Combined Master's Degree Programme for Working Professionals (3 years)
| About the programme Language: English (See language requirements) | Place of study: Aarhus | Commencement: August / September (See if this programme also offers a January/February start for international applicants). Programme type: Combined Master's Degree Programme for Working Professionals (3 years) |
The Combined Master’s Degree Programme in Molecular Biology provides an in-depth understanding of life processes at the molecular level. The programme is based on the latest international research and provides advanced training in key areas of modern molecular biology, including biochemistry, cell biology, genetics and bioinformatics. You will learn to critically evaluate scientific methods and research findings, design experiments, and analyse complex biological data.
Key topics include the causes of disease and potential treatments, gene structure and regulation, and protein structure and function. Throughout the programme, you will explore biological systems ranging from microorganisms and plants to animals and humans. As the programme is research-based and attracts students and researchers from around the world, teaching is conducted in English.
The programme begins with one year of full-time study, followed by a part-time study model that allows you to continue your education while working or pursuing entrepreneurial activities. This structure enables you to connect academic theory directly with real-world challenges and contribute up-to-date scientific knowledge in a professional setting.
The programme has a duration of three years.
In this section you can learn more about the admission requirements relevant to the Combined 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 these sections, you can learn more about the employment requirement and the English language requirement. You can also find out which ranking criteria we use to assess your application when prioritizing among the submitted applications.
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.
No Bachelor's degree programme(s) from Aarhus University entitles applicants to an offer of admission to this Combined Master's degree programme.
Certain Bachelor's degree programmes from Aarhus University and various other Danish Universities have been determined to meet the admission requirements to this Combined Master's degree programme in Molecular Biology:
If you hold a Bachelor’s degree from a non-Danish university, you must complete the appendix below and upload it to the application portal. The appendix helps the academic assessors with the assessment of your application.
Download appendix
You must meet the requirement of being in relevant employment when you transition to the part-time part of the programme, i.e. after the first year.
“Relevant employment” means that you work at least 25 hours per week in a public or private company, or as an entrepreneur, and that your work tasks are professionally related to both your qualifying education and the education you are applying for.
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.
All Master’s degree programmes at Aarhus University have limited intake. This means that you are not guaranteed admission even if you meet the entry requirements. When we prioritize among applicants, we assess your application based on a set of fixed ranking criteria, which you can see below.
If you have a legal right of admission, you are guaranteed a place in the programme and do not need to consider the ranking criteria.
Ranking criteria:
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.
Please note that grades achieved after the application deadline are not included in the assessment.
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.
You can taylor your academic profile according to your interests through a combination of coursework and participation in research projects. Apart from discipline-specific specialisation options described in the following, individual courses may be taken in related disciplines such as biology and chemistry.
The specialisation options are:
Via the specialisation in Molecular Cell Biology, you will gain insight into the complexity of cellular life, from molecular interactions and intracellular signalling pathways to communication between cells, tissues, organs and entire organisms. This specialisation explores topics such as cell differentiation, cellular ageing, model organisms, gene therapy, and the diverse roles of RNA molecules in health and disease.
The specialisation in Protein Science gives you the possibility to study how the three-dimensional structure of proteins determines their function in living cells. You will work with advanced techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography to study protein structures at atomic resolution, while also learning how artificial intelligence can be used to predict protein structures and interactions. The programme also covers protein folding and functionality using state-of-the-art biophysical methods.
The specialisation in Plant Molecular Biology allows you to explore the genetic, molecular and biochemical processes that govern the growth and development of both model plants and crop species. This specialisation examines interactions between plants and microorganisms, including both beneficial symbioses and plant diseases, and focuses on sustainable food production through genetic and biotechnological approaches.
The specialisation in Molecular Nutrition enables the development of a deep understanding of how diet influences human health and disease at the molecular level. Areas of study include bioactive food components and lifestyle-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer.
The Bioinformatics specialisation will teach you how to develop and apply computational methods for collecting, organising and analysing biological and biomedical data. Through algorithm design and programming, you will gain expertise in handling complex datasets and explore topics such as statistical analysis, machine learning and data-driven biological discovery.
In the second half of the programme, you will complete an independent Master’s thesis under the supervision of an experienced researcher. Most students carry out their thesis within a research group at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, although projects may also be undertaken at other relevant departments. The thesis provides hands-on experience in project management, experimental design and data analysis, while offering a unique opportunity to become part of an active research environment. You will gain first-hand insight into the practice of molecular biology research and may contribute to ongoing research projects, participate in scientific discussions and engage in publication-related activities.
The academic regulations for Combined Master's Degree Programme for Working Professionals in Molecular Biology will be available in late autumn 2026.
The academic regulations contain further information about the content of the individual courses. You can also find information about the structure of the programme and the requirements you must meet as a student, including examination formats and requirements.
The Combined Master’s Degree Programme in Molecular Biology combines lectures, scientific literature discussions, and independent research projects in a dynamic research environment.
As a student, you will become part of a vibrant academic community at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, where dedicated student facilities, social activities, and study-related events create a strong sense of belonging.
Student organisations arrange both social gatherings and career-focused activities, while regular seminars and guest lectures provide insight into current research and future career opportunities.
With research laboratories, teaching facilities, and study spaces located within the same building, you will be part of a collaborative environment where close interaction with researchers and fellow students is a natural part of everyday life.
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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 your understanding of life at the molecular level, and your expertise in the analysis and manipulation of molecules and cells, you will be qualified for a wide range of careers upon completing the Combined Master’s Degree Programme in Molecular Biology. Graduates find employment in the biotechnology, food and pharmaceutical industries, at universities, and within the healthcare sector. The combination of specialised scientific expertise, broad academic competencies and professional skills opens doors to diverse professional roles and interdisciplinary collaboration.
A significant proportion of graduates pursue careers in research at universities, university hospitals or in the private sector. University hospitals also offer opportunities in areas such as data analysis and genetic counselling, while many graduates employed in Life Science companies work within research and development, production, and quality assurance. Others choose careers in teaching and science communication or work as consultants in fields such as intellectual property and patenting. Graduates also successfully pursue careers in business development and entrepreneurship, building on molecular biological discoveries and innovations.
The Combined Degree Programme in Molecular Biology provides an excellent foundation for an exciting and meaningful career, enabling you to contribute to human well-being through advances in healthcare, the green transition and environmental sustainability. As a molecular biologist, you might work on developing targeted drug delivery systems, mapping genetic diseases, using enzymes to break down plastic waste, or improving crop productivity through biological nitrogen fixation.
