MEDICAL PHYSICS AND PHYSICS OF LIVING SYSTEMS

Fall 2025/26

About the Program

The international Master’s program Medical Physics and Physics of Living Systems offers interdisciplinary training at the intersection of physics, biology and medicine. Taught entirely in English, it builds on the established Medical Physics program at TU Dortmund and expands it with a new focus on life sciences.

Students acquire advanced scientific skills and learn to apply physical principles to biomedical challenges – from diagnostics to biotechnology and health technology.

The program offers two specialization tracks:

• Track A – Medical Physics: Prepares students for a career as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) in hospitals, or for work in the healthcare industry and related research. The track benefits from strong collaborations with clinics and medical research institutions.

• Track B – Physics of Living Systems: Focuses on applying physics to understand biological systems. Students deepen their knowledge in areas like neuroinformatics, biochemistry, and modern life science methods.

Graduates are well equipped for careers in research, clinics, and industry, or for doctoral studies in physics, life sciences, or engineering.

University Alliance Ruhr

The University Alliance Ruhr (UAR) is a strong partnership between TU Dortmund University (TUDO), Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), and University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE). Together, they form Germany’s largest academic network, with over 120,000 students and nearly 1,300 professors.

Although the Ruhr Area is one of the youngest academic regions in Germany, it is home to the densest higher education landscape in Europe, with 22 universities and colleges in close proximity. The UAR fosters collaborations in research, teaching, and administration, creating a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment ideal for modern science and innovation.

For students of Medical Physics and Physics of Living Systems, this alliance offers access to a wide range of courses, laboratories, and research groups across the partner universities. The strong ties between physics departments, medical faculties, and life science institutes – as well as joint projects and shared resources – open excellent opportunities for research internships, master's theses and collaborative PhD pathways.

This network also facilitates student mobility between campuses, supported by the NRW-wide semester ticket.

Studying and Living in the Ruhr Area

The Ruhr Area – one of the largest metropolitan regions in Europe – offers an excellent environment for students in the Medical Physics and Physics of Living Systems program.

Good news first: There are no tuition fees at TU Dortmund and the other UAR (University Alliance Ruhr) universities, even for non-EU students. A semester fee of around €320 covers administrative costs and includes a semester ticket, giving students free access to public transport across all of North Rhine-Westphalia. This makes commuting between cities like Dortmund, Bochum, and Essen fast and convenient – attending courses at different locations on the same day is no problem.

Students also benefit from affordable health insurance plans, low cost of living, and reasonably priced accommodation. The student unions support you in finding a place to stay, either in student dormitories or on the private housing market.

In addition, the Ruhr Area offers everything needed to enjoy student life: a vibrant cultural scene, music and art events, sports facilities, green spaces, and diverse job opportunities.

Whether you prefer urban life or quiet parks, cutting-edge research or intercultural exchange.

HIGHLIGHTS

• expertise in applied and theoretical modern health sciences

• novel tools in medical diagostics

• fundamental questions on the physics of life and disease

• more than 20 PIs

• large pool of lectures and projects

• continuation to PhD in only 3 years

FACTS, DATES & PROCEDURES

• two year program in english

• no tuition

• inexpenisve housing

• two year program

• part of largest  university alliance (120.000 students)

Requirements

• 3 year bachelor in Physics, Biomed Eng, Mech Eng and alike

• fluent in english (B2)

APPLY HERE

MORE INFORMATION

Description of the Program

• 120 Credit Points in 4 Semesters
• 1st and 2nd semester main course work
• 3rd Semester start of research period
• 4th Semester Master Thesis

Further details can be found on the webpages about the course structure, detailed description of the modules and examination regulations.