International Programmes 2026/2027

Master's in Medical Informatics Master's in Medical Informatics

Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts • Dortmund

Degree
Master of Science
Course location
Dortmund
In cooperation with

University of Duisburg-Essen

Teaching language
  • English
Languages

Courses are held in English (100%).

Students can use German for written assignments and write their theses in German, too.

Full-time / part-time
  • full-time
Programme duration
4 semesters
Beginning
Winter and summer semester
Application periods
The following is valid for applicants from: non-EU countries
For the summer semester:
1 September - 15 December
The following is valid for applicants from: EU countries
For the summer semester:
1 December - 15 January
The following is valid for applicants from: non-EU countries
For the winter semester:
1 March - 15 June
The following is valid for applicants from: EU countries
For the winter semester:
15 May - 15 July
Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
No
Joint degree / double degree programme
Yes
Description/content

Transform the future of medical informatics – join the English-taught Master's in Medical Informatics at Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Fachhochschule Dortmund) together with University Medicine Essen (University of Duisburg-Essen). Study in a very friendly, international environment, with projects turning cutting-edge knowledge into practical experience in the dynamically growing healthcare and high-tech industries of the German Ruhr Valley region.

The Master's in Medical Informatics delivers the competencies to shape the digital revolution in medicine. With the Master’s programme, we focus on the integration of digital solutions in healthcare – especially software & information technologies. We are exploring the relevant artificial intelligence models, cybersecurity and socio-economic impact as well. Our graduates are trained to work in very dynamic, diverse, and agile international teams aiming for solutions that benefit patients and society.

The three pillars of the Master's in Medical Informatics competence model are as follows:

  • Medical informatics modules covering the relevant processes, methods and tools for developing complex software solutions in healthcare
  • Research-oriented work in projects of the participating universities
  • A strong focus on project-oriented, user-centred development processes

Our students have key advantages by studying Medical Informatics at Fachhochschule Dortmund:

  • Wide research and job opportunities are available for our students and many career opportunities are open to our graduates in German and international companies, e.g. in the companies and hospitals of Ruhr Valley region.
  • Culturally diverse international teams and class experience
  • Interactive learning methods
  • Strong interrelation with DFG funded RTG WisPerMed
  • International events and conferences as well as a semester abroad exchange programmes
  • Research opportunities in our medical informatics groups and at University Medicine Essen
  • Hands-on experience with practical approaches
  • International networking

For more information on the Master's in Medical Informatics programme, please visit https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studiengaenge/medical-informatics-master.php?loc=en or contact us directly.

Course organisation

The international Master's in Medical Informatics programme is taught in four semesters, including the Master's thesis. The programme has a workload of 3,600 hours and 120 credit points (ECTS).

The first two semesters consist of five modules each. In the second and third semesters, students may study their chosen specialisation. The programme finishes with a Master's thesis.

Master's thesis topics comprise clinical research projects or development/research questions in the healthcare domain. All classes and labs as well as course documentation and exams are in English. (Students can use German for written assignments and write their theses in German, too).

Compulsory modules (each module 6 ECTS):

First semester (when starting in winter semester)

  • 3D Computer Vision and Augmented Reality in Medicine
  • Advanced Methods in Biomedical Signal and Image Processing
  • Epidemiology and Applications in Healthcare
  • Elective 1
  • Scientific & Transversal Skills 1

Second semester (when starting in winter semester)

  • Knowledge-Based Systems in Medicine
  • Advanced Telemedicine Applications and Technologies
  • Applied Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
  • Scientific & Transversal Skills 2
  • Elective 2

Third semester – specialisation and research project

  • Elective 3
  • Elective 4
  • MI team project
  • Research project (thesis)

Fourth semester

  • Master's thesis (30 ECTS)

Elective modules (each module 6 ECTS):

  • Advanced Web Engineering
  • Machine Learning
  • Design and Modelling of Complex Software Architectures
  • Human-Centred Digitalisation
  • Requirements Engineering
  • Selected Aspects of Information Security
  • IT Nets
  • Distributed and Parallel Systems
  • Usability Engineering
  • Formal Methods
  • Advanced Regression Methods

The didactic model of the programme involves lectures (partly online), practical elements, and scientific components. The practical elements include working with clinical partners and conducting laboratory experiments. These are mostly project-oriented activities carried out in small teams. Elective courses allow specialisation in a topic, such as an application domain or technology. The research project and Master's thesis can be conducted in cooperation with a clinic or company, or as part of a research project at one of the participating universities.

A Diploma supplement will be issued
Yes
International elements
  • Language training provided
  • Training in intercultural skills
  • Projects with partners in Germany and abroad
  • International guest lecturers
  • Integrated/optional study abroad unit(s)
Integrated/optional study abroad unit(s)

The third semester can also be used as an exchange semester with one of the partner universities.

Special promotion / funding of the programme
  • DAAD
  • ERASMUS+
Name of DAAD funding programme
DAAD Strategic Partnerships
Course-specific, integrated German language courses
Yes
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
No
Tuition fees per semester
None
Semester contribution

A semester contribution (social contribution) must be paid by each student per semester in order to be able to start or continue their studies at Fachhochschule Dortmund.

The semester fee is in a mid three-figure EUR range. Find the current fee here: link.

More information: Link

Costs of living

Please find some helpful information on the cost of living in Dortmund here:

https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/leben-und-wohnen/kosten-finanzierung.php?loc=en-US

Funding opportunities within the university
Yes
Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

Please find all information on scholarship possibilities here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/vorbereiten/studium-finanzieren/stipendien.php?loc=en-US.

