Master's Degree Programme
| About the programme Language: English (See language requirements) | Place of study: Aarhus | Commencement: August / September and January / February |
The MSc in Molecular Biology programme is both practical and research-oriented, reflecting the interests of business and industry, research institutions and the public sector. This flexible programme accommodates the interests of the individual student, because it allows you to specialise in a particular subject area while acquiring a general mastery of in molecular biology.
Students can choose to specialise within a more general field, including one of the five branches of molecular biology in which Aarhus University is particularly strong: molecular medicine, structural biology, systems biology, plant biology, and quantitative genetics.
The MSc in molecular biology programme counts as 120 ECTS credits. Students can tailor the study programme to fit their qualifications and interests. In the first year, students follow an individually planned course programme.
In the second year students write a thesis. There are excellent opportunities for collaboration with a group of researchers in connection with work on the thesis project. This gives students a chance to participate in the group’s research projects, academic discussions and articles.
Teaching at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics is greatly influenced by the research conducted here, as the lecturers are active researchers. Students gain insight into on-going research projects across the entire spectrum of molecular biology, from bacteria and yeast to humans. The understanding of biochemistry and molecular biology is based upon the entire spectrum, from atoms to organisms.
In this section you can learn more about the admission requirements relevant to the master's degree programme in Molecular Biology. Depending on your educational background and your qualifications, there are different ways to meet the admission requirements:
This section is relevant for you, if you have:
The two sections listed below are relevant only for students with a bachelor's degree from a Danish institution:
Below you will also be able to learn more about language requirements and find out whether or not this master's degree programme has a limited intake.
If you have an international educational background, you must meet both the general admission requirement and the specific admission requirements:
You must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent that is comparable to a Danish bachelor's degree in both level and duration (180 ECTS).
For more information about how your bachelor's degree is assessed, please see the national database.
If you meet the general admission requirement, the university will continue on to assess whether or not you meet the specific admission requirements.
You can be admitted to the master's programme if the university assesses that your education has a level, scope, and content that corresponds to the academic requirements specified below.
| Subject area | Number of ECTS |
| Subject components within molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology and bioinformatics /programming including at least 10 ECTS practial laboratory work within molecular biology or molecular medicine | 80 |
| Basic subject components in Mathematics, Probability Calculus, Statistics and Chemistry | 30 |
| Total | 110 |
We cannot assess in advance whether your specific degree will meet the above requirements. Therefore, we recommend that you apply for the programme if you believe that you meet the academic requirements. In this regard, it is a good idea to compare your degree with the programmes that provide direct admission.
The following Bachelor's degree programme(s) from Aarhus University entitles you to an offer of admission to the Master's degree programme in Molecular Biology:
Bachelor's degree programme in Molecular Biology from Aarhus Universitet
Please note that you must apply for admission to the Master's degree programme within three years of completing your Bachelor's degree programme.
Learn more about Legal right of admission.
Certain Bachelor's degree programmes from Aarhus University and various other Danish Universities have been determined to meet the admission requirements to this Master's degree programme in Molecular Biology:
Bachelor's degree programme in Molecular Biology from Aarhus University
This master's degree programme has a limited intake.
Because of the limited intake all qualified applicants will be prioritised according to a set of selection critieria (see below).
Meeting the admission requirements does not automatically ensure your offer of admission. Only if you have a specific bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'legal right of admission' will you be guarenteed an offer of admission to this master's degree programme.
If there are more qualified applicants than available student places, the selection will be based on the following criteria (each criterion counts for 1/3):
Grades from the qualifying degree
Grades achieved in relevant subject fields:
Molecular biology
Bioinformatics / Programming
Chemistry
Mathematics
Probability calculus / Statistics
Please note that grades achieved after the application deadline are not included in the grade point average (GPA).
Relevant subject fields (measured in ECTS). In this assessment, ECTS credits that are a part of the admission requirements described under ‘Other qualifying degrees’ are not included.
