Master in Neurosciences at University of L’Aquila
Two-year English-taught LM-6 master's at the University of L'Aquila in cellular and molecular neurobiology, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and neuroimaging, ending with a 16 ECTS research thesis.
Master
2 years
L'Aquila
English
University of L’Aquila
Neurosciences is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree in biology (class LM-6) taught entirely in English at the University of L'Aquila, covering the nervous system from molecules and cells to neuroimaging and neuropathology. Non-EU students not resident in Italy start in the lowest fee band, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Neurosciences admission depends on the prior qualification, the subject preparation specified below and the applicable language/enrolment route. The programme rules are verified against the official 2026/27 regulation. Eligibility assessment and final enrolment are separate stages.
Degree backgrounds and alternative credit route
- Applicants need a bachelor’s degree, a three-year university diploma or a recognised suitable foreign qualification. Neurosciences is an LM-6 biology master’s, delivered entirely in English under its 2026/27 regulation.
- Biological Sciences graduates in L-13 or former class 12 from an Italian university have the listed curricular access route regardless of their previous curriculum. Biotechnology graduates in L-2 undergo curriculum assessment by the CAD.
- Other degree classes need all three groups: at least 66 CFU in the specified biology sectors, 12 in mathematics/physics and 12 in chemistry. The biology fields cover BIOS-01/A–05/A and BIOS-06/A–15/A; the mathematics/physics group uses MATH-01/A–06/A and PHYS-01/A–06/B; the chemistry group uses CHEM-01/A–03/A and CHEM-05/A.
- A recognised foreign degree is assessed for suitability and equivalent preparation. A programme title containing neuroscience or health alone does not establish compliance with the required transcript distribution.
Language and selection
- English proficiency must be equivalent to at least B2. For the cohort-2026 international selection, use its certificate validity and permitted English-medium/native-speaker evidence rules.
- The international committee can select on qualifications alone or on qualifications plus an interview. The call provides at least five days’ notice when an interview is scheduled. It does not guarantee that every applicant is exempt from an interview.
- The degree-class route, English evidence and academic selection all have to be satisfied. Neither the biology access route nor meeting the 90-credit alternative distribution replaces the complete international application and enrolment process.
2026 international English-course selection and documents
- For candidates holding a qualification from outside the Italian university system, the cohort-2026 English-master’s call requires a suitable university qualification of at least three official years and English at least B2. The university committee evaluates programme-specific preparation from qualifications and may add an interview.
- The application dossier is in English: CV, transcript for the admission qualification, transcripts for any additional qualifications, relevant official course syllabuses or the prescribed course-description declaration, motivation letter, valid identity document, and English evidence. Up to two reference letters are optional in this call.
- English certificates issued more than four years earlier are not valid for this selection. Native speakers and candidates with at least one year of English-medium study at bachelor’s or secondary-school level can provide the call’s stated self-certified evidence. This selection exemption must be reconciled with any separate certificate requirement for enrolment or the programme regulation.
- The call allows one submitted application covering up to two programme rankings. The €20 participation payment and completed submission/signature procedure are compulsory; a saved draft is not a submitted application. The stated handwritten-signature step is waived for the specified SPID route.
- The cohort-2026 application deadline was 25 February 2026 at 13:00 Italian time. For a pending degree, the call required qualification evidence by 15 August 2026 under its stated conditions. These dates have passed as of this review; they are provided as dated evidence and not advertised as a newly open application window.
Foreign qualifications and final enrolment documents
- A foreign qualification must be recognised as suitable for second-cycle study. Prepare the final bachelor’s certificate, official transcript in English or Italian, and the qualification-recognition evidence applicable to your case: CIMEA comparability/verification statements, a Declaration of Value, or an accepted English Diploma Supplement.
- The university permits its documented direct-verification procedure in qualifying cases. This needs confirmation in the acceptance letter and communication to the student registry; an applicant cannot simply declare that recognition evidence is unnecessary.
- Applicants who require an Italian study visa also complete Universitaly pre-enrolment. The university’s checklist includes passport photograph, passport, motivation letter, CV, transcript, degree or permitted temporary certificate, and B2 evidence in the teaching language. The academic offer and visa decision are separate steps.
- Match language evidence to the selected curriculum. The international enrolment webpage contains some older dates alongside its 2026 application information, so an older enrolment deadline should not be used as a newly confirmed 2026/27 deadline. Follow the applicable annual notice and registry instructions.
