Master in Plant Biotechnology for Food and Global Health at University of Tuscia
Two-year English-taught LM-7 master's at the University of Tuscia in Viterbo in plant genomics, breeding, food biotechnology and natural products, with a 24-credit experimental thesis. Entry needs core science credits, a strong average, English at B2 and an interview.
Master
2 years
Viterbo
English
University of Tuscia
Plant Biotechnology for Food and Global Health is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-7) taught in English at the University of Tuscia in Viterbo. Entry needs a related bachelor's with at least 20 credits in core sciences, an average of at least 25/30 or a CGPA of 8.5/10, English at B2 and an interview. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Tuscia's Plant Biotechnology for Food and Global Health master asks for a related bachelor's with at least 20 credits across core sciences, a grade average of at least 25/30 or equivalent, certified English at B2 and a positive admission interview. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree, credit and grade requirements
You need a three-year (or five-year) Italian degree or a recognised foreign equivalent, particularly, but not only, in biotechnology, biological sciences, agricultural and forestry sciences, or agri-food sciences (Italian classes L-2, L-13, L-25 and L-26). The programme page describes the fit as a bachelor's in the same or a related area, such as biotechnology or agricultural sciences. [1][2]
- Credits: at least 20 credits across mathematics (MAT/01 to MAT/09), physics (FIS/01 to FIS/07), general chemistry (CHIM/03), organic chemistry (CHIM/06), genetics (AGR/07, BIO/18), plant biology (BIO/04, BIO/15) and biochemistry (BIO/10). For exams taken abroad, the Technical Committee decides which subject areas they belong to. [2]
- Grade average: at least 25/30 on the Italian scale, or a Second Upper Class result: a B+ grade, or a CGPA of at least 3.4/4, 4.3/5, 6/7, 8.5/10, 17/20 or 105/110. [2]
- Computer skills: basic knowledge of IT tools. [1]
If more than 200 pre-enrolment applications arrive from foreign students, two extra criteria apply: a bachelor's in biotechnology or a very similar subject, and a GPA above 95%. [2]
The Technical Committee reviews each file for gaps and may suggest preparatory activities. You can fill gaps by taking single courses and passing their exams before the interview. [1]
What this means for your transcript
As a guide, based on the rules above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Sc. or B.Tech in Biotechnology, a B.Sc. in Agriculture, or a B.Sc. in Botany or Life Sciences with chemistry, with a CGPA of 8.5/10 or above.
- Check carefully: a B.Sc. in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Zoology or Food Technology, which usually covers chemistry and biochemistry but may be light on plant biology and genetics, or any related degree with a CGPA just under 8.5/10. Marks given as percentages need converting to the Italian scale, which we check for you.
- Often short: a B.Tech or B.E. outside biotechnology, a BCA, B.Com, BBA or BA. These may hold maths and physics credits but are not in a related subject area and do not prepare you for the biology interview.
English
You need certified English at CEFR level B2. The programme lists TOEFL above 87, IELTS above 5.5, City and Guilds (Pitman) IESOL B2 Communicator or higher, Cambridge First (FCE) or higher, Trinity College London ISE II or higher, and British Institute ESOL B2 or higher. [1][2]
A certificate is not needed if you come from an English-speaking country or have documented education in English. Without a certificate, you take an extra English test as part of the admission interview. [2]
Admission interview
There is no written entrance test. The Technical Committee assesses your preparation in an admission interview. The programme page lists its topics: [1][2]
- General biology: biological macromolecules and enzymes, cell structure and function, prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
- Plant biology: autotrophs and heterotrophs, the plant cell and plant tissues, plant organs and structures.
- Genetics: from genotype to phenotype, Mendel's laws and meiosis, types and consequences of mutations.
