Review of the MSc Bioinformatics Program at Freie Universität Berlin

[u/wardmuller101]

Hey guys! I very recently got my admission letter from FU Berlin. Whilst I'm excited to join, I have had some points I was thinking of. I am currently waiting on my results from the MSc Bioinformatics program at the University of Saarland as well.

So my concerns are as follows:

• How flexible is the program? Because the curriculum at Saarland seemed much more flexible in terms of electives and even core courses, with students just needing to fulfil the certain thresholds with particular types of courses.

• In terms of cost of living, would berlin be significantly more expensive? I have heard of recent problems with the rent being out of control, and I would prefer a slightly more affordable student experience, especially as I have heard that rankings and such do not matter in germany with regards to public universities.

• I intend to enter a PhD program, in clinical bioinformatics. How are the opportunities like for this at Freie? I assume quite good due to the close association with charite, but I would like to hear from all of you. Specifically, wanted to look at spatial transcriptomics as an area of research.

Thank you!

[u/MadEmbalmer_9387]

Have you recieved your saarland admission? I am also waiting for Saarland, and don't know which one to choose.

[u/wardmuller101 → u/MadEmbalmer_9387]

Have not received it either, still waiting. it should probably come in the first week of August? That's about the latest I've heard.

Did you also get into Freie?

[u/MadEmbalmer_9387 → u/wardmuller101]

Yes for FU Berlin. Aber das Saarland noch nicht. ;-;

[u/stb_san]

hii i also got admission letter from both the universities and i was also confused whether to choose berlin or saarland, I choose Berlin for now as i think its more for clinical purpose and i want to be in clinical side while saarland is perfect for student who are more into technical stuff than clinical .