Master in Safety Assessment of Xenobiotics and Biotechnological Products at University of Milan
Two-year English-taught LM-9 R master at the University of Milan that trains risk assessors in toxicology, chemical regulation and exposure science, with blended teaching, compulsory labs in Milan and a 29 ECTS thesis. Entry needs set life-science credits and B2 English.
Master
2 years
Milan
English
University of Milan
Safety Assessment of Xenobiotics and Biotechnological Products is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-9 R) taught in English at the University of Milan, in blended mode with compulsory labs. Entry needs a biotechnology or pharmacy degree, or set credits in chemistry, physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology, plus English at B2. Full regional scholarship winners pay no second instalment, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Milan's Safety Assessment of Xenobiotics master asks for a degree in biotechnology (L-2) or pharmaceutical sciences (L-29), a degree with set credits in chemistry, physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology or toxicology, or an equivalent foreign degree. Candidates who meet these requirements have an interview in English that also checks English at B2. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and credit requirements
You need a first-level degree worth 180 credits, or a suitable foreign equivalent. Access is open to: [1]
- Graduates in class L-2 (biotechnology) or L-29 (pharmaceutical sciences), or the matching class of the older Italian system.
- Graduates in other fields with at least 9 ECTS in analytical, general and inorganic, or organic chemistry (CHIM/01, CHIM/03 or CHIM/06), at least 5 ECTS in physiology (BIO/09), at least 12 ECTS in biochemistry, molecular biology or applied biology (BIO/10, BIO/11 or BIO/13) and at least 6 ECTS in pharmacology or toxicology (BIO/14).
- Holders of a foreign qualification recognised as equivalent who can show background knowledge and skills in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and physiology matching the blocks above.
A committee of teachers appointed by the faculty board checks these requirements. [1]
What this means for your transcript
Credits on a foreign transcript are not the same unit as Italian ECTS, and the committee looks at your subjects, not only your totals. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Pharm with pharmaceutical chemistry, physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology on the transcript.
- Check carefully: a B.Sc. or B.Tech in Biotechnology, or a B.Sc. in Biochemistry, Microbiology or Life Sciences, which often covers chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology but may lack the 6 ECTS in pharmacology or toxicology or the 5 in physiology.
- Often short: a B.Sc. in Chemistry with little biology, and a B.Tech, B.E., BCA, B.Com, BBA or BA outside the life sciences.
English
You need English at B2 level (CEFR). The admission board checks it during the interview, which is held in English. [1]
The programme rules and the 2026/27 admission notice do not list specific certificates or test scores. [1][2]
Selection
Access is open, subject to entry requirements. Candidates who meet the minimum requirements are invited to an interview in English with the admission commission, made up of teachers appointed by the teaching board. The interview can be held remotely and checks your background knowledge and your English at B2. [1]
The outcome is sent to the email address used for the application or published on the programme website. [2]
2026/27 deadlines
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants who needed a visa had to submit the online application between 22 January and 30 April 2026, and complete Universitaly pre-enrolment by 31 July 2026. EU applicants and equivalents applied from 22 January to 20 July 2026. [2]
You could apply before graduating if you met the degree and entry requirements by 31 October 2026. Enrolment is finalised only once you hold the degree. [1][2]
Enrolment for admitted students ran from 5 May to 30 November 2026. The 2027/28 admission notice sets the next dates. [2]
Documents and non-EU steps
Applicants with a foreign degree apply on the university's international platform by the deadline. You upload your degree certificate, a Diploma Supplement or a transcript showing the grading system, and your passport or another valid ID. Degree certificates are accepted in Italian, English, French, German or Spanish. [2]
- For 2026/27, 15 places were reserved for non-EU students resident abroad. [1]
- Non-EU candidates resident abroad who apply for a visa must also complete Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1]
- At enrolment you provide your bachelor's degree legalised or apostilled, your high school diploma, a Statement of Comparability from CIMEA or another ENIC-NARIC centre or a declaration of value from the Italian embassy, an Italian tax code and, for non-EU citizens, your residence permit or the receipt of its application. For 2026/27 these were due by 30 November 2026. [2]
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 Milan, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences. Programme description (manifesto), Master's degree in Safety Assessment of Xenobiotics and Biotechnological Products (LM-9 R), students enrolling in 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Milan. Admission notice for the Master's degree programme in Safety Assessment of Xenobiotics and Biotechnological Products (LM-9 R), academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Milan. Safety Assessment of Xenobiotics and Biotechnological Products programme page and application page, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Milan. Fees, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Safety Assessment of Xenobiotics and Biotechnological Products is a two-year master's degree in class LM-9-R (medical, veterinary and pharmaceutical biotechnology), taught in English by the Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences of the University of Milan. It trains specialists who assess the risks of chemicals and biotechnological products for human health and the environment, following European and international criteria.
