Application
Admission
Application for admission: from 22/01/2025 to 25/08/2025
Application for matriculation: from 02/04/2025 to 15/01/2026
Attachments and documents
QUALIFICATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION
The admission to the MBC course is subjected to curricular requirements and a demonstrated background knowledge in suitable disciplines related to the course (DM 270/04). Admission is open to:
- Graduates in Biological Sciences (Class L-13) from any Italian University that follows CBUI rules, as adequately certified. In this case, credits (ECTS) acquired by the candidate as an undergraduate will be fully recognized and will meet the curricular prerequisites. The CBUI guidelines describe the compulsory SSD (scientific areas) and the related recommended number of ECTS (min-max):
- 66-96 CFU in basic biological disciplines, including 18-27 ECTS in the fields of botany, plant physiology, zoology, comparative anatomy, or ecology (BIO/01, BIO/02, BIO/04, BIO/05, BIO/06, BIO/07); 18-24 ECTS in physiology or biochemistry (BIO/09, BIO/10); 30-45 ECTS in molecular biology, genetics, and microbiology (BIO/11, BIO/18, BIO/19);
- 12-15 ECTS in non-biological basic chemical disciplines (CHIM/01, CHIM/02, CHIM/03, CHIM/06);
- 15-18 ECTS in non-biological basic disciplines such as mathematics, physics, and computer science (MAT/01-09, FIS/01-08, and INF/01).
The following candidates may also be admitted:
- Graduates from the same L-13 degree class who have not followed an academic path aligned with the CBUI guidelines, or from the L-12 degree class in Biological Sciences under DM 509/99, or from other degree classes, as well as those who have obtained a foreign qualification recognized as suitable under current regulations, provided they meet the required curricular prerequisites. Specifically, the curricular prerequisites consist of holding an adequate number of ECTS, usually no less than 90 CFU, distributed across SSDs of non-biological disciplines (CHIM/01-03, CHIM/06, MAT/01-09, FIS/01-08, and INF/01) as well as SSDs of basic and core biological disciplines (BIO/01-02, BIO/04-07, BIO/09-11, BIO/18-19), as described above;
- Graduates from the L-2 degree class (Biotechnology) who have obtained at least 57 CFU in basic biological disciplines (BIO/01-02, BIO/04-07, BIO/09-11, BIO/18-19).
Students lacking adequate curricular requirements should contact the Coordinator of the Master's course well in advance, to plan the acquisition of the requested ECTS prior to the application deadline. Any lacking ECTS can be acquired by passing the relevant exams and thus acquiring the credits at the University of Milan or any other University. Only students who possess the prerequisites will be invited to the interview.
ADMISSION ASSESSMENT
The admission exam will consist of a formal interview (that can be arranged online) with an Evaluation Committee that will verify the candidate's background knowledge in Molecular biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Physiology. A Syllabus will be made available to students prior to their interview for a self-assessment of their level of knowledge.
For all students, knowledge of the English language must be at least B2 level ("Upper-intermediate") according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages or equivalent certification. The proficiency in scientific English will be verified by the committee during the interview.
KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT
The prerequisite to enter the MBC Master's Degree program is an adequate knowledge of the fundaments of biological disciplines as certified by the possession of the required ECTS as described in paragraph "Qualifications and knowledge required for admission". Knowledge will be verified by: 1) evaluation of the bachelor study program and 2) an interview with the Admission Committee, composed of teaching members appointed by the Academic Board. The interview will evaluate the expertise of the candidate in topics related to the MBC degree, and will ascertain proficiency in the English language.
The committee will evaluate the candidate on a 100-point scale and award:
- 25/100 points for the graduation grade, or, in the case of graduating students, the average grade of the exams taken;
- 10/100 points for the curriculum studiorum (degrees with higher number of ECTS in biology related disciplines will obtainmore points; the same applies to the presence of extra elective courses, Erasmus experience, others,...)
- 65/100 for interview performance
The minimum requirement for admission is 60/100 and an adequate English proficiency level (equivalent to B2 level).
For the academic Year 2025--2026, applicant interviews for EU citizens, who submit their application by 25 August 2025 (see below, "Application and enrolment information and procedures"), will be held face-to-face on September 08, 2025 at 14.30, for both graduate students and undergraduate students that plan to graduate by December 31, 2025; Students must bring official proof of their identity (identity card or passport).
Upon graduation, students not from University of Milan, must present certification of their awarded degree to the Administrative Office or email via https://informastudenti.unimi.it
Non-EU citizens applying for a visa, who are not resident in Italy and who possess a foreign bachelor's degree title, must submit their application by 30 April 2025 and they will be invited to an online interview in the following days:
- February 28, 2025
- March 21, 2025
- April 08, 2025
- April 22, 2025
- May 06, 2025
- May 27, 2025
Foreign students who reside in Italy are classed as Italian citizens and must undergo the same evaluation. Check for updates on interview dates and times on the website: https://mbc.cdl.unimi.it
The admission to the MBC course is subjected to curricular requirements and a demonstrated background knowledge in suitable disciplines related to the course (DM 270/04). Admission is open to:
- Graduates in Biological Sciences (Class L-13) from any Italian University that follows CBUI rules, as adequately certified. In this case, credits (ECTS) acquired by the candidate as an undergraduate will be fully recognized and will meet the curricular prerequisites. The CBUI guidelines describe the compulsory SSD (scientific areas) and the related recommended number of ECTS (min-max):
- 66-96 CFU in basic biological disciplines, including 18-27 ECTS in the fields of botany, plant physiology, zoology, comparative anatomy, or ecology (BIO/01, BIO/02, BIO/04, BIO/05, BIO/06, BIO/07); 18-24 ECTS in physiology or biochemistry (BIO/09, BIO/10); 30-45 ECTS in molecular biology, genetics, and microbiology (BIO/11, BIO/18, BIO/19);
- 12-15 ECTS in non-biological basic chemical disciplines (CHIM/01, CHIM/02, CHIM/03, CHIM/06);
- 15-18 ECTS in non-biological basic disciplines such as mathematics, physics, and computer science (MAT/01-09, FIS/01-08, and INF/01).
