The biomedical field has been generating a lot of interest among the Indian students. No surprise, several candidates are now looking at to do Masters (and Ph.D.) in the field of biomedical science and biomedical engineering from foreign universities.

As we all know, pursuing higher studies abroad does cost a significant amount of money. But, at the same time, there are also various generous scholarship schemes that international students can apply to. Besides, you can always apply for an education loan as well.

But, how about studying for free as an international student? Sounds crazy, right?

Yes, there are quite a few programs that do not charge any tuition fees; thanks to a few European countries. More importantly, unlike the generic concept, this free education doesn’t come at the cost of compromising the quality of education. Although there are several free programs that require the knowledge of the local language. But, there are few programs that are taught entirely in English as well. In this post, we will look into the Top Master’s Programs in Biomedical Sciences & Bio-Engineering that do not charge any tuition fees.

Best Free Masters Programs in Biomedical Sciences & Bio-Engineering that are Taught in English

MSc Biomedical Engineering – RWTH Aachen University

This is an excellent program for getting exposed to advanced information, skills, and methods in the field of Biomedical Engineering. This is a highly interdisciplinary field, and students will be taught by the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, and the Faculty of Medicine.

During the first semester, the students will go cover medicine, engineering, and natural sciences. The following two semesters will focus on Tissue Engineering, Medical Imaging/Guided Therapy, and Artificial Organs/Devices. The final (4th) semester is reserved for the Master’s thesis.

After finishing the program, graduates can get into research, development, production, product consulting, distribution and service of medical products to planning, project management, quality management, certification, and instruction of implementation of medical technology and biomaterials to observation and assessment of medical institutions, processes, and equipment.

Intake: Sep/Oct

Program Link

MSc Molecular Bioengineering – TU Dresden

This is an interdisciplinary and research-oriented training program. The course focuses on the scientific basis and potential applications of molecular bioengineering in medicine and technology. You will cover nanotechnology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, genetic engineering, genomics, cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and protein interactions.

There is also an opportunity for a Fast Track (6 students after one year of study) or Early Admission (6 students after 3 semesters) to PhD program at TU Dresden. In case of Fast-Track, admitted candidates will enter the PhD program without completing the Master’s degree. Under the Early Admission rule, admitted students may either directly enter the PhD program without completing the Master’s degree or first complete the MSc, and then join the PhD.

Intake: Sep/Oct

Program Link

MSc Biomedical Sciences – University of Bergen

The two- year master’s programme in Biomedical Sciences offers teaching from world-class scientists. The program covers human physiology, molecular & cellular biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, tumor biology, and medical imaging.

Students will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of elective courses that focus on understanding the cellular and biological mechanisms, providing the knowledge required for understanding human disease mechanisms and for future development of methods, diagnostics, and therapies.

Intake: Aug/Sep

Program Link

MSc Biomedicine – UiT Arctic University of Norway

The Master’s program covers topics such as cancer, heart function and failure, inflammatory disorders, immunity, bacterial colonization and antimicrobial resistance etc. You will be qualified for work in research and development within the biomedical sciences, and clinical laboratory sciences. You will have career options related to the translation of knowledge and methods of medical subjects and bio-prospecting. The masters’ degree will also make you qualified for PhD programs.

Intake: Aug/Sep

Program Link

MSc Immunobiology – University of Bonn

Within this Master program, students will be offered a profound education in both immunology and systems biology. The aim of the program is to mediate an in-depth understanding of the molecular and structural processes of the immune system combined with substantial knowledge and hands-on training in systems biology.

The Master program is research-oriented and offered completely in English. Apart from an in-depth education of scientific knowledge in the mentioned areas, they are characterized by a high proportion of individual research projects, in which students are integrated at an early stage into the highly competitive and interdisciplinary research groups of the institute. Alternatively, all students have the possibility to perform during their master studies such research projects in other universities or abroad. Additionally, during their education, students are trained in a large variety of methods and techniques applied in life sciences and gain the first contact with representatives of life science industries. Finally, a mentoring system helps the students to study efficiently, to plan their career in a more focused manner, and to become independent.