The 2024 regulation also names microbiology among the areas checked. You receive the result by email. [1][2]
2026/27 dates
For 2026/27, interview dates reserved for international students were 30 January, 27 February, 27 March and 24 April 2026. Dates open to all students were 29 May, 26 June and 31 July 2026, and further dates can be communicated directly to applicants. [2]
Enrolment for 2026/27 is completed on the student platform by 2 November 2026, and visa applications must be submitted to the Italian embassy or consulate by 30 November 2026. The 2027/28 calendar is not yet published. [2][4]
Documents and non-EU steps
Applicants with a foreign degree are advised to register first through the university's contact form. You then book the interview through the programme's form, uploading a good-quality copy of your degree certificate with the list of exams, grades and credits, a copy of your passport, and your chosen interview date. The date and time are confirmed by email. [2]
After a positive evaluation, non-EU applicants pre-enrol on Universitaly, which usually opens this procedure in April or May. [2] For a master's, the university's 2026/27 list includes your school-leaving diploma and bachelor's degree with an apostille or legalisation and a certified Italian translation unless issued in English, your transcript, a Declaration of Value or CIMEA Statement of Comparability (or an ARDI Statement of Correspondence where it applies), your English certificate and your admission letter. Pre-enrolment is often possible before the Declaration of Value or CIMEA statement arrives, but one is needed to complete enrolment in Viterbo. [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.
- University of Tuscia, Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences. Didactic regulations of the Master's degree in Plant Biotechnology for Food and Global Health (LM-7), issued by Rector's Decree no. 440/24 of 17 September 2024. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Tuscia. Plant Biotechnology for Food and Global Health programme page: admissions, interview calendar for academic year 2026/27, course structure and careers. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Tuscia. Plant Biotechnology for Food and Global Health study plan, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Tuscia. How to enrol: steps for non-EU students, covering language, admission letter, Universitaly pre-enrolment, documents, visa and fees, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Plant Biotechnology for Food and Global Health (PlantBiotech) is a two-year master's degree (laurea magistrale, class LM-7, Agricultural Biotechnology) at the University of Tuscia. It is run by the Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences (DAFNE) at Campus Riello in Viterbo, and has been fully taught in English since 2023/24. [1][2]
The degree applies biotechnology to organisms of agricultural interest, to the quality and safety of raw materials and agri-food products, and to their sustainability, yield and nutritional value. It also treats plants as biofactories for biopharmaceuticals and as a source of natural compounds found in food and agro-industrial waste. It mainly builds on bachelor's degrees in biotechnology, biological sciences, agricultural and forestry sciences, and agri-food sciences. [2]
What you will study
The degree totals 120 ECTS. The 2026/27 study plan for the main path includes: [3]
- Plant Genomics (12 ECTS, two modules)
- Plant Breeding (6 ECTS)
- Food Biotechnology (6 ECTS)
- Chemistry of Natural Organic Products (6 ECTS)
- Agro-industrial Phytopathological Biotechnologies (6 ECTS)
- Engineering Crop Response to Stresses (6 ECTS)
- Advanced Tissue Culture (6 ECTS)
- Bio-economy (6 ECTS)
- Quality of Plant-Based Foods (6 ECTS)
You also choose two electives (12 ECTS) from Technological Innovations to Improve the Quality of Vegetable Crops, Forest Biotechnology, Data Science with R and Bioinformatics. Short units in lab safety, research laboratory training and project writing and management add 6 ECTS, followed by a 6 ECTS internship and a 24 ECTS thesis. [2][3]
The 2026/27 study plan also lists a second curriculum, Applied Biotechnology in Food Industries, with courses such as Processing Biotechnologies in Food Industries and Food Analyses and Bioseparation Methods. [3]
How the programme is taught
Teaching is organised in semesters, and most courses include an intensive practical part with laboratory and field exercises, plus educational visits to research bodies and companies. Exams are held in person and in English, usually as an oral assessment, sometimes with a written test. You can choose full-time or part-time study. [1][2]
You also earn 12 ECTS through free-choice activities. The internship is normally carried out in external farms or companies under agreements with the university. The final thesis is experimental work under a supervisor, carried out at the university, at affiliated institutions or companies, or at a laboratory abroad through Erasmus, and it is written and presented in English. [1][2]
Careers
Graduates work as researchers and technicians in public research bodies and private companies, in regional agriculture and environment agencies, in national and international food safety agencies, in seed companies, in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, in certification and phytosanitary control bodies, in international cooperation, and in consultancy. [2]
After the Italian State Examination, graduates can register with the National Order of Agronomists and Foresters and with the National Order of Biologists. The degree also leads to PhD and professional master's programmes. [2]
Fees and scholarships
The University of Tuscia sets tuition by family income. International students with income or assets abroad declare them through the ISEEUP procedure, and students who do not submit an ISEEUP for 2026/27 are charged a fixed fee based on their country of origin. [4] The regional scholarship body for Lazio is DiSCo Lazio, and its scholarship winners also get a tuition waiver, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. The region decides scholarship awards. Admission interview results can also be considered for a fellowship request. [2]
How to apply from outside the EU
Applicants with a foreign degree book the admission interview through the programme's online form, uploading their degree certificate with the list of exams, grades and credits, their passport and a chosen interview date. Results are sent by email. [2]
After a positive evaluation, non-EU applicants pre-enrol on Universitaly, which usually opens this procedure in April or May. Admitted students then register on the student platform, and a tutor helps them complete enrolment. For 2026/27, the enrolment deadline is 2 November 2026 and visa applications must be submitted by 30 November 2026. The 2027/28 calendar is not yet published. [2][4]
How ApplyAZ helps
ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities. We can include this programme in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes that fit your profile, so your plan never rests on a single application.
