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鈥檚 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鈥檚 degrees that give legal right of admission to the MSc in Human Biology.

If you hold one of the degrees listed below from a Danish University or abroad, you are considered to meet all academic admission requirements and have direct access to apply to the master鈥檚 degree programme in Human Biology.

  • Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Chemistry
  • Bachelor of Science in Medicinal Chemistry
  • Bachelor in preventive medicine

If you have a bachelor鈥檚 degree, professional bachelor鈥檚 degree or equivalent from a Danish or international university 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鈥檚 degree that automatically fulfil the admission requirements does not guarantee you admission to the programme.

You must have earned your bachelor鈥檚 degree within a maximum of 5 years prior to the start of the first semester of the master鈥檚 programme, e.g. for the intake in the autumn of 2026, you must have graduated by September 2021 or thereafter. In exceptional circumstances the Admissions Committee may waive the graduation year requirement.

If your bachelor鈥檚 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

You are required to document that you fulfil the language requirement English B, unless you have a legal right of admission to the programme you are applying for.

Please note that you must have the documentation ready by the application deadline.

See how you document the language requirements

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 2025
Admitted (of which have start in February) 37 (0)
Admission distribution (legal right/other) 0% / 100%
Applicants 290
Age average 24
Nationality (dk/international) 30% / 70%

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).

Blok 1Blok 2

Blok 3Blok 4

1st semester2nd semester
Elective courses and/or Elective courses and/or

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 大秀视频 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 大秀视频.

Programme Curriculum

If you are more interested in the academic content, regulations, and examination requirements, you should consult the curriculum, which serves as the legal foundation for the programme.

There is both a curriculum specific to each degree programme and a general curriculum that applies across the faculty.

Please note that curricula are often revised annually. Any new versions will be published no later than during the spring semester.

Career opportunities

Upon completion of the master鈥檚 programme, you will obtain the title Master of Science in Human Biology.

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:

鈥 the biomedical industry
鈥 research institutions in the environment sector or other sectors
鈥 biotech companies
鈥 food technology firms
鈥 research centers
鈥 hospitals
鈥 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.
 

From Human Biology to working life

Agnete Kirkeby: 鈥淚 hope to make a difference for patients鈥

Meet Agnete Kirkeby, who is a graduate in Human Biology. Today, she works as an associate professor, researcher and team lead at the 大秀视频 and Lund University.

As a university researcher I can pursue my ideas, my drive. You can think of it as academic entrepreneurship, where creative freedom goes hand in hand with stable conditions of employment and financial security.

Fabian Pfersdorf: "The diversity is what I enjoy the most"

Meet Fabian Nico Pfersdorf who is a graduate in Human Biology. Today, he is a PhD student at the 大秀视频, Department of Biomedical Sciences.

Learning about what we 诲辞苍鈥檛 yet understand or 补谤别苍鈥檛 really sure about can pique your curiosity and make you want to dig deeper.

Student life

Many students are engaged in various extracurricular activities, for example, sports, social events and the university鈥檚 yearly music festival. You have your own quarter for organizing social activities.

You will primarily be studying at the 大秀视频鈥檚 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

Questions about study choice and admission

Our student guidance are ready to assist you with answers to your questions about:

  • application procedure and the digital application portal
  • admission- and language requirements
  • documentation
  • study life
  • career opportunities
  • study choice or doubts
Contact study guidance

Did you not find what you were looking for?

You can find answers to questions most often asked by potential students in the FAQ. Read the FAQ

Questions about the digital application-portal?

Do you have questions about digital application? Check our user guide to the application portal. 

In case of technical problems, please contact the IT-support by

Location

  • North Campus, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 K酶benhavn N.

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