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Master’s · Biotechnology & Bioengineering

Biotechnology (formerly Life Science Engineering) M.Sc.

Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) · Erlangen · Official programme page

20 facts from 7 official pages · last checked 10 November 2026

Reviewed by Dennis Maaß, admission and immigration expert
Published 8 November 2026 · Last reviewed 8 November 2026

Key facts

Length, deadlines and costs

Language
English and German
Source
“Unterrichtssprache Deutsch und Englisch”

www.tf.fau.de/studiengang/biotechnologie-ehem-life-science-engineering-m-sc/ · checked 9 November 2026

FAU classifies the programme as taught in German and English, so some modules and examinations are in German. FAU's faculty websites (www.tf.fau.de, www.phil.fau.de, www.wiso.rw.fau.de, www.nat.fau.de, www.med.fau.de) have answered automated requests with an Anubis JavaScript challenge since November 2026 (first seen 2026-11-13), so this quote is checked by hand; it was last confirmed on the date in `verified`.

Study mode
On campus
Source
“Fakultät Technische Fakultät”

www.tf.fau.de/studiengang/biotechnologie-ehem-life-science-engineering-m-sc/ · checked 9 November 2026

FAU's key-data block names the faculty and teaching location and gives no online or distance mode of study. FAU's faculty websites (www.tf.fau.de, www.phil.fau.de, www.wiso.rw.fau.de, www.nat.fau.de, www.med.fau.de) have answered automated requests with an Anubis JavaScript challenge since November 2026 (first seen 2026-11-13), so this quote is checked by hand; it was last confirmed on the date in `verified`.

Attendance
Full-time
Source
“Besondere Studienformen Internationales Studienangebot, Teilzeitstudium möglich”

www.tf.fau.de/studiengang/biotechnologie-ehem-life-science-engineering-m-sc/ · checked 9 November 2026

Full-time is the standard track; FAU lists a part-time option as well, and tuition fees are halved for part-time study. FAU's faculty websites (www.tf.fau.de, www.phil.fau.de, www.wiso.rw.fau.de, www.nat.fau.de, www.med.fau.de) have answered automated requests with an Anubis JavaScript challenge since November 2026 (first seen 2026-11-13), so this quote is checked by hand; it was last confirmed on the date in `verified`.

Length
4 semesters
Source
“Regelstudienzeit 4 Semester”

www.tf.fau.de/studiengang/biotechnologie-ehem-life-science-engineering-m-sc/ · checked 9 November 2026

FAU's faculty websites (www.tf.fau.de, www.phil.fau.de, www.wiso.rw.fau.de, www.nat.fau.de, www.med.fau.de) have answered automated requests with an Anubis JavaScript challenge since November 2026 (first seen 2026-11-13), so this quote is checked by hand; it was last confirmed on the date in `verified`.

Credits
Not stated by the university
2 pages checked, 9 Nov 2026

FAU's key-data block gives the standard duration in semesters but no credit total for this programme; the total is set in the programme's examination regulations, which FAU publishes only on its central site.

Intakes
Winter, Summer
Source
“Studienbeginn Sommersemester, Wintersemester”

www.tf.fau.de/studiengang/biotechnologie-ehem-life-science-engineering-m-sc/ · checked 9 November 2026

FAU's faculty websites (www.tf.fau.de, www.phil.fau.de, www.wiso.rw.fau.de, www.nat.fau.de, www.med.fau.de) have answered automated requests with an Anubis JavaScript challenge since November 2026 (first seen 2026-11-13), so this quote is checked by hand; it was last confirmed on the date in `verified`.

