International Programmes 2026/2027

Quantitative Biology Quantitative Biology

Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf • Düsseldorf

Degree
Bachelor of Science
Course location
Düsseldorf
In cooperation with

University of Cologne

Teaching language
  • English
Languages

All courses are held in English.

Full-time / part-time
  • full-time
Programme duration
6 semesters, 8 semesters
Beginning
Winter semester
Application periods

The application period is from 1 May to 15 July every year.

1. You register at the Hochschulstart online portal. You will receive a BID (application identification number) and a BAN (application authentication number).

2. With your BID and BAN, you can now apply via the online portal of Heinrich Heine University.

Joint degree / double degree programme
No
Description/content

The international Bachelor in Quantitative Biology is a new degree programme offered jointly by Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf and the University of Cologne. It integrates the study of biology and its experiments with methods of mathematical modelling, data science, and bioinformatics. The resulting curriculum is strictly oriented toward the needs of modern biological and medical research.

In contrast to traditional biology curricula, the modules in the first two years are not divided between botany, zoology, microbiology, etc. Instead, you will acquire understanding of the basic principles in biology, which lead sometimes to very similar results or sometimes to very different results in distinct organisms. The study programme equips you with profound knowledge of biology, including the mastery of important experimental, mathematical, statistical, and computational methods. The integrative design of the teaching modules embeds the necessary quantitative skills in biological contexts. Courses are taught in English, and almost all modules include practical courses or exercises, to help you internalise the course contents in an applied setting. Our central aim is to empower you to combine biological with quantitative-analytical thinking, so that you will be optimally positioned for a career in modern research.

Course organisation

In the first five semesters, interdisciplinary modules provide a deep understanding of biological mechanisms, phenomena, and concepts, combined with the relevant physical and chemical foundations. Besides teaching fundamental experimental techniques, we put particular emphasis on mathematical modelling, biostatistics, and bioinformatics. The four-year variant (quantBio+), which you can select in semester four, is designed to give you more freedom to plan stays abroad and offers room for additional, intensive research experience in academia and industry.

International elements
  • Projects with partners in Germany and abroad
  • Integrated/optional study abroad unit(s)
  • Opportunities for students to work abroad
Description of other international elements

During the research phase, depending on their interests and the availability of places, students can acquire credit points at our partner universities or at other national or international universities.

Integrated/optional study abroad unit(s)

The sixth and seventh semesters in the four-year option are designed to give the most talented students the opportunity to broaden their horizons in the field of biological research, both in academia and in industry. The module International/Industrial Research Experience in the seventh semester offers the opportunity for a stay abroad and provides scope for more intensive research-related training. It promotes the ability to do independent scientific work in an international environment or in a company.

Course-specific, integrated German language courses
No
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
No
Tuition fees per semester
None
Semester contribution

A semester fee of approx. 350 EUR is required upon registration/enrolment as a student or doctoral researcher. This fee covers transport by bus, tram, and regional trains within North Rhine-Westphalia for the entire semester as well as the use of student facilities at discounted prices.

Costs of living

Students or doctoral researchers should calculate monthly expenses amounting to at least 1,000 EUR in order to live in a modest way, including costs for housing, food, health insurance, semester fees, study materials, etc.

Funding opportunities within the university
No
Academic admission requirements

General university entrance qualification (high school diploma)

German language skills
No minimum language level required
English language skills
B2 required, please provide an official language certificate, e.g.:
  • TOEFL iBT (before 2026): 80
  • Reading: 18
  • Listening: 17
  • Speaking: 20
  • Writing: 17
  • TOEFL iBT Home Edition (before 2026): 80
  • Reading: 18
  • Listening: 17
  • Speaking: 20
  • Writing: 17
  • Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First
  • IELTS Academic: 6
Application periods

The application period is from 1 May to 15 July every year.

1. You register at the Hochschulstart online portal. You will receive a BID (application identification number) and a BAN (application authentication number).

2. With your BID and BAN, you can now apply via the online portal of Heinrich Heine University.

Submit application via
Please check this website.
Possibility of finding part-time employment

A limited number of campus jobs are available. Students from non-EU countries are permitted to work 240 half days or 120 full days per calendar year without a work permit.

Accommodation

On-campus student accommodation is available, as is private accommodation near campus. For further information, please check http://www.stw-d.de or send an e-mail to info@stw-d.de.
Doctoral students can contact the tutor service of the Junior Scientist & International Researcher Centre (JUNO) for information and support concerning accommodation in Düsseldorf (www.juno.hhu.de/en/tutorservice).

Depending on the type of accommodation, the monthly rent in Düsseldorf usually ranges from around 500 EUR to 600 EUR for a basic apartment or a room in a shared apartment ("Wohngemeinschaft").

Support for international students and doctoral candidates
  • Buddy programme

Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf

University location

Activate map

To activate the map, click on the "Show map" button. We would like to point out that data will be transmitted to OpenStreetMap after activation. You can find out more in our privacy policy. You can revoke your consent to the transmission of data at any time.