Master of Science (M.Sc.)

Study Medical Engineering

Medical engineers combine technical know-how with medical expertise. They are specialists in the research and development of medical products and make a valuable contribution to caring for a constantly growing and ageing society.

application info
Zwei Studierende im Labor Biomechanik bei der Durchführung einer Messung
Foto: Andreas Ellermeier / OTH Regensburg

Content

What is the Master's in Medical Engineering about?

Which new materials can be used for implants? How can computer simulations be used in the development of medical products? How can back injuries among midwives and obstetricians be prevented?

As interdisciplinary specialists, Medical Engineering students deal with a wide range of issues. Building on the knowledge and skills acquired in the Bachelor's programme, the Master's degree focuses on independent scientific work. This enables students to utilise scientific methods to answer questions from professional practice. In addition, they will expand their knowledge in the areas of technology, medical engineering, digitalisation in medical engineering, innovation management and regulatory affairs. Students will also continue to develop their social and methodological skills and be prepared, for example, to take on leadership roles in their future careers.

The Master of Medical Engineering also offers students the greatest possible freedom:

At the beginning of their degree, they choose one of the two specialisations "Research" or "Development" according to their personal style of working and their individual learning profile:

  • Students in the "Research" specialisation work on a project basis and produce two research papers, building on each other, in the first two semesters.
  • Students in the "Development" specialisation learn predominantly in a lecture environment and take a larger number of mandatory elective modules.

In this way, students are able to shape their studies according to their personal interests. Further information on the content of both specialisations can be found below under Structure and Modules.

Studentin im Labor Biomaterialien bei der Arbeit an einem Mikroskop
Foto: Andreas Ellermeier / OTH Regensburg

Strengths of the degree programme

Career opportunities

What career prospects do I have as a Medical Engineer?

Your Master's degree is complete - and now what? Do you want to jump straight into professional life or perhaps pursue a doctorate?

Information on the follow-up options is summarised here:

  • The career and promotion prospects in the field of medical engineering are currently very good and will remain so in the foreseeable future. A growing world population, increasing life expectancy and, most recently, the global COVID 19 pandemic make the relevance of the medical engineering sector abundantly clear. The industry has been growing steadily for years and experts forecast an average annual increase in the global market for medical engineering of around five percent in the coming years (source: Spectaris).

    Regensburg and the surrounding area are characterised by companies that work directly or indirectly in medical engineering, as well as leading institutions in the field of medical research and care. This offers students the best conditions and prospects both during their degree and when starting their subsequent careers.

    With a Master's in Medical Engineering in their pocket, graduates can take on demanding roles in international companies in the life science industry, for example:

    • Management positions in a variety of areas
    • Research activities in academic institutions
    • Project management of complex tasks
    • Strategic and operative roles

    Graduates also work in the following fields:

    • Product and system development
    • Product, project and quality management
    • Licensing of medical products
    • Innovation management and production

    Employment can be found in a wide variety of companies and research institutes in the field of medical engineering, ranging from family-run SMEs to large global players.


  • Outstanding graduates of the Master's in Medical Engineering have the opportunity to complete a doctorate directly at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (cooperative or joint).
     

    Alternatively, Master's students can start work as research assistants with an accompanying doctorate in renowned research institutions, such as the Fraunhofer Institute.


Zwei Studenten im Labor Medizinprodukte bei der Arbeit an einem medizinischen Produkt
Foto: Andreas Ellermeier / OTH Regensburg

Structure and modules

How is the degree programme structured?

The Master's in Medical Engineering is designed as a full-time programme comprising three theoretical semesters. At the beginning of the programme, students choose a specialisation: "Research" or "Development". During the third semester, students write their Master's thesis, which takes five months to complete.

  • The first two semesters focus on consolidating the fundamentals of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering as well as completing two research projects. 30 ECTS credits should be earned in each of the two semesters. Students work in a project-oriented manner and focus on research in the field of medical engineering throughout their studies.

    Compulsory modules:

    • Guidance and Standards for Medical Devices
    • Biomedical Modeling, Testing and Simulation with Laboratory Exercises
    • Biomaterials
    • Experimental Techniques and Data Processing with Laboratory Exercises

    Mandatory Elective Modules:

    Mandatory Elective Modules: In the first two semesters, students also select two modules (one module per semester) from the Mandatory Elective Module Catalogue for the Master's in Medical Engineering at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.


    Research:

    • Research Thesis 1 (first semester)
    • Research Thesis 2 (second semester)

    In the research specialisation, a supervision agreement must be signed with a professor from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. This must be submitted to the examination board no later than ten working days (days on which lectures take place) after the start of the first semester.

    Therefore, please contact the professors teaching in the Master's programme as early as possible, preferably before applying, in order to discuss the research work required in this specialisation and to sign a supervision agreement.

    • Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Dendorfer
    • Prof. Dr. Helga Hornberger
    • Prof. Dr.-Ing. Lars Krenkel
    • Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Schratzenstaller
    • Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Max Singh

    Other professors from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering may also supervise the two research theses and subsequent Master's thesis. This must be cleared in advance by the Master of Medical Engineering examination board.

    In the research specialisation, the two research theses and the Master's thesis should build on each other. Once this specialisation has been chosen, a change is usually not possible. Should you still not be able to produce a supervision agreement by ten working days after the start of the first semester, you will automatically be enrolled in the development specialisation. It is not possible to switch between the specialisations at a later date.

    (For further information, see the download area: Study and Examination Regulations, Curriculum, Module Handbook and Mandatory Elective Module Catalogue. Note: The degree programme documents are identical for both specialisations).


  • The first two semesters focus on consolidating the fundamentals of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering as well as setting an individual focus though mandatory elective modules. 30 ECTS credits should be earned in each of the two semesters.

    Students mainly learn in a lecture environment and compile their timetable according to their individual interests by choosing the appropriate modules.

    Compulsory modules:

    • Guidance and Standards for Medical Devices
    • Biomedical Modeling, Testing and Simulation with Laboratory Exercises
    • Biomaterials
    • Experimental Techniques and Data Processing with Laboratory Exercises

    Mandatory elective modules:

    In the first two semesters, students also select eight modules (four modules per semester) from the Mandatory Elective Module Catalogue for the Master's in Medical Engineering at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Students may select modules on implants, biomechanics, biofluid mechanics, biomaterials and the associated aspects of regulatory affairs.

    Once this specialisation has been chosen, a change is usually not possible. Should you still not be able to produce a supervision agreement by ten working days after the start of the first semester, you will automatically be enrolled in the development specialisation. It is not possible to switch between the specialisations at a later date.

    (For further information, see the download area: Study and Examination Regulations, Curriculum, Module Handbook and Mandatory Elective Module Catalogue. Note: The degree programme documents are identical for both specialisations).


  • Both specialisations conclude with the Master's thesis. By writing their Master's thesis at the end of the degree programme, students demonstrate that they can work on a scientific problem within a specified time frame using the knowledge and skills they have acquired and then present it appropriately. The topic of the thesis is issued and supervised by the examiners. It typically takes five months to complete and may be undertaken in cooperation with a company. 30 ECTS credits are awarded for the Master's thesis and the associated oral presentation.


Studies and organisational matters

So that everything runs smoothly

When and where do lectures take place? Which legal regulations must be observed? And how can I finance my studies?

Answers to these and other questions about the Master's in Medical Engineering can be found here.

  • Lectures take place on the main campus of the OTH Regensburg in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering buildings:

    Building A-C

    Galgenbergstraße 30

    93053 Regensburg

     

     


  • SPO, curriculum, module handbook and exam handbook - here we explain the documents that govern studying and examinations. The respective valid versions are linked under Downloads (see right).


    The legal basis: The Study and Examination Regulations (SPO)

    The Study and Examination Regulations (SPO) form the legal basis for the Master's in Medical Engineering. Among other things, they contain information on:

    • Study objective
    • Qualification requirements, proof of aptitude
    • Programme structure, standard period of study
    • Modules and assessments
    • Master's thesis
    • Interpreting the examination results and the overall grade
    • Certificate and academic degree
    • Overview of modules, assessments and credits

    The overview: The curriculum (Studienverlaufsplan)

    This document contains an overview of all modules, the respective number of semester hours per week and ECTS credits. It serves as a guide for semester planning and subject allocation.

    The modules in detail: The module handbook

    The module handbook lists all the modules (subjects) in the degree programme with comprehensive information on on content and learning objectives as well as: form of teaching, lecturers, teaching materials, assessments, permitted aids.

    Exams in focus: The exam handbook (Studienplan)

    This document provides information on the subject of examinations. Among other things, it contains information on:

    • Type and duration of examinations
    • First and second examiners
    • Permitted aids

Application info

1. Please register in the OTH Regensburg application portal. It is not necessary to register with “Hochschulstart” for this degree programme.

2. The application process is entirely online. Please complete the online application and upload all required application documents.

3. Make sure you regularly check your status in the application portal. Here you can also see whether any documents are still missing. These documents must be submitted by the end of the deadline.

4. You will automatically receive email notifications via the application portal when your application status changes.

5. After your application has been processed, you will receive an e-mail with further information from the Admissions and Organisation Office of the OTH Regensburg as confirmation of receipt.

 

6.  If all application documents have been received within the application deadline and are valid, you will receive an e-mail with further information after the examination committee has checked the documents. Please note that it is no longer possible to apply after the application deadline.

7. So what comes next? You can find all the information you need in the section under "Admissions and enrolment".

 

For winter semesters:

Application period: 1 May – 15 June

For summer semesters:

Application period: 15 November – 15 January

1. Please register in the OTH Regensburg application portal.

2. The application process is entirely online. Please complete the online application and upload all required application documents. Important components of the application are your university entrance qualification, your current transcript of grades from your previous studies and the application for credit transfer. If further documents are required, they will be requested in the application portal.