Non-EU deadline
15 Jan 2027 (summer 2027)15 Jul 2027 (winter 2027)
Source
“Bewerbungsfrist Wintersemester: 15.07. Sommersemester: 15.01.”

www.tf.fau.de/studiengang/biotechnologie-ehem-life-science-engineering-m-sc/ · checked 9 November 2026

Standing annual deadlines; recorded for the 2027 intakes. FAU adds that these dates are those for German applicants and Bildungsinländer and that different rules and deadlines can apply to international applicants, so international applicants should confirm the date in campo before applying. FAU's faculty websites (www.tf.fau.de, www.phil.fau.de, www.wiso.rw.fau.de, www.nat.fau.de, www.med.fau.de) have answered automated requests with an Anubis JavaScript challenge since November 2026 (first seen 2026-11-13), so this quote is checked by hand; it was last confirmed on the date in `verified`.

Non-EU tuition
€2,000 per semester (new students from summer 2027) Full-time study; halved for part-time study.
Source
“FAU charges tuition fees per semester for students from non-EU states who enroll at FAU for the first time or change subjects from summer semester 2027. … Biotechnology* Master of Science Yes 2,000 euros”

www.fau.eu/studying/international-students/application-and-enrollment-for-international-applicants/tuition-fees-for-students-from-non-eu-states/ · checked 10 November 2026

FAU's fee table lists the programme under its new name, Biotechnology; the English degree-programme finder still carried the old name, Life Science Engineering (LSE). New: FAU charges non-EU tuition only from summer semester 2027, and only for students newly enrolling or changing subject; students already enrolled in winter semester 2026/27 are exempt, as are holders of a German university entrance qualification, EU/EEA nationals, people with established ties to Germany and anyone who completed a bachelor's at FAU or another German university. Fees are halved for part-time study. FAU's central web server (www.fau.de / www.fau.eu) answers automated requests with an Anubis JavaScript proof-of-work challenge, so this quote cannot be checked automatically; it was checked against the live page in a browser on 2026-11-10.

Application fee
€100 one-off (new students from winter 2026/27) Per application, up to three applications (300 EUR) per person and application phase.
Source
“As of winter semester 2026/27, FAU will be charging a processing fee of 100 euros per application for applicants from non-EU states. This fee is due regardless of the result of the selection process and cannot be reimbursed. A maximum of three applications (maximum 300 euros) can be made per person and application phase.”

www.fau.eu/studying/international-students/application-and-enrollment-for-international-applicants/fees-for-applications-from-non-eu-states/ · checked 10 November 2026

New from winter semester 2026/27 and charged whatever the outcome; it is not refunded. Not charged to applicants with a German university entrance qualification, EEA citizenship, dual EU/EEA nationality, established ties to Germany, a Feststellungsprüfung from a state-recognised Studienkolleg or a German bachelor's of at least six semesters, and not for cooperative, joint/double-degree, professional-development or working-professional programmes. Paid through ePayBayern (PayPal or Visa/Mastercard, in euros) within ten working days of the payment notification in campo; applications are only checked once the money has arrived. FAU's central web server (www.fau.de / www.fau.eu) answers automated requests with an Anubis JavaScript proof-of-work challenge, so this quote cannot be checked automatically; it was checked against the live page in a browser on 2026-11-10.

Places
Selection procedure
Source
“Zugang Qualifikationsfeststellungsverfahren”

www.tf.fau.de/studiengang/biotechnologie-ehem-life-science-engineering-m-sc/ · checked 9 November 2026

Admission runs through FAU's qualification assessment procedure (Qualifikationsfeststellungsverfahren): there is no published number of places and no grade cut-off, but admission depends on the assessment set out in the programme's examination regulations. FAU's faculty websites (www.tf.fau.de, www.phil.fau.de, www.wiso.rw.fau.de, www.nat.fau.de, www.med.fau.de) have answered automated requests with an Anubis JavaScript challenge since November 2026 (first seen 2026-11-13), so this quote is checked by hand; it was last confirmed on the date in `verified`.