And some more information on support programmes for international students here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/international/foerderprogramme/studienfinanzierung-fuer-internationale-studierende.php?loc=en-US.

Academic admission requirements

Academic admission requirements include the completion of a “Diplom” or Bachelor's course of study of Medical Informatics, Computer Science (with healthcare minor),  Information Technology (with healthcare minor), Medical Engineering (with a focus on software) or equivalent at a university of applied sciences ("Fachhochschule") or a university, or the completion of a corresponding accredited Bachelor's qualification programme at a university of cooperative education ("Berufsakademie") with an overall grade of at least “good” (2.5). In addition, a sufficient level of competence in Software Development and Engineering as well as basics of Medicine or Healthcare Information Systems needs to be demonstrated. It must be evident that previous studies included a thesis.

German language skills
No minimum language level required
English language skills
C1 required, please provide an official language certificate, e.g.:
  • IELTS Academic: 6.5
  • TOEFL iBT (before 2026): 90
  • Reading: 18
  • Listening: 27
  • Speaking: 27
  • Writing: 18
  • Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced
Application periods
The following is valid for applicants from: non-EU countries
For the summer semester:
1 September - 15 December
The following is valid for applicants from: EU countries
For the summer semester:
1 December - 15 January
The following is valid for applicants from: non-EU countries
For the winter semester:
1 March - 15 June
The following is valid for applicants from: EU countries
For the winter semester:
15 May - 15 July
Submit application via
Please check this website.
Possibility of finding part-time employment

The Fachhochschule Dortmund provides an online job market, where students can find jobs related and unrelated to their studies, internships in Germany and abroad, Bachelor's or Master's thesis topics and graduate positions. Please find more information here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/vorbereiten/studium-finanzieren/stellenmarkt.php?loc=en-US.

Students have good chances to find a paid internship or student job, especially in the third and fourth semesters.

Accommodation

Students can find accommodations on the private market. Rent for a single room in a student hall of residence is approx. 450 EUR.

Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts does not have an internal accommodation office. It is the responsibility of the students to find their own accommodation.

Please find information on accommodation possibilities in Dortmund here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/leben-und-wohnen/wohnen.php?loc=en-US.

Career advisory services and programmes for future professionals

The Fachhochschule Dortmund's International Career Service (ICS) will accompany you on your way - from initial orientation to successful entry into the German job market.

https://www.fh-dortmund.de/international/international-career-service/index.php?loc=en-US

Support for international students and doctoral candidates
  • Welcome event
  • Buddy programme
  • Specialist counselling
  • Visa matters
  • Help with finding accommodation
  • Support with registration procedures
General services and support for international students and doctoral candidates

The International Office is the central point of contact for all topics relating to internationality and internationalisation in studies and teaching, both for students and lecturers at Fachhochschule Dortmund and for international prospective students, institutions and other external interested parties: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/international/international-office/index.php?loc=en-US.

Fachhochschule Dortmund also offers its students a wide range of supporting offers during their studies. This page lists all offers for you: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/angebote/index.php?loc=en-US.

Support available to students with disabilities

https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/beratung/zentrale-beratungsstellen/barrierefrei-studieren.php?loc=en-US

Support available to students with dependants or children

https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/beratung/zentrale-beratungsstellen/Studieren-mit-Kind.php?loc=en-US

https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/beratung/zentrale-beratungsstellen/studieren-mit-pflegeverantwortung.php?loc=en-US

Support available to students with a refugee background

https://www.fh-dortmund.de/international/willkommen-in-dortmund/studieren-in-dortmund/gefluechtete.php?loc=en-US

Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts

Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Fachhochschule Dortmund) is future-oriented with a more than 100-year-old history. The world is changing – and our modern university is changing, too.

  • Study and teaching here are geared towards practical problem-solving.
  • Our highly experienced professors are cementing the link between theory and practice.
  • Internationality and diversity: Engaged worldwide, we motivate our students to take at least one semester abroad at our partner universities in the EU.
  • We are a family-friendly university, providing the best balance between studying and personal life.
  • The university offers over 80 study options in eight faculties:
  1. Computer Sciences
  2. Information Technology
  3. Mechanical Engineering
  4. Electrical Engineering
  5. Applied Social Sciences
  6. Economics
  7. Architecture
  8. Design

We have years of experience in international education, successfully offering several international Master’s degree study programmes:

  • Master's in Medical Informatics offered by the Faculty of Computer Science together with University Medicine Essen at University of Duisburg-Essen
  • Master's Embedded Systems Engineering (ESE) offered by the Faculty of Computer Sciences
  • Master's Digital Transformation (MDT) offered by the Faculty of Computer Sciences
  • European Master's in Project Management (EuroMPM) offered by the Faculty of Business Studies
  • Master's in Digital Design (MDD) offered by the Faculty of Computer Sciences and Design

Furthermore, we offer the Ruhr Master's School.

We motivate our students to go abroad for at least one semester to extend their professional network and experience, improve language skills and develop intercultural competences.

The Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts welcomes international students who wish to study at the Faculty of Computer Science — whether as degree-seeking students or exchange students planning to spend one or two semesters here.

The Faculty of Computer Science welcomes international students from all over the world. They usually come from partner institutions and follow a course of study agreed with their home institution, or join our international Master's programmes as degree-seeking students.

International students have full access to all campus facilities and receive assistance from the International Office with matters such as enrolment, housing, and visa requirements. For general information, including application forms and health insurance details, please visit the following website: International Office – Dortmund University.

1,700 Number of international students
400 Teaching staff and lecturers

University location

To learn more about the city of Dortmund, including its offerings and impressions of life in this dynamic Ruhr area city, visit: Explore Dortmund.

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