Click here to submit your application
Opens 15 November for applicants from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland, and 16 January for applicants from within the EU/EEA/Switzerland.
About the programme
The programme focuses on the study of the biological processes affecting human beings in health and disease. It is a well-established and well-funded programme with an extensive and ambitious curriculum, research-based education and highly renowned lecturers. Graduates will be able to conduct independent research, both in basic- and clinical fields, as well as to evaluate and consult on complex problems relating to human health.
What makes the programme at UCPH unique?
The broad and intense study of human biology combined with substantial research and experimentation work gives you a unique set of biomedical and research skills. The programme tailors the candidates for pursuing a PhD and makes them attractive for the pharmaceutical industry. The programme is highly research oriented, interdisciplinary and has an international student profile and outlook.What specialisations does the field of study offer?
You will obtain a broad and comprehensive understanding of the human organism in health and disease by focusing on integrated and mechanism-oriented cell biology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. Combined with substantial research and experimental work you get a unique set of biomedical and research skills. During the second year you specialise in your area of interest through electives and an extensive thesis work.Admission and application
To apply for admission to this master's degree programme, you must have completed a qualifying bachelor’s degree or a similar Danish or international degree programme which is assessed to be relevant. Apply for admission via the application portal.
Below, you can read more about admission requirements and which documents to upload in the application portal.
Academic admission requirements
Here you'll find the different academic requirements depending on which qualifying degree you hold.
There are no bachelor’s degrees that give legal right of admission to the MSc in Human Biology.
There are no bachelor’s degrees that automatically fulfil the academic admission requirements for the master’s programme in Human Biology.
If you have a bachelor’s degree, professional bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a Danish or international universities you are qualified for admission if your programme is within the following areas:
- medicine
- odontology
- biochemistry
- biology
- pharmaceutics
- exercise and sport sciences
Furthermore, you must have obtained at least 5 ECTS within biology, biochemistry or pharmacology.
Note, that having a bachelor’s degree that automatically fulfil the admission requirements does not guarantee you admission to the programme.
You must have earned your bachelor’s degree within a maximum of 5 years prior to the start of the first semester of the master’s programme, e.g. for the intake in the autumn of 2025, you must have graduated by September 2021 or thereafter. In exceptional circumstances the Admissions Committee may waive the graduation year requirement.
If your bachelor’s degree is too old, you can apply for an exemption from the graduation year requirement. If you choose to apply for an exemption, you must submit the following documents along with your application for admission:
- A letter explaining how you have maintained your academic qualifications since graduation (e.g. relevant work, internships, further studies)
- Relevant documentation (e.g work contracts, diplomas etc).
If you already have a master's degree from Denmark or another country, you can, in principle, only be admitted to a new degree programme if there are places available on the programme for which you are applying for admission.
Please read more about limitation on second degrees
When we assess whether you meet the admission requirements for the master's degree program, Danish legislation only allows us to assess your bachelor's degree. Consequently, you cannot study supplementary courses between bachelor's and master's degree programs in order to meet the admission requirements.
If you have passed courses/projects before you complete the qualifying bachelor's degree, these can be included in the assessment, even though they are not part of the bachelor's degree program.
- It applies to courses/projects you have taken as single subjects and courses/projects you have taken as part of another study program.
- A maximum of 30 ECTS credits of these courses/projects may be included.
Language requirements
To gain admission to a master's programme taught in English, all applicants must document qualifications on par with the Danish upper secondary school ‘English level B” with a weighted average of minimum 3 or ‘English level A’ with a weighted average of minimum 2 on the Danish grading scale.
We accept the following ways of documenting this:
An English taught qualifying upper secondary school diploma, bachelor’s degree or master’s degree from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK or Ireland will exempt you from the language requirement.
Applicants from countries in e.g. Asia and Africa where English is the official language of instruction, must also document English language proficiency by taking an English language test.
