Master in Genetic Counsellors at University of Siena
Two-year English-taught LM-9 master's at the University of Siena that trains genetic counsellors, combining genetics, psychology and counselling practice with a 12-credit final exam. Entry needs a related degree or 75 subject credits, English at B2, a CV score and an interview.
Master
2 years
Siena
English
University of Siena
Genetic Counsellors is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-9) taught in English at the University of Siena. Entry needs a bachelor's in a listed field such as biotechnology, biology, psychology or a health profession, or 75 credits in set biology, medical or psychology areas, plus English at B2. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Siena's Genetic Counsellors master asks for a bachelor's degree in a listed subject area, or any degree with at least 75 credits in set biology, medical or psychology fields, plus English at B2. Places are limited, and selection is by a CV score and a remote interview. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree requirement
You need a bachelor's degree, a three-year university diploma or a foreign qualification recognised as equivalent. The Teaching Committee checks your curricular requirements. [1]
- Listed degree classes: Italian degrees in biotechnology (L-2), biological sciences (L-13), psychology (L-24), chemistry (L-27), social services (L-39), the four healthcare profession classes (nursing and midwifery, rehabilitation, technical, prevention) and pharmacy (LM-13) meet the requirement.
- Any other degree: at least 75 ECTS in the listed areas, which cover biology subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology and genetics (BIO/06 to BIO/18), medical subjects such as medical genetics, pathology, microbiology, psychiatry, neurology, paediatrics and obstetrics (listed MED sectors), and general psychology (M-PSI/01).
- Foreign degrees: assessed case by case, by comparing the subject areas of your programme.
What this means for your transcript
Siena looks at the subjects you studied, not only your degree title. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Sc. in Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Zoology, Microbiology or Psychology, or a B.Sc. in Nursing, because these match the listed subject areas.
- Check carefully: a B.Pharm, a B.Sc. in Chemistry or a B.Tech in Biotechnology, where the biology, medical or psychology content needs to add up to the 75-credit rule.
- Often short: a B.Tech in Computer Science, BCA, B.Com or BBA, which rarely include enough biology, medical or psychology subjects.
Because foreign degrees are assessed case by case, we check your transcript against the listed areas before you apply. [1]
English
English at CEFR level B2 or higher, shown by a recognised certificate from the university's accepted list. The call does not list specific test scores. [1]
- Exempt: citizens of countries where English is an official language, and applicants who pass the English assessment interview of Siena's University Language Centre (CLA).
- No certificate: applicants who are not exempt and do not send a certificate have their English assessed during the selection interview.
Selection
A committee of three professors scores each applicant in two parts. [1]
- Qualifications and CV: 0 to 10 points, with at least 7 needed to go on to the interview.
- Interview: 0 to 30 points on motivation and personal skills, with at least 15 needed. Interviews are held remotely on Google Meet, with at least three days' notice by email. Missing the interview means exclusion.
- Ranking: by total score out of 40. Ties go to the higher interview score, then the younger applicant.
For 2026/27 there were 24 first-year places: 12 for EU or equivalent applicants and 12 for non-EU applicants. [1]
2026/27 deadlines
These dates come from the 2026/27 call. The next call sets the new dates. [1]
- First round: applications by 31 March 2026, with 9 non-EU places. Results from 13 April 2026.
- Second round: applications from 1 April to 8 May 2026, with 3 places plus any left from the first round. Results from 25 May 2026.
- Third round: 24 August to 11 September 2026, only for applicants who do not need a study visa and only for EU or equivalent places.
Applicants who need a study visa could use only the first two rounds. [1]
Documents and non-EU steps
Applications go through Siena's online portal. You upload: [1]
- a passport or ID
- a CV (Europass recommended)
- your degree certificate and transcript, stamped and signed by your university, in English or Italian or with a certified translation, or a provisional certificate if you have not graduated yet
- your English certificate, if you have one
After an offer you have five days to accept. Applicants who need a visa must then complete the Universitaly procedure within 14 days of the offer, or they lose the place. Before enrolling, holders of foreign degrees need clearance (nulla osta) from the Admission Office, requested at least five days before enrolment closes, and enrolment depends on checking your documents. [1]
Sources and verification
Checked by the ApplyAZ admissions team against the university's official documents listed below. Entry rules can change with each new call, and we re-check them before every application.
- University of Siena. Call for admission to the Master's degree programme in Genetic Counsellors (class LM-9, Medical, Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies), academic year 2026/2027. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Siena, Department of Medical Biotechnologies. Genetic Counsellors programme page (language, duration, degree class, department, location and professional areas). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Siena. Genetic Counsellors study plan, academic year 2026/2027. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Siena. Tuition fees page and Regulations on student contributions, academic year 2026/2027. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Genetic Counsellors is a two-year laurea magistrale in class LM-9 (medical, veterinary and pharmaceutical biotechnologies), worth 120 ECTS and taught in English. It is run by the Department of Medical Biotechnologies at the Santa Maria alle Scotte hospital in Siena, and the university describes it as the first degree in Italy that trains this profession. [2]
Genetic counsellors are non-medical health professionals who work closely with medical geneticists in public and private genetics services. The degree suits graduates in biotechnology, biology, psychology or a health profession who want a patient-facing role in genetics. Entry is limited, with its own call and a small intake. [1]
What you will study
Lectures run alongside practical activities in prenatal, pre-conceptional, infertility and cancer genetics settings. Course units in the 2026/27 study plan include: [3]
- Laboratory Genetics and Omics Approaches
- Human Genetics, Statistics and Risk Calculation
- Counselling Skills, with professional training in counselling
- Ethical, Legal and Social Implications in Genetics
- Oncological Genetics and Pathology
- Counselling in Fetal Disorders and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
- Neurogenetics, and Psychological Issues in Genetics
- Clinical Genetics Approaches and Personalised Medicine
How the programme is taught
The first year includes 6 ECTS of professional training in counselling skills, and the second year covers gene therapy and clinical trials before a 12 ECTS final examination. [3] The mix of genetics, psychology and communication reflects the dual scientific and human side of the role.
