Master in Molecular Biology at University of Padua
English-taught molecular biology master in Padua with three paths (molecular biology, plants, bioenergetics and metabolism), a second year built around an experimental thesis and a double degree option with Université de Paris.
Master
2 years
Padua
English
University of Padua
Molecular Biology is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-6-R) taught entirely in English at the University of Padua, with three specialisation paths and a second year centred on laboratory thesis work. Non-EU students whose family lives abroad pay a fixed €2,990 a year (2026/27); Veneto regional scholarship winners are exempt.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree of at least three years (or equivalent), with proven skills in mathematics, physics, computer science, biology, molecular biology and bioinformatics.
- A good final mark: the Academic Committee looks at your graduation mark or average grades. The minimum for Italian degrees is 98/110, and country-specific GPA rules apply to foreign qualifications.
- English at B2 level of the CEFR, with a certificate from the university's accepted list unless an exemption applies.
- No entrance test: the committee selects on your academic record and application documents.
- An online application on apply.unipd.it with the €60 fee; documents in English or Italian, or with official translations.
About the programme
Molecular Biology is a two-year master's degree in class LM-6-R (Biology), taught entirely in English in Padua since 2018/19. It belongs to the School of Science and is run by the Department of Biology. The degree is worth 120 ECTS and has open admission with requirements: there is no entrance test, and an Academic Committee checks each applicant's background and grades.
The university recently revised the course around the skills modern molecular biology needs. It aims to give advanced, hands-on preparation in the field and a thorough knowledge of instruments, data acquisition and analysis techniques. It suits graduates with a solid grounding in biology and molecular biology who want to do laboratory research, whether in industry, in health-sector laboratories or on the way to a PhD.
What you will study
From 2026/27 the degree runs three experimental paths: Molecular Biology, Molecular Biology of Plants, and Molecular Biology of Bioenergetics and Metabolism. All three share a common core that includes Cellular Biology, Applied Statistics, Genomics, Advanced Biochemistry, Molecular Biology of Development, Molecular and Cell Biology of Plants, and Structural Biochemistry and Biophysics. Path units listed on the admissions portal include:
- Molecular Genetics (Molecular Biology, and Bioenergetics and Metabolism paths)
- Neurobiology (Molecular Biology path)
- Plant Molecular Adaptation (Plants path)
- Plant Biotechnology (Plants path)
- Plant Genetics and Genomics (Plants path)
- Organelle Dynamics and Intracellular Communication (Bioenergetics and Metabolism path)
- Metabolomics and Metabolic Disorders (Bioenergetics and Metabolism path)
How the programme is taught
Laboratory work carries the second year. According to the degree website, about two thirds of the second-year workload goes into the thesis, which gives students substantial experimental experience at the bench, with instruments and with data analysis. The admissions portal also mentions a double degree option with Université de Paris in France.
Career paths
The university prepares graduates to carry out research in public and private organisations with a good degree of autonomy, and the degree is also the natural base for doctoral study. Outlets named on its official pages include:
- Research in the pharmaceutical, agro-industrial, food and biotechnology sectors
- Positions of responsibility in health-sector analysis laboratories
- Quality control of products of biological origin
- Project management or advisory roles in public administration, in human health or public hygiene
- Doctoral research (PhD)
Fees and scholarships
Degrees of the School of Science sit in fee Group B. Under the 2026/27 fee call, non-EU students whose household lives abroad pay a fixed €2,990 a year, cut to €996.66 for citizens of countries on the ministry's list of particularly poor countries; an ISEE parificato only reduces the regional tax. Winners of the Veneto regional scholarship are exempt, which means zero euro tuition for eligible students, and applicants from abroad to English-taught degrees are considered for merit fee waivers. Details are on the fees page.
How to apply from outside the EU
Applications go through apply.unipd.it: upload your transcript, degree certificate, CV, motivation letter and English certificate, and pay the €60 fee. The Academic Committee weighs your final mark or average grades. For 2027/28, non-EU applicants living abroad can apply in Call One (15 September to 15 November 2026) or Call Two (1 December 2026 to 1 March 2027).
If you are admitted, you confirm your place with a €208 admission fee, then complete the Universitaly pre-enrolment and apply for a type D study visa. At enrolment your degree and transcript need legalisation, an Apostille or a CIMEA statement of verification. Classes begin 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 Molecular Biology taught in English?
Yes. The degree has been taught entirely in English since 2018/19. You need English at B2 level of the CEFR, shown by a certificate on the university's accepted list unless an exemption applies.
Which paths can I choose?
Three: Molecular Biology, Molecular Biology of Plants, and Molecular Biology of Bioenergetics and Metabolism. They share core units such as Genomics, Advanced Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, then specialise in areas like neurobiology, plant biotechnology or metabolomics.
What bachelor's background do I need?
A degree of at least three years with proven skills in mathematics, physics, computer science, biology, molecular biology and bioinformatics. For Italian degrees the minimum final mark is 98/110; foreign qualifications follow the university's country-specific GPA rules.
Is there an entrance test?
No. Admission is open with requirements. The Academic Committee reviews your final mark or average grades and your documents, and decides whether you meet the entry requirements.
When can I apply for 2027/28?
Non-EU applicants living abroad can apply on apply.unipd.it from 15 September to 15 November 2026 or from 1 December 2026 to 1 March 2027. The application fee is €60 and 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 from the fee.
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