Admission

What you need to apply

3-year bachelor’s
Accepted
Source
“Faculty of Engineering Applicants must have completed modules worth a minimum of 140 ECTS.”

www.fau.eu/studying/international-students/application-and-enrollment-for-international-applicants/applying-for-a-masters-degree-program-as-an-international-student/ · checked 10 November 2026

FAU sets no minimum length or total credit count for the first degree - only a minimum of completed module credits for applying (140 ECTS (Faculty of Engineering)) - so a three-year bachelor's worth 180 ECTS qualifies. Applicants from outside the EU who cannot submit the degree certificate when they apply must submit it by enrolment at the latest. FAU's central web server (www.fau.de / www.fau.eu) answers automated requests with an Anubis JavaScript proof-of-work challenge, so this quote cannot be checked automatically; it was checked against the live page in a browser on 2026-11-10.

Subject background
Die Qualifikation zum Masterstudium wird durch ein mit überdurchschnittlichem Erfolg (2,5) abgeschlossenes Bachelorstudium in Biotechnologie nachgewiesen oder wenn mindestens vier der Kernfächer (s. Fachprüfungsordnung (FPO)) mit dem Mittelwert der Modulnoten 3,0 oder besser abgelegt sind. Bewerberinnen und Bewerber mit einem nicht voll gleichwertigen
Source
“Voraussetzungen für Master Die Qualifikation zum Masterstudium wird durch ein mit überdurchschnittlichem Erfolg (2,5) abgeschlossenes Bachelorstudium in Biotechnologie nachgewiesen oder wenn mindestens vier der Kernfächer (s. Fachprüfungsordnung (FPO)) mit dem Mittelwert der Modulnoten 3,0 oder besser abgelegt sind. Bewerberinnen und Bewerber mit einem nicht voll gleichwertigen”

www.tf.fau.de/studiengang/biotechnologie-ehem-life-science-engineering-m-sc/ · checked 9 November 2026

FAU's own list of entry requirements for this programme; the binding version is the programme's examination regulations (FPO). FAU's faculty websites (www.tf.fau.de, www.phil.fau.de, www.wiso.rw.fau.de, www.nat.fau.de, www.med.fau.de) have answered automated requests with an Anubis JavaScript challenge since November 2026 (first seen 2026-11-13), so this quote is checked by hand; it was last confirmed on the date in `verified`.

Minimum grade
Not stated by the university
3 pages checked, 9 Nov 2026

FAU publishes no minimum grade for this programme: the first degree's grade is weighed inside the qualification assessment instead of being used as a cut-off.

How your grade is converted
FAU's Admissions Office assesses foreign secondary-school certificates itself, using the evaluation guidelines of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (Kultusministerkonferenz) and the anabin database; it publishes no conversion formula. There is no uni-assist VPD step.
Source
“International university entrance qualifications are usually assessed by the University’s Admissions Office based on the evaluation guidelines of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (Kultusministerkonferenz).”

www.fau.eu/studying/international-students/application-and-enrollment-for-international-applicants/evaluation-of-international-qualifications/ · checked 10 November 2026

FAU names no Bavarian or modified-Bavarian formula and gives no conversion table; grades are converted inside the admission procedure. FAU's central web server (www.fau.de / www.fau.eu) answers automated requests with an Anubis JavaScript proof-of-work challenge, so this quote cannot be checked automatically; it was checked against the live page in a browser on 2026-11-10.

English
Level B2. Sprachkenntnisse Deutsch B2, Englisch B2 Deutschkenntnisse für internationale Studierende … Deutsch- und Englischkenntnisse Voraussetzungen für Master Die Qualifikation zum Masterstudium wird durch ein mit überdurchschnittlichem Erfolg (2,5) abgeschlossenes Bachelorstudium in Biotechnologie nachgewiesen oder wenn mindestens vier der Kernfächer (s. … Darüber hinaus ist ein Nachweis über das Beherrschen der deutschen sowie der englischen Sprache jeweils auf dem Level B2 des Gemeinsamen Europäischen Referenzrahmens vorzulegen.
Source
“Sprachkenntnisse Deutsch B2, Englisch B2 Deutschkenntnisse für internationale Studierende … Deutsch- und Englischkenntnisse Voraussetzungen für Master Die Qualifikation zum Masterstudium wird durch ein mit überdurchschnittlichem Erfolg (2,5) abgeschlossenes Bachelorstudium in Biotechnologie nachgewiesen oder wenn mindestens vier der Kernfächer (s. … Darüber hinaus ist ein Nachweis über das Beherrschen der deutschen sowie der englischen Sprache jeweils auf dem Level B2 des Gemeinsamen Europäischen Referenzrahmens vorzulegen.”

