Molecular Medicine (Master of Science) University of Tübingen

The Master's programme in Molecular Medicine is characterised by practice orientation with four focus areas: 

Immunology: Exploring the focus area of immunology will allow students to gain a sound knowledge of the complex processes involved in the regulation of cellular and immunological processes in both humans and animals. The immunological processes are thus examined in association with disease-induced malfunctions, for example in the case of immunity defects. The lectures in the series "Advanced Immunology" cover the detailed mechanisms of the immune system, including an examination of the recent discoveries made in cellular and molecular immunology. The main lecture comprises the evolution of immune systems, therapeutic antibodies, computational immunobiology, antigen processing, cellular communication, negative and positive regulatory mechanisms in immunity, interaction between immune systems, and pathogens and pathomechanisms.

Infection Biology: Viral infections, the threat of pandemics, and the emergence of antibiotic resistance have made clear the enormity of the unmet medical needs in infectious diseases. Special emphasis is currently being placed on issues such as the development of new antibiotics, malaria, and viral oncogenesis. The Departments of Medical Microbiology, Virology, and Tropical Medicine meet this need by harnessing the current explosion of new information about the basic biology of pathogens and host responses in order to develop novel therapeutics to combat serious infections. The main lecture series covers molecular mechanisms related to bacterial, viral, and parasite pathogenesis as well as experimental strategies to explore them in the area of major topics in the field of infectious diseases.

Oncology: Cancer is a frequently occurring, complex disease with an increasing incidence and a high socio-economic impact. Both the lecture on Advanced Oncology and the other courses in this area are intended to provide further knowledge on the molecular basis of tumour development and molecular approaches to pathology and diagnostics as well as molecular strategies in cancer therapy. Based on the topics to be addressed, students will acquire a solid understanding of the state of the art in molecular and translational oncology with respect to molecular mechanisms of cancer development, molecular pathology and diagnostics, and molecular strategies in cancer therapies.
Neurosciences: The scope of neuroscience has expanded to include different approaches used to study the molecular structure of the nervous system, as well as neurological disorders. The main lecture series in this area places considerable emphasis on the molecular and cellular pathomechanisms of the most common dementias and other neurodegenerative disorders, especially Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

The Master's programme lasts one academic year (two semesters) and encompasses a total of 60 ECTS. The one-year curriculum is divided into two main parts, the first concentrating on deepening knowledge and advanced laboratory research training, the second on an individual research project (= Master's thesis). In the first semester, students can choose from a catalogue of modules in two selected areas of specialisation, allowing them to tailor the programme to their individual interests. A total of five modules (33 ECTS) must be taken. The Master's thesis research project (27 ECTS) in the second semester forms a major component of the course and entails six months of full-time practical work in the laboratory on an autonomous research project. This element gives students experience in solving a scientific problem independently within the field of modern biomedical research as well as in writing a scientific publication.

Our curriculum complies with the European Credit Transfer system (ECTS) to ensure compatibility with other international programmes. The Master's programme encompasses a total of 60 ECTS.

Compulsory lectures of the one-year curriculum:
Advanced Immunology, Advanced Neurosciences, Advanced Oncology, Advanced Infection Biology (3 ECTS each)

Compulsory laboratory rotations:
Laboratory Rotation Immunology A/B, Laboratory Rotation Neurosciences A/B, Laboratory Rotation Oncology A/B, Laboratory Rotation Infection Biology A/B (12 ECTS each)

Compulsory seminar:
Seminar Meet the Expert (3 ECTS)

Master's thesis (27 ECTS)

Two internships of six weeks each are to be completed during the first semester. Programme advisers will assist students in finding an appropriate internship.

Important Information: Please note that the selection guidelines for the next application period will be updated. Please review the new requirements, including language proficiency requirements, during the application period.

Currently valid regulations (2026): To study successfully in our one-year consecutive Master's programme, applicants need basic knowledge in immunology, infection biology, oncology, and neurosciences including acquired knowledge/practical skills about common laboratory methods.

In addition to the completed application form, the minimum graduate admission requirements are:
1) a Bachelor's degree/first degree in molecular medicine or a recognised equivalent from an accredited institution with 240 ECTS points and with a final grade of at least 3.0 in the German grading system; equivalence is tested by the selection committee.
2) at least six credits in each of the following subjects: Immunology, Infection Biology, Oncology and Neurosciences
3) official proof of English language proficiency (see below)
4) an "Allgemeine Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB)", i.e. a general qualification for university entrance; foreign certificates must be verified by the relevant public authority as comparable.
5) a curriculum vitae (CV)
6) a letter of motivation (a maximum of two pages A4), optional
7) request to laboratory classes/practical laboratory skills for prospective students in Molecular Medicine (only available during application period); the document must be signed by an authorised person at the sending institution / academic body and bear the official stamp of the institution.

Enrolment fees at the University of Tübingen are currently about 200 EUR per semester. This includes use of local public transport free of charge from Monday to Friday (in the evenings), on weekends and on public holidays. In addition, students may purchase a semester ticket for unlimited use of public transport in the city of Tübingen and the surrounding area (currently about 160 EUR).

Estimated basic student expenses are around 1,000 EUR per month according to the Tübingen Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk”), including rent for student accommodation. Rent for private accommodation will be more expensive.

Jobs and internships:
The University of Tübingen has a job and internship board. Students may log in with their University of Tübingen accounts. Vacant positions are listed at https://www.praxisportal.uni-tuebingen.de/signin.

Accommodation is available through the student services organisation (“Studierendenwerk“) or on the private market. Rooms in student accommodation cost approx. 250 to 480 EUR per month. As Tübingen is a very attractive place to live, private accommodation is more expensive and can take some effort to find. To make sure you find a suitable place to live, you should start looking as early as possible.

We recommend you apply for student accommodation through the “Studierendenwerk” at the same time that you apply for admission to the Master's programme (https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/halls-of-residence-tuebingen/ and https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/faqs/) and send in a copy of your notification of admission as soon as you have received it. (Your application won’t be processed before the “Studierendenwerk” has received proof of your admission.) For further information, check out the “Studierendenwerk” pages on housing in Tübingen (https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/housing-infos/).