Master in Coastal and Marine Biology and Ecology at University of Salento

Detailed entry requirements

Coastal and Marine Biology and Ecology is an entirely English-taught LM-6R master. Its current 2026/27 regulation requires a suitable first-cycle award, at least 60 eligible credits with three subject-group limits, and an English-language preparation interview. Several 2026 notices contain conflicting credit, quota or visa wording; those differences are identified below rather than combined into a new rule. [1-6]

Suitable degree and 60-credit total

Hold a three-year bachelor’s degree, three-year university diploma or suitable recognised foreign qualification. Eligibility is evaluated from the actual prior academic record. The current regulation and July ordinary call require at least 60 ECTS/CFU across the prescribed groups before proceeding to preparation assessment. A degree title alone does not establish eligibility. No numerical GPA admission minimum is specified in these sources. [1, 2, 6]

Current standard subject-credit distribution

• Group 1: 12-40 ECTS/CFU in general/systematic/environmental/applied botany, zoology and ecology. [1, 2]
• Group 2: 6-20 ECTS/CFU in comparative anatomy/cytology, physiology, biochemistry, genetics and microbiology. [1, 2]
• Group 3: 12-30 ECTS/CFU in mathematical analysis, probability/mathematical statistics, mathematical physics, general/inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry. [1, 2]
• The three groups must together supply at least 60 eligible credits. Their separate minima sum to 30, so meeting only those minima is insufficient. The upper limits control the credits contributing to the total. [1]

Published exception in the July international notice

The first February international call also includes marine sciences in Group 1 and uses the standard 12-30 third-group range. The June second-call PDF instead prints Group 3 as 6-20, while retaining a 60-credit total and the other ranges. That is a source discrepancy, and the current autumn ordinary route follows the standard range. The current regulation, ordinary call and programme catalogue agree on 12-30. For a candidate relying on the July notice’s different matrix, we confirm the rule for that exact call. [1-4, 6]

Scientific oral interview and English B2

The oral interview is in English and assesses the scientific preparation represented by the prior subjects counted toward eligibility. English at B2 or higher is evaluated during this interview; the regulation exempts native English speakers from the English check. It does not prescribe a universal IELTS/TOEFL numerical cutoff or replace scientific assessment with an English certificate. Successful curricular review and interview are necessary before registration, including for transfers. [1, 2]

Current ordinary autumn applications and documents

The ordinary application deadlines are 10 September, 14 October and 14 December 2026, each at noon. Interviews are 17 September at 09:30, 21 October at 15:30 and 21 December at 15:30, local Italian time. As of 6 October, the October and December ordinary dates remain ahead. Interviews take place at Ecotekne; eligible non-local/international candidates may arrange Microsoft Teams participation according to the department’s instructions. [2]

Applications go through the university student portal, with the prescribed degree/examination declaration, complete subjects/credits/disciplinary sectors and valid identity document for a non-Salento academic record; we prepare and submit these for eligible students. Foreign-award suitability is assessed by the university, and we check your record against the rule first. The admitted/not-admitted list is published alphabetically on the notice board and department website within ten days; the call says candidates receive no individual result notification. We follow those notices and take you through enrolment under the student rules. [2]

Earlier international rounds, fee and visa limits

The February international round closed 20 March 2026 at noon CET, with an interview on 1 April. The June second-call round closed 20 July at noon, with its table listing 23 July 2026. A later paragraph wrongly prints the interview year as 2025. Neither historical round is reopened by the ordinary October date. [3-5]

The June PDF is headed for applicants who do not need a visa, while the central webpage also describes non-EU applicants abroad. The July ordinary call restricts visa applicants to the September session and gives 30 November 2026 as the visa-application limit after university validation. Its copied reference to December/April also differs from its actual October/December schedule. For visa applicants, we confirm the category and session with the office, as not every autumn session is open to them. [2, 4, 5]

English delivery, Italian wording and reserved-place conflict

The regulation and current catalogue explicitly confirm wholly English teaching and MBE/EBES curricula. Nevertheless, the ordinary call includes an Italian-test prerequisite in its visa section. The central Italian-test notice addresses Italian-taught courses and separately requires a master’s programme interview. We obtain the course or admissions decision on this clause for each applicant; it is reported here as published, without treating Italian B2 as a general requirement for this English programme. [1, 2, 6, 7]

