The Albstadt-Sigmaringen State University of Applied Sciences offers the shortened course of study for MTLA/MTL with great success. While large parts of politics are thinking about innovative and unbureaucratic solutions for the future of Germany, the educational institution from Baden-Württemberg has created facts – and is relying on the model of asynchronous studies. MedLabPortal spoke exclusively with Thole Züchner, Professor of Bioanalytics and Laboratory Automation at Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences. There he heads the bioanalytics course. The doctor of biochemistry habilitated in the field of bioanalytics and has many years of professional experience in leading positions in research and the pharmaceutical industry.

MedLabPortal: Prof. Züchner, how many graduates have you had so far in the shortened field of study Bioanalytics?

Züchner: We have been offering the shortened course of study for MTLA/MTL for four years. The semester size here is about 30 to 40 students per year, so these are small semesters with a very familiar atmosphere. So far, we have between three and six MTLA/MTL graduates per year.

MedLabPortal: This is a novelty, so to speak, because the study time for MTLA specialists is reduced by more than 45 ECTS. Can you explain to our readers how much time that means?

Züchner: Gladly, on the one hand it is about these 45 ECTS, which corresponds to 1.5 semesters. In addition, there is also the recognition of the practical semester, i.e. a whole additional semester. The course of study is thus shortened by 2.5 semesters. We have already had a few MTLAs who have completed their bachelor’s degree in four semesters, i.e. two years, and some complete their studies in five semesters.

MedLabPortal: And what is the asynchronous study program that you offer all about?

Züchner: Asynchronous studies mean that you can study independently of space and time. This means that our students do not necessarily have to be on site for the lecture, but can also work on the lecture independently in the evening or on weekends. Many colleagues, like me, offer recorded video lectures, some detailed scripts, others commented forums, etc. The thought is always the same: If it doesn’t work out with the lecture attendance for reasons of illness or other reasons, it can also be done online. Internships take place in presence, of course, and in my opinion, you shouldn’t overdo it with online studies. We all know this from Corona times, where motivation simply suffers.

MedLabPortal: The model seems interesting to us because it also allows people without a high school diploma to obtain a state-recognised degree, provided that they have previously successfully completed the MTLA training. Why does the number of study places in Sigmaringen remain manageable in view of this opportunity?

Züchner: Because this is precisely one of our strengths: We want to continue to guarantee that we can maintain the great student-teacher ratio with a very high proportion of practical training. More than 40 percent of our studies are practical content – i.e. located in the laboratory. This requires enormous capacities, but the success proves us right, to put it quite immodestly: in 2025, we were voted Germany’s most popular university among 588 universities by our students on the StudyCheck portal. In Germany’s most important university ranking, the CHE Ranking, we took the top spot with the Bioanalytics degree program in the last two evaluation rounds in 2022 and 2025. The program is working at full capacity, we get excellent feedback on our graduates from global pharmaceutical companies and other well-known companies – so why should we put this model at risk and deviate from it?

MedLabPortal: With a bioanalytics degree, you can financially enter areas that MTLA trainees can only dream of. Aren’t you afraid that word will get around? Then possibly all MTLAs would flock to you….

Züchner: I would like to put this into perspective a bit. As an MTLA, the job market looks very good right now. The financial gain to a pure bachelor’s degree is not that great immediately after starting your career. With the then possible master’s degree after another 1.5 years, things look different again. Interestingly, however, most MTLAs come to us first because the bioanalytics bachelor’s degree positions themselves much more broadly for the job market. This means that areas such as the pharmaceutical industry, environmental and food analysis, forensic analysis, and many are also interested in the field of research are accessible. Many also cite the motivation to want to understand more scientifically. And in general, you simply have more development opportunities and later on also greater responsibility, if you want to. This will certainly be accompanied by a significantly higher salary later on.

MedLabPortal: Our last question: What counselling aids do you offer to interested parties?

Züchner: On the one hand, we offer an information day twice a year, and we publish the dates on our homepage. But you can also visit us on another occasion or make an appointment online: https://www.hs-albsig.de/hochschule/fakultaeten/life-sciences/angebote-fuer-studieninteressierte. Otherwise, there is more information and my e-mail address also on https://www.hs-albsig.de/studienangebot/bachelorstudiengaenge/bioanalytik .

MedLabPortal: Thank you for your time.

Züchner: With pleasure.

The questions were asked by Vlad Georgescu

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

Gender Notice. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple naming and gendered designations are used for better readability. ected.