Integrated Immunology

Infec­tious diseases, cancer, autoim­mune diseases and the increas­ing number of aller­gies are a major chal­lenge for our soci­ety. The goal of the Elite Gradu­ate Pro­gram “Inte­grated Immu­nology” is to show stu­dents that im­muno­logical knowledge is a key qual­ification to solve these prob­lems. Innova­tive teaching concepts and a stay abroad prepare students the best way pos­sible for careers in sci­ence, industry or relat­ed fields.

The Elite Graduate Program at a glance

DegreeMaster of Science
Duration of studyFour semesters
Place of studyErlangen
Admission requirementsBachelor of Science (or equivalent) in Life Sciences and Medicine
Language of instructionEnglish
Application deadlineJuly 15th
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Begin of studiesWinter semester
HeadProf. Dr. Falk Nimmerjahn
CoordinatorDr. Anja Glanz
Contact the coordinator
Further informationWebsite Integrated Immunology

Excellent scientific education through innovative teaching character

The Elite Gradu­ate Pro­gram "Inte­grated Immu­nology" offers out­standing students from Germany and abroad a prac­tice-oriented edu­ca­tion in the field of Im­munolo­gy. In addition to a basic educa­tion in immu­nology as well as cell and mo­lecular biology, the pro­gram pro­vides in-depth knowledge in clinical immu­nology. This unique combina­tion of basic and clin­ical-transla­tional teaching content allows students to di­rect­ly apply their acquired knowledge in a prac­tice-oriented way. From the very begin­ning, the latest topics and findings in im­muno­logical research are dealt with in seminars or by invited speakers. Accord­ingly, the Elite Gradu­ate Pro­gram Master's program keeps pace with the rapidly devel­op­ing field of re­search.

In addition to classi­cal teaching con­cepts, new and innova­tive forms of teaching such as prob­lem-oriented learning are used to strength­en team­work as well as leader­ship and organiza­tional skills. In order to maxim­ize learn­ing suc­cess, students are sup­ported by tutors and in­dividual­ly as­signed mentors. These are available to stu­dents as contact persons through­out their studies. A two- to three-month research stay in an inter­national laborato­ry com­pletes the in­novative pro­gram, allowing students to estab­lish an in­terna­tional net­work.

Individual support and flexibility

Ein umfangreiches Tutoring- und Mento­ring­pro­gramm unterstützt den Lernerfolg der Stu­die­ren­den und hilft bei der zu­künf­tigen Kar­rie­re­planung.


Durch inno­vative Lehr­formen, wie das pro­blem­ori­entierte Lernen und die individuelle Aus­ge­stal­tung von Schlüs­sel­qua­li­­fi­­ka­­ti­on­en, besteht ein hohes Maß an Flexi­bilität. Wis­sen­schaft­liche Retreats und Ein­blicke in die For­­schungs­­ak­ti­­vi­tä­ten von lokalen Son­der­­for­­schungs­­be­reich­en und Doktoranden­schulen runden das heraus­ragende Betreu­ungs­paket für die jungen Nach­wuchs­talente ab.

Porträtfoto: Prof. Dr. Falk Nimmerjahn

Durch die Kombination innovativer Lehrkonzepte mit pra­xis­ori­en­tierter immunologischer Ausbildung bereitet der Studiengang in einmaliger Weise auf eine Karriere in einem der span­nend­sten Forschungs­felder für die Zukunft unserer Ge­sell­schaft vor.

Prof. Dr. Falk Nimmerjahn

The Elite Gradu­ate Pro­gram "Inte­grated Immu­nology" with its proven and innova­tive teach­ing con­cepts, the combi­nation of basic princi­ples and clinical prac­tice, its interna­tional orienta­tion and a special super­vision concept offers stu­dents an ex­cellent oppor­tunity to posi­tion them­selves in the best possible way on a na­tional and inter­na­tional level with regard to ca­reers in science and indus­try.

Snippets of the program

Research up close

In March 2023, the students got the chance to participate in an international congress for their first time.

Read the report

Gruppenfoto der 16 Studenten des 5. Jahrgangs des Masterstudiengangs Integrated Immunology beim European Phagocyte Workshop 2023 im Innenhof des Hotels.

Our „Long Night“

En­thusi­astic stu­dents of­fered an excit­ing in­sight into the im­mune sys­tem at the Long Night of Sci­ence.

Read the report

3 Studierende stehen vor den Postern mit immunologischen Inhalten

Snippets of the research

Hope for cancer patients

In her Master thesis, Lisabeth Emilius investigated immune responses against tumours, which could be used for the development of novel immunotherapies.

HTLV-1 transmission model

In his master's thesis, Jonas Prokscha investigated the mechanism of HTLV-1 virus transmission using an intestinal barrier model.

The Gut-Brain Axis

In her master’s thesis, Julia Zißler examined how gut-derived metabolites modify astrocytic responses in a Central Nervous System Inflammation.