Master in Medical Biotechnologies at University of Siena

Detailed entry requirements

Siena's Medical Biotechnologies master asks for a degree in biotechnology, biology, medicine or pharmacy, or another degree with at least 75 credits in set biology and medical areas, a B2 English certificate and, for graduates of foreign universities, a check of personal preparation that can include an interview in English. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]

Degree requirement

You need a bachelor's or master's degree, a three-year university diploma or a recognised foreign equivalent in a biological, biotechnological or medical-health field. [1][2]

• Listed Italian classes: biotechnology (L-2), biological sciences (L-13), biology (LM-6), medicine and surgery (LM-41) and pharmacy (LM-13) meet the curricular requirement.
• Other degree classes: a final grade of at least 95/110 and at least 75 credits across BIO/09, BIO/10, BIO/11, BIO/12, BIO/13, BIO/14, BIO/16, BIO/17, BIO/18, BIO/19, MED/03, MED/07, MED/08, MED/17, ING-INF/06, CHIM/03, CHIM/06, CHIM/08, VET/03 and VET/05. At least 8 of these credits must be in BIO/10, BIO/11, MED/07 or BIO/19 (biochemistry, molecular biology and microbiology), and no more than 10 can come from chemistry.
• Foreign degrees: assessed case by case, by how well the subjects you studied match these areas.

The 2026/27 admissions portal describes the expected background as maths, physics, chemistry and biology at the level of a bachelor's in biology, with the fundamentals of cytology, histology, biochemistry, molecular biology, medical sciences, genetics, immunology and human pathology. [3]

What this means for your transcript

Italian credits and the credits on a foreign transcript are not the same unit, and Siena looks at your subjects, not just your degree title. As a guide, based on the rule above:

• Usually a fit: a B.Sc. or B.Tech in Biotechnology, or a B.Sc. in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Life Sciences or Zoology, or an MBBS, as these sit closest to the listed fields.
• Check carefully: a B.Pharm, a B.Sc. in Medical Laboratory Technology or Nursing, a B.Tech in Biomedical Engineering or a BVSc. These can cover part of the base, but chemistry counts for no more than 10 of the 75 credits, so we check your biology and medical subjects.
• Often short: a B.Sc. in Chemistry, a B.Tech in Computer Science or another engineering field, a BCA, B.Com, BBA or BA, which rarely include enough biology and medical subjects.

The regulations give no conversion of the 95/110 grade rule for foreign grading scales. [2]

English and Italian

A certificate of English at B2 (CEFR) is required. [1][2] Siena accepts a recognised certificate from its list or from an Italian university language centre. [4]

• Exemptions: citizens of countries such as the UK, the USA, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and applicants whose entry degree was taught entirely in English, shown by a certificate or letter from the institution. Exemptions are at the committee's discretion and may involve a remote interview.
• No certificate: applicants with B2 who cannot provide a certificate can take Siena's online English interview, a courtesy service with limited places.

The course regulations and the 2025/26 course record also ask for adequate knowledge of Italian, without setting a level or a test. The 2026/27 admissions portal lists only English. [1][2][3]

Selection and interview

The course is open access, subject to the curricular requirements and a check of personal preparation, which graduates of foreign universities must take. [1] The committee assesses your CV and may call you to a compulsory interview in English on: [1][2]

• bioengineering
• biochemistry and molecular biology (cellular and molecular biochemistry)
• genetics (the basics of classical genetics)
• microbiology (general bacteriology and virology)
• immunology (the immune system)
• human pathology (the molecular and phenotypic bases of disease)

The interview is scored out of 100, and you need at least 60/100 to be admitted. The 2024/25 regulations list cytology and histology in place of bioengineering. [1][2] The 2026/27 portal adds that applicants who pass the document review may be invited to a remote online test and/or interview, with dates sent by email. [3]

2026/27 deadlines

For 2026/27, this master's followed Siena's general calendar for master's degrees. [4]

• Non-EU applicants needing a study visa: one window, until 6 May 2026.
• Non-EU applicants not needing a visa, and EU applicants: until 6 May 2026, or from 7 May to 30 September 2026.