The following candidates may also be admitted:
- Graduates from the same L-13 degree class who have not followed an academic path aligned with the CBUI guidelines, or from the L-12 degree class in Biological Sciences under DM 509/99, or from other degree classes, as well as those who have obtained a foreign qualification recognized as suitable under current regulations, provided they meet the required curricular prerequisites. Specifically, the curricular prerequisites consist of holding an adequate number of ECTS, usually no less than 90 CFU, distributed across SSDs of non-biological disciplines (CHIM/01-03, CHIM/06, MAT/01-09, FIS/01-08, and INF/01) as well as SSDs of basic and core biological disciplines (BIO/01-02, BIO/04-07, BIO/09-11, BIO/18-19), as described above;
- Graduates from the L-2 degree class (Biotechnology) who have obtained at least 57 CFU in basic biological disciplines (BIO/01-02, BIO/04-07, BIO/09-11, BIO/18-19).
Students lacking adequate curricular requirements should contact the Coordinator of the Master's course well in advance, to plan the acquisition of the requested ECTS prior to the application deadline. Any lacking ECTS can be acquired by passing the relevant exams and thus acquiring the credits at the University of Milan or any other University. Only students who possess the prerequisites will be invited to the interview.
ADMISSION ASSESSMENT
The admission exam will consist of a formal interview (that can be arranged online) with an Evaluation Committee that will verify the candidate's background knowledge in Molecular biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Physiology. A Syllabus will be made available to students prior to their interview for a self-assessment of their level of knowledge.
For all students, knowledge of the English language must be at least B2 level ("Upper-intermediate") according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages or equivalent certification. The proficiency in scientific English will be verified by the committee during the interview.
KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT
The prerequisite to enter the MBC Master's Degree program is an adequate knowledge of the fundaments of biological disciplines as certified by the possession of the required ECTS as described in paragraph "Qualifications and knowledge required for admission". Knowledge will be verified by: 1) evaluation of the bachelor study program and 2) an interview with the Admission Committee, composed of teaching members appointed by the Academic Board. The interview will evaluate the expertise of the candidate in topics related to the MBC degree, and will ascertain proficiency in the English language.
The committee will evaluate the candidate on a 100-point scale and award:
- 25/100 points for the graduation grade, or, in the case of graduating students, the average grade of the exams taken;
- 10/100 points for the curriculum studiorum (degrees with higher number of ECTS in biology related disciplines will obtainmore points; the same applies to the presence of extra elective courses, Erasmus experience, others,...)
- 65/100 for interview performance
The minimum requirement for admission is 60/100 and an adequate English proficiency level (equivalent to B2 level).
For the academic Year 2025--2026, applicant interviews for EU citizens, who submit their application by 25 August 2025 (see below, "Application and enrolment information and procedures"), will be held face-to-face on September 08, 2025 at 14.30, for both graduate students and undergraduate students that plan to graduate by December 31, 2025; Students must bring official proof of their identity (identity card or passport).
Upon graduation, students not from University of Milan, must present certification of their awarded degree to the Administrative Office or email via https://informastudenti.unimi.it
Non-EU citizens applying for a visa, who are not resident in Italy and who possess a foreign bachelor's degree title, must submit their application by 30 April 2025 and they will be invited to an online interview in the following days:
- February 28, 2025
- March 21, 2025
- April 08, 2025
- April 22, 2025
- May 06, 2025
- May 27, 2025
Foreign students who reside in Italy are classed as Italian citizens and must undergo the same evaluation. Check for updates on interview dates and times on the website: https://mbc.cdl.unimi.it
Further information
Fees
For students enrolled on bachelor’s, master’s and single cycle degree programmes are divided into two instalments of different amounts and with different payment deadlines:
- the first, corresponding to the minimum amount, is the same for all students
- the second - technically referred to as an ‘all-inclusive fee’- that is variable.
The University provides:
- A no tax area for students on track with exams and not on track with exams for one year with ISEE certification until 30.000 €.
- Fees exemption on account of merit, income or disability, or if they meet other specific requirements;
- Concessions for students meeting high merit requirements;
- Diversified tuition fees according to the student's home country for international students with assets/income abroad;
Scholarships and benefits
The University also provides:
- Part-time study
- Financial aid, refectory service, accommodation,
- Awards and scholarships
More info
Guidance:
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- Online information desk InformaStudenti
- International students: welcome desk
- Students with disabilities
- Students with SLD
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