Medical Valley of the Metropolitan Region Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital Erlangen, Siemens Healthineers, Fraunhofer Institute, Max Planck Institute and others
It is possible to complete the whole Master's programme (including the Master's thesis) in English. Students with additional German skills can benefit from choosing from an even broader range of course options, if desired.
Please find our current application dates on our study programme website: https://www.medical-engineering.study.fau.eu/prospective-students/joining-the-master-degree-program/application/.
Medical technology is one of the main research foci at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU). Over 150 university institutes and laboratories are actively participating in this sector. Many research units at FAU, especially at the Faculties of Engineering, Science, Medicine, and Economics deal with research questions in healthcare engineering, such as medical imaging and image processing (CT, PET, SPECT, US, OCT), molecular and translational medicine, computational medicine, medical and biological computer sciences, medical physics engineering, medical biotechnologies and biomaterials, robotic systems for medical applications, medical processes, and health management. An overview of our research highlights can be found on our medtech map: https://www.medtech.fau.eu/.
The Master's degree in "Medical Engineering – Specialisation: Medical Image and Data Processing" is a research-driven programme with a specialised focus on computer science for medical needs. It teaches systematic and instrumental methods to students and imparts professional and methodological skills. The interdisciplinary study content leads to a high qualification in the career field of medical image and data processing. Methods for software systems in medical engineering are acquired, ranging from algorithms for image improvement, image reconstruction, and image registration to computer-aided diagnostic support and hospital information systems.
The Master's degree in "Medical Engineering – Specialisation: Health and Medical Data Analytics & Entrepreneurship" is an interdisciplinary, research-driven programme, which offers a profound education in data science for medical applications and hands-on entrepreneurship training. The latter is addressed from an innovative, user-centred perspective, enabling students to identify market demands and respond to them by using top-notch technical skills. The core curriculum consists of competencies in data science (acquisition, storing, pre-processing, modelling). Moreover, students receive a state-of-the-art education in innovation and entrepreneurship, allowing them to identify opportunities and execute a project from the business perspective (value proposition canvas, stakeholder management, business plan, etc.).
The Master's degree in "Medical Engineering – Specialisation: Medical Robotics" provides research-focused education at the intersection of computer science / artificial intelligence and electrical engineering. It teaches students in-depth knowledge in the analysis and development of robotic systems for applications in the fields of medical treatment, rehabilitation and patient care. The topics include fundamentals of robotics, computational neurotechnology and human-machine interfaces.
Besides compulsory and elective modules with advanced technical content, the Master's degree programme consists of soft skills courses (e.g. language courses) and the Master's thesis. Course types vary from lectures and lab courses to seminars. Additionally, a research laboratory module is integrated into the curriculum, which is carried out at a laboratory of the Faculty of Engineering and provides students with professional skills in scientific work and writing. Within the compulsory module groups listed below, students may decide on several course propositions according to their personal interests and future professional needs:
The Master's thesis (30 credits) is carried out with the support of a technical as well as a medical supervisor.
The programme does not contain integrated industry internships. However, students have the opportunity to organise voluntary internships on their own within the rich MedTech ecosystem of the Medical Valley region: www.medical-valley-emn.de/en/.
FAU does charge tuition fees for students from non-EU states. Using the fee finder, you can quickly check whether you are required to pay tuition fees. Irrespective of tuition fees, all students are required to pay a semester contribution of 82 EUR per semester. As of winter semester 2026/27, FAU will be charging a processing fee of 100 EUR per application for applicants from non-EU states.
General guidelines on the average costs that can be expected are provided by the results of the social survey undertaken by the German National Association for Student Affairs in 2021 (prices may vary):
According to this study, students who no longer live with their parents should have an average amount of 1,106 EUR per month at their disposal. However, monthly expenditures for personal lifestyle vary a lot. For former West Germany, the study revealed the following details on average expenditure:
There is a wide range of scholarships available for outstanding students. In addition to requiring applicants to have excellent grades, most scholarship programmes have additional conditions regarding cultural, political, religious, or social involvement. If you have any questions about the application procedure or selection criteria, you can contact the Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) or speak directly to FAU’s liaison officer for the scholarship organisation you wish to apply to.
Each application will be checked individually by the entrance qualification board for medical engineering. Suitable candidates are invited to an online admission exam (60 minutes), in which their knowledge in mathematics, algorithms and basic knowledge in their chosen branch of study (i.e. electrical engineering, computer science/artificial intelligence) are tested.
A self-assessment can be carried out on the programme website:
https://www.medical-engineering.study.fau.eu/prospective-students/joining-the-master-degree-program/self-assessment/
Please take our voluntary self-assessment test before applying to our Master’s programme (English-taught specialisations). Please note: This is not to be submitted, but it is only for your own information, and you will not be provided with the correct answers. You should be able to do your own research and find out (and understand) the solutions by yourself.