Intake: Sep/Oct

Program Link

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MSc Molecular Medicine – Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nurnberg

This degree programme has a strong focus on research and is suitable for students with a strong background in biomedicine and molecular biology. During their studies, students may focus on a variety of different research areas, among them neuroscience, immunology, genetics (or genomics) and physiology. Up to six months of research abroad can be integrated into the programme.

The program aims at attracting students interested in experimental research at the interface of medicine, biology, and chemistry. Prerequisites for admission are a first degree in Natural or Life Sciences – especially Molecular Medicine or Biomedical Science – and good medical and molecular knowledge.

The curriculum is composed of compulsory modules which cover theoretical aspects in immunology, neurosciences, oncology, development, structural biochemistry, imaging, genetics, and systems medicine, as well as key skills in laboratory animal science, biological safety, research design, and writing.

Intake: Sep/Oct

Program Link

Related Course: MSc Molecular Science at FAU

Master in Molecular and Developmental Stem Cell Biology – Ruhr University Bochum

The course comprises four semesters, including a six-month master’s thesis. All courses in the program will be taught in English. The total number of credit points awarded is 120. With the successful completion of the course, the participant will be awarded a Master Double-Degree from both partner-universities.

Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine – two of the most innovative research fields providing new opportunities to treat conditions ranging from cancer to blindness, from cardiovascular to degenerative diseases, from organ failure to HIV. The Ruhr-University Bochum and Jinan University in Guangzhou, China, offer the opportunity to participate in these cutting-edge fields of biomedical research through the Double Degree Master program Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (M.Sc. DD-SCBRM).

Intake: October

Program Link

Masters in Molecular and Computational Biology – University of Wuerzburg

The program covers the molecular aspects of Bioinformatics and Computational Systems Biology, Neuroscience, Infection and Immunity, Integrative Biology, and Biomedicine. Special attention is given to the eucaryotic cell and both the fundamental principles of molecular cell biology and the huge structural and functional diversity of molecules, organelles, and cells. Molecular aspects are addressed using tools of bioinformatics and computational systems biology-based approaches. These include functional genomics, dynamic analysis of the transcriptome, metabolic and regulatory networks.

Intake: Mar/Apr & Sep/Oct

Program Link

MSc Molecular Medicine – University of Gottingen

The eighteen-month Master’s program in Molecular Medicine is aimed at highly motivated students who are interested in the subject. The prerequisite is a Bachelor’s degree with a focus on either natural sciences or molecular medicine. The degree programme will provide deeper knowledge of topics relating to molecular medicine and clinical theory such as immunology, oncology, genetics, pharmacology, and cell biology. In addition, there are also three laboratory internships, each lasting eight weeks. A Master’s thesis will be written within six months.

Intake: October

Program Link

MSc Medical Engineering – Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nurnberg

The programme is a technical, interdisciplinary and research-driven Master’s degree programme with a specialized focus on medical needs. Students will get to develop excellent knowledge and practical skills in medical imaging, data processing, computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Intake: April & October

Program Link

MSc Biomedical Engineering – Luebeck University of Applied Sciences

The Master’s programme in Biomedical Engineering in Lübeck is designed for students who wish to pursue careers in research and development, academia, or industry. The goal of the programme is to educate students in the interdisciplinary fields of engineering and medicine.

Students with degrees in electronics, information technology, mechanical engineering, physics, process engineering, materials technology, or mechatronics will be enrolled in introductory courses in medicine and medical technology in order to gain the necessary knowledge in these fields. Students with degrees in medical technology will be enrolled in technical courses as the main focus in order to increase their knowledge in these areas. Free intensive German courses of different levels are provided each semester.

During the second semester, students can enroll in a variety of specialized courses. The common basics developed in the first semester will be expanded to include practical applications. This coursework will focus mainly on project-oriented teamwork.

Third-semester students will complete a research internship of four months. The results are presented at the Lübeck Students Conference. Finally, students prepare and start writing a Master’s thesis over the course of six months within their fourth semester.

An internship of four months or two internships of eight weeks each is to be completed after the second semester. Programme advisers will assist students in finding an appropriate internship in Germany or abroad.

