Master in Plant Science at University of Milan
Two-year English-taught double degree in plant biology from the University of Milan and Université Grenoble Alpes, with a first semester in Grenoble, a second in Milan, internships and a thesis written in English.
Master
2 years
Milan
English
University of Milan
Plant Science is a two-year, 120 ECTS master (class LM-6-R) taught in English by the University of Milan with Université Grenoble Alpes, leading to a double degree. The first semester is in Grenoble and the second in Milan. Tuition is paid only to the University of Milan, fixed by country group for non-EU families abroad.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree in biological sciences (class L-13) or a related field, with at least 66 ECTS in biology (including botany or plant physiology), 12 ECTS in physics, mathematics or computer science and 12 ECTS in chemistry; agricultural science graduates with the right credits can also qualify.
- English at B2 level: a certificate from the last three years or a University of Milan SLAM test from the last four years. Without one, you are admitted only if the interview shows clearly good English.
- Selection on your graduation grade (up to 25 points), CV (up to 10) and an interview in English (up to 65), with a minimum of 60 out of 100.
- For 2026/27 there were 10 places plus 3 for non-EU students living abroad.
- An application on apply.unimi.it with a non-refundable €30 fee, a CV in English, your transcript and passport.
About the programme
Plant Science is a two-year master's degree in class LM-6-R (biology), taught entirely in English and organised jointly by the University of Milan and Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA) in France. Students enrol at both universities and can earn a double degree: the Laurea Magistrale in Biology from Milan and the UGA master's degree. The Department of Biosciences in Milan runs the Italian side, and you apply through the University of Milan.
The degree trains plant biologists at molecular, cellular and applied levels, with a focus on plant development, environmental interactions, breeding, conservation and sustainable production under climate change. Entry is small and selective, so it suits motivated biology graduates who want a research-led, international route.
What you will study
Every student spends the first semester at UGA in Grenoble and the second semester in Milan. In the second year you choose where to study and add guided electives, free-choice credits, internships and the thesis. Units in the 2026/27 plan include:
- Evolutionary Biology of Plants (UGA)
- Introduction to Plant Development and Signal Transduction (UGA)
- Strategies in Experimental Biology (12 ECTS, UGA)
- Plant Development (Milan)
- Plant Signal Transduction (Milan)
- Plant-Environment Interactions or Plant Ecology (guided choice)
- Molecular Plant Breeding and Genetics (guided choice)
- Patenting and Technology Transfer (guided choice)
How the programme is taught
Teaching is student-centred and blended: some second-year courses are offered by distance learning at both universities. Attendance is compulsory for courses held at UGA and for all internships, and highly recommended for courses in Milan. The plan includes a 12 ECTS internship, a short laboratory stage and a 24 ECTS final dissertation, a report written in English. Internships can take place on either campus or at partner institutions, public or private.
Career paths
The university lists four profiles, and graduates can sit the state exam to register in section A of the Italian National Order of Biologists:
- Biologist in university, public or private research labs and industry
- Biotechnologist in plant biotechnology, genetic improvement and phenotyping
- Botanist, including pharmaceutical botany
- Researcher or technician in plant science
- Roles in agri-food companies and environmental bodies
Fees and scholarships
Tuition is paid only to the University of Milan; UGA may charge campus fees. The degree is in fee Area B for 2026/27, so students with family income abroad pay a fixed second instalment by country group: €256 in Group A (countries like India and Nigeria), €1,164 in Group B and €4,101.12 in Group C, plus a first instalment from €146. Milan-enrolled students get an ISEE-linked contribution for the Grenoble semester. Full Lombardy DSU scholarship winners pay no second instalment: zero euro tuition for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
For 2026/27, three places were reserved for non-EU students living abroad. They applied on apply.unimi.it from 24 March to 30 April 2026 with a €30 fee, had an online interview on 11 May, saw results on 14 May and enrolled by 29 May. Because the first semester is in Grenoble, visa applicants also need a French student visa. The 2027/28 call was not yet published in September 2026.
Admitted students also complete Universitaly pre-enrolment for Italy and provide a CIMEA statement or declaration of value for their degree.
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 Plant Science taught entirely in English?
Yes. The whole programme is in English, the admission interview is in English and the final thesis is a report written in English. You need English at B2 level.
Where will I study?
All students spend the first semester at Université Grenoble Alpes in France and the second in Milan. In the second year you choose where to study. Non-EU visa applicants need a French student visa for Grenoble.
Do I get two degrees?
You enrol at both universities and can be awarded a double degree: the Laurea Magistrale in Biology from the University of Milan and the master's degree of Université Grenoble Alpes.
How are students selected?
On the graduation grade (up to 25 points), the CV (up to 10) and an interview in English (up to 65), with 60 out of 100 needed. For 2026/27 there were 3 places for non-EU students.
How much are the fees?
Tuition is paid only to the University of Milan. For 2026/27, students with family income abroad pay a fixed second instalment by country group, from €256 a year, and full DSU scholarship winners pay no second instalment.
What careers does it lead to?
Graduates work as biologists, plant biotechnologists, botanists or researchers in universities, research institutes, biotech, pharmaceutical and agri-food companies, and can sit the Italian state exam for biologists.
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