Overview
Biomedical Engineering brings together medicine, engineering and the natural sciences (biology, mathematics, physics and chemistry) to tackle health challenges through improved detection, diagnosis, therapy and prevention of disease. This research-oriented Master's programme at RWTH Aachen awards an independent Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering and is designed to deepen both theoretical understanding and practical skills. Students are trained to develop methods and design solutions that translate engineering principles into medical applications.
Curriculum highlights
The curriculum combines a broad foundation in biomedical engineering with a distinctive Aachen profile linked to the department’s current research. Instruction runs in parallel across four focus areas, giving students a wide exposure to medical and engineering technologies while strengthening technical competence. Key modules explicitly referenced in the programme are:
Outcomes and environment
Graduates leave with in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge spanning natural sciences, medicine and engineering, and are prepared for roles in medical-technology research and development or for pursuing a PhD. Typical research topics include physiology at molecular, cellular and organ-system levels, medical imaging, robotics and artificial organs, tissue engineering and biomaterials. The programme is interdisciplinary, involving Medicine, Computer and Natural Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, and is delivered in an international academic setting that supports intercultural teamwork and the development of transferable soft skills.
Key facts and practical notes
Admission requirements
Program structure and aims
This small-cohort, interdisciplinary Master’s programme (approx. 50 students per intake) uses a modular curriculum delivered by four participating departments to encourage close supervision and individual academic development. The study plan is split into mandatory, elective-mandatory and optional modules, allowing you to combine core biomedical engineering foundations with specialised topics that match your interests and creativity. Teaching is concentrated into three semesters of lectures, seminars, exercises and laboratory/practical modules, with written or oral assessments at the end of each semester.
Practical training and professional experience
A required full-time internship of six to eight weeks takes place in the second semester and is worth 10 ECTS. The internship — conducted in an academic institute or in industry — is designed to put theory into practice: you will plan and prepare work, collect and analyse data, and produce written documentation. Projects may address a concrete scientific problem or focus on developing and deepening practical methodological skills relevant to biomedical engineering.
Master’s thesis and learning outcomes
The Master’s thesis is an experimentally oriented, predefined scientific project completed over four to six months (30 ECTS) in an institute or company, culminating in an oral presentation and defence. The thesis demonstrates your ability to independently tackle a specific scientific question within a set timeframe, applying scientific methods and the knowledge you gained during coursework. Overall the programme targets competencies in theoretical understanding (via lectures and seminars), hands‑on technical skills (practicals and exercises), project planning and execution (internship), and independent scientific work and communication (Master’s thesis).
Key facts and requirements (concise)
Overview
To be eligible for this MSc in Biomedical Engineering you must hold a state‑accredited undergraduate degree (national or international) in Medicine, a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Engineering, or a closely related programme that meets the listed subject requirements. Degrees from universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen) may be harder to transfer into a university programme than degrees from traditional universities. All accepted prior degrees must come from institutions accredited by the state in their country or recognised through official accreditation procedures.
Academic background and credit requirements
You must demonstrate a minimum of 90 ECTS credit points (CP) across Engineering, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, distributed across four subject areas as specified below. In each of the four areas you must have achieved at least 50% of the stated CP; if any one area falls below 50% the application will be rejected. Applicants may have up to a total of 20 missing CP and still be admitted, but will then be required to complete additional modules (four extra modules if 20 CP are missing) during the Master’s degree, which may extend the programme by one to two semesters. We recommend taking any missing modules at your home university (ideally in the 3rd–5th bachelor semester); these must be passed and certificated before or during the application period to be accepted. You may apply if you finish your bachelor’s degree by 1 October and have acquired the required credits in all four areas by the end of the application period.
Standardised test, deadlines and practical matters
Non‑EU applicants must submit a valid GRE General Test score; the quantitative section must be at least 160. Only official GRE reports sent directly from ETS to the university will be accepted (institution code 8504). Upload your GRE result in RWTHonline by the application deadline (deadline for GRE upload: 1 March); the test report must be no older than two years at the application deadline. For visa planning, book an appointment at the German embassy at least six months before your intended travel. For questions about your application, contact dekanat-bme@ukaachen.de. Further details are available in the programme’s examination regulations and on the ETS website.
Admission requirements (concise bullets)
Winter Semester (International)
1 March 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 July 2026
Graduates are prepared for research and development roles in medical technology companies, healthcare-focused engineering firms, clinical research units and interdisciplinary research institutes. Common career paths include biomedical product development, imaging and diagnostics R&D, biomaterials and tissue engineering, artificial organ prototyping, and roles in regulatory affairs or quality assurance.
The programme also provides a solid foundation for doctoral studies; many graduates continue to PhD programmes in biomedical engineering, medical physics, materials science or related fields.
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