If you have not studied a full degree in English, you must:
- Either document that you have passed Danish upper secondary school 'English level B' (Engelsk B) with the minimum weighted average grade of 3 on the Danish grading scale
- Or document that you have passed Danish upper secondary school ‘English level A’ (Engelsk A) with the minimum weighted average grade of 2 on the Danish grading scale
- Or document that you are holding a Nordic entrance examination with an English level which is considered comparable to a Danish B level in English by the Danish Agency of International Education. And with a weighted grade comparable to at least 3 on the Danish grading scale See a comparison of the Nordic subject levels and grades: Nordic subject levels (in Danish)
- Or you must pass an IELTS Academic, TOEFL, Cambridge Advanced English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) test.
| Name of documentation | Minimum grade | Documentation required |
English level B (Engelsk B) | Weighted average of 3 |
|
English level A (Engelsk A) | Weighted average of 2 |
|
Please notice:
- There is no period of limitation for validity of Danish upper secondary school 'English level A’' (Engelsk A) or ‘English level B’ (Engelsk B).
- You must send us your documentation as soon as possible and no later than:
- 1 June Non-EU, -EEA and -Swiss citizens
- 15 August Danish, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
| Name of test | Minimum score | Information required for online check of test |
IELTS (academic) IELTS Home Edition | 6.5 (overall test score) 6.5 (overall test score) Only overall score will be considered. | TRF Number (Test Report Form Number) |
TOEFL
(MyBest Scores are not accepted) | 83 83 560 | Registration number |
| Cambridge Advanced (CAE) | Passed at level C1 or C2 | ID-number and Secret Number |
| Cambridge Proficiency | Passed at level C1 or C2 | ID-number and Secret Number |
Please notice:
- IELTS and TOEFL tests older than 2 years are not accepted (counted from the programme application deadline). There is no period of limitation for validity of the Cambridge tests.
- If you have not yet completed a language test by the programme application deadline, please upload a document in which you explain when you will be forwarding the results. You are required to send us your test score as soon as possible and in no case later than:
- 1 June Non-EU, -EEA and -Swiss citizens
- 15 August Danish, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
Application deadlines
Study start in September
1 March at 23:59
Application deadline for Danish applicants and applicants from within the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Open for applications from 16 January. You will receive a reply by 10 June.
15 January at 23:59
Application deadline for applicants from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Open for applications from 15 November. You will receive a reply by 1 May.
How to apply
Choose your category and read how you apply for admission. You can also find information about deadlines and documentation requirements.
Please note that you must also select according to your citizenship:
- Citizen from Denmark, EU, EEA or Switzerland (EU)
- Citizen from countries outside EU, EEA or Switzerland (NON-EU)
How we assess your application
The programme accepts a maximum of 40 students. One third of the seats may be reserved for students from countries outside the EU/EEA.
If the number of qualified applicants to the programme exceeds the number of places available, qualified applicants will be prioritized according to the following criteria:
- Grade point average from the bachelor's degree
- Relevant internships and/or work and relevant stays abroad
| Admission statistics Human Biology 2023 | |
|---|---|
| Admitted | 35 |
| Admission distribution (legal right/other) | 0% / 100% |
| Applicants | 178 |
| Age average | 24 |
| Legal gender distribution (cpr. - m/f) | 29% / 71% |
| Nationality (dk/international) | 46% / 54% |
| Available spots | No |
Programme structure
The MSc in Human Biology is a 2-year programme taught in English. The programme is well-established and well-funded, there are many courses and lectures, and the workload is substantial.
There are approximately 40 students in a year, and the programme consists of approximately:
- 50 % mandatory courses
- 10 % elective courses
- 40 % thesis
During the first year, you take several courses which provide a comprehensive basic introduction to key areas of study. The classes include scientific theory, problem-solving exercises, laboratory work, and patient demonstrations. In the second year, you will join research groups and specialise in your area of interest while taking elective courses and finalise by writing an extensive thesis.
The teaching consists of lectures, project work, and laboratory exercises, including a course granting experimental handling of research animals (mandatory).
| 1st semester | 2nd semester |
|---|---|
| Elective courses and/or Master Thesis Project | Elective courses and/or Master Thesis Project |
You have 10 ECTS, which can be used for elective courses. These can be found domestically or abroad. The courses offered in house include Neuronal Signaling, Stem Cells and Advanced Methods for the Analysis of Proteins.
