Master in Molecular Biotechnology at The University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”
Two-year English-taught LM-9 master's at Vanvitelli's DiSTABiF department in Caserta, covering molecular biology, genetics, structural biology and biotech drug design, with lab-based thesis work and links to CNR institutes.
Master
2 years
Naples
English
The University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”
Molecular Biotechnology is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-9) taught in English by the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli in Caserta, focused on biotechnology for the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. Entry is open access, and fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree in biotechnology or a closely related subject, with an official degree certificate and transcript of records.
- Adequate credits in general and inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, microbiology and general physiology.
- A final degree grade of B or higher, or the equivalent.
- English at B2 level (IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge, TOEIC, EF SET or Pearson), or an online interview with the admission board.
- No entrance test: the course is open access, with a check of your curriculum before admission.
About the programme
Molecular Biotechnology is a two-year laurea magistrale in class LM-9 (medical, veterinary and pharmaceutical biotechnology), worth 120 ECTS and taught in English. It is run by the Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF) of the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, based in Caserta, and has open access with no fixed number of places.
The course trains biotechnologists for the study, prevention and diagnosis of human disease, with particular attention to the development of innovative drugs. It suits graduates in biotechnology or a close subject who want a research-driven path into the life sciences. The department works with National Research Council institutes such as the Institute of Genetics and Biophysics and the Institute of Protein Biochemistry on teaching and research.
What you will study
The first year builds a shared base in biochemistry, microbiology and structural biology; the second turns to genetics, pathology and drug design. Integrated courses in the 2026/27 plan include:
- Cellular and Clinical Biochemistry
- Industrial Biochemistry and Biotechnological Processes
- Molecular Microbiology
- Structural Analysis of Biomolecules, including NMR and X-ray structure determination
- Molecular Bases of Cell Function, with methods and models to study genetic diseases
- Human and Medical Genetics
- Molecular Pathology and Immunology, and Pharmacotherapeutics and Biopharmaceuticals
- Design and Synthesis of Bioactive Compounds, and Anatomic Pathology
Electives include cellular and molecular neurobiology, a laboratory of molecular biology, a laboratory of applied bioprocesses and methods in mitochondrial research. Scientific English is also part of the first year.
How the programme is taught
Alongside lectures, you complete a training stage at a research institute or a company in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, diagnostic or biomedical sector. Thesis work is experimental: you generate data in a research laboratory, and the department lists eight host labs for master's theses, from molecular biology to bioprocess engineering.
Career paths
Graduates can work, alone or in research teams, on cell and tissue manipulation, molecular toxicology, gene therapy vectors, genetic and molecular diagnostics, and the design, production and control of biotech drugs. The department names these employers:
- Chemical, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
- Universities, the National Research Council and other research institutions
- Public and private laboratories and hospitals
- Regulatory authorities
After passing the state exam, graduates can join the professional register of biologists in Italy.
Fees and scholarships
Vanvitelli sets its fees each year in a University Fees Manifesto; the 2026/27 edition was adopted by rector's decree no. 424 of 29 June 2026, and a separate notice lets students pay in instalments. Check your fee band in that manifesto before you budget. ADISURC, the regional body for the right to university study in Campania, runs scholarships, grants and student residences, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
Non-EU applicants living abroad start with a pre-enrolment application on Universitaly, following the course's own guide. The admission board evaluates your file only after that step, and documents sent by email are not assessed. It checks your degree, transcript, grades and English level.
If you are eligible you are notified through the portal, and the university sends its confirmation directly to the Italian embassy or consulate for your type D study visa; no separate acceptance letter is issued.
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 Molecular Biotechnology taught in English?
Yes. The master's is delivered in English, and applicants need English at B2 level, shown by a recognised certificate or assessed in an online interview with the admission board.
Which bachelor's degrees are accepted?
A bachelor's in biotechnology or a closely related subject, with credits in chemistry, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, genetics, microbiology and physiology, and a final grade of B or higher.
Is there an entrance test or a limit on places?
No. The course has open access with no entrance test. The admission board checks your curriculum, grades and English level before you can enrol.
Where is the course taught?
The course is run by the DiSTABiF department of the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli in Caserta, in the Campania region near Naples.
How do non-EU students apply?
Non-EU applicants living abroad submit a pre-enrolment application on Universitaly. The board evaluates files only after that step and sends its confirmation to the Italian embassy or consulate for the visa.
What careers does it lead to?
Graduates work in pharmaceutical, biotech, chemical and cosmetics companies, research institutes, hospitals, laboratories and regulatory authorities. After the state exam they can register as biologists in Italy.
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