Sources and verification
- University of L’Aquila. Neurosciences: official teaching regulation, academic year 2026/27, Article 5. Reviewed 6 October 2026.
- University of L’Aquila. Selection for admission to English-taught master’s degrees, cohort 2026, Articles 2–5. Reviewed 6 October 2026.
- University of L’Aquila. Enrolment of international students: academic pre-selection, language evidence, Universitaly and postgraduate enrolment documents; current webpage with separately dated entries. Reviewed 6 October 2026.
About the programme
Neurosciences is a two-year master's degree (laurea magistrale) in class LM-6, biology, worth 120 ECTS. It is run by the Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences (MeSVA) of the University of L'Aquila, taught in person in L'Aquila, and the 2026/27 regulation states that it is delivered entirely in English.
The course trains biologists with advanced, hands-on knowledge of the nervous system: its cells and molecules, the methods and computing tools used to study the brain, and the environmental factors that affect how it works. It suits graduates in biological sciences or biotechnology who want a research career in neuroscience.
What you will study
The first year (65 ECTS) builds the biological and technical base; the second year (55 ECTS) moves to evolution, ageing and disease of the nervous system, plus 9 ECTS of electives and the thesis. Units in the 2026/27 plan include:
- Cellular Neurobiology and Developmental Neurobiology (9 ECTS)
- Fundamentals of Neurobiochemistry and Biomolecular Technologies (9 ECTS)
- Integrative Neurophysiology, Molecular Neurobiology and Neuropharmacology (6 ECTS each)
- Genetic Modelling in Neurobiology and Epigenetics, and Anatomic Basis for Neurosciences (6 ECTS each)
- Neuroimaging, and Advanced Techniques for Nervous System and Synaptic Plasticity (5 ECTS each)
- Vertebrate Brain Evolution, Aging Neurobiology and Neuropathology (6 ECTS each)
- Human Neurogenetics, Human Neurology and a Laboratory unit in the second year
How the programme is taught
Practical training runs through both years: 5 ECTS of professional activities in the first year and a 3 ECTS internship in the second, which can be done in a university lab, at an outside organisation under agreement, or abroad through programmes such as Erasmus+. Students may earn internship credits beyond the minimum.
The final exam carries 16 ECTS: an original research thesis prepared under a supervisor during a period in a university laboratory or an approved external centre, possibly abroad under an agreement. The defence can be held in English.
Career paths
The regulation prepares graduates for work as biologists, biochemists, pharmacologists and researchers in biology. Named outlets include:
- Basic or applied research in public and private biomedical institutes
- The pharmaceutical industry, in applied and clinical research and data management
- Innovation and technology transfer in neuroscience, cell biology and biomolecule analysis
- Professional work in health, public administration and industry
- Science teaching and outreach in neuroscience
Graduates can also move on to PhD programmes, health specialisation schools and second-level university masters.
Fees and scholarships
The University of L'Aquila links tuition to family income. Its 2026/27 fee guide charges no annual contribution in the lowest band (ISEE up to €24,000), and non-EU students not resident in Italy are assigned to that band, so the degree can be tuition-free for eligible students, provided minimum credits are earned from the second year. The €140 regional tax and €16 stamp duty are due from everyone at enrolment. Regional scholarships are run by ADSU L'Aquila.
How to apply from outside the EU
Neurosciences is part of the university's call for master's degrees taught in English. Applicants need a biology-based bachelor's (or the minimum biology, maths, physics and chemistry credits) and B2 English. For 2026/27 the call ran on the PICA portal until 25 February 2026 at 1:00 pm Italian time, with a €20 fee.
We upload your CV, degree certificate and transcripts, course descriptions, a motivation letter and up to two reference letters; the committee selects on qualifications and may hold an interview. Admitted students complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, apply for a type D study visa and provide a CIMEA statement or declaration of value at enrolment.
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, help you file your DSU scholarship application at the right time and in the right format, 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
Which degree class has the listed biology route?
L-13 Biological Sciences, or former class 12, from an Italian university.
Are Biotechnology graduates considered?
Yes. L-2 graduates have their curriculum assessed by the CAD.
What is required for another background?
At least 66 CFU in specified biology fields, 12 in mathematics/physics and 12 in chemistry.
What is the teaching language?
The 2026/27 regulation states that the programme is entirely in English.
What English level is required?
At least B2, with evidence under the applicable admission and enrolment route.
Can the international committee interview applicants?
Yes. The cohort-2026 call permits qualification-only selection or qualification assessment plus an interview.
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