Master in Medical Biotechnologies at University of Padua
English-taught medical biotechnology master in Padua with a common first year in molecular biology, immunology and bioinformatics, then four paths in AI-based pathology, omics, diagnostics and advanced therapies, plus a double degree option with Ulm.
Master
2 years
Padua
English
University of Padua
Medical Biotechnologies is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-9-R) taught in English at the University of Padua, with 10 places for non-EU applicants living abroad in 2027/28. Non-EU students with family abroad pay a fixed €2,990 a year (2026/27), waived for regional scholarship winners.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree of at least three years in biotechnology, biology, chemistry, a technical health profession or medicine and surgery, or certified skills in physiology, biochemistry, applied biology, pharmacology, human anatomy, histology, general pathology, microbiology and physics.
- A final grade that meets the country-based entry requirements the university publishes for 2027/28.
- English at B2 level of the CEFR, shown by a certificate on the university's accepted list unless an exemption applies.
- Limited access: 10 places for non-EU applicants living abroad in 2027/28, assigned through a ranking list under the official call.
- Entry qualification documents in English or Italian; if admitted, you provide official translations and verified copies.
About the programme
Medical Biotechnologies is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree in class LM-9-R (Medical, Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology), taught in English in Padua. It belongs to the School of Medicine and Surgery and is run by the Department of Molecular Medicine. Admission is restricted, with 10 places for non-EU applicants living abroad in 2027/28.
The degree teaches how to use biotechnology methods and instruments for the prevention, diagnosis and therapy of human diseases. It builds deep biomedical knowledge of how the structure and function of biomolecules and biosystems relate at cell, tissue and whole-body level, in health and disease, with strong use of bioinformatic tools. It suits graduates in biotechnology, biology or related sciences who are aiming at biomedical research or diagnostics.
What you will study
The first year is common to all students. In the second year you follow one of four paths: COSMIC (Computational Systems for Omics and Machine Learning in Clinical Pathology), ATLAS (Advanced Technologies Leveraging AI Systems), ORBIT (Optimizing Research in Biotechnology for Innovative Therapeutics) or PRISM (Pathology Research, Innovative Strategies in Medicine). Course units include:
- Molecular Biology of Tissues (year 1)
- Stem Cells and Developmental Biology (year 1)
- Statistics and Bioinformatics, and The Biology of Big Data (year 1)
- Molecular Immunology and Pathology (year 1)
- Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology (year 1)
- New Drug Targets and Biomolecules (year 1)
- AI for Digital Pathology and Analysis of Omics Data (COSMIC and ATLAS paths)
- Next Generation Diagnostics and Advanced Therapeutic Strategies (ORBIT and PRISM paths)
How the programme is taught
First-year students also choose two optional units from Laboratory Activities, Biomaterials of Tissue Engineering, Human Genetics in Health and Disease, and Bridging Science and Business: the Biotech Journey, and attend a seminar. The degree ends with a thesis internship and final examination. A double degree in Molecular Medicine with the University of Ulm in Germany is available through an additional selection.
Career paths
Graduates can lead research laboratories and coordinate projects in biotechnology applied to human health, especially pharmaceutical products and vaccine development, and work with clinicians on diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. The university also names:
- Freelance practice as a biotechnologist
- Specialist roles on advanced instrumentation in private companies
- Research institutions
- Diagnostic and analysis laboratories
Fees and scholarships
Degrees of the School of Medicine and Surgery are in fee Group B. For 2026/27, non-EU students whose household does not live in Italy pay a fixed €2,990 a year, or €996.66 if they are citizens of a country on the ministry's list of particularly poor countries; the ISEE parificato only reduces the regional tax. Veneto regional scholarship winners are exempt, which means zero euro tuition for eligible students, and applicants living abroad are considered for merit fee waivers. See the fees page.
How to apply from outside the EU
The 10 non-EU places are allocated through a ranking list, and non-EU applicants living abroad can apply only from 7 January to 7 March 2027 (23:59 CET) on apply.unipd.it. Upload your transcript, degree certificate, CV, motivation letter and English certificate and pay the €60 fee; legalised documents come later.
Once admitted, you pay a non-refundable €208 fee to accept the place, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment and apply for a type D study visa. As this is a limited-access degree, your degree and transcript must be legalised, apostilled or verified by CIMEA by 31 July 2027. Classes start on 1 October 2027.
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 Medical Biotechnologies taught in English?
Yes. The whole degree is taught in English in Padua by the Department of Molecular Medicine. You need English at B2 level of the CEFR, with a certificate on the university's accepted list unless an exemption applies.
How many places are there for non-EU students?
For 2027/28 there are 10 places for non-EU applicants living abroad. They are assigned through a ranking list, with the criteria set in the official call for admission.
Which bachelor's degrees are accepted?
Biotechnology, biology, chemistry, a technical health profession or medicine and surgery, or certified skills in subjects such as physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, human anatomy, histology, pathology and microbiology.
What paths can I choose in the second year?
Four: COSMIC and ATLAS, which use AI for digital pathology and omics data analysis, and ORBIT and PRISM, which focus on next generation diagnostics and advanced therapeutic strategies.
When can I apply for 2027/28?
Non-EU applicants living abroad apply on apply.unipd.it from 7 January to 7 March 2027, 23:59 CET, and pay a €60 fee. Classes start on 1 October 2027.
How much are the fees?
For 2026/27, non-EU students with family abroad pay a fixed €2,990 a year, or €996.66 if from a country on the ministry's list of particularly poor countries. Veneto regional scholarship winners are exempt.
Similar programmes
More programmes in this city
They began right where you are