The regulation states 30 non-EU reserved places, including 5 Chinese places; the annual call states 40 foreign reserved places. These are conflicting published figures, not an overall 40-student programme cap. The annual call controls its procedure, and for applicants needing a reserved visa place we confirm which current quota applies. The programme is otherwise described as open access with preparation assessment. [1, 2, 6]

Sources and verification

1. University of Salento, CMBE Teaching Regulations 2026/27, approved 23 April 2026, Articles 8 and 17; reviewed 6 October 2026.
2. University of Salento DiSTeBA, CMBE ordinary admission call 2026/27, decree 349, approved 22 July 2026; reviewed 6 October 2026.
3. University of Salento, first CMBE international admission call 2026/27, decree 83, 18 February 2026; reviewed 6 October 2026.
4. University of Salento, second CMBE admission call 2026/27, signed 25 June 2026; reviewed 6 October 2026.
5. University of Salento, New admission notices for international students, current 2026/27 webpage; publication date not stated; reviewed 6 October 2026.
6. University of Salento, CMBE official programme catalogue, cohort 2026/27; reviewed 6 October 2026.
7. University of Salento, Italian language test notice 2026/27; publication date not stated; reviewed 6 October 2026.

What degree and credits do I need for CMBE at Salento?

A three-year bachelor's degree or suitable recognised foreign qualification with at least 60 eligible credits across three groups: 12 to 40 in botany, zoology and ecology, 6 to 20 in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics and microbiology, and 12 to 30 in mathematics, statistics and chemistry. Meeting only the group minima is not enough. [1, 2]

Is there an entrance test or interview?

Yes, a scientific oral interview in English. It assesses the preparation shown by the subjects counted towards eligibility and also checks English at B2. Eligible international candidates may take part through Microsoft Teams. The sources set no numerical GPA minimum. [1, 2]

What English level do I need? Do I need IELTS?

English at B2 or higher, checked during the scientific interview. The regulation sets no universal IELTS or TOEFL score, and native English speakers are exempt from the English check. [1]

When is the deadline for non-EU students?

For 2026/27, the first international round closed on 20 March 2026 and the second on 20 July 2026. The ordinary call limited visa applicants to its September session, which closed on 10 September 2026. The next call sets the 2027/28 dates. [2-5]

Is the whole master taught in English?

Yes. The 2026/27 regulation and catalogue confirm English teaching for both curricula, Marine Biology and Ecology and E-Biodiversity and Ecosystem Sciences. The ordinary call's visa section also mentions an Italian test, and we confirm how that clause applies to your file. [1, 2, 6]

I have a B.Sc. in Zoology, Botany or Biotechnology. Can I apply?

Possibly. The rule counts credits by subject group, not the degree title. A B.Sc. in zoology, botany or ecology often covers the first group, and we check that your transcript also shows at least 12 credits in mathematics, statistics or chemistry and 60 eligible credits in total. [1, 2]

How many places are there for non-EU students?

The regulation states 30 non-EU reserved places, including 5 for Chinese students, while the annual call states 40 foreign reserved places. Neither is an overall programme cap, and we confirm which quota applies to your application. [1, 2]

Can someone handle my whole application to Coastal and Marine Biology and Ecology at Salento?

Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Salento's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the ADISU Puglia scholarship application at the right time and in the right format, and prepares your visa file, for eligible students. Start by checking your eligibility.

I'm applying from India. What is the route into Coastal and Marine Biology and Ecology?

An Indian three-year B.Sc. can fit if it shows at least 60 eligible credits across the three subject groups, including at least 12 in botany, zoology or ecology and 12 in mathematics, statistics or chemistry [1, 2]. English at B2 is checked in the scientific interview, with no set IELTS score [1]. The steps are the portal application, the interview and university validation before the visa [2]. Indian students apply for the type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate that covers their state, such as New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru.

Is the route different from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?

No. The academic rules for Coastal and Marine Biology and Ecology are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: the university portal application, the scientific interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for their country of residence. Read our guide for students in Dhaka.

I live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain. Where do I apply for the visa?

At the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you legally live, after Universitaly pre-enrolment. The academic rules for Coastal and Marine Biology and Ecology are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: the university portal application, the scientific interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.

I studied or live in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. What is the route?

The academic rules for Coastal and Marine Biology and Ecology are the same whatever your nationality, and your degree is assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: the university portal application, the scientific interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for where they live. Read our guides for students in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.