Results can take up to five weeks after a window closes. Siena says applications for 2027/28 open in November 2026, and the new calendar sets the dates. [3][4]

Applying before you graduate

You can apply before graduating, with a provisional certificate or transcript, but you can join the course only after you graduate, and in any case by the final enrolment deadline. [1][2][4]

Documents and non-EU steps

Applications go through Siena's online portal, and you can apply to up to three programmes. You upload: [3][4]

• a valid passport
• a CV (Europass recommended)
• your official transcript or Diploma Supplement, stamped and signed, in English or Italian or with a certified translation, or a provisional certificate if you are still studying
• your English certificate
• at least two references

Legalised documents are not needed to apply but are required for enrolment. If admitted, you receive a letter of eligibility for enrolment and complete the Universitaly visa procedure, whose 2026/27 deadline was 31 July 2026. On Universitaly you upload your passport, the letter, your diploma and transcript, with any declaration of value or CIMEA certificates. You enrol only after you obtain the visa. [4]

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.

1. University of Siena, Department of Medical Biotechnologies. Annual course record (SUA-CdS), Master's degree in Medical Biotechnologies (class LM-9 R), academic year 2025/26. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
2. University of Siena, Department of Medical Biotechnologies. Teaching regulations, Master's degree in Medical Biotechnologies, in force from academic year 2024/25. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
3. University of Siena, international admissions portal. Medical Biotechnologies programme entry, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
4. University of Siena, International Admissions. Admission calendar, documents required, admission fees, English proficiency and visa application pages, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
5. University of Siena. Medical Biotechnologies programme website: home page, double degree page and 2026/27 study plan. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
6. University of Siena. Regulations on student contributions, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.

What bachelor's degree do I need for Medical Biotechnologies at Siena?

A degree in biotechnology, biological sciences, biology, medicine or pharmacy meets the rule. Other Italian degrees need a grade of at least 95/110 and 75 credits in set biology and medical areas. Foreign degrees are assessed case by case against those subject areas. [1][2]

Is there an entrance test or interview?

There is no written entrance exam. Graduates of foreign universities take a check of personal preparation: the committee reviews your CV and may call you to an interview in English on topics such as biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, immunology and human pathology. The pass mark is 60/100. [1][2]

What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?

A B2 English certificate. Siena accepts recognised certificates from its list, can exempt applicants whose degree was taught entirely in English at the committee's discretion, and offers an online English interview to applicants without a certificate. [1][4]

When is the deadline for non-EU students?

For 2026/27, non-EU applicants who needed a study visa had until 6 May 2026, with no later window. Siena says applications for 2027/28 open in November 2026, and the new calendar will set the closing date. [4]

Can I apply before I graduate?

Yes. You can apply before graduating, but you can join the course only after you graduate, and in any case by the final enrolment deadline. [1][2]

I have a B.Pharm or a B.Sc. in Chemistry. Can I apply?

Possibly, but check carefully. Foreign degrees are assessed case by case, and the credit rule for other degrees counts chemistry for no more than 10 of the 75 credits, with at least 8 in biochemistry, molecular biology or microbiology. We map your subjects before you apply. [2]

Which curricula can I choose?

Metabolic Diseases and Oncology, or Microbiology, Immunity and Infection Control. Both share first-year units in bioengineering and artificial intelligence, cellular and molecular technologies, drug discovery and human genetics, and the second year adds an external traineeship and a 21-credit final test. [5]

Is there a double degree?

Yes. Through an agreement with the Universidad de Sevilla in Spain, students can also earn Seville's Máster en Investigación Médica: clínica y experimental alongside the Siena degree. [1][5]

Can someone handle my whole application to Medical Biotechnologies 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 Medical Biotechnologies?

A recognised Indian bachelor's in biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics or life sciences sits closest to the listed fields, and Siena assesses foreign degrees case by case. You also need a B2 English certificate, and the committee may call you to an interview in English. The steps are the online application with two references, the letter of eligibility 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 Medical Biotechnologies are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online application, the letter of eligibility for enrolment 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 Medical Biotechnologies are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application, the letter of eligibility for enrolment 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 Medical Biotechnologies 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, the letter of eligibility for enrolment 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.