www.tf.fau.de/studiengang/biotechnologie-ehem-life-science-engineering-m-sc/ · checked 9 November 2026

Taken verbatim from the programme page's own admission requirements; FAU publishes the accepted-certificate tables per faculty and the required level per master's programme in its central master's information sheet (PDF). FAU's faculty websites (www.tf.fau.de, www.phil.fau.de, www.wiso.rw.fau.de, www.nat.fau.de, www.med.fau.de) have answered automated requests with an Anubis JavaScript challenge since November 2026 (first seen 2026-11-13), so this quote is checked by hand; it was last confirmed on the date in `verified`.

Selection
Qualification assessment procedure (Qualifikationsfeststellungsverfahren) under the programme's examination regulations: the application documents and the first degree are assessed, and some programmes add an online test or an interview.
Source
“Zugang Qualifikationsfeststellungsverfahren”

www.tf.fau.de/studiengang/biotechnologie-ehem-life-science-engineering-m-sc/ · checked 9 November 2026

FAU's own wording for this programme's admission route. The detailed requirements are set in the programme's examination regulations (Prüfungsordnung/FPO), which FAU publishes only on its central site. Programme page requirements: Die Qualifikation zum Masterstudium wird durch ein mit überdurchschnittlichem Erfolg (2,5) abgeschlossenes Bachelorstudium in Biotechnologie nachgewiesen oder wenn mindestens vier der Kernfächer (s. Fachprüfungsordnung (FPO)) mit dem Mittelwert der Modulnoten 3,0 oder besser abgelegt sind. Bewerberinnen und Bewerber mit einem nicht voll gleichwertigen FAU's faculty websites (www.tf.fau.de, www.phil.fau.de, www.wiso.rw.fau.de, www.nat.fau.de, www.med.fau.de) have answered automated requests with an Anubis JavaScript challenge since November 2026 (first seen 2026-11-13), so this quote is checked by hand; it was last confirmed on the date in `verified`.

India, Pakistan, Nigeria

Rules for applicants from India, Pakistan and Nigeria

English test waiver
Not stated by the university
3 pages checked, 9 Nov 2026

The programme page states no exemption from the English certificate, and FAU's central pages describe only accepted German-language certificates.

Rules that name these countries
  • India: Applicants whose application is based on a secondary-school certificate or course achievements from India must upload the APS certificate with the application itself, unless their highest qualification comes from outside India, China and Vietnam, they passed a German Feststellungsprüfung, or they hold a German or EU scholarship.
    Source
    “For applicants with qualifications from India, the APS certificate must be submitted when applying for admission to a degree program (Bachelor’s degree, State Examination and Master’s degree), for the German course, or the Studienkolleg for the Free State of Bavaria, provided that the application is based on a secondary education certificate and/or course achievements from India.”

    www.fau.eu/studying/international-students/application-and-enrollment-for-international-applicants/applying-for-a-masters-degree-program-as-an-international-student/ · checked 10 November 2026

    The APS has to exist before the application deadline, so Indian applicants must start the APS procedure months earlier. FAU names no APS requirement for Nigeria or Pakistan. FAU's central web server (www.fau.de / www.fau.eu) answers automated requests with an Anubis JavaScript proof-of-work challenge, so this quote cannot be checked automatically; it was checked against the live page in a browser on 2026-11-10.

The rules for your country across all universities, and the visa rules on English tests, are on the India, Pakistan and Nigeria pages.

More on this programme

Every value was read on an official page and is stored with a verbatim quote; open “Source” to see it. “Not stated by the university” means none of the pages we checked says, and lists those pages. Rules change: confirm with the university before you apply or pay.