Overview
This two-year Master of Science program is organized over four semesters and is taught in English. It is designed as a research-focused course of study: the first half builds the methodological and practical foundation you will need, while the second half is dedicated to subject-specific research work.
Course structure
In the first and second semesters students receive intensive training to acquire the practical skills and theoretical knowledge required for research placements. The third semester concentrates on immunology, allowing you to deepen your understanding of immune system biology and related experimental approaches. The fourth semester is devoted to cancer research, where you apply earlier training in research internships and projects that emphasize contemporary questions in oncology.
Practical notes for international students
Because much of the programme centers on hands-on research internships in semesters three and four, expect a strong emphasis on laboratory work and supervised research. As this description does not include application details, contact the programme or the university’s admissions office for exact entry requirements, deadlines and visa/admission guidance.
Requirements / key facts
Program structure and core modules
This four-semester Master’s programme combines classroom-based learning with intensive hands-on research. In the first semester you take lectures and method courses that build a solid foundation in immunology and cancer biology, introduce the bioinformatics tools commonly used in research labs, and include training that leads to a FELASA licence (the certificate for working with laboratory animals). These courses focus on contemporary experimental techniques and data-analysis approaches used in the study of cancer and immune systems.
Research training and outcomes
From the second semester onward the emphasis shifts to practical research: students join research groups for individual internships, carrying out laboratory work on immunological or cancer-related topics. Before the first internship each student performs a focused literature review and formulates a testable hypothesis that they then investigate experimentally. The final semester is devoted to the Master’s thesis project, executed within a research group. Research seminars and journal clubs run throughout the programme to develop critical reading, presentation and scientific discussion skills.
Program requirements and structure (concise)
Key learning outcomes you can expect
Please submit a single PDF application by 15 June to master-cai@uni-regensburg.de. The selection is two-stage: first a written-document review, then an interview for applicants who pass the document check. You must hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree in the natural or life sciences with a clear focus on immunology and foundational training in cell biology, biochemistry and biology; the minimum final grade required is 2.0 on the German scale (1.0 = very good to 4.0 = passed). An essay (topic announced two months before the deadline) and proof of English proficiency are also required.
If your documents are approved you will be invited to an interview for which you will be given a scientific publication to prepare in advance. The interview evaluates laboratory-method skills, relevant subject knowledge, and your capacity for interdisciplinary thinking. After the interview the admissions committee will send a written acceptance or rejection. The first lecture of the winter semester begins in mid-October.
Required documents and formal criteria
Interview stage (if invited)
Timeline note
Winter Semester (International)
15 June 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 June 2026
Graduates will be well prepared for research careers in immunology and oncology, including positions in academic and hospital research labs, translational research units, and biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies. The programme's emphasis on laboratory techniques, FELASA certification, and bioinformatics skills equips students for roles involving experimental design, data analysis, and preclinical studies.
The degree also provides a strong foundation for doctoral studies (PhD) in immunology, cancer biology, or related biomedical fields. Additionally, alumni may pursue careers in clinical research coordination, laboratory management, regulatory affairs, and scientific consulting where interdisciplinary and practical research experience is valued.