For eligible students who start with us, a named person owns each stage, from A to Z:
- We check your transcript against Tuscia's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your interview booking form, admission documents and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your DiSCo Lazio scholarship application at the right time and in the right format.
- We prepare your visa file.
With operations in all 20 Italian regions, we follow each region's scholarship rules and deadlines as they change. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa, so no one can promise an outcome. You pay in milestones, and every service you pay for is either delivered or its fee is refunded (terms apply).
Programmes at Italian public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students. Check if you are eligible and book a one-to-one consultation session with one of our Italy experts, or see how ApplyAZ works.
Questions and answers
What bachelor's degree do I need for Plant Biotechnology for Food and Global Health at Tuscia?
A three-year bachelor's in biotechnology, biology, agricultural or agri-food sciences, or a related foreign degree, with at least 20 credits across maths, physics, chemistry, genetics, plant biology and biochemistry, and an average of at least 25/30 or equivalent. [1][2]
What CGPA do I need from India?
The programme asks for an average equal to at least 25/30 in Italy, or a Second Upper Class result such as a CGPA of 8.5/10, 3.4/4 or a B+ grade. If more than 200 foreign applications arrive, a GPA above 95% is also required. [2]
Is there an entrance exam?
There is no written test. The Technical Committee interviews you on general biology, plant biology and genetics, and tests your English at the same interview if you have no certificate. You receive the result by email. [1][2]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
Certified English at B2. Accepted certificates include IELTS above 5.5, TOEFL above 87 and Cambridge First. You do not need one if you come from an English-speaking country or studied in English. Without a certificate, you take an extra test at the interview. [2]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, interview dates reserved for international students ran from 30 January to 24 April 2026, with dates for all students until 31 July 2026. The 2027/28 calendar is not yet published, and we track it for eligible students. [2]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. The regulation lets students who do not yet hold a bachelor's degree take the admission interview, provided they meet the curricular requirements. Those who pass enrol in the first year within the dates set on the student portal. [1]
I have a B.Sc. in Microbiology or a B.Tech in Food Technology. Can I apply?
Possibly. These degrees often cover the chemistry and biochemistry credits, but you need enough genetics and plant biology for the interview. The committee can suggest preparatory courses to fill gaps before you sit it. [1][2]
What careers does it lead to?
Research and technical roles in public research bodies and companies, seed and nutraceutical firms, food safety agencies and consultancy. After the State Examination you can register with the National Order of Biologists or of Agronomists and Foresters. [2]
Can someone handle my whole application to Plant Biotechnology for Food and Global Health at Tuscia?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Tuscia's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the DiSCo Lazio 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 Plant Biotechnology for Food and Global Health?
A recognised Indian B.Sc. or B.Tech in Biotechnology, a B.Sc. in Agriculture or a related life sciences degree can fit if it has at least 20 credits across maths, physics, chemistry, genetics, plant biology and biochemistry and a CGPA of 8.5/10 or equivalent, plus English at B2. The steps are the interview booking, the admission interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [2] 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 Plant Biotechnology for Food and Global Health are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: interview booking form, admission interview 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 Plant Biotechnology for Food and Global Health are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: interview booking form, admission interview 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 Plant Biotechnology for Food and Global Health 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: interview booking form, admission interview 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.
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