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Bioinformatics - Master Programme

Master's programme · 2 years · 120 credits

Students in a bioinformatics lecture

Description

Are you interested in becoming an interdisciplinary scientist who can make sense of large amounts of research data? The Bioinformatics Master’s Programme offers extensive practical training in different programming tools and environments. You will become a sought-after expert capable of analysing medical, ecological, and molecular biological research results, among other things. The knowledge and experience gained in this program are highly valued in the academic and business worlds.

Research within the medicine, biochemistry, ecology and biology disciplines generates massive amounts of biological data, which leads to high demand for individuals knowledgeable and experienced in bioinformatics. In this Master’s programme you will learn to use modern programming tools and methods to analyse biological data, develop and test hypotheses, and write academic research papers. The programme covers diverse subjects including, but not limited to, biology, medicine, informatics, computer science and statistics. The Master’s programme brings together international students from different educational backgrounds, contributing to an interdisciplinary and nourishing educational environment.

Teaching takes place in computer labs equipped with powerful computers and the latest software. In this nourishing environment, you will learn things like how to analyse genetic data, map genomes, compare expressions of messenger RNA and proteins, find harmful mutations, model proteins, describe the composition of a bacterial community and develop software for bioinformatic applications. You will also have the opportunity, in project format, to implement your knowledge in an international research environment. You will practice both oral and written presentations and obtain ample experience in working alone and in groups. For your project work, you will join our leading research groups and work to solve real-world problems.

Are you interested in Artificial-Intelligence (AI)? Lund University is a leading AI center, and you will have the opportunity to be trained with leading AI scientists and develop Artificial-Intelligence (AI) applications.

The Master’s programme has a high proportion of scheduled lessons, and the interaction with teaching staff and course assistants is relaxed. All of the teaching staff are leading multi-disciplinary researchers, and the programme is continuously updated based on the latest cutting-edge research. Bioinