Pharma-Biotechnology, M.Sc.
Pharmaceutical biotechnology includes the use of biotechnological methods and processes in the context of medical applications. According to the color of the blood, this branch of biotechnology is also known as red biotechnology. The subject of pharmaceutical biotechnology is the use of the catalytic properties of biomolecules, cells and organisms, which are often optimized by genetic engineering methods, for the manufacture of pharmaceutical products and the development of diagnostic processes.
Based on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the regulation of metabolic processes and their pathological changes in the development of diseases, therapeutically effective substances are sought and biotechnological processes for their production are developed. Pharmaceutical biotechnologists also play a key role in the development and biotechnological production of diagnostics and vaccines. You are also qualified to make a relevant contribution to the development of microarray techniques, biosensors, analysis techniques and diagnostic devices.
Programme facts
| Degree | Master of Science (M.Sc.) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 semesters, 120 ECTS |
| Language of instruction | German |
| Required German | C1 |
| Study mode | Full-Time |
| Start | Winter semester |
| Application | Directly to the university, winter semester until 15.07 |
| Admission | Admission restriction (NC): a competition of school grades |
| Tuition fee | €0 per semester for international students |
| Semester contribution | €237.37 per semester |
What the tuition fee consists of
Will I get in
The programme has an admission restriction: the average grade of your certificate, converted to the German scale, decides. The cut-off changes every year — last year's value shows the order of magnitude, not a promise.
How the selection works and how strong the competition is — we go through it against your certificate when we select programmes for you.
Programme selection →What you study
The master’s course in pharmaceutical biotechnology has a standard period of four semesters. In the first three semesters, there is an in-depth, scientifically-oriented training in core biotechnological areas such as genetic engineering, enzyme technology, recombinant products, low-molecular active pharmaceutical ingredients and molecular medicine. Application-oriented teaching content is taught in engineering subjects such as bioprocess engineering, bioprocess development, cell culture technology and bioprocess control.
The full curriculum and the programme's parameters are part of programme selection: we compare them with your profile.
Pick programmesCareer
The aim of the master’s course in pharmaceutical biotechnology is to train graduates who can be employed in all areas of red biotechnology. The focus of the training is the target-oriented search for active ingredients and the development of drugs as well as the development and optimization of biotechnological manufacturing processes for low-molecular and recombinant pharmaceutical products.
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Accordingly, you will find career prospects in the following areas:
- Biotechnological pharmaceutical companies
- biotechnological research institutes and R&D service companies
- Diagnostic companies, institutes and laboratories
- Manufacturer of biotechnological production systems
- Manufacturer of devices, equipment and apparatus for biotechnology
- Manufacturer of diagnostic and analytical equipment
- Investigation offices, approval and licensing authorities, public institutions
- Consulting, liberal professions
The master’s degree qualifies the public for a career in the higher service. It also gives particularly high-performing students the opportunity to obtain a doctorate.
Cost of study
| Tuition fee of the federal state (Thuringia), international students | €0 |
|---|---|
| Semester contribution | €237.37 |
Requirements and application
| Previous education | The main requirements for admission to the course are: a degree in a bachelor's or diploma course in particular in the fields of biotechnology, bioprocess engineering, medical biotechnology, pharmaceutical biotechnology, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical technology, pharmaceutical and chemical engineering or biopharmaceutical technology Knowledge of the basics of natural and engineering sciences, such as mathematics, physics, computer science, electronics, biology and chemistry Knowledge in the fields of biochemistry, process analysis, genetic engineering, microbiology, cell biology, bioprocess engineering and bioprocess MSR technology Prospective students should ideally have a bachelor's degree in biotechnology and show a keen interest in solving interdisciplinary problems. |
|---|---|
| Language | German C1 — confirmed by a certificate when you apply |
| Application | Directly to the university, winter semester until 15.07 |
The procedure and the set of documents depend on your certificate. We check the university's requirements against your documents and give you a list: what to submit, how to certify and translate it, where and when to apply.
Check the requirementsHow to get into this programme
- 1Check your certificate and its recognitionDirect admission, a year at a university at home, or Studienkolleg first — this decides the whole plan.
- 2German up to C1 and a certificateDSH or TestDaF has to be passed before you apply.
- 3Documents and translationsCertified translations of the certificate and transcript, an APS if required. 3–4 weeks.
- 4Application directly to the university until 15.07Send the documents well before the deadline — an incomplete application cannot be completed after it.
- 5Admission, visa, movingPlan 2–3 months for the visa and the blocked account in parallel.
How to apply
You can submit the application yourself or with our help — the university decides on admission in both cases.
Applications go through the university's portal or uni-assist. Typical mistakes:
- ×incorrectly made certified copies and translations
- ×a wrong set of documents
- ×the application submitted the wrong way
- ×errors or gaps in the application form
- ×the application submitted at the wrong time — too early or too late
An incomplete or incorrectly prepared application is excluded from the selection — it can no longer be corrected after the deadline.
StudyInFocus does not represent the university and does not influence the admission decision. We do not sell study places and do not guarantee admission — this is a service for preparing and submitting documents on the applicant's side.
If your level is not enough yet
The two most common stoppers are a language level below the requirement and a certificate without direct admission. Both can be solved, but they take months — plan them now, not after a rejection.
Questions about this programme
How much does the programme cost?
What language level do I need?
When do I need to apply?
Don't postpone the application
The deadline is 15.07.2027 (274 days left). Language, translations and the document check take months, not weeks. In 30 minutes we will build a plan backwards from the deadline and tell you honestly whether you can make it.