Molecular biology
Bioinformatics / Programming
Chemistry
Mathematics
Probability calculus / Statistics
In criterion three, the score is based on the proportion of subjects on the bachelor’s degree diploma that fall within the relevant subject fields. In this assessment, ECTS credits that are a part of the admission requirements described under ‘Other qualifying degrees’ are not included.
In order to be admitted to this programme you must meet the university's english language requirements.
Students with bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'Legal right of admission' are exempt from the English language requirement.
Unfortunately, Aarhus University is not able to assess your qualifications beforehand. In order for your qualifications to be assessed you must apply for admission. To learn more, please go to Assessment of your qualifications.
The Master’s degree in molecular biology counts as 120 ECTS credits and mainly consists of subjects within the molecular biology field of study. You specialise by participating in course activities and projects and by writing a thesis. During your very first week, you structure your own individual study programme with the help of a teacher from the Department of Molecular Biology by choosing courses from a course catalogue. Your programme is based on your academic qualifications and interests and the subjects you studied for your Bachelor’s degree. The plan must be approved by the Board of Studies before you can enrol for examinations.
For more information about the individual courses, go to: kursuskatalog.au.dk/en/
At the University of Aarhus, you are in close contact with researchers in a way that you rarely experience at other universities. The door to the professor’s office is always open if you need clarification of the study material, and you are encouraged to ask questions at lectures and during exercises. We make heavy demands on your academic skills and independence. In return, you gain considerable benefits in the form of academic challenges and scientific knowledge, in addition to broad competences.
The teaching at the university focuses on independence, critical thinking and collaboration. Part of the teaching is in the form of lectures that introduce new angles to the material compared with the textbooks. The theoretical and practical exercises take place in small groups where you study relevant issues in depth. Most molecular biology students also spend a certain amount of time on laboratory work.
The varied forms of teaching, collaboration in groups and the opportunity for close scientific dialogue with the researchers provide you with general competences that are in great demand in the global job market. These competences include abstract, critical and independent thinking, analytical skills and strategic planning. You can use these skills in many contexts – even in jobs you didn’t know you were qualified for.
The teaching is divided into two semesters per year. For an example of a course calendar, go to: studerende.au.dk/en/studies/subject-portals/studies/teaching/teaching-calendar/
If you have the necessary skills and interest, you have the option of applying for admission to the PhD programme. You can apply when you have completed your Bachelor’s degree and one year of your Master’s degree or when you have completed your Master’s degree. In the PhD programme, you start working on a research project and are gradually trained through courses and personal guidance to become a researcher.
For more information, go to: phd.au.dk/gradschools/scienceandtechnology/
Students on this programme are based at the Department of Molecular Biology – a large facility at Science Park Aarhus which students have furnished themselves and where they meet in connection with academic and social activities. In addition, a number of student organisations at the department organise academic activities, excursions, celebrations and social functions.
The main Aarhus University campus is unique, with buildings closely grouped together and surrounded by nature. The campus is conveniently situated close to the city centre, and student accommodation is readily available as long as you apply on time. There are a range of activities, ranging from running to regatta on the lake, as well as guest lectures, film screenings, and university events taking place throughout the year. To ensure student well-being, counselling services are available for students, to offer support and guidance during their time at Aarhus.
As the second-largest city in Denmark, Aarhus is a young and dynamic place with plenty of opportunities. The 40,000 students at the university make up 17.5% of the city’s population, which leaves its mark on city life. An attractive feature of Aarhus is that there are beaches and woods a short bike-ride away, as well as cultural events taking place throughout the year, including the Aarhus Festival in September. The theatres in the city and the ARoS international art museum offer many events that enable you to experience the Danish culture.
