Biotechnologie
HAW Hamburg · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
Biotechnology (B.Sc.) at HAW Hamburg is a Bachelor of Science degree taught in German and designed for students who want to combine technology and biology, including work with microorganisms, cell cultures, and enzymes, while building solid knowledge in physics, maths, chemistry and biology.
The degree runs for 7 semesters and starts with an application period that differs by semester (summer: 1 December to 15 January; winter: 1 June to 15 July). International applicants are required to apply during the official application period and follow the university’s international application process.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- You build a broad scientific foundation in the fields of biology and biotechnology with technical and natural-science basics.
- The study plan combines subject knowledge with practical and method-focused learning to support later lab and process work.
- You deepen biotechnology knowledge and apply methods across bioprocess and life-science contexts.
- Courses focus on developing competencies you can use in practical biotechnology work (laboratory and applied learning).
- You concentrate on advanced application topics and project-oriented learning aligned with biotechnology practice.
- The later study phase prepares you for your final academic work in the degree programme.
Curriculum
B.Sc. Biotechnologie at HAW Hamburg (PO 2025): semester-wise module structure with ECTS from the official Modulhandbuch (May 2025).
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Compulsory modules and an elective module | Mathematik 1 | 6 | 30 |
| Allgemeine und Anorganische Chemie | 6 | |||
| Physik 1 | 6 | |||
| Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten in Theorie und Praxis | 6 | |||
| Wahlpflichtmodul 1 (allgemeinwissenschaftliches Wahlpflichtmodul) | 6 | |||
| Semester 2 | Compulsory modules (including module work) and elective module | Mathematik 2 | 6 | 30 |
| Organische Chemie 1 | 6 | |||
| Physik 2 | 6 | |||
| Biochemie 1 | 6 | |||
| Wahlpflichtmodul 2 (allgemeinwissenschaftliches Wahlpflichtmodul) | 6 | |||
| Semester 3 | Core biotechnology foundation modules | Mathematik 3 | 6 | 30 |
| Biochemie 2 | 6 | |||
| Informatik 1 | 6 | |||
| Mikrobiologie 1 | 6 | |||
| Verfahrenstechnische Grundlagen 1 | 6 | |||
| Semester 4 | Applied biotechnology and engineering modules | Mikrobiologie 2 | 6 | 30 |
| Informatik 2 | 6 | |||
| Bioreaktortechnik | 6 | |||
| Verfahrenstechnische Grundlagen 2 | 6 | |||
| Wahlpflichtmodul 3 (Ingenieurs- und naturwissenschaftliche Wahlpflichtveranstaltungen) | 6 | |||
| Semester 5 | Key-skills modules and practical phase components | Recht | 6 | 30 |
| BWL / Business Administration | 6 | |||
| Wahlpflichtmodul 4 (technical / subject-specific elective) | 6 | |||
| Praxisprojekt (Praxissemester preparation / accompanying component) | 6 | |||
| Mobilitätsfenster-related academic component (optional study period supported by curriculum block) | 6 | |||
| Semesters 6–7 | Practice semester and final bachelor thesis | Praxissemester | 24 | 36 |
| Bachelorarbeit | 12 | |||
| Total | All compulsory modules, electives, practice semester, and bachelor thesis | 156 ECTS | ||
Career outcomes
- You gain a job-relevant biotechnology skill set grounded in applied learning, helping you prepare for roles in bioprocess and life-science industries in Germany.
- You develop practical competencies that are useful for careers that require both lab know-how and applied scientific thinking.
- The programme structure supports progression from core foundations to advanced application work, so you can build confidence for early-career responsibilities.
- A Bachelor of Science qualification in Biotechnology supports entry into common biotechnology career paths such as process-related specialist roles and lab-technology career tracks.
- You graduate with a foundation for further study or specialization, if you want to move toward higher responsibility in research, development, or industrial applications.
Employability rate
For biotechnology graduates in Germany, an employability rate is typically around 83% with an unemployment rate of about 17%, reflecting continued demand alongside competition for early-career positions.
Overall, this indicates a generally stable outlook when you combine your degree with practical experience and job-focused skills.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Higher education entrance qualification equivalent to German Abitur/Fachhochschulreife | International applicants must have an academic qualification that corresponds to the German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. Your university entrance qualification will be checked based on your submitted documents as part of the international applicant procedure. |
| German language skills (C1 required by the programme) | HAW Hamburg states that you must provide proof of German language skills at C1 level for admission to the programme. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology / life sciences and related engineering foundations | Conditional | HAW Hamburg checks whether your school and/or university degree is sufficient for studying in Germany and specifically at HAW Hamburg through the international applicant procedure. |
Language requirements
To study in this degree programme, international applicants must provide proof of sufficient German language skills before commencing their studies. HAW Hamburg states that you must submit a language certificate with your application if your higher education entrance qualification was not obtained at a German-speaking institution.
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Semester fee | EUR 397 / per semester | Semesterbeitrag Wintersemester 2026/27 includes Studierendenwerk 101,00 €, Studierendenschaft (AStA) 19,10 €, Semesterticket 226,80 €, Semesterticket-Härtefond 0,10 €, Verwaltungskostenbeitrag 50,00 € (total 397,00 €). |
Proof of financial resources
International students applying for a residence title typically need to show they can cover living costs in Germany. HAW Hamburg indicates that most degree courses require students to pay a semester contribution rather than tuition fees, and you should plan for semester contribution and living expenses during your studies.
- Proof of financial resources for living costs as required for your German visa/residence procedure (provide the evidence format requested by the responsible authority).
- Semester contribution payment after you accept a study place (as described by HAW Hamburg’s international application process).
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | December - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | June 01, 2026 | December 01, 2026 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | July 15, 2026 | January 15, 2027 |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | October 01, 2026 | April 01, 2027 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | December - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | December - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Review entry requirements for international applicants
Check that your foreign school-leaving qualification or higher education entrance qualification is equivalent to the German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. Also confirm that you can provide proof of German language skills at C1 level as required for admission. Start preparing early because HAW Hamburg recommends beginning preparation at least three months before the application period.
Prepare documents and language proof
Gather your required academic documents for the credential check performed for international applicants. Ensure you have a German language certificate that is accepted for admission and that you can submit it with your application. Use your official documents to avoid delays since document processing takes time due to high application volumes.
Submit the application during the published window
Submit your application only during the official time period shown by HAW Hamburg for the programme. Complete all required steps in the application process and upload the necessary documents. After the application period ends, HAW Hamburg checks and processes the documents.
Respond to an admission offer and complete enrolment steps
If you receive a study place offer, you must accept it by the deadline stated in your offer. You will then need to complete additional steps such as filling out an acceptance form and paying the semester contribution as described by HAW Hamburg. Make sure you meet all post-offer submission requirements to finalise enrolment.