Eligibility
Selection methods
Eligibility requirements
You can apply to the Master’s Programme in Genetics and Molecular Biosciences if you meet the following criteria:
You have completed a first-cycle (bachelor’s) degree at a higher education institution in Finland or abroad, or will do so by the deadline.
You have sufficient skills in Finnish, Swedish or English.
You have completed a sufficient amount of studies applicable to the master’s programme.
Admission
If you do not meet these criteria, you cannot apply through this application procedure.
1. You have completed a higher education degree providing eligibility for master’s studies
To apply in master's admissions, you must have completed, or will complete by the deadline, a higher education degree that provides eligibility for master's studies.
If the degree providing eligibility has been completed in Finland, the deadline is 31 July 2027.
If the degree providing eligibility has been completed outside Finland, the deadline is 31 August 2027.
You can apply even if your degree will not be completed during the application period. However, you must have completed a sufficient amount of studies applicable to the master’s programme by the application deadline. Studies completed after the application deadline will not be taken into account in the assessment of your application.
2. Sufficient skills in Finnish, Swedish or English
You must demonstrate sufficient skills in Finnish, Swedish or English at the application stage. For the methods of demonstrating your language skills, please see the University website.
3. Applicable studies
Previous studies completed by the applicants must provide them with sufficient qualifications for successful completion of the programme. Applicants must have completed no less than 30 credits worth of studies in the discipline of genetics and molecular biosciences.
The applicability and sufficient scope of studies will be assessed after you submit your application. The University of Helsinki does not make preliminary assessments of the applicability of studies.
Applicants with a second-cycle degree (e.g. a master's degree) in the same or related field will only be taken into consideration for compelling reasons and if the targeted degree is sufficiently different from their previously completed degree. As a rule, second-cycle degrees are used as grounds for applying for a right to complete a postgraduate degree (doctoral degree).
Selection of study track and language
Selecting the study track
In the application form, you must select one study track that best matches your academic goals. The choice is not binding, but your selected study track will be considered when assessing the relevance of your previous studies and your motivation video.
The programme offers five study tracks:
Biochemistry and structural biology
Cell and developmental biology
Genetics and genomics
Molecular and Physiological Basis of Health
Biology teacher (only available for those aiming to become biology teachers, and who are fluent in Finnish or Swedish)
Selecting the language of the degree
In the Master’s Programme in Genetics and Molecular Biosciences, you can choose Finnish, Swedish or English as the language of your degree. You will select the language on the application form. This selection is binding, and you must demonstrate your skills in the selected language.
In multilingual master’s programmes, teaching is mostly provided in English, but you can answer examination questions, complete any written coursework and write your master’s thesis in the language of your degree.
The Master’s Programme in Genetics and Molecular Biosciences at the University of Helsinki explores how genes, molecules, and cells govern life. You will study fundamental biological processes across viruses, plants, and animals, from molecular and genetic mechanisms to the regulation of organismal function, adaptation, and health. At the same time, you will build a strong foundation for research in the life sciences and biomedical sciences, as well as for diverse expert roles in academia, industry, and the wider life science sector in an international environment.