Master of Science in Biochemistry (MSc Biochem) Ruhr-Universität Bochum

The Master of Science in Biochemistry at Ruhr University Bochum is a two-year, high-quality programme designed to prepare you for a successful international career. The programme offers the flexibility to tailor your studies to your individual interests.

Combining excellent theoretical education with intensive hands-on laboratory research, the programme is taught entirely in English. It provides a scientific education that introduces the student to advanced theoretical and experimental approaches in modern biochemistry and molecular life sciences. The programme offers a wide range of elective courses and six specialisations, including Membrane Biochemistry, Stem Cells, Molecular Medicine, and more. About one-third of the curriculum consists of compulsory courses, while two-thirds are elective modules. In the first semester, you will gain insights into four out of six available research areas. At the beginning of the second semester, you will choose your specialisation, which will shape the rest of your Master’s studies. Your training culminates in a research internship during the third semester, leading to your individual Master’s research project and thesis in the fourth semester. Many research topics are embedded in collaborative inter-faculty research networks, including Max Planck Institutes and industry collaborations.

Most graduates of the MSc Biochemistry programme pursue a doctoral degree in Germany or abroad. Career opportunities extend beyond academia into industry sectors such as chemical and biotechnological companies, food hygiene and quality control, environmental protection, science communication, and public service. Salaries in the chemical industry are among the highest across various sectors.

• Compulsory lectures in biochemistry, bioinformatics, and radiation safety, a biochemical seminar on current topics in biochemistry, and two elective lectures in the chosen focal point programme in the first year
• Compulsory practical phases in four focal point programmes in the first semester, and two research-oriented advanced practicals in the chosen focal point programme in the second semester
• Another elective lecture in the chosen focal point programme, one elective lecture in chemistry, and a lecture with integral hands-on experience in animal research training in the second year
• One research-oriented, semester-long advanced practical in the focal point programme in the second year
• Master's thesis in the second year (six months)

There are no mandatory internships in this MSc programme.

Degree equivalent to the German Bachelor's degree with at least one third of the credit points obtained in practical courses

Students have to pay a social contribution fee of approx. 380 EUR per semester, including a semester ticket covering public transport in Germany (https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/re-registration-and-social-contribution).

Minimum of 950 EUR per month to cover personal and living expenses in Germany

Students with outstanding academic performance who are involved in special social activities can receive 300 EUR per month for a year from the Ruhr-Universität Scholarship Fund “Deutschlandstipendium”: https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/deutschlandstipendium-information-students. International students with good to very good academic performance who need financial support during the final phase of study can receive a graduation grant of 400 EUR per month for four months from the International Office at RUB: https://international.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/scholarships-international-office.

The Career Service for International Students was established to support international students as they move from their studies into the German job market.

• Events & workshops: From networking events to online seminars – learn the best tips from career experts and meet start-ups from the region.
• Digital Career Guide: The Moodle course “Career Service for International Students” prepares you for starting a job in Germany.
• FIT4Job – Mentoring for Internationals: RUB alumni share their professional expertise and good practices 1:1 with you.
• Counselling services: Identify your talents and career goals in a personal counselling session. Our RUB Career Service team provides support in preparing application documents and interviews.

In the city of Bochum, you can find different types of accommodation. On average, students in Bochum pay approximately 400 to 800 EUR per month for a single apartment, which is below the average rent in Germany. A room in a shared apartment is usually less expensive.

About 5,000 students in Bochum live in multiple student halls close to the campus, which are run by the Akademisches Förderungswerk (AKAFÖ). In the halls, each student has a single room and shares a kitchen and bathroom with other students, rents an apartment with a private bathroom and kitchen, or shares an apartment with one or several flatmates. 

More information on the student halls can be found at https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/de/wohnen.

In addition, private and church-affiliated student halls accommodate up to 1,000 students: http://www.stuwo.de/wohnheim-region/bochum/.