What you can expect from our master's program

In the master's program in Bioengineering at KIT, you will deepen and expand the knowledge you acquired in your bachelor's program while also setting your own technical focus areas. The program provides you with theoretical and practical knowledge that will enable you to apply process engineering principles to biomaterial systems. This distinguishes it from natural science programs such as biotechnology or molecular biotechnology, which primarily deal with the utilization of biological principles. The standard period of study is four semesters, during which 120 ECTS credits are earned.

At KIT, the main focus is on biotechnological methods and processes that implement the industrial utilization of biological systems. The professional internship in industry or research integrated into the master's program provides you with insights into professional practice in science or as an engineer. 

Process and Plant Design in Biotechnology and Thermodynamics for Bioengineering are compulsory subjects in the “Core Skills” module. There are options within the compulsory subjects of process engineering and computer-aided methods, as well as in the compulsory elective area. More information can be found in the module handbook. Depending on your personal interests and profile, you can choose modules from the following areas of specialization:

Interdisciplinary qualifications (e.g., language courses, courses offered by the House of Competence) compelte your study plan.

Program structure

Internship

The master's degree program in Bioengineering requires a mandatory internship of at least three months to gain a first impression of industrial practice (company internship) or the work of a research institute (research internship). You look for your internship position yourself or contact the institute of your choice at KIT. In addition to the chemical industry and process plant engineering, possible sectors include automotive suppliers or companies in agricultural and food technology, the pharmaceutical or cosmetics industry and also biotechnology and environmental technology.

Completed relevant vocational training (e.g. Medical Technical Assistant / Pharmaceutical Technical Assistant) is recognized as an internship. Recognition of an internship completed between your bachelor's and master's degree is also possible.

You can also complete a voluntary internship during your studies. If it serves the objectives of your studies and covers at least half of the lecture period, you can apply for a semester off (leave of absence).

Make your studies international

You have various options for integrating a stay abroad into your master's degree course. For example, you can study at a foreign university of your choice for one or two semesters via Erasmus+ or as a freemover. You can also do an internship abroad. In addition, selective mobility is possible via Eucor - The European Campus: KIT students can flexibly attend individual courses in addition to courses at KIT or study full-time for an entire semester or year at an Eucor partner university.

In the case of a stay abroad during the master's program in Bioengineering, it is recommended to complete the technical supplementary subjects or the industrial internship in this context.

Further information can be obtained from the contact persons responsible for stays abroad at the KIT Department or at the International Students Office.

Master's thesis

At the end of your studies, you will complete your master's thesis (30 CP), an academic paper that allows you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It deals with a specific topic from your field of study and requires independent research, analysis and the preparation of a written paper. The master's thesis takes 6 months to complete. You can start it as soon as you have earned 60 CP including the internship. Upon request, the master's thesis can also be completed in a company or at another KIT Department.

Due to the increasing use of biological materials and processes in product development and manufacturing, a degree in bioengineering offers you good career opportunities in many sectors. In addition to the 'white', 'red' and 'green' biotechnology sectors, which cover the fields of the biological-chemical, medical-pharmaceutical, agricultural and food industries, there are other possible fields of work in the energy and electronics sectors. There are also employment opportunities with authorities and in the public sector. With a good master's degree, you have a good chance of obtaining a doctorate with the prospect of interesting tasks in research. If you want to start your own business with your own idea, you will also find support at KIT.

Characteristic features of the Bioengineering M.Sc. at KIT

• own department with a wide range of courses

• master's orientation phase

• many elective options

• research-oriented teaching

• internationally networked (CLUSTER, CESAER, Eucor...)

• support for business start-ups

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• 24-hour library offering single and group working places
  
• wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
  
• numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
  
• study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
  
• excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
  
• comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
  
• extensive support for career entry and self-employment
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• Lernraum app
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network
  

Admission requirements

The requirements for admission to the master's degree program in Bioengineering are based on the current admission regulations:

• bachelor's degree
  a bachelor's degree (or at least an equivalent degree) in Bioengineering or a degree program with essentially the same content at a university, university of applied sciences, university of cooperative education or at a foreign university. The program must have been completed within a standard period of study of at least three years and with a minimum number of 180 ECTS credits.
  
