M.Sc. Biochemistry and Biophysics – binational study option

The study of the molecular foundations of living systems is the central theme of biochemistry. From analysing the chemical structures of living matter to exploring biological functions, biochemistry demonstrates a fascinating scientific diversity. Originating from the investigation of metabolic reactions, enzymology, and bioenergetics, modern biochemical research has now expanded into numerous distinct areas, many of which are shaped by advanced technologies.

Refined methods of structural analysis, such as protein crystallography, magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry, have laid the groundwork for understanding the biomolecular functions of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. Combined with molecular biology techniques, these approaches provide detailed insights into the mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis, energy metabolism, signal transduction, and cell-to-cell communication.

The binational Master’s programme Biochemistry and Biophysics – BioPhysicoChimie is jointly offered by the University of Freiburg and the Université de Strasbourg. It provides advanced, interdisciplinary training in biochemistry, biophysics, and physical chemistry with a strong practical orientation and an international outlook.

Students can choose between two study tracks:

• Biophysical Chemistry (1st year in Strasbourg, 2nd year in Freiburg)
• Biochemistry / Biophysics (1st year in Freiburg, 2nd year in Strasbourg)

Both tracks combine theoretical coursework, laboratory training, and a Master’s thesis at the partner university. In addition, students gain intercultural skills through seminars and joint events. Situated in the research-intensive Upper Rhine region, the program offers excellent preparation for a PhD or a career in the life sciences industry.

Students may choose if they start in Freiburg (Germany) or Strasbourg (France).

Option 1: First and second semester in Freiburg

The programme, which starts in Freiburg, offers a wide range of elective options.

• Biochemistry: Laboratory (6 ECTS) + lectures (9 ECTS)
• Biophysics: Lecture + seminar + 2 out of 4 practical courses (9 ECTS)
• Methods & Concepts (6 ECTS, should include missing language course)
• Biology lab course: Laboratory (9 ECTS)
• Selected lab course: Laboratory (12 ECTS)
• Intercultural module: Seminar (3 ECTS)
• Methods and Concepts: your choice (6 ECTS)

Option 2: First and second semester in Strasbourg

• Biochemistry: Laboratory (6 ECTS) + lectures (9 ECTS)
• Methods & Concepts (6 ECTS)
• Advanced lab course: Laboratory (12 ECTS)
• Methods and Concepts: your choice (3 ECTS)

IMPORTANT: The Master’s programme M.Sc. Biochemistry/Biophysics is a binational programme. You are required to be enrolled at both partner universities – Freiburg and Strasbourg – for the entire duration of the programme. This means you must apply to both universities in parallel and be accepted by both; otherwise, you will not be able to begin the programme.

You may choose at which university you would like to complete your initial enrolment. The university where you first enrol and pay the full semester fee will be considered your home university.

Applications to the University of Freiburg are submitted via HISinOne.

a) Application documents:

• Bachelor’s degree certificate
• Transcript of Records
• Proof of language skills or German Abitur
• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of motivation
• Declaration in German, English or French that the letter of motivation was prepared independently and without outside help and that the contents taken over from foreign sources were marked as such
• Letter of recommendation from an academic teacher

b) Later submission of application documents

Applications must be sent in complete form (= containing all required documents) by the end of the respective application period. Incomplete applications will not be processed, it is not possible to submit documents after the application deadline!

Exception: You do not hold the Bachelor certificate yet
In the case the B.Sc. programme has not been completed yet, please include a provisional, but official transcript showing all courses, credit points and grades of the courses taken so far. Also include proof, that you have started your B.Sc. thesis, or at the very least, your registration to carry out your thesis. For applications for the M.Sc. in Chemistry, this confirmation does not have to be certified; it is sufficient to provide a transcript of records from which it is evident that the degree will be completed soon. In the case of admission to the Master’s program, the Bachelor’s certificate must then be presented at matriculation.

Exception: Language certificates
All required language certificates have to be presented latest at the day of enrolment at the university of Freiburg. Matriculation at the university of Freiburg will be rejected without the required language certificates.

c) Application deadlines

The Master Programme M.Sc. Biochemistry/Biophysics starts in the winter term only.

• Application deadline for the summer term: 15^th of January
• Application deadline for the winter term: 15^thof July

Application period in HISinOne:

• Applications for the summer term: possible at mid of October
• Applications for the winter term: possible at mid of February

d) Language certificates

The following language certificates are recognized by the University of Freiburg:

English B1:

• Cambridge Preliminary Certificate B1,
• IELTS (4.0-5.0 points),
• PTE Academic (43-58 points),
• TOEFL iBT (42-71 points), valid for 2 years!,
• TOEFL Essentials (5-7,5 points), valid for 2 years!,
• OOPT (40-59 points),
• telc English B1,
• TOEIC (min. 550 points “listening/reading”, 120 points “speaking” and 120 points “writing”),
• UNIcert I or II,
• B2 language course at SLI with successfully passed final examination and certificate showing the language level achieved according to the CEFR.
• Completion of an English-language undergraduate degree programme from a country that is genuinely anglophone (USA, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand).
• Completion of an English-language undergraduate degree programme from a country that is not genuinely anglophone (e.g., Syria) (→ here, official confirmation from the examinations office, the dean’s office or the programme coordinator or indication of “medium of instruction: English” on the ToR or in the Diploma Supplement),
• Completion of an undergraduate degree programme in English Studies or Liberal Arts and Sciences,
• Completion of an English-language Master’s degree from a country that is genuinely anglophone (USA, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand),
• Completion of an English-language Master’s degree from a country that is not genuinely anglophone (e.g., Syria) (in this case, official confirmation from the examinations office, the dean’s office or the programme coordinator or indication of “medium of instruction: English” on the ToR or in the Diploma Supplement),
• Graduation from an English-language undergraduate degree programme and an English-language Master’s degree programme from a country that is not genuinely Anglophone (e.g., Syria) (→ here, official confirmation from the Examinations Office, the Dean’s Office or the programme coordinator or indication of “medium of instruction: English” on the ToR or in the Diploma Supplement),
• Nationality from a country where the official language is English (e.g., Nigeria),
• German and Luxembourgish Abitur – information on the Abitur certificate about the achieved language level in English according to the CEFR (Common European Reference Framework https://www.europaeischer-referenzrahmen.de/) (Note: B1/B2 means language level “B1 and in parts B2” and cannot be recognised as B2).
• English as mother tongue.

