Admission Requirements

Below, you find a summarized overview of the general IMIM admission requirements.

For IMIM, the available number of places in the programme is limited and access to the programme is granted on the basis of a ranking of applications (see below). 

  • IMIM is a multi- and interdisciplinary programme that allows for applicants from many different academic backgrounds to gain access, provided that they have an excellent academic record and a passion for translational biomedical research. 

  • A bachelor degree in one of the following (or closely related) fields: biochemistry; bioengineering; pharmaceutical sciences; biomedical sciences; genetics; molecular biology; biotechnology; medicine; dentistry; or similar. 

  • A bachelor (or master) degree equivalent to a European undergraduate degree (of 180 ECTS) in terms of general end-level of the qualification as well as academic focus. 

  • A proven record of academic/extra-curricular excellence: e.g. GPA; research experience. 

  • A strong motivation to pursue a career incorporating translational, biomedical sciences and research. 

  • A proven English proficiency in accordance with IMIM language requirements (please see below).

  • Two free-format reference letters from two different referees. These letters should provide sufficient information to assess the applicant’s suitability, qualifications, and potential. References are expected to describe the referee’s relationship with the applicant. The letter should be dated and include the referee’s name, position, organisation, and contact details.

  • If you have not yet graduated: You must submit your current transcripts, a statement of enrolment and confirmation of expected graduation. Addititonally, you need to submit a list of courses yet to be completed. This list can be made by yourself. 

Note: No reminders will be sent for incomplete and/or insufficient applications.

Language Requirements

The IMIM language requirements are currently under review and may be subject to change for the 2027-2028 applications. For last year’s applications, the requirements were as listed below:


Please note that test scores cannot be older than two years from the moment you submit your application and that it is not allowed to combine multiple tests. TOEFL MyBest Scores, the IELTS home/online edition, IELTS One Skill Retake, and the Duolingo English Test are not considered in the Admissions procedure.

Additionally, please note that the modality required for the IELTS test is 'academic'.

    • You are a native speaker and have completed a full secondary education in one of the following countries: USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and Canada (only when taught fully in English).

    • You will obtain/ have obtained a full-time Bachelor’s degree (at least 3 years) in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and Canada (only when taught fully in English).

    • You have obtained an European Baccalaureate (EB) diploma including English as a medium of instruction (only if L1 and L2).

    • You have obtained a voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs (VWO) diploma in The Netherlands including English as a subject (not applicable in Heidelberg)

    A one-year Master’s degree from the UK (or another English-speaking country) combined with a Bachelor’s degree from a non-English-speaking country will not grant an exemption from the language test requirements.

    If English was the medium of instruction during your previous education, but you do not meet the above mentioned requirements for exemption, you are still required to prove your English proficiency by means of one of the tests as mentioned above.

University-specific eligibility requirements

  • Heidelberg University:  
    A degree programme in medicine or in life sciences such as biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, health sciences or pharmacy or a degree programme with similar content. The degree must have been completed at a university in Germany or abroad. (Note: Not all foreign degrees are accepted by the German higher education system. This will only be checked as part of the official application via the university portal but students can try to pre-check their degree as described in     https://hallogermany.com/blog/anabin-guide-academic-degrees).

  • University of Groningen: A bachelor's degree in the fields of Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Dentistry, Genetics, Life Science and Technology, Medicine, Molecular Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences or Pharmacy. If you have another degree background the selection committee will determine whether your background meets the admission requirements. 

  • Uppsala University: A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university. The degree must be in biochemistry/chemistry,biology, biomedicine/medicine, biotechnology, cell/molecular biology, genetics, life science, medical sciences or a similar field of study including courses in biochemistry, cell biology, chemistry, genetics, and molecular biology/-genetics of a total of at least 30 ECTS as well as knowledge and previous experience of related laboratory work.

  • Tartu University: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification (must be obtained by the end of July) in the natural and exact sciences or in the field of medicine – please see the country-specific document requirements on the Tartu University website.