The programme will run from 5 April to 25 June 2027 at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg, Germany. It is a full-time, in-person course designed for physicians holding a medical degree (MD/MBBS or equivalent) from a recognised medical school and a valid licence to practise in their country. Online participation is not available. Registrations are open until 31 December 2026.

Hamburg’s BNITM is the perfect setting to study the DTM&H!

• The Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine is Germany’s oldest institution of its kind, founded in 1900. The DTMH programme has been offered here since 1905.
• Teaching is provided by experienced scientific and clinical experts from all BNITM departments, as well as from numerous national and international partner institutions.
• Clinical training in tropical diseases takes place at the BNITM outpatient clinic and at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf.
• As a vibrant city, Hamburg offers a rich cultural scene, diverse leisure opportunities, and plenty of green spaces and waterways.

Study, live, and enjoy – Hamburg awaits you next spring!

The Diploma Course prepares physicians for clinical and public health work in tropical and subtropical countries. Participants will acquire the skills to diagnose and treat diseases in travellers and migrants from these regions, as well as to provide preventive, travel-related medical advice.

The curriculum emphasises the aetiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of tropical diseases, with a strong focus on clinical practice in low-resource settings. In addition, it covers essential aspects of travel medicine and the principles of global health.

Curriculum Highlights
Participants will gain knowledge and skills in:

• Epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of tropical and travel-associated diseases, including bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections, as well as envenomation by poisonous animals
• Pre-travel and overseas assignment advice, including prophylactic measures
• Principles of public health in low- and middle-income countries
• Principles of occupational health for long-term travellers and expatriates
• Indications for laboratory investigations, correct sample collection and handling, and interpretation of results in clinical context
• Microscopic detection of protozoa, helminths and other parasites

Teaching Methods

• Full-time, on-site instruction
• Lectures
• Interactive workshops
• Small-group discussions
• Self-study (with access to BNITM’s German reference library on tropical medicine)
• Laboratory training, microscopy and clinical teaching

Entry Requirements
The course is open to qualified medical doctors (MD/MBBS or equivalent) from any country who hold a licence to practise medicine in their country of graduation.

Language of Instruction
All lectures and teaching are conducted in English. A good command of English is essential for participation.

Assessment

• Minimum of 80% class attendance required
• Final assessment consists of a multiple-choice exam and a practical microscopy exam
• A combined score of at least 60% is required to pass

• American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH)
• German Medical Association and the German Society for Tropical Medicine, Travel Medicine and Global Health (DTG)
• Hamburg Medical Association (Hamburger Ärztekammer)
  • Physicians practising in Germany can earn approximately 500 CME credits through the Hamburg Medical Association. According to the German Medical Association's education regulations, this diploma is a prerequisite for obtaining the additional qualification of Tropical Medicine.
• The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries

Each year we work with over 120 lecturers from around the world to provide our participants with the specialists they deserve. We are still determining the speakers for 2027. 

Please check here for feedback from our students and lecturers.

A limited number of scholarships are available for physicians (MD/MBBS or equivalent) from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). 

Scholarship Benefits

• Reduced participation fee of EUR 1,000 instead of EUR 3,900
  • Payment: The participation fee must be paid by December 15, 2026. We offer several payment methods. If international payment is not possible, please contact us to discuss alternative payment arrangements.
• Return flight from the participant’s home country, arranged and covered by BNITM
• Monthly living allowance of EUR 612 for the duration of the programme
• Complimentary accommodation for the duration of the programme with one of our trusted private landlords

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be nationals and current residents of an LMIC (see eligible countries list).
• Applicants must hold a medical degree (MD/MBBS or equivalent) from a recognised medical school and be licensed to practise medicine in that country.
• Applicants must not:
  • be employed at a BNITM partner institution (KCCR, ISTH, CERMEL),
  • have previously undertaken a stay at BNITM, or
  • have received funding from the Association of Friends and Supporters (Vereinigung der Freunde des Tropeninstituts Hamburg e. V. (VdF)).
• Applicants are responsible for health and liability insurance (proof of both insurance policies is mandatory in Germany and will be checked), visa fees, and additional living expenses.
• Applicants must have reliable access to a computer and internet (free WiFi is available at BNITM).
• A good command of English is essential. While no formal proof of language proficiency is required, shortlisted applicants may have to attend an interview via Zoom. Please note that inadequate English skills may prevent you from successfully completing the course.

Application Requirements

Please submit the following documents combined into one PDF file (maximum file size: 5 MB) to dtmh@bnitm.de:

• Proof of medical qualification (MD/MBBS or equivalent) and license to practise (with English translations if applicable)
• Letter of motivation (max. 250 words) outlining how the DTM&H qualification will benefit you and contribute to healthcare in your home country
• Copy of passport
• Current CV including full contact details (current residential address, phone number, email)

Application Deadline

• 15 October 2026 

Decisions will be communicated approximately a month after the deadline. Upon receipt of your application, we will send you a confirmation of receipt. We kindly ask you to refrain from sending follow-up inquiries, as we will contact you as soon as there is an update regarding your application.

The course fee is structured as follows:

The regular fee is €4,900.00, comprising a registration fee of €500.00 and the remaining amount of €4,400.00.
The reduced fee for participants from low- and middle-income countries is €3,900.00. Please refer to this map to see if your country is eligible.

You will receive an invoice by email. The registration fee must be paid immediately, and the remaining amount is due by 15 January of the respective course year. You will receive a confirmation of payment once the total amount has been received.

The fee includes attendance and the exam. It does not cover travel expenses or costs for accommodation and subsistence.

Cancellation policy:
If you cancel on or before 15 January of the relevant course year, we will refund €200 of the registration fee. For cancellations between 16 January and 28 February of the relevant course year, the full registration fee of €500 will be retained. For cancellations after 1 March of the relevant course year, 50 per cent of the total course fee will be charged. No refund will be granted in the event of non-attendance.

Registration Deadline: 31 December 2026 

Accommodation: After payment of the registration fee, you will receive a list of potential accommodation providers/landlords.

The estimated monthly living costs in Hamburg (including accommodation) are approximately €1,500.

Visas: You must obtain a visa or other permissions to attend the course. Start the application process as soon as possible, as getting a visa for Germany can take time. The team can provide supporting documentation if requested, but you are responsible for obtaining any visa or other permissions.

Insurance: It is strongly recommended to have international health and liability insurance (see here, for example).

Only register here if you are self-funding your participation and your attendance is not dependent on receiving a scholarship. The application period for scholarships opens in mid-September 2026. Further information will be provided when the application period will be opened.

Registration Form