The research-oriented Master's degree course in Medical Engineering prepares graduates for work in application-, teaching- and research-related professional fields of engineering and lays the foundation for a doctorate.
The 4-semester course builds consecutively on the Bachelor's degree course in Medical Engineering Science. It provides comprehensive knowledge in the application and assessment of engineering principles in medical contexts.
The specialized knowledge is deepened through methodical and analytical approaches to solve complex problems in science, industry and society. In addition, students acquire interdisciplinary qualifications such as scientific work, project management and team leadership. They develop skills in system-analytical thinking, interdisciplinary cooperation and ethical action in order to develop innovative solutions for complex and novel problems.
Type of Study
FulltimeStandard period of study
4 SemesterCredits
120 ECTSCourse language
GermanEnglishAdmission period
Wintersemester 01.05. - 15.07.
Sommersemester 15.11. - 15.01.
Admission Requirement
Study program with admission requirementsStart
Summer semesterWinter semesterDegree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)Hints for application
Apply online via the university's application portal.
The Master's degree course in Medical Engineering allows students to specialize in the two research areas of medical visualization and medical photonics as part of the compulsory curriculum. Medical Photonics is represented by the Biomedical Optics module and Medical Visualization by the Imaging Systems module.
In a large specialization module, students also have the opportunity to set a further focus. The elective options are made up of key areas of the University of Lübeck, such as image processing, control engineering, learning systems or biophysics. A subject-specific and a non-subject-specific compulsory elective block can be used to set priorities or deepen them even further. Further options are offered by the project internships, which also form the basis of the contributions to the student conference, as well as the topic of the final Master's thesis. Both the project internships and the Master's thesis can be carried out internally or externally.
The content is related to medical issues. On the medical photonics side, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are considered more at the cellular level, while the same approaches are seen more at the organ level on the medical visualization side.
The training takes place in preparation for future interdisciplinary work in the professional world. The introduction to clinical problems is therefore an integral part of the courses. Current topics of everyday clinical practice and medical research are taught in a large application subject.
Throughout the curriculum, the teaching of specialist knowledge is closely linked to the teaching of interdisciplinary skills, such as the ability to use modern information technologies, the ability to work in a team and the ability to use English as a scientific language, combined with the presentation of scientific data. The writing of scientific articles and the discussion of ethical aspects of research are taught in special modules.
(specialization)12KPCompulsory elective area
(specialization)6KP*Compulsory elective area
(subject-specific)12KPCompulsory elective area
(subject-specific)6KP*ME4400Clinical Medicine8KP (6V)ME4400Clinical Medicine4KP*
(specialization)6KP*Compulsory elective area
(subject-specific)6KP*Compulsory elective area
(interdisciplinary)4KPMZ4400Clinical Medicine4KP*
It is possible to apply for the Master's program in both the winter and summer semesters. The application period for the winter semester runs from May 1 to July 15. Applications for the summer semester can be submitted between November 15 and January 15. Applications are submitted via the application portal of the University of Lübeck.
You can find all the important information about starting your first semester here.
Compulsory elective modules amounting to at least 16 CP must be taken in the Master's program.
The selected subject-specific compulsory elective modules must cover a scope of 12 CP.
In addition, a compulsory elective module worth 4 CP must be selected from the non-subject-specific compulsory elective catalog.
The selection is initially limited to the list that can be found in the degree program regulations. In addition to these subjects, the Examination Board MIW recognizes additional courses for the subject-specific and non-subject-specific compulsory electives. The current list of all modules included in the compulsory elective catalog can be found in Moodle.
Courses that are neither listed in the program regulations nor in this list must be requested from the Examination Board.
Compulsory elective modules beyond the scope of 16 CP can be completed. At the end of the course, students can choose which modules are to be included in the overall grade. Compulsory MIW courses cannot be taken again as compulsory elective modules.
The specialization module is an opportunity to set an individual focus in the scope of 12 CP. Each specialization module is made up of closely related sub-modules. There is a comprehensive examination at the end of the specialization module.
An overview of the selectable specialization modules can be found in the degree program regulations .
Two project internships (ME5500 and ME5510) must be completed in the MIW Master's program. The project internships can be completed at the institutes of the University of Lübeck, but also at other universities, research institutions or medical technology companies. It is also recommended that students apply for a place abroad. One of the two block internships can be completed at a medical institute or clinic.
As students should be given as much freedom as possible in designing the project internships, it is also permissible to combine the two modules ME5500 and ME5510 so that they can also be used as preparation for a more in-depth scientific Master's thesis in the fourth
semester. However, the combination is also helpful when looking for suitable placements abroad, as too short a stay is often seen as problematic by the partners.
Internships must be officially registered before they begin. An official supervisor from the university is required for both internal and external internships. The registration form, which can be found in Moodle, also contains more detailed information about the internship process and the student conference following the internship. The application must be submitted to the Chair of the Examination Board. Templates for confirmation by an external institution/company are available on request.
In addition to regular participation in the project work, the criteria for the award of a certificate are the submission of a written elaboration (project report) in the structure of a scientific paper (for each module). The project report should comprise 20 pages (40 pages if the modules are combined). The workload of both internship modules should correspond to a total duration of 24 weeks. The minimum processing time for a module must be at least 3 months.
The Master's thesis is planned for the 4th semester of the Master's program. The thesis must be officially registered with the Examination Office. At least 84 credit points from the compulsory curriculum must have been successfully completed. Students have a maximum of 6 months to complete their thesis from the date of registration. An extension of 1 month can only be granted in justified exceptional cases. The minimum completion time is 5 months.
The topic of the Master's thesis must include a medical technology background. This must be confirmed by the Chair of the Examination Board.
The cover sheet for all theses must be prepared in accordance with the guidelines of the STEM section. If the thesis is written in English, the cover sheet should also be in German, but the English title may be given first.
The Master's thesis includes a final colloquium. Both must be assessed by two examiners.