Career paths
According to the university, genetic counsellors support the medical geneticist in the main areas of genetic counselling and conduct counselling on their own whenever a clinical evaluation or diagnosis of the patient is not required. Settings include: [2]
- public and private medical genetics services
- prenatal and pre-conceptional counselling
- infertility and cancer genetics services
Fees and scholarships
Tuition at Siena follows the Italian ISEE, and an ISEE parificato is not accepted. For 2026/27, students without a valid ISEE pay the top contribution for the degree times a coefficient for their country of citizenship, plus regional tax and stamp duty. DSU Toscana scholarship winners and students ranked eligible are fully exempt from university contributions, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. [4]
How to apply from outside the EU
This degree has its own limited-entry call. For 2026/27 there were 12 non-EU places, filled by a CV score and a remote interview on Google Meet. Applicants needing a visa could only use the first two rounds, closing on 31 March and 8 May 2026. [1]
After an offer, visa applicants complete Universitaly pre-enrolment within 14 days, and holders of foreign degrees need clearance (nulla osta) from the Admission Office before enrolling. [1] The 2027/28 call sets the new dates.
How ApplyAZ helps
ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities. We can include this programme in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes that fit your profile, so your plan never rests on a single application.
For eligible students who start with us, a named person owns each stage, from A to Z:
- We check your transcript against Siena's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your online application, Universitaly pre-enrolment and the enrolment clearance (nulla osta) request for your foreign degree.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your DSU Toscana scholarship application at the right time and in the right format.
- We prepare your visa file.
With operations in all 20 Italian regions, we follow each region's scholarship rules and deadlines as they change. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa, so no one can promise an outcome. You pay in milestones, and every service you pay for is either delivered or its fee is refunded (terms apply).
Programmes at Italian public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students. Check if you are eligible and book a one-to-one consultation session with one of our Italy experts, or see how ApplyAZ works.
Questions and answers
What degree do I need for Siena's Genetic Counsellors master?
A bachelor's in biotechnology, biological sciences, psychology, chemistry, social services, a health profession or pharmacy, or any degree with at least 75 ECTS in listed biology, medical or psychology areas. Foreign degrees are assessed case by case. [1]
Is there an entrance exam?
No written test. A committee scores your qualifications and CV out of 10 (at least 7 needed), then holds a remote interview on motivation and personal skills, scored out of 30 (at least 15 needed). [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at CEFR B2 or higher, shown by a certificate from the university's accepted list. The call does not list scores. If you are not exempt and have no certificate, your English is assessed at the interview. [1]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, applicants who needed a study visa could apply only in the first two rounds, closing on 31 March and 8 May 2026. The third round was not open to them. The 2027/28 call sets the new dates. [1]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. The 2026/27 call accepted a provisional certificate if you had not graduated when you applied. The call does not set a graduation date, and enrolment depends on checking your final documents. [1]
I have a B.Sc. in Biotechnology or a B.Pharm. Can I apply?
Possibly. Biotechnology and pharmacy match degree classes the call lists, but foreign degrees are assessed case by case, so we check that your biology, medical or psychology subjects fit the rule before you apply. [1]
How many places are there?
For 2026/27 the call offered 24 first-year places: 12 for EU or equivalent applicants and 12 for non-EU applicants, spread across the selection rounds. [1]
What do genetic counsellors do after this degree?
They are non-medical health professionals who work with medical geneticists in public and private genetics services, in prenatal, pre-conceptional, infertility and cancer genetics settings, and they counsel on their own when no clinical diagnosis is needed. [2]
Can someone handle my whole application to Genetic Counsellors at Siena?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Siena's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the DSU Toscana 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 Genetic Counsellors?
A recognised Indian bachelor's in biotechnology, life sciences, psychology, chemistry, nursing or another health field matches the subject areas the call lists, and any degree with at least 75 credits in the listed biology, medical or psychology areas can also qualify. Siena assesses foreign degrees case by case, and you need English at B2. The steps are the online application, a CV score and remote interview, and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1] 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 Genetic Counsellors are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online application, a CV score and remote interview, and Universitaly pre-enrolment within 14 days of an offer, 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 Genetic Counsellors are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application, a CV score and remote interview, and Universitaly pre-enrolment within 14 days of an offer. 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 Genetic Counsellors 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: online application, a CV score and remote interview, and Universitaly pre-enrolment within 14 days of an offer, 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.
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