• minimum knowledge and minimum achievements in the following areas
  • mathematical and scientific fundamentals amounting to at least 35 credit points, including at least 10 credit points in mathematics
    
  • engineering fundamentals amounting to at least 15 credit points
    
  • thermodynamics & transport processes amounting to at least 15 credit points, of which at least 5 credit points are in the area of transport processes
    
  • process engineering fundamentals amounting to at least 12 credit points
    
  • biology and biotechnology worth at least 15 credit points
    

Important: If minimum achievements amounting to a maximum of 15 credit points are missing, admission can be granted on the condition that achievements are made up within the first three semesters of the master's degree program.

Language requirements and certificates

For the master's degree program in Bioengineering, you need sufficient knowledge of the German language. Your German language skills must correspond to at least level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Important: you must provide proof of the required language skills regardless of your citizenship and by the end of the enrollment period at the latest, but preferably at the time of application.

In what form do I have to provide the language certificates? Please read the following chapters on this website carefully. If you have any further questions, please contact

• Students Office if you are applying as a German, German national or a person with German equivalent status
• the International Students Office if you are a non-EU national

Proof of sufficient German language skills

As proof of your German language skills, your higher education or master's entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, university degree or a professional qualification that entitles you to study) is sufficient if you have acquired it at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction.

In concrete terms, this means that you do not have to submit additional proof of German if you

• have obtained your Abitur at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad,
• are a graduate of a bilingual secondary school in Germany or abroad and have passed a bilingual German examination, such as the AbiBac or the Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureat (GIB) or
• you graduated from a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country regarding the recognition of your school-leaving certificate or language certificate as proof of language proficiency for university studies in Germany.

A complete list of foreign school-leaving qualifications and language certificates that are recognized as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the website of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Laender (KMK) in the Federal Republic of Germany.

If you have already completed a German-language degree at a German university, this can also count as proof of German language proficiency - but only if the diploma supplement, transcript of records or degree certificate clearly states that German was the sole language of instruction and examination.

If, on the other hand, you did not obtain your higher education or master's entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction, you must provide proof of German language proficiency at least at DSH-2 level. This corresponds to CEFR level C1.

Only the following certificates are accepted in accordance with the KIT admission and enrollment regulations:

• passed German section of the Feststellungspruefung (assessment test)
• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with overall result DSH-2
• passed Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) with level 4 in all four parts of the exam
• German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - second level (DSD II)
• Goethe certificate C1 or higher
• passed telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule exam
• Austrian Language Diploma C1 or higher

Note: The above-mentioned tests are accepted as proof of language proficiency for an unlimited period of time, even if the provider specifies an expiration date.

What if I cannot provide suitable C1 proof of German at the time of application?

If you are unable to provide any of the C1 certificates listed above for your German language skills by the application deadline, admission is still possible if you can present a provisional document proving that you have at least B2 language level. Proof of B2 level only includes

• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with an overall result of DSH-1
  
• passed Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) with level 3 in all four parts of the exam
  
• passed telc German B2 exam

But please don't forget: you still have to submit the C1 certificate by the end of your enrollment period at the latest, which is stated in your admission letter.

Therefore, check early on whether you can provide the necessary language certificates by the deadline and, if necessary, plan to take a recognized language test.

In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of the enrollment deadline to provide proof of your language skills, but this extensvion can only be granted up to the day before the start of the lecture period. Please contact the Student Office or the International Students Office - depending on who is named as your point of contact in your letter of admission.

Weitere Ansprechpersonen:

• KIT-Fakultät für Chemieingenieurwesen und Verfahrenstechnik
• Fachstudienberatung
• Prüfungsausschuss
• Praktikantenamt
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Fachschaft MACH/CIW

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