Intake: Sep/Oct

Program Link

Want to apply to these universities? Since these universities are offering free education, the competition will be very stiff. Apart from excellent grades in Bachelors, you need to present an effective Statement of Purpose (SOP) or Personal Statement and strong Letters of Recommendation (LOR). So, how to create that effective SoP? What do the admission officers look for in the SOP? How can you obtain a strong LOR from your Professors and/or Employer? Don’t worry… watch this video:

MSc Molecular Medicine – Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

The program provides a molecular understanding of how normal cellular processes change, fail or are destroyed by disease. Students will develop knowledge and skills in cellular and molecular biology, and can apply to both basic research and clinical work.

Intake: Aug/Sep

Program Link

MSc Molecular Medicine – University of Ulm

The Master in Molecular Medicine at the University of Ulm is the ideal postgraduate programme for students who have obtained a bachelor degree in a life science subject, such as biochemistry, biomedical science, human biology, molecular biology, molecular biotechnology, molecular life science, or molecular medicine. Students will develop an understanding of the molecular pathways that lead to the proliferation, differentiation, and death of cells, knowledge of the physiology of cells and organs, insights into the pathophysiology of diseases, practical laboratory skills.

Intake: Sep/Oct

Program Link

MSc Molecular Medicine – Friedrich Schiller University

The Master of Science in Molecular Medicine primarily focuses on biomedical issues and examines those using methods and experimental approaches from the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and physiology. The skills acquired in this programme can be used in biomedical research and medical biotechnology. This degree programme meets the quickly growing need in the field of molecular and biomedical research for scholars with basic knowledge of medicine and natural science.

The first year of the Master’s programme is divided into five mandatory modules: Molecular Pathology, Molecular Pharmacology, Human Genetics, Clinical Chemistry/Molecular Diagnostics, and Medical Biometry. In addition, students may select two of the fifteen compulsory elective modules dealing with clinical research topics (Molecular Intensive Care, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Cardiology, Molecular Genetics, Molecular Oncology, Neuroscience, Rheumatology, Transgenic Animals, Medical Microbiology, Medical Immunology, Gene-environment Interaction in the Developing and Ageing Brain and Associated Disorders, Experimental Surgery, Experimental Nephrology, Bioinformatics, Molecular-Biological Approaches in Medical Research and Diagnostics) consisting of lectures, seminars and a block of practical training.

The second year is devoted to in-depth instruction on special problems in molecular pathology and pharmacology. For most of the second year, intensive experimental work on a research project in one of the participating institutes will provide further practical skills and form the basis for the completion of the Master’s thesis.

Intake: Sep/Oct

Program Link

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MSc Biomedical Engineering – Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

This is an ideal program for the folks looking at to build a career in the R&D within the industry and/or academia. Students will be prepared to develop cutting-edge biomedical devices and conduct independent scientific research; hence, a perfect bridge to a PhD degree.

The course focuses on biomedical signal processing (linear and imaging) and understanding physiological as well as designing technical control loops. Subjects include advanced mathematics and advanced biosignal processing, medical image processing, advanced control system methods as well as biological rhythms and homeostatic control, advanced medical real-time system topics, and regulatory affairs.

Intake: Mar/Apr & Sep/Oct

Program Link

MSc Biomedical Engineering – University of Heidelberg

The M.Sc. programme in Biomedical Engineering is an interdisciplinary programme open to graduates in subjects providing them with a substantial background in physics, computing, and mathematics. At least 6 ECTS credits in physics is a prerequisite for admission to the programme. The M.Sc. course focuses on biomedical research and has a strong bias towards computational science. This reflects the ever-increasing demand for IT competence in this field, in conjunction with knowledge of biomedical devices and their usage. Graduates from this programme are well-equipped for posts in hospitals, academia, and industry.

Intake: Sep/Oct

Program Link

Related Course: MSc Translational Medical Research at Heidelberg

Please note, the University is now charging a tuition fee of EUR 1, 500 (INR 1.15 Lacs) per semester. So, it’s still not too expensive as few other foreign universities.

MSc Biology – LMU Munich

Although the program title sounds very basic in nature, the Master’s in Biology allows you to deepen your knowledge through a variety of specialized modules in biomedical sciences. The goal of the Master’s program is to allow as much freedom as possible in the choice of subjects and the organization of the study. Modules are offered in the following fields of study: Anthropology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Human Biology, Microbiology, Plant Sciences, Systematic Biology, and Zoology.