Your elective credits can also be used for summer courses both at the University of Copenhagen and abroad.
You will write an extensive thesis founded on your experimental work. The thesis is almost a full-time study year (50 ECTS), enabling you to start research early on.
The thesis can be carried out at the university or combined with a research placement at pre-clinical or clinical laboratories, at private or public institutions, such as hospitals, clinical departments, large pharmaceutical companies, or leading biotech firms in Denmark and internationally. The master's project gives the student substantial experience in individual experimental work.
Some students write their thesis in research departments abroad. The research placement is planned by the student in cooperation with their chosen host institution and their main supervisor at the University of Copenhagen.
Career opportunities
Graduates will be able to conduct independent research, as well as to evaluate and consult on complex problems relating to human health.
The close connection between the programme and research groups at the university, the hospitals and in the industry gives you a great network and springboard in the transition from student to graduate.
With a degree in Human Biology, you are prepared for a wide range of careers within research, development, and consulting. Additionally, it is an excellent foundation for further PhD research as more than 50% graduates continue as PhD students.
Training at the highest academic level
It is an ambitious study programme that provides advanced theoretical and experimental training within the fields of molecular biology and the natural sciences. The aim is to provide students with the necessary skills and qualifications to start an independent research career.
Focus on research
As a student, you will develop skills in research methodology and laboratory techniques. As part of your thesis, you have the opportunity to spend the 2nd year of your degree conducting independent research in hospitals, clinical departments, large pharmaceutical companies, or leading biotech firms in Denmark and internationally.
The degree is an excellent basis for entering a PhD within biomedical research.
Interdisciplinary study
During the programme, students are exposed to several disciplines and can connect and integrate different areas of study and scientific approaches.
Students come from a variety of academic backgrounds which enhances the interdisciplinary element of the programme.
A fully international programme
The programme is taught entirely in English and is an international research-oriented masters degree. The student body is very internationally diverse.
Flexibility and small teams
You have the opportunity to influence course content and help shape your degree so that topics you find relevant are represented.
Students also benefit from the opportunity to work in small focused teams.
The programme focuses on the study of the biological processes affecting human beings in health and disease. The broad study of human biology combined with substantial research and experimentation work gives students a unique set of biomedical and research skills.
As a graduate you will be able to conduct independent research, as well as to evaluate and consult on complex problems relating to human health.
After completing the course Laboratory Animal Science, you obtain a legal license to perform independent research which includes handling of research animals.
Graduates are employed in both the public and private sector, for instance, in:
• the biomedical industry
• research institutions in the environment sector or other sectors
• biotech companies
• food technology firms
• research centers
• hospitals
• academic institutions
There is close to no unemployment for graduates. More than half of graduates continue with a Ph.D. and pursue a career in research.
Student life
Many students are engaged in various extracurricular activities, for example, sports, social events and the university’s yearly music festival. You have your own quarter for organizing social activities.
You will primarily be studying at the University of Copenhagen’s North Campus, joining students from many other disciplines within the field of health and medical sciences.
The North Campus includes state of the art facilities for research and education and a view of the city form the top of a 15- floor tower, which below houses a light dining hall, auditoriums, classrooms and laboratories.
Contact student guidance
SUND Study Information
If you have questions about
- the MSc programme
- the study environment
- your career opportunities
Do you have questions about digital application?
Read quick guides, instructions and FAQ in our user guide to the application portal.
In case of technical problems, please contact the IT Helpdesk by
- Mail: it-service@adm.ku.dk
- Tel: +45 35 32 27 00
Location
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, North Campus, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 København N.
Similar programmes
Biochemistry
Biology
Biotechnology
Medicinal Chemistry
You study organic chemistry and how to design drug substances.
Molecular Biomedicine
The main focus is the advancement of health for humans and the environment.
Pharmaceutical Sciences (DK)
You get to specialise in an area of your choosing.
Find your master's degree programme
See which master's degree programmes your bachlor qualifies for