Teaching is blended. For each course, up to half of the teaching can be delivered online, and a third of that online share is live. Lectures take place in university classrooms and lab sessions in the School of Pharmacy labs, both on the Città Studi campus in Milan. Lab attendance is compulsory, while lecture attendance is recommended. The programme is certified under standard UNI EN 16736 and AICQ SICEV regulation RG 06-1 for the training of risk assessors.
What you will study
The first year builds the biology, chemistry and toxicology base; the second year turns to exposure, regulation and full risk assessment. Units in the 2026/27 study plan include:
- Organ Physiopathology and Histopathology (10 ECTS)
- Biotechnology and Pharmacotoxicology (10 ECTS)
- Methods of Analysis of Chemicals in Water, Air, Biological Fluids, Tissues, Food
- Regulatory Aspects in Toxicology
- Bioremediation
- In Silico Methods in Toxicology
- Databases and Exposure Scenarios
- System Toxicity and Risk Assessment
How the programme is taught
The second year centres on a 29 ECTS thesis built on an internship at an academic, private or governmental body working on health risk assessment; you need 51 ECTS before the internship starts. The final exam combines the written thesis, an oral defence and a risk assessment case study. An optional 8 ECTS Laboratory of Risk Assessment lets you deepen your thesis topic, and the thesis or internship can be carried out abroad through Erasmus+. International students can earn 3 elective credits in Italian at A2 level.
Career paths
The university prepares graduates to work as risk assessors in public and private organisations, as researchers in public and private institutes, and as quality certifiers. Sectors named on the degree page include:
- Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
- Contract research organisations
- Food, chemical and cosmetic industries
- Public administration and environmental or health agencies
- Regulatory consulting firms
- Universities and research centres
Fees and scholarships
This degree sits in fee Area B of the University of Milan's 2026/27 fee regulation. If your family lives and earns abroad, the second instalment is set by country group, and Group A covers countries like India, Nigeria and Bangladesh. [4] Full winners of the Lombardy regional DSU scholarship, which the university runs, pay no second instalment, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
Candidates who meet the minimum requirements have an interview in English with the admission board, held remotely if necessary, which checks your background knowledge and your English. [1] For 2026/27, non-EU applicants who need a visa applied on apply.unimi.it from 22 January to 30 April 2026. The 2027/28 admission notice sets the next dates. [2]
Once you are admitted, we complete the Universitaly pre-enrolment (by 31 July for 2026/27), and you apply for a type D study visa. At enrolment you need your legalised degree with a CIMEA statement of comparability or a declaration of value. [2]
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 Milan's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your admission application, admission interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your University of Milan DSU 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 Safety Assessment of Xenobiotics at Milan?
A degree in biotechnology (L-2) or pharmaceutical sciences (L-29), or another degree with at least 9 ECTS in chemistry, 5 in physiology, 12 in biochemistry, molecular or applied biology and 6 in pharmacology or toxicology. A foreign degree needs equivalent knowledge in these subjects. [1]
Is there an entrance exam?
The programme rules set no written test. Candidates who meet the minimum requirements have an interview in English with the admission board, held remotely if necessary, which checks background knowledge in biology, chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology, and English at B2. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2 (CEFR), checked during the admission interview. The programme rules and the 2026/27 admission notice do not list specific certificates or scores, so we check which proof of B2 your file can use. [1][2]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants who needed a visa applied online between 22 January and 30 April 2026 and completed Universitaly pre-enrolment by 31 July 2026. The 2027/28 admission notice sets the next dates. [2]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. For 2026/27, you could apply if you met the degree and entry requirements by 31 October 2026. Enrolment is finalised only once you hold the degree. [1][2]
I have a B.Sc. in Biotechnology or Microbiology. Can I apply?
Possibly. The rule is subject-based. Biotechnology and microbiology transcripts often cover chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology, but may lack the 6 ECTS in pharmacology or toxicology or the 5 in physiology, so these are the blocks we check most carefully. [1]
Is this master taught in English and in person?
It is taught in English in blended mode. Up to half of each course can be delivered online, but laboratory work in the School of Pharmacy labs at Città Studi, Milan, is compulsory, and lecture attendance is recommended. [1][3]
What jobs can graduates do?
The university names risk assessor in public and private organisations, researcher and quality certifier, in pharmaceutical and biotech companies, contract research organisations, food and chemical industries, public agencies and consulting. [1]
Can someone handle my whole application to Safety Assessment of Xenobiotics at Milan?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Milan's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the University of Milan DSU 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 Safety Assessment of Xenobiotics?
An Indian bachelor's such as a B.Pharm or a B.Sc. in Biotechnology can meet the rule if your transcript shows at least 9 ECTS in chemistry, 5 in physiology, 12 in biochemistry or molecular biology and 6 in pharmacology or toxicology. You also need English at B2. The steps are the online application, an interview in English and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1] 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 Safety Assessment of Xenobiotics are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online admission application, interview in English 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 Safety Assessment of Xenobiotics are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online admission application, interview in English 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 Safety Assessment of Xenobiotics 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: online admission application, interview in English 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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