3. Make sure you regularly check your status in the application portal. Here you can also see whether any documents are still missing. These documents must be submitted by the end of the deadline. Please note that it only makes sense to apply for a higher semester if you have already obtained credits in the same or a closely related degree programme. If this is not the case or if you are in doubt about receiving credit, please apply (additionally) for a first semester. If you are currently enrolled in your first semester, you will not receive your exam results before the application deadline. We do not accept incomplete records or provisional results, so you will not be able to apply for admission to another programme in a higher semester.

4. After your application has been processed, you will receive an e-mail with further information from the Admissions and Organisation Department of the OTH Regensburg as confirmation of receipt.

 

5. If all application documents have been received within the application deadline and are valid, you will receive an e-mail with further information after the examination committee has checked the documents. Please note that it is no longer possible to apply after the application deadline. 

6. The examination committee decides on the crediting of academic achievements and whether a placement in a higher semester is possible. This placement is based on the creditable achievements and not on the semesters completed. Please note that there may also be admission restrictions in the admission procedure for higher semesters. 

7. So what comes next? You can find all the information you need in the section under "Admissions and enrolment".

 

 

BACHELOR'S CERTIFICATE

For the application for this Master's degree programme please submit your certificates and diplomas of your home country translated into German or English. The complete Bachelor's certificate with all subjects, the final grade and the grading scale is required. You can find detailed information in the admission requirements.

 

GERMAN LANGUAGE SKILLS

German language skills on level DSH 2 are required. You have to upload your German language certificate either when applying or when enrolling via the online portal.

These certificates are recognized as an alternative to the DSH 2 certificate:

  • TestDaF: TDN 4 in all sections of the exam
  • Studienkolleg: Feststellungsprüfung „Deutsch“
  • DSD: Level II with C1 in all sections of the exam
  • Goethe: C2
  • telc: telc Deutsch C2, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule
  • ÖSD: C2
  • UNIcert® Deutsch III

If you need a visa to study in Germany, you should look into the visa procedure and (if necessary) register on the waitlist as soon as possible. Depending on your country, receiving a visa appointment can take a long time. On the other hand, our admission letters are only valid for one semester and admission cannot be deferred.

You can find more information for prospective international students (on visas or other issues) on the web pages of the International Office.

Admission and enrolment

After the Master Commission has checked your documents, you will receive an admission or rejection notice by e-mail.
If you receive admission, you can immediately accept the place of study online in the application portal and upload the enrolment documents.
Enrolment generally takes place in August for a winter semester or in February for a summer semester.
 

Important information for online enrolment

Semester fee

The application for enrolment ("Antrag auf Immatrikulation") will include information about the current semester fee and the transfer details.

Documents

The following documents must normally be uploaded for online enrolment at the university:

  • Signed application for enrolment ("Antrag auf Immatrikulation") along with other documents required, depending on the individual case. You will receive this by e-mail.
  • Signed(declaration of consent regarding data protection (“Einwilligungserklärung zum Datenschutz”). You will receive this together with the application for enrolment.
  • Copy of valid identity card/passport
  • Digital notification of health insurance (M10), see the following notes "I would like to enrol. What do I have to do?"

I want to enrol as a student and have to provide proof of health insurance. What do I need to do?

  • If you have chosen public / statutory insurance, please contact your health insurance company and inform them that you are planning to enrol at Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH) Regensburg. Your health insurance company will then send us a digital notification known as M10. Please note that we cannot accept any insurance membership certificates in PDF or paper form. Our institution number is H0000048 (please provide this to your insurance company if necessary).

    If you have questions about public vs. private insurance, please check the website of the DAAD.


  • If the insurance from your home country is not accepted in Germany and you are over 30 years old, you may have chosen a private health insurance for Germany. In this case, please contact any public health insurance company in Germany with your insurance documents. Please inform them that you would like to enrol at Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH) Regensburg and remain privately insured. The health insurance company will then send us a digital notification of your exemption from public insurance. Please note that we cannot accept an insurance membership certificate from your private health insurance instead of the exemption. Our institution number is H0000048.

    If you have questions about public vs. private insurance, please check the website of the DAAD.


  • If you are already insured in another EU country, your insurance may be accepted in Germany. If that is the case, you need to apply from exemption from compulsory public insurance. To do that, please contact any public health insurance company in Germany, send them your insurance documents and inform them that you would like to enrol at Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH) Regensburg. The health insurance company will then send us a digital notification of exemption. Please note that we cannot accept any insurance membership certificates in paper form. Our institution number is H0000048.

    If you are coming from a non-EU country and/or are over 30 years old, you need to take on public or private health insurance which is valid in Germany. The website of the DAAD should help you better understand your options and choose the type of insurance which is best for you. After you have chosen your insurance, please ask your insurance company to send us a digital confirmation message of your insurance, or (if you have chosen private insurance) apply for exemption as instructed above.