skills are therefore important admission requirements.

Please note: A degree in (Bio)chemistry, Biomedical/Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or Pharmacy does not meet these requirements.

To find detailed information on the modules and course content, please click on the PDF link below to see the module handbook.

The Master's programme does not include an integrated internship, but it is possible to complete your Master's thesis in industry or at academic research institutes.

This engineering-intensive Master's degree is intended for biotechnology graduates with 210 Credit Points (ECTS)*. To successfully complete the programme, prior engineering knowledge, and practical experience are essential. These skills are important admission requirements.

Please note: A degree in (Bio)chemistry, Biomedical/Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or Pharmacy does not meet these demands.

For more information about admission requirements, see: https://www.haw-hamburg.de/en/master-pharmaceutical-biotechnology/.

Decisions on applications are made by an admissions committee.

The internship is usually completed before the final Master’s thesis semester.

Uni-assist (VPD) (www.uni-assist.de): Students who completed their education outside Germany must have their high school and Bachelor’s certificates checked by uni-assist and receive a VPD before applying to the HAW Hamburg. The VPD from uni-assist must be uploaded as part of the application process at HAW Hamburg. Please be advised that the uni-assist VPD process can take six to eight weeks, so please apply early.

*Successful applicants with 180 credit points (ECTS) must pass an additional semester in terms of an internship or a Propädeutikum to make up the 30 credit points. ("Propädeutikum" is a suitable course selection from the BSc programme in "Biotechnologie". Please note that these courses are taught exclusively in German.)

Each semester, students have to pay a semester contribution (379 EUR as of September 2026). This fee includes a semester ticket for unlimited use of Hamburg's public transport system (and currently also for regional trains as part of the Deutschlandticket programme). For more information about studying in Hamburg, see: https://www.haw-hamburg.de/en/international/international-students/.

Hamburg is a relatively expensive city. Depending on your lifestyle and where you live, you should expect living costs of 1,000 to 1,300 EUR for rent, food, and other expenses.

If you are coming to Germany on a visa, you will have to provide proof of your finances for the first year: 853 EUR per month (10,236 EUR per year).

EU students can work 20 hours per week.

Students from non-EU countries are permitted to work 140 full days (280 half days) in one calendar year. Please be advised that part-time job opportunities are limited, especially for students who do not speak German. It is unlikely that we will be able to offer you a job on campus. Therefore, please make sure you have sufficient finances for your studies.

More information can be found here, under "Visa & Paperwork": https://www.haw-hamburg.de/en/international/international-students/.

Students can apply for scholarships for academic excellence. They can also apply for an examination scholarship when they are in their final semester as a financial support while completing their Master's theses. More information can be found here: https://www.haw-hamburg.de/en/international/international-students/.

Please be advised that it is unfortunately not easy to find accommodation in Hamburg; finding somewhere to live can take a while and best done once you have arrived in Hamburg. Try getting an AirBnB first and search after arrival to avoid online scams.

Student halls of residences are organised by the "Studierendenwerk Hamburg". They offer affordable accommodation for students under the age of 30. Generally, students have their own room in a shared apartment with a communal bathroom and kitchen. The monthly rent for a room in a student hall of residence is usually between 350 and 450 EUR (including amenities). New students can apply three months before the start of their degree programme. Please be advised that they unfortunately have long waiting lists.

Further information about accommodation can be found here: https://www.haw-hamburg.de/en/study/campus-life/accommodation/.

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg) is one of the largest of its kind in Germany and within our nine faculties we offer a wide range of Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in engineering, IT, life sciences, design and media as well as business and social sciences.

We focus on hands-on applied teaching, giving our students a practical insight into their fields of study through projects, lab work, internships and theses in industry.

Our expertise is drawn from faculty members who have worked in industry before joining the university. In research, we are an important partner for the city of Hamburg’s companies and innovation clusters, developing new ideas from the synergies of this dynamic location.

Our fields of expertise reflect the technologies, industries and services that make Germany a leading economy, and our close collaboration with Hamburg's innovation clusters allows us to develop this knowledge in our teaching and research.

We are a very international university, with students from over 100 countries making up 11% of our students. Combined with the international nature of the city of Hamburg, you will feel very comfortable studying here.

Read more about the city and what our students say: HAW-Hamburg: International students.

In the north of Germany and in the heart of Europe, Germany’s second largest city (1.8 million) offers excellent quality of life and international flair. If you like to spend your leisure time outdoors, then you will love Europe’s “greenest” city with its lake, canals and beautiful parks. For those of you who love culture, Hamburg’s museums, theatres and its world-famous concert hall, the Elbphilharmonie, will inspire you.

Hamburg is also one of the most dynamic commercial centres in Europe, placing its strategic focus on six innovative segments: aviation (Airbus), IT and media, the international port and logistics, life sciences (biotechnology, medical technology and health care), nanotechnology, and renewable energies. We are sure you will feel at home.