International Master's Programme in Innovative Medicine
120 credits

Translational medicine strives toward bridging the gap from the research bench to the patient's bedside by the development of novel diagnostics and treatments. This is the core of the International Master's Programme in Innovative Medicine - a two-year programme aiming to provide knowledge, skills and competencies for your future careers in interdisciplinary and internationally competitive academic research or the private sector.
Autumn 2025 Autumn 2025, Uppsala, Groningen, Heidelberg, Tartu, 100%, On-campus, English
- Location
- Uppsala, Groningen, Heidelberg, Tartu
- Pace of study
- 100%
- Teaching form
- On-campus
- Instructional time
- Daytime
- Start date
- 20 August 2025
- Language of instruction
- English
- Entry requirements
-
The International Master's Programme in Innovative Medicine (IMIM) is a collaboration between Uppsala University (Sweden), the University of Groningen (the Netherlands), Heidelberg University (Germany) and the University of Tartu (Estonia) where admitted students study year 1 at any partner university and year 2 at either Groningen, Uppsala or Tartu. This means that there are four possible study plans where special regulations of admission for IMIM and the involved partner universities must be fulfilled. Starting at 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 credits as well as knowledge and previous experience of related laboratory work. Starting at the University of Groningen: A Bachelor's degree in the fields of biology, pharmacy, life science and technology or (bio)medical sciences. Starting at Heidelberg University: A Bachelor's degree with a fixed standard period of study of four academic years (240 ECTS; equivalent degrees may be accepted) with above-average grades. In exceptional cases, participants of the IMIM programme may be admitted to the programme with a degree worth only 180 ECTS, provided they are able to submit proof that the outstanding 60 ECTS will be earned no later than by the end of the IMIM programme. The degree needs to be in medicine or the life sciences (e.g. biology, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical sciences, genetics, molecular biology, biotechnology, health sciences or closely related fields). Proven record of academic and extra-curricular excellence as well as research experience. Strong motivation to pursue a career that incorporates translational, biomedical sciences and research. Starting at the University of Tartu: Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in the natural and exact sciences or in the field of medicine. Additionally, eligibility for IMIM and all four partner universities requires documented knowledge of English with results from an internationally accepted test. The minimum test scores are: IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 6.5 and no less than 6.0 on each section, or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)/ Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) with a minimum score of 180. TOEFL IBT (internet-based test) with an overall score of 92 and no less than 21 on each section.
- Selection
-
See the IMIM website for information about the selection procedure.
- Application deadline
- 15 January 2025
- Additional information
-
To apply for this programme, please visit the IMIM website. There you will find more information on the application process. Please note that for this programme all students (including citizens of a EU/EEA country or Switzerland) are required to pay tuition fees.
About the programme
Te International Master's Programme in Innovative Medicine (IMIM) is a two-year international joint Master's programme focusing on translational medical research, modern molecular techniques, innovation and entrepreneurship. The programme is a European collaboration between the University of Groningen in The Netherlands, Heidelberg University in Germany, the University of Tartu in Estonia and Uppsala University in Sweden. Several international Life Science companies are associated with the programme as well as other universities in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Japan.
The IMIM programme trains you for research in both academia and industry, for example through a multidisciplinary group project - Bench to Bedside and Beyond (BBB), focused on translational medicine and the innovation process with business and entrepreneurship. The programme courses cover various topics on disease processes, diagnostics, therapies and methods, allowing you to further develop your interest during several research projects, undertaken either at a university or at a company.
The IMIM programme has received EIT Health´s quality label.
Student profile
As an applicant for the programme, you want to gain skills and competencies in translational medicine to work in international and interdisciplinary settings as a scientist or professional in academia or industry.
You have excellent English skills and enjoy interacting with people from all over the world. You are curious and enjoy problem solving in creative and innovative ways. You are highly motivated to pursue a career in academic research or work with innovation and entrepreneurship in the industry or your own startup company.
Degree
The programme leads to the degree of Master of Medical Science (120 credits) with Medical Science as the main field of study and, in addition, an equivalent degree from one of the partner universities.
Content
In the programme, you will study at two of the four European partner universities and have further opportunities to carry out research projects in industry, at affiliated universities in South America, Japan or other non-associated institutions of your choice.
Depending on your university preference for the first year and your prior knowledge from previous studies, you will spend your first year at either of the universities in Uppsala, Heidelberg, Tartu or Groningen, and in part together with existing Master's programmes.
Studies at Uppsala University
Starting your first year in Uppsala
If you start your first year at Uppsala University, you will gain in-depth knowledge of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that cause genetic diseases and cancer, as well as current methods and techniques used in diagnostics and treatment during semester one. You will perform a short research project, write a scientific article, and evaluate and present current research. You will also follow a seminar series in bioinformatics, research- and bioethics. In semester two, you will undertake a longer individual research project of 30 credits in a research group.
Starting your second year in Uppsala
If you start your second year at Uppsala University, you will gain additional research experiences during semester three through a research practice either at a university or in a company. In the final semester, the programme is concluded with an individual degree project (30 credits) in the form of a research or development project carried out in a research group or a company, nationally or internationally.
Bench to Bedside and Beyond (BBB)
Throughout all four semesters, the program includes a multidisciplinary group project called Bench to Bedside and Beyond (BBB), which focuses on translational medicine, the innovation process, business leadership, and entrepreneurship. Within BBB you will analyse the concepts for the success of different research groups, design a research application, prepare a business plan which you develop into a product, and in the final semester, you will either create a PhD proposal or initiate a "start-up" company.
IMIM Spring School and Summer School – Industry Perspectives on Innovative Medicine
As part of BBB, you will further train your skills in leadership, and written and oral communication at the IMIM Spring School. You will also build your professional network by meeting international companies at a fair. During the Summer School – Industry Perspectives on Innovative Medicine, you will acquire knowledge in entrepreneurship, intellectual property and research funding.
Courses within the programme
Learning experience
The teaching for the entire programme consists of lectures, seminars, assignments, laboratory exercises and project work, individually and in groups. Lecturers are researchers and experts in their fields from academia and companies.
Seminars, laboratory exercises and project work train you to critically review your own and others' results, to compile and present data orally and in writing, and also to plan and conduct research projects.
The programme is taught entirely in English.
Career
The IMIM programme prepares you for a career in the global job market within academic research, in the Life Science or Pharma industry, as well as for starting your own company.
The majority of our IMIM graduates have started their PhD studies after their degree work, either at different international universities or in global Pharma companies. Several are working in the Life Science industry for example research associates, project managers or specialists.
You can read more about our alumni on the IMIM programme's international website.
Career support
During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career.
The international programme website
The programme is an Erasmus+ International Master's programme.

Studies in medicine and pharmacy
Watch our video about the Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy.

Register your interest
Keep updated about the application process.

Contact
- For programme-specific information, please contact UMCG - Graduate School Medical Sciences in Groningen:
- imim@umcg.nl
- For information about the programme modules at Uppsala University, please contact:
- imim@uu.se
- Book an appointment with a study counsellor at the Faculty.
- IMIM website:
- www.innovativemedicine.eu
- For admissions-related or general information, please contact our applicant support team:
- study@uu.se
Students
As a student you will find information about your studies in the student gateway.