Master in Genetics and Molecular Biology at Sapienza University of Rome
Two-year master at Sapienza in Rome with an English curriculum in genetics and molecular biology: gene expression, human genetics, proteins, stem cells, oncology and computational biology, ending with an original experimental thesis.
Master
2 years
Rome
Multiple
Sapienza University of Rome
The Master in Genetics and Molecular Biology is a two-year, 120 ECTS degree (class LM-6) at Sapienza University of Rome with an English curriculum taught in English in Rome. It covers gene expression, human genetics and protein analysis and ends with a 39 ECTS experimental thesis. Students with income abroad pay a flat fee by country, from €300 a year (2025/26).
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree in biotechnology or biological sciences (Italian classes L-2 or L-13 or their older equivalents), or a first degree with at least 90 ECTS in physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology and related medical sectors.
- English at B2 level: a B2 certificate (for example IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, Cambridge First, or PTE Academic 42) or an English exam of at least 4 ECTS in your bachelor's.
- Selection on the weighted average of your exam marks and the credits earned; applicants from L-2 or L-13 type degrees who meet the call's credit rules and have an average above 24 out of 30 skip the interview, others have an interview in molecular and cellular biology, genetics and biochemistry.
- Final-year students can apply if they graduate by 19 December 2026 (2026/27 call) and already have at least 156 ECTS.
- If you need a visa, MoveIn pre-selection and Universitaly pre-enrolment, plus course syllabuses for a foreign qualification.
About the programme
Genetics and Molecular Biology (Genetica e Biologia Molecolare in Italian) is a two-year master's degree in class LM-6, Biology, worth 120 ECTS. It is run by the Department of Biology and Biotechnologies Charles Darwin in Sapienza's Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, in person in Rome. There are two curricula, one in Italian and one in English, Genetics and Molecular Biology in lingua inglese, and access is restricted by a comparative selection.
The course starts from the idea that genetics and molecular biology have merged into the central theme of modern biology. It uses them to dissect the genetic and molecular bases of processes such as development and cell differentiation in animal and plant systems, and to understand how faulty genes relate to human disease. It suits graduates in biology or biotechnology heading for research.
What you will study
In the 2026/27 English curriculum, the first year has compulsory units in Gene Expression Regulation of Eukaryotes (12 ECTS), Structure, Biosynthesis and Analysis of Proteins, and Human Genetics. You then choose from optional groups, all with units taught in English, such as:
- Cell Cycle or Intracellular Trafficking
- Molecular Oncology or Molecular and Cellular Physiology
- Molecular Biology of Stem Cells, Molecular Methods and Methods in Human Genetics
- Genome Evolution and High-Resolution RNA Biology
- Computational Methods in Biology, and Programming and Machine Learning for Biological Data
- Pharmacology in Drug Discovery and Biochemical Biotechnologies
The degree aims to build advanced knowledge of how nucleic acids and proteins are regulated, of model organisms, and of the genetic and molecular skills used to diagnose and treat genetic diseases.
How the programme is taught
The final thesis carries 39 ECTS and is given particular weight: it is an original experimental project, supported by seminars and regular reviews with a supervisor. The second year also includes 3 ECTS of training activities and seminars. Both curricula are valid for an Italian-French double degree.
Career paths
The course catalogue prepares graduates to work as biologists in:
- Biomedical, genetic, food, toxicology, microbiology and forensic analysis laboratories
- The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry
- Public and private healthcare
- Basic and applied research, and science communication
Graduates can also continue to a PhD or a specialised postgraduate master, and the English curriculum is aimed at jobs abroad as well as in Italy.
Fees and scholarships
The selection has a €35 participation fee. Tuition for students whose income is abroad is a flat yearly amount by country band: under the latest rules (2025/26), €300 in Band A, which includes countries like India, Nigeria and Pakistan, €700 in Band B and €1,500 in Band C. The 2026/27 rules follow after 30 September 2026. Students who win, or qualify for, a DiSCo Lazio grant pay €30.
How to apply from outside the EU
This degree has its own call, which for 2026/27 offered 115 places for EU and equivalent candidates and 5 for non-EU visa applicants (one for the Marco Polo programme). Visa applicants first completed MoveIn pre-selection by 15 May 2026 (€30) and Universitaly pre-enrolment by 30 June.
They then registered on Infostud, paid the fee and applied between 16 June and 16 July 2026; interviews, which can be online, were on 24 July and the ranking on 31 July. You state your preferred curriculum on the form.
How ApplyAZ helps
If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
Questions and answers
Is the Master in Genetics and Molecular Biology taught in English?
The degree has an Italian and an English curriculum. The English one, Genetics and Molecular Biology in lingua inglese, is taught in English in Rome. Both need English at B2 level, for example IELTS Academic 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72.
What bachelor's background do I need?
A degree in biotechnology or biological sciences (Italian classes L-2 or L-13), or a first degree with at least 90 ECTS in physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology and related sectors.
Is there an entrance test or interview?
There is no written test. Candidates are ranked on their weighted average and credits. Those from L-2 or L-13 type degrees who meet the credit rules and average above 24 skip the interview; others are interviewed in molecular biology, genetics and biochemistry, possibly online.
How many places are there for non-EU students?
For 2026/27 the call offered 5 places for non-EU visa applicants, one reserved for the Marco Polo programme, alongside 115 places for EU and equivalent candidates.
How much are the fees?
The selection fee is €35. Under the 2025/26 rules, students with income abroad pay €300, €700 or €1,500 a year by country band, and DiSCo Lazio grant winners pay €30. The 2026/27 rules are due after 30 September 2026.
What careers does the degree lead to?
Work as a biologist in biomedical, genetic, food, toxicology, microbiology and forensic laboratories, in biotech and pharmaceutical companies, in healthcare or in research and science communication, or a PhD.
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