Check here for more information.Please find our current application dates on our study programme website: https://www.medical-engineering.study.fau.eu/prospective-students/joining-the-master-degree-program/application/.
According to a study by the German National Association for Student Affairs, around 63 percent of all "first-time students" have a regular job — and not just during the holidays. On average, they work around eight hours a week for an average wage of 13 to 16 EUR per hour. Students can have a "600 EUR job" or work as a student trainee in a company or as a student assistant in the university — both during and outside the lecture period. Information on the legal conditions relating to part-time jobs for students is available in the brochure "Jobben" (part-time jobs) published by the German National Association for Student Affairs. FAU’s job portal is also updated regularly with new advertisements for part-time jobs.
The cities of Erlangen, Fürth, and Nuremberg offer a very good standard of living. They are popular places to live, meaning that accommodation is in high demand but often in short supply. This is particularly the case during the period before the start of a new semester. We therefore recommend that you start looking for accommodation as soon as possible. If you are flexible and also look in the surrounding area, you will have a better chance of finding somewhere affordable to live. The region has an excellent public transport system, so you should not have any problems getting to your place of study or work.
It is worth checking the available accommodation on the Internet every day, as new accommodation becomes available on a day-to-day basis. It pays to be flexible when it comes to the price, location, and available facilities of your accommodation.
Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg runs its own student accommodation in Erlangen and Nuremberg. You will be informed about how to apply for a room in Student Services accommodation while you are in the process of applying to be admitted to FAU.
Our diverse range of professional events and consultation services for members of all of FAU’s faculties are designed to support students, graduates and doctoral candidates when planning and starting their careers. This service is available for up to one year after graduation.
The services we offer include career guidance and advice on applying for jobs, job application training, and seminars as well as presentations and information on specific careers.
The Student Advice and Career Service (ZSB) is here to help you every step of the way before, during and after studying. We take the time to explore the various options open to you.
The huge choice of degree programmes and subject combinations at FAU can be confusing and it is not surprising if you feel overwhelmed. We are here to guide you in your decision and help you better understand the different options. We also offer support once you have started studying, whether you have specific subject-related questions or whether you are considering changing your focus.
Our officer for students with disabilities and chronic diseases advises students on the accessibility of buildings and the accommodations for disadvantages during exams.
Our Family Service advises students on special regulations and benefits for students with children, helps with finding a childcare facility and organises meetups for student parents.
Our Student Advice Center advises refugees regarding study opportunities, language courses and more: https://www.fau.eu/studying/international-students/study-opportunities-for-refugees/.
Founded in 1743, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is now one of the largest research universities in Germany with 39,865 students and 278 degree programmes. The five faculties cover the entire spectrum of modern academic disciplines — from humanities, social sciences and theology to medicine, law, economics, sciences and engineering.
One of FAU’s defining features is its commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research, which frequently goes beyond the boundaries of individual subjects.
FAU’s outstanding research and teaching are reflected in top positions in both national and international rankings as well as the high amount of DFG funding that its researchers are able to secure.
FAU is based in three cities — Erlangen, Fürth and Nuremberg. Each of the FAU campuses is closely connected to the social and economic pulse of these cities. Studying and city life at FAU go hand in hand, so much so that it’s hard to tell city and campus life apart.
"Moving Knowledge" is our motto and guiding principle at FAU. Therefore, we strive to generate knowledge to shape the future responsibly and openly share knowledge with all stakeholders in society to drive prosperity and create value. We also use knowledge to improve our world for future generations.
FAU’s two main sites, the cities of Erlangen and Nuremberg, are located at the heart of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region, one of the most prosperous and successful regions in Europe. Both Erlangen and Nuremberg have their own unique charms. Erlangen is a city of 100,000 inhabitants, was the former home of the Huguenots, and it is a key location for Siemens. Nuremberg is a city with a metropolitan flair and a population of half a million. The opera, theatre, and museums, along with a lively pub scene and nightlife, offer plenty of opportunities to relax after a day in the lecture theatre, lab, or library. The highlights of the cultural calendar in Erlangen include the "Hörkunstfestival" (acoustic art festival), International Comic Salon, "figuren.theater.festival" (puppet theatre festival), "Poetenfest" (poetry festival), and the "ARENA… of the young arts" theatre and performance festival. A wide range of cultural institutions open their doors to visitors during the Blue Night in Nuremberg, and once every two years, the Long Night of Sciences gives the public a chance to take a look inside research institutions in Erlangen, Nuremberg, and Fürth. In summary, the mixture of academia, innovative companies, art, and culture makes the region the perfect place for creative minds. There is also plenty on offer for keen athletes and nature lovers. Fränkische Schweiz, a paradise for climbers and walkers, is located to the north of Erlangen and is at FAU’s doorstep. Water sports enthusiasts will love the Franconian lakes and the university’s water sports centre, which is located just south of Nuremberg.
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