English B2:

• Cambridge FCE, (CAE (C1) and CPE (C2)),
• IELTS (5.5-6.5 points),
• PTE Academic (59-75 points),
• TOEFL (72-94 points “Internet” / min. 567 points “Paper”),
• OOPT (60-79 points),
• telc B2-C1 University,
• TOEIC (min. 785 points “listening/reading”, 160 points “speaking” and 150 points “writing”),
• UNIcert II or III,
• B2 language course at SLI with successfully passed final examination and certificate showing the language level achieved according to the CEFR.
• Completion of an English-language undergraduate degree programme from a country that is genuinely anglophone (USA, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand).
• Completion of an English-language undergraduate degree programme from a country that is not genuinely anglophone (e.g., Syria) (→ here, official confirmation from the examinations office, the dean’s office or the programme coordinator or indication of “medium of instruction: English” on the ToR or in the Diploma Supplement),
• Completion of an undergraduate degree programme in English Studies or Liberal Arts and Sciences,
• Completion of an English-language Master’s degree from a country that is genuinely anglophone (USA, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand),
• Completion of an English-language Master’s degree from a country that is not genuinely anglophone (e.g., Syria) (in this case, official confirmation from the examinations office, the dean’s office or the programme coordinator or indication of “medium of instruction: English” on the ToR or in the Diploma Supplement),
• Graduation from an English-language undergraduate degree programme and an English-language Master’s degree programme from a country that is not genuinely Anglophone (e.g., Syria) (→ here, official confirmation from the Examinations Office, the Dean’s Office or the programme coordinator or indication of “medium of instruction: English” on the ToR or in the Diploma Supplement),
• Nationality from a country where the official language is English (e.g., Nigeria),
• German and Luxembourgish Abitur – information on the Abitur certificate about the achieved language level in English according to the CEFR (Common European Reference Framework https://www.europaeischer-referenzrahmen.de/) (Note: B1/B2 means language level “B1 and in parts B2” and cannot be recognised as B2).
• English as mother tongue.

German B2:

• DSH 1,
• TestDaF 3 or 4,
• Goethe certificate B2 or C1,
• Language diploma of the KMK level II (DSD II) with the result 4xB2,
• Assessment test,
• telc German C1 University,
• German language Abitur
• German as mother tongue.

NOT recognized as proof of English language skills: CET

You are required to be enrolled at both partner universities – Freiburg and Strasbourg. You may choose at which university you would like to complete your initial enrolment. The university where you first enrol and pay the full semester fee will be considered your home university.

When enrolling in Freiburg, you must present your original documents to the Registration Office (SCS). This is a separate office. Please read the instructions on the website carefully and provide the required information directly to the office.

In addition, you will find guidance on health insurance, housing and other relevant topics here.

Contact person at the SCS as well as office hours of the Registration Office can be found here.

Start your enrolment process as early as possible to ensure everything is ready by the time you arrive in Freiburg. Upon arrival, you must appear in person at the Registration Office (SCS) to complete your enrolment.

You can find the details of the modules, internships and master thesis here.

Tuition Fees:

Information on tuition fees can be found here.

Subsidies and Scholarships

DFH Mobility Grant

This International Master Program is supported by the Franco-German University (DFH). Students receive a mobility grant for the semesters they spend at the partner university. To receive this grant, you must register on the DFH online portal no later than September 30th.

The choice of your home university determines in which academic year you will receive the mobility funding. Example: If you enrol first at the University of Freiburg and spend your first year there, you will receive the full mobility grant (10 × 300 €) in your second year while studying in Strasbourg.

Further scholarship opportunities can be found here.

How can I apply for the M.Sc. Biochemistry/Biophysics (binational)?

Applications to the University of Freiburg are submitted via HISinOne.

How high are the tuition fees for international students?

Information about the tuition fees can be found here.

Are there any scholarship opportunities?

• General scholarships can be found here.
• Information on the DFH Mobility Grant can be found here.

Do I have to register at both universities (Freiburg and Strasbourg) at the same time?

You are required to be enrolled at both partner universities – Freiburg and Strasbourg – for the entire duration of the program. This means you must apply to both universities in parallel and be accepted by both; otherwise, you will not be able to begin the program.

What are the language requirements?

• If first academic year in Freiburg: English B2 & German B2
• If first academic year in Strasbourg: English B2 & French B2

Can I choose where to start (1^st year in Freiburg or Strasbourg)?

You may choose where to begin the programme. There is a slight difference in focus between the two options: in Strasbourg, the programme is more structured, whereas in Freiburg, you have the opportunity to select several courses yourself.