Master's Programme in Molecular Biology 120 credits

Image: Mattias Pettersson

About the programme

In the Master’s programme in Molecular Biology you acquire an extensive toolbox for investigating all kinds of biological problems with advanced molecular methods. Your teachers are internationally renowned scientists and you will carry out your thesis project within a research group. You will get a good basis for further doctoral studies and work with research and development, either at a university or in a biotech or pharmaceutical company.

Close to strategic research

State-of-the-art laboratories

International study environment

While studying

As a student in the Master’s programme in Molecular Biology, you will be part of an inclusive, multicultural study environment together with international students and professors. Your professors are active researchers, often principal investigators in world-leading research groups.

Teaching is often conducted in small groups and you can expect a lot of feedback from your teachers. Theory will be mixed with practical problem solving, conducted in state-of-the-art teaching labs using the latest techniques. Many courses take place inside academic departments where students are embedded with professors and active researchers.

A wide range of courses to choose from

The individual courses in the programme usually consist of nine weeks of full-time studies. The teaching forms used include lectures, group exercises, seminars, laboratory exercises, and tutorials. Current questions in molecular biology, with relevance to biomedicine, biotechnology and basic research, are covered.

After the compulsory courses, Advanced Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics, you can choose from various elective courses in molecular biology or related subjects, provided they meet the degree requirements. For example, you can take courses in biochemistry, infection biology or plant molecular biology. You can also undertake project courses, conducting independent research projects within a research group under the supervision of an experienced researcher.

Research in Umeå led to the Nobel Prize

Emmanuelle Charpentier was awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 genetic scissors – a discovery she made during her time as a researcher at the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University.

Thesis project in a research group

The programme finishes with a thesis project in Molecular Biology, which you can conduct embedded in a research group at Umeå University. This experience prepares you for doctoral studies if you choose to pursue an academic career. It is also possible to carry out your project in collaboration with research intense organisations like biotech companies.

Close to strategic research

Umeå University hosts many prominent research groups conducting strategic molecular research of international significance within areas of microbiology, cell biology, chemical biology, genetic model organisms, immunology, systems biology, sensory systems, cancer biology, developmental biology, medical biology and immunology. Many of our graduates continue their studies in PhD programmes here or at other institutions.

Please complete the self-assessment form

To help us review your application more efficiently, we kindly ask that you fill out a self-assessment form and upload it to your account at universityadmissions.se/antagning.se.

You can download the PDF form here:

Self-Assessment Form – Master’s Programme in Molecular Biology

NOTE: This form serves as a supplement to your original application. It gives you the opportunity to explain which of your completed courses match the core subjects required for the Master’s Programme in Molecular Biology. This helps us better understand your academic background and speeds up the evaluation process. Please note that your application will still be assessed solely based on the official documents submitted with your original application.

Courses within the programme

Basic courses

Elective courses

Elective courses in Molecular biology on bachelor level

Free courses

Show programme syllabus

Future and career opportunities

With a Master of Science Degree in Molecular Biology you are attractive for employers at, for example, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, usually within research, development or marketing. Other employment possibilities include management, investigations, scientific journalism, and research.

Further studies?

Following your degree you are eligible to apply for PhD positions in relevant areas.

Programme director

Peter Lind

Associate professor

+46 90 786 89 80

Apply

Apply online via universityadmissions.se
You apply to our programmes and courses via universityadmissions.se – the official website for higher education applications in Sweden. There, you can track your application, check that your documents have been registered, and log in to find our your admission results.
 
Late applications
Admissions to most programmes and courses typically close after the final application deadline. However, some programmes and courses may still accept late applications if seats are available. These are marked “Open for late application” on universityadmissions.se. Please note that late applications are not guaranteed to be reviewed.

More about application and admission

Voices about the programme

Inés researches mechanisms in chromosomes

Alumni

Looking back at her education, Inés Hernandez Cregois very content, especially that she has gotten a good picture of how the scientific process works.

Frequently asked questions

When is the application period open?

The application period for Swedish citizens is usually in March and September. Application period for non-Swedish citizens is usually in December–January and June–August respectively. If you're a non-Swedish student and missed the international deadline you can apply in the Swedish round. Note that the admission site is in Swedish and that you might need help in applying (contact studievagledare@molbiol.umu.se). Students outside of EU/EEA might have problems getting a residence permit on time if applying in the Swedish round.

Do I need to pay application and tuition fee for studies in Sweden?

Citizens of EU/EEA and Switzerland can study in Sweden without tuition fees. Students outside of these areas are required to pay application and tuition fee for university studies.

Read more about tuition and application fees

I paid the application fee too late, will my application be deleted?

No, but your application will be regarded as late. If you are eligible for the programme you will be placed after the on-time applicants and will be admitted if there is still open positions at the programme, after the original admissions.

I’m from a country outside of EU/EEA or Switzerland but am living in Sweden. I have a residence permit for other reasons than studies; do I have to pay tuition fees?

No. More information about exemptions from tuition fee can be found here:
https://www.universityadmissions.se/en/fees-scholarships-residence-permit/

When do I have to pay the first instalment of the tuition fee?

We strongly recommend that you pay your tuition fee as soon as possible after you have received your invoice due to the fact that the Swedish Migration Board will not process your application for residence permit until the tuition fees for the first semester has been paid.

Are there scholarships to apply for?

There are a few scholarships.

Do I have to apply for residence permit?

If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen coming to study in Umeå for less than three months you will in most cases need a visa. If you intend to stay for more than three months you will need to obtain a residence permit. You must apply for a visa or permit before you arrive in Sweden.

Research excellence at Umeå University

Be a part of a world-class environment for teaching and research – where the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 geneediting began, and where innovation continues to shape the future.

Innovative with international impact

Research for society, nature and the future. Read about our research research environments and infrastructure.
Open climate for groundbreaking research

Emmanuelle Charpentier credits the research environment in Umeå as a key factor in her discovery.