Bioentrepreneurship (specialisation within the Master’s programmes in Biotechnology and Technology-Oriented Management)

Degree	Master of Science
Standard duration of study	4 semesters
Language of instruction	German
Start of programme	winter and summer semester
Admission	restricted admission (special admission requirements)

Bio ❤ Business = Bioentrepreneurship

Bioentrepreneurship is all about setting up innovative companies in the field of biotechnology that aim to bring cutting-edge technologies from the laboratory to the market. Typical areas of application include new active substances, diagnostics, biomaterials and sustainable processes. Bioentrepreneurship thus combines cutting-edge life sciences with entrepreneurial thinking to find sustainable solutions to societal challenges in health, the environment and industry – from the product idea through to financing and legal protection.

Bioentrepreneurship starts in the 2026/2027 winter semester!

What is special about TU Braunschweig?

Innovative start-ups in a thriving, forward-looking industry! Study bioentrepreneurship as a specialisation in one of two exciting Master’s programmes at TU Braunschweig, in collaboration with the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI).

The first programme of its kind: This is the first programme of its kind in the German-speaking world to closely integrate the disciplines of biology/biotechnology and management.

The ‘Science Campus South’: Here, TU Braunschweig collaborates with the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), a leading non-university centre for infection research. Students gain direct access to cutting-edge research and professional innovation management.

Interdisciplinary bridge-building: Rather than simply offering business modules for life scientists or life science modules for business students, a genuine interface is created. Students from biotechnology and technology-oriented management (ToM) learn together how to translate complex biological innovations into marketable business models.

If you are interested in the commercial side of science or would like to start your own business later on, this specialisation offers you decisive advantages:

Strategic career advantages

From the laboratory to the market: you’ll learn the ‘language’ of both worlds. Biotechnology graduates understand the commercial validation of their research; management students understand the specific regulatory and technical hurdles facing life sciences products.
Network: Through our partnership with the HZI, you’ll be directly connected with start-up founders and investors. This is an invaluable advantage when starting your career.
Practical training: You won’t be working on theoretical case studies, but often on real research findings for which commercialisation strategies need to be developed.

Braunschweig is part of one of Europe’s most research-intensive regions. The proximity to non-university research organisations and other institutes offers a concentration of specialist knowledge that is hard to find anywhere else.

Information on the study programme

In this Master’s programme, you will engage with current scientific issues. In addition to compulsory modules, you will choose a major and a minor specialisation.

Compulsory modules include:

In addition, you will choose ‘Bioentrepreneurship’ as your major specialisation, as well as one of the two minor specialisations: ‘Applied Molecular and Cell Biology’ or ‘Bioprocess Engineering’. It is also possible to choose ‘Bioentrepreneurship’ as a minor specialisation.

You will also take courses in which you acquire key skills for your professional life. This includes a career preparation module featuring an excursion to a start-up or industrial company.

A research internship is planned in preparation for the Master’s thesis. The programme concludes with a six-month Master’s thesis, in which you will independently investigate a scientific research question. You can carry out your Master’s thesis in one of the numerous research groups at TU Braunschweig, at cooperating or newly founded start-ups in the region, including at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Braunschweig.

After completing your Master’s degree, you have the opportunity to pursue a PhD if you are interested.

The programme is divided into three areas: Management, the Management/Technology Interface, and Technology. For the Bioentrepreneurship specialisation, students must complete courses in all three areas.

Management

In the Management area, you will gain a comprehensive insight into selected fields of economics. In addition to gaining an insight into four areas (including Production & Logistics, Controlling, Marketing, Organisation & Human Resources, and Service Management), you will choose two for in-depth study. For the Bioentrepreneurship specialisation, you will complete compulsory and compulsory-elective modules in the area of Entrepreneurship.

Management/Technology Interface

The Management/Technology Interface area focuses on developing skills for management tasks at the interface with technology. After learning selected management methods (e.g. entrepreneurship, innovation, human resources, strategic technology management), these are applied within the framework of research seminars or projects, or practical projects. This area also includes the course ‘Introduction to Bioentrepreneurship’ within the Bioentrepreneurship specialisation.

Technology

The Technology module examines economic aspects from a technical perspective. Within the Bioentrepreneurship specialisation, you will acquire the necessary fundamental knowledge of the life sciences here.

Master’s Thesis

You will complete your degree with a six-month Master’s thesis. The aim here is to apply the methods and insights of the subject independently. For the Bioentrepreneurship specialisation, your Master’s thesis must relate to the topic of (bio)entrepreneurship.

Semester abroad

If you want to study abroad for a certain period of time, you can do so thanks to a number of exchange programmes in place with universities in Europe and North America. You can integrate semesters spent abroad into your studies; credits obtained abroad can be recognised at TU Braunschweig.

Studying abroad

Those who study bioentrepreneurship are ready for the jobs of the future:

Launching and supporting start-ups: building your own business, joining as a co-founder, or advising young biotech start-ups.
Innovation management & accelerator environment: Working in incubators, innovation management offices, hubs or corporate labs – from idea validation to market launch.
Interdisciplinary expertise in business administration and technology: Developing business models, planning IP strategies, securing funding, managing projects.
The business side of biotechnology: Analysing market potential, drawing up financial and cost plans, establishing sales and business processes.

This expertise is in high demand wherever future technologies and future markets intersect – both within the biotech sector and beyond.

Admission requirements and application

For the Master’s programme in Biotechnology, you do not need any prior knowledge of business administration; for the Master’s programme in Technology-Oriented Management, you do not need any prior knowledge of biology or biotechnology. We will guide you through the programme and provide you with the fundamental knowledge you really need.

The only important thing is that you meet the general entry requirements.

Master’s programme in Biotechnology: 4 credit points in at least 6 of the following core subjects in biotechnology: biochemistry, biodiversity, bioinformatics, bioprocess engineering, microbiology, genetics, molecular cell biology, biotechnology and technical biochemistry.

Admission Regulations for the Master’s programme in Biotechnology [in German only]

Master’s programme in Technology-Oriented Management: at least 60 credit points in the fields of economics and engineering (i.e. engineering, computer science, mathematics, architecture) – of which at least 30 must be in economics and at least 5 credit points must be in the field of macroeconomics.

Admission Regulations for the Master’s programme in Technology-Oriented Management [in German only]

If you have any questions regarding the entry requirements, please feel free to contact the Biotechnology Programme Coordination Office or the Economics Programme Coordination Office at any time.

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