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Anne Yde, MSc. in Molecular Biology, PBU Manager at Eurofins Agro Testing
During my Master's programme, I had the freedom to specialise within the topics, I found most interesting. This freedom to choose specific courses was a result of my course combination in my Bachelor’s programme, which meant I only had to follow elective courses during my Master’s programme. For me, this was an advantage and meant that I chose to continue with courses within cell biology primarily.
I spent the final year of my Master's programme working on my thesis in the research laboratory at the Department of Molecular Biology, where I had also worked on my Bachelor's project. For my thesis, I worked on a project where we studied the repair mechanisms of DNA damage in neurons.
In the laboratory, I had the opportunity to learn about life as a researcher and to test methods, which could be of use later in my career. I found it very valuable to get to spend an entire year in the laboratory.
Today I work as a PBU Manager in Eurofins Agro Testing. We are a part of the Eurofins group, an international laboratory group with laboratories around the world. Eurofins in Denmark has more than 700 employees and carry out laboratory analyses within food, environment, agriculture, pharma, products, and materials. At Eurofins Agro Testing, we analyse samples from agriculture, horticulture and forestry, for example feed, soil, manure, and plants.
As PBU Manager, I am responsible for the production in our department. My job is quite varied, and includes both customer support as well as handling and validating results. I am also responsible for a number of methods and therefore handle any deviations in these methods and the development of new initiatives. In addition, I work with some IT tasks concerning the handling of samples, analyses, and results.
We handle many samples in the laboratory each day and you have to work at a high pace. This was a big change from life at the university. On a daily basis I do not use methods which I know directly from my work at the university, but my education as a molecular biologist has given me the ability to familiarise myself with new subject areas as well as a fundamental scientific and analytical approach, which I could not do without in my daily work.
Maiken Østervemb Krogshede, MSc in Molecular Biology, Site Quality Coordinator at Arla Foods Ingredients
My Master’s programme in Molecular Biology was very diverse, allowing students to customize their own academic profile. This meant that I could concentrate more on certain topics and choose elective courses, which matched my interests. I have always thought that health and nutrition were interesting – both functionally and physiologically. It comes naturally to me to ask the question "Why is it like that?", and often molecular biology can help me to find the answers.
The transfer from the study environment to "the real world" has changed my perspective on molecular biology and has given it an extra dimension. I clearly remember visiting the production area on my job for the first time and how fascinating it was to see the use of general molecular principles – and it still fascinates me!
In my daily work, I am a link to the company’s production, laboratory, logistics, sales and development. For each part, I use various skills that I have acquired during my education. For example, I use my knowledge of protein properties when working with the production, while I in the laboratory I use my knowledge about analyses and interpretation of analysis results. Other times it is the ability to communicate information and to acquire new knowledge quickly, which are important.
With my professional knowledge and skills acquired from my study and my daily job, I work on ensuring the high and right quality of whey proteins. By doing so, I am making a difference for many people with special nutritional needs by making use of all the magnificent qualities that whey has. This is in both products with proper nutrition for newborns; products of easily absorbable proteins for patients, elderly people, and athletes; and products with reduced milk proteins for lactose intolerant people.
The chart shows the five most common types of work for graduates 1-2 years after finishing their degree. The data is derived from a survey made by Epinion for the Ministry of Higher Education and Science and Aarhus University in 2020.
With a Master’s degree in molecular biology, you gain the following competencies:
As a molecular biologist, you primarily work with finding solutions to the many health and food challenges that our society is facing. These are due to the ageing population and more stringent standards for food development and quality. These areas are growing rapidly – a trend that is expected to continue. The employment prospects for future molecular biologists therefore look very promising.
Graduates of the MSc programme in molecular biology are in demand on both Danish and international job markets. They work across a wide range of fields and institutions, mostly within research or administration and consultancy, in both the private and public sectors. If you are interested in becoming a communicator, you can teach at laboratory technician and teacher-training colleges or in adult education. Molecular biologists also work in specialist molecular biology fields in the food industry, the health sector and the pharmaceutical industry.
