Master in Medical Biotechnology at University of Bologna

Detailed entry requirements

Bologna's Medical Biotechnology master asks for a degree in biotechnology, biological sciences, pharmaceutical sciences or medicine, or a recognised foreign equivalent, passed exams in at least four of six biomedical fields, and English at B2 shown by a certificate or other listed proof. Access is open, with no cap on places. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]

Degree requirement

You need a three-year university degree, or a foreign qualification recognised as suitable that gives access to a similar programme in the country that issued it. [1]

• Italian degree classes accepted: L-2 Biotechnology, L-13 Biological Sciences, L-29 Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies and LM-41 Medicine and Surgery, plus their older equivalents (classes 1, 12, 24 and 46S).
• Foreign degrees: accepted when recognised as suitable for access to this programme.
• Older four or five-year degrees: accepted when the Degree Programme Committee recognises them as suitable.

If you do not meet the curricular requirements, you cannot register for the programme. [1]

Exams in six biomedical fields

The admission committee checks that you have passed exams worth at least 3 CFU/ECTS, or 24 hours of lectures, in each of six fields: [1]

• Human anatomy and histology
• Biochemistry
• Cellular and molecular biology
• Human physiology
• Human genetics
• Immunology and general pathology, where general pathology and microbiology exams count

The outcome depends on how many fields you cover: [1]

• All six fields: the check is passed and you can enrol.
• Four or five fields: you take an online interview in English on Microsoft Teams, with two questions for each missing field. You need 21/30 or more to pass.
• Three fields or fewer: the check is not passed and you cannot enrol.

Exams must be recorded by the application date for your intake. [1]

What this means for your transcript

Your transcript must show the credits or hours for each exam, and the committee counts 24 hours of lectures as meeting a field when credits differ from the Italian unit. [1] As a guide, based on the rule above:

• Usually a fit: an MBBS, or a B.Sc. in Biotechnology, Biomedical Science or Human Biology that includes anatomy, physiology, genetics and immunology papers.
• Check carefully: a B.Tech in Biotechnology, a B.Pharm, or a B.Sc. in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Zoology or Life Sciences. These often cover four or five fields but can miss human anatomy, physiology or genetics, which means the interview.
• Often short: a B.Sc. in Botany, Chemistry or Agriculture, or an engineering or computing degree outside biotechnology, which usually covers three fields or fewer.

English

English at CEFR B2 or higher, proven during the application with one of the listed certificates or documents. [1]

• Certificates and minimum results: IELTS Academic or General Training 5.5, TOEFL iBT 80, Cambridge B2 First grade C, Cambridge B1 Preliminary with Distinction, Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, Cambridge English Certificate Level B2 score 160, BEC Vantage or Higher, ICFE or ILEC score 50, and Trinity ISE II, III or IV.
• Other proof: an English course at B2 or above passed in a previous degree, with the CEFR level stated on the record; a B2 certificate from a university language centre; a school or university qualification taught in English; a structured exchange of at least six months taught in English; other equivalent experience assessed by the committee; or the University of Bologna language centre's online Oxford Placement Test.

Certificates are valid whatever their issue date, as long as you hold them by the application date. [1]

2026/27 deadlines

Intake 1 is only for non-EU citizens living abroad. For 2026/27, applications ran from 13 February to 12 March 2026 (13:00 Italian time). Results and interview calls came from 31 March, interviews were on 15 April and interview results from 23 April. Matriculation ran from 24 April to 29 October 2026, or to 19 November 2026 with a late fee. [1]

Intake 2, from 14 May to 11 June 2026, was for Italian and EU citizens and non-EU citizens with EU-equivalent status. Applying in the wrong intake means exclusion. The 2027/28 notice is not yet published. [1]

Applying before you graduate

You can apply, and register if admitted, before finishing your first degree. For 2026/27 entry you had to graduate by 31 December 2026, or your matriculation was cancelled. Until then, you upload your transcript with the credits or hours for each exam and your total years of enrolment. [1]

Documents and non-EU steps

On Studenti Online you upload your passport, your foreign degree translated into Italian or English with a transcript and Diploma Supplement where available, your English certificate, and declarations listing your exams and credits or hours in each of the six fields. Missing mandatory documents at the deadline mean your application is not considered. [1]

Non-EU applicants living abroad also complete Universitaly pre-enrolment and apply for a study visa. At matriculation you upload your qualification and visa, then show the originals in Bologna. The university checks the eligibility, authenticity and value of your qualification after you pay the first instalment, and for 2026/27 your career had to be activated by 26 February 2027. [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.

1. University of Bologna, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC). Admission notice for the Second Cycle Degree Programme in Medical Biotechnology (class LM-9, code 6266), academic year 2026/27, courtesy translation. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
2. University of Bologna, Medical Biotechnology programme home page (degree class, language, campus, department, director and access). Reviewed 8 October 2026.

What bachelor's degree do I need for Bologna's Medical Biotechnology master?

A degree in biotechnology, biological sciences, pharmaceutical sciences or medicine, or a foreign qualification recognised as suitable. You also need passed exams of at least 3 ECTS or 24 hours in at least four of six biomedical fields, and all six to skip the interview. [1]

Is there an entrance exam?

No written test. The committee checks your exams in six fields: anatomy and histology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, physiology, genetics, and immunology and pathology. With four or five fields you take an online interview in English and need 21/30. With three or fewer you cannot enrol. [1]

What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?

English at B2. IELTS 5.5, Academic or General Training, is one option, as are TOEFL iBT 80 and Cambridge B2 First at grade C. A degree taught in English, or an English course at B2 in your previous degree, can also count. [1]

When is the deadline for non-EU students?

Non-EU citizens living abroad apply in intake 1. For 2026/27 it ran from 13 February to 12 March 2026, with interviews on 15 April. The 2027/28 notice is not yet published, and we plan your application around it. [1]

Can I apply before I graduate?

Yes. You can apply, and register if admitted, before finishing your first degree. For 2026/27 entry you had to graduate by 31 December 2026, or your matriculation was cancelled. [1]

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

Possibly. Pharmaceutical sciences is an accepted degree area, and the committee checks your exams field by field. These degrees often cover biochemistry and microbiology but can miss human anatomy, physiology or genetics. Missing one or two fields means an interview, and missing three or more means you cannot enrol. [1]

Is the programme taught in English?

Yes. The University of Bologna lists it as delivered entirely in English on the Bologna campus, run by the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences. Access is open, with no cap on places. [2]

What careers does it lead to?

The university describes it as a starting point for a career in biotechnological research in areas of medical interest. A laurea magistrale also gives access to PhD programmes. [2]

Can someone handle my whole application to Medical Biotechnology at Bologna?

Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Bologna's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the ER.GO Emilia-Romagna 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 Biotechnology?

A recognised Indian bachelor's in biotechnology, life sciences or pharmacy, or an MBBS, can meet the rule if your transcript shows exams in at least four of six fields: anatomy and histology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, physiology, genetics, and immunology and pathology. You also need English at B2. The steps are the intake 1 application on Studenti Online, the admission result 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 Biotechnology are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: intake 1 application on Studenti Online, admission result 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 Biotechnology are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: intake 1 application on Studenti Online, admission result 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 Biotechnology 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: intake 1 application on Studenti Online, admission result 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.