Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineering is a leading growth sector nationally and globally. Many key technologies in the field, such as physiological and technical control loops, medical imaging and assisted minimally invasive surgery, are still in their relative infancy and promise exciting developments and innovations in the increasingly globalised markets of the future.
The strong client/customer orientation at the heart of this degree course creates excellent employment and career prospects for our graduates.
A Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering boosts employability in a huge spectrum of career areas and roles:
- Research and development
- Product management
- Marketing and sales
- Quality management
- Maintenance and repair
- Education and training
- Hospital planning
- Safety advisor roles
Good reasons to study Biomedical Engineering at HAW Hamburg
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Our students acquire practice-based engineering and research skills which enable them to participate in the development and improvement of technical and organisational healthcare solutions. The course places strong emphasis on inter-professional collaboration, including with physicians, nurses, therapists and technicians. This Master of Science degree qualifies graduates for positions in research and development and delivers skills required for effective scientific work in further studies, including doctoral studies.
The right course for you?
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The Master’s degree course in Biomedical Engineering is aimed principally at graduates with a degree in medical technology or biomedical engineering or a related field. Applicants should be motivated to acquire skills relevant for work with cutting-edge biomedical devices in a range of application contexts and for carrying out innovative R&D.
Course content and structure
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The core curriculum consists of modules in applied mathematics, data acquisition, advanced biosignal processing, medical image processing and application of imaging modalities, advanced control systems, modelling medical systems, real-time medical systems, simulation and VR in medicine, and health technology assessment/regulatory affairs, alongside a biomedical project.
Depending on your individual interests and background, you may choose to substitute one of those modules with a module selected from any Master’s degree course at HAW Hamburg or at another institution in Germany or elsewhere (subject to approval of the specific combination of modules/courses by the Examinations Committee).
In addition to teaching specialised content, we will train you in interpersonal skills. You will complete your degree by writing your Master's thesis, for which you have a period of six months and the aim of which is to enable you to demonstrate your research and development expertise, preferably in an interdisciplinary setting.
Admission requirements
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The admission requirements are as follows:
- Bachelor's degree (in a related discipline) qualifying the applicant for a professional career or a comparable course of studies, or a university Diplom degree with 210 CPs
- English language skills as demonstrated in Abitur or Fachhochschul transcripts (see admissons regulations) or accepted certificates: TOEFL test (at least 87 points, Internet-based); IELTS (minimum: Band 5.5 level); CAE, CPE or FCE (minimum C); or certificates of good performance in foreign countries
- German language skills at A2 level, certified by an acknowledged institution such as the Goethe Institute
- Applicants holding a first academic degree (Bachelor, Diplom, etc.) from non-EU-countries: Graduate Record Examination (GRE); further information is available at www.gre.org
Additional documents to be submitted:
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of motivation
Documents you may submit (optional):
- Letter of recommendation from a university professor
- Proof of particular professional experience
Important note for applicants with 180 CPs (ECTS) for courses which require 210 CPs (ECTS) from the first degree: Applicants whose Bachelor's degree consists of 180 credit points (ECTS) must acquire another 30 credit points during the first semester of their studies. The specific department decides which examinations and courses must be completed. Applicants will then be temporarily admitted and enrolled for one term in order to complete the missing 30 credit points. After the end of the first semester, the department will inform the Student Admissions and Registration Office whether the missing credit points have been acquired and the student may continue his or her studies.
Important note for applicants with 180 CPs (ECTS) who have not completed 20 weeks in an industrial internship during or after their first degree: These applicants can be temporarily admitted and enrolled under the condition that they make up the missing weeks of practical experience within the Master's programme. This will likely prolong the total study time. The details will be determined by the department.
Application process
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The degree course admits students for the winter and the summer semesters. Application periods: 1 June–15 July (winter semester) and 1 December–15 January (summer semester).
Applications for all Master's courses must be submitted online. The online application system is only activated during the application period. It is not possible to apply outside of the application periods. You can find more information at Applying for a Master's degree course.
Alternatively, you can contact master-application(@)haw-hamburg.de
Contact the Student Center
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Applications and admissions:
HAW Master's Degree Course Admissions Office
Stiftstrasse 69, 20099 Hamburg (Berliner Tor Campus)
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-9898
master-application(@)haw-hamburg.de
Office hours:
Drop-in office hours: Monday/Tuesday: 11:00 am–1:00 pm; Thursday: 2:00–5:00 pm
Infothek opening hours: Monday–Thursday: 10:00 am–4:00 pm; Friday: 10:00 am–1:00 pm
Telephone office hours: Moday/Tuesday, 9:00–10:00 am; Thursday: 9:00–11:00 am
Due to the restrictions resulting from the corona pandemic, drop-in office hours are not being offered at the moment. You can reach us by telephone during these times. The Infothek is closed until further notice.
For general queries about degree courses:
Student Counselling Team (Studienberatung)
Stiftstrasse 69, 20099 Hamburg (Berliner Tor Campus)
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-9110
studienberatung(@)haw-hamburg.de
Advice and information by phone: Monday–Tuesday: 10 am–1 pm; Thursday: 1 pm–5 pm
Contact person for applicants with disabilities or chronic health conditions:
Meike Butenob
Alexanderstrasse 1, 20099 Hamburg, room 4.10
Tel. +49.40.428 75-7220
meike.butenob(@)haw-hamburg.de
Current office hours:www.haw-hamburg.de/inklusion
Contact the department
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Specifically subject-related queries:
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Flick
Ulmenliet 20, Room N 5.07, 21033 Hamburg, Germany
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-6384
bernd.flick(@)haw-hamburg.de
At a glance
Degree
No. of semesters
Applications accepted
Language of instruction
Fees/charges
Full-/part-time
Location
Study organisation
Contact information
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Function | Name | Room | |
Student advisor | Prof. Dr. Bernd Flick | N5.07 | bernd.flick (@) haw-hamburg.de |
Chair of Examination Board | Prof. Dr. Petra Margaritoff | N5.14 | petra.margaritoff (@) haw-hamburg.de |
Course timetable
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Course timetable for summer semester 2021 page 12, update 26 February 21
Important information on access to the lectures at (follow on)
Please note!!! Short-term changes to lecture times can be found on our Infoboard.
Examination schedule
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Online registration via myHAW is required for all exams.
Exam schedule (Updated: 13 January 2021). There are no exams in presence!
Examination Board FAQs
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Module compendium
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Course and examination regulations
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Course and examination regulations 2020 (in German only)
The expiring of the course and examination regulation.
Course and examination regulations 2017 (in German, first amendment)
Course and examination regulations 2017 (in German, second amendment)
The examination and study regulations of the Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering still apply to all degree programs that have to be studied before the summer semester 2021. They will expire at the end of the summer semester 2024.
A change from the expiring course-specific examination and study regulations is not possible until the end of the summer semester 2024.
Admissions and selection criteria
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Dates and deadlines
Lecture and semester dates
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Winter semester 2020/21: 1 September 2020–28 February 2021
Due to the corona crisis, the lecture periods have been changed.
- Bachelor's students in their second semester and higher / Master's students
Lecture period: 12 October 2020–27 February 2021
First day of lectures: 12 October 2020
Last day of lectures: 28 February 2021
- Bachelor's students in their first semester (15 weeks and three additional weeks of digital courses) and students in the Industrial Engineering course * (Bachelor and Master)
Lecture period: 2 November 2020–27 February 2021
First day of lectures: 2 November 2020
Last day of lectures: 27 February 2021
Christmas holidays (no lectures): 21 December 2020–1 January 2021
Summer semester 2021: 1 March 2021–31 August 2021
Lecture period: 22 March 2021–16 July 2021
First day of lectures: 22 March 2021
Last day of lectures: 16 July 2021
Semester date details for summer semester 2021
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Departments: Bt, Mt, Ut and Vt
Semester period 2021: 1 March 2021–31 August 2021
Lecture period: 9 March 2020–19 June 2020
1st half of the semester (E): 9 March 2020–2 May 2020
2nd half of the semester (Z): 4 May 2020–19 June 2020
Examination period: 20 June 2020–10 July 2020
Department: Öt
Semester period 2021: 1 March 2021–31 August 2021
Lecture period: 22 March 2021 – 2 July 2021
1st half of the semester (E): 22 March 2021–7 May 2021
2nd half of the semester (Z): 10 May 2021–2 July 2021
Examination period: 29 June 2020–10 July 2020
Department: Gw
Semester period 2021: 1 March 2021 - 31 August 2021
Lecture period:
Master HS 22 March 2021 - 2 July 2021
Examination period: 5 July 2021 - 16 July 2021
Variations from the above schedules are listed in the plans of the individual courses. The times from the Department of HWI (see below) apply to teacher training.
Department of HWI
Semester period 2020: 1 April 2021–30 September 2021
Lecture period: 5 April 2021–10 July 2021
Pentecost holidays (no lectures): was cancelled
Departments BT, MT, UT, VT
Semester 01.03.2021 - 31.08.2021
Vorlesungen 22.03.2021 - 26.06.2021
Erste Hälfte (E) 22.03.2021 - 08.05.2021
Zweite Hälfte (Z) 10.05.2021 - 26.06.2021
Klausuren 28.06.2021 - 16.07.2021
Department ÖT
Semester 01.03.2021-31.08.2021
Vorlesungen (inkl. OE) 22.03.2021-02.07.2021
Erste Hälfte (e) 22.03.2021-07.05.2021
Zweite Hälfte (z) 10.05.2021-02.07.2021
Klausuren 05.07.2021-16.07.2021
Course times
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1st quarter: 8:30 am–10:00 am
2nd quarter: 10:15 am–11:45 am
3rd quarter: 12:30 pm–2:00 pm
4th quarter: 2:30 pm–4:00 pm
5th quarter: 4:15 pm–5:45 pm
6th quarter: 6:00 pm–7:30 pm
7th quarter: 7:45 pm–9:15 pm
Re-registration
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To re-register for the new semester, please pay the semester contribution by bank transfer within the re-registration period. Please do not pay before the start of the re-registration period as the final amount will not be determined before this period begins.
Re-registration deadlines
Winter semester: 1 June–15 August
Summer semester: 1 December–15 February
The semester contribution must be in the HAW Hamburg account by the last day of the re-registration period at the latest!
Important: Late re-registration can result in involuntary deregistration from the university. Subsequent re-registration is only possible within the appeals period. Regardless of whether or not deregistration takes place, an additional administrative fee will be charged for late re-registration.
If you are financially unable to pay the semester contribution, you may contact the Students' Union (AStA). In warranted cases it can provide you with a loan.
Bank account information
Recipient: HAW Hamburg
Account number: 106666000
BLZ: 21050000
Bank: HSH Nordbank
IBAN: DE11210500000106666000
BIC: HSHNDEHH
Purpose: for summer semester 2021
Semester code 20211 and your student ID number (please do not leave a space in between!) last name, first name (please leave a space between the student ID number and your name!), e.g.: 202119876543 Mustermann, Karl
As soon as the semester contribution is credited to the HAW Hamburg account you can update your chip card, and with it your semester ticket for the public transport system. To do so, you must insert the chip card in a validation station.
Your future career
Career fields
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Biomedical engineering is a future-oriented technology. It is one of the largest growth sectors in the Hamburg region as well as nationwide and worldwide.
Key technologies such as imaging processes, computer-aided communication techniques and minimally invasive techniques in surgery are in the early stages of market development. A strong customer orientation also ensures good employment prospects in the globalisation of the markets.
Occupational fields
Typical jobs for biomedical engineers include:
- Marketing, product management and sales
- Development and service
- Application of medical devices
- Device management and maintenance planning
- Medical device and safety consulting
- Quality assurance and training
- Hospital planning and setup
- Clinical research
Customer proximity is characteristic of the majority of occupational fields and professional activities. Biomedical engineers are primarily concerned with device application, marketing and product management as well as the practical development of medical-technical devices.
The Master of Science qualification in particular enables scientific work in research and development and provides graduates with important prerequisites for carrying out independent scientific work up to the doctoral level.
Student advisor

Department Medizintechnik
Ulmenliet 20, Room N5.07
21033 Hamburg
T +49 40 428 75-6384
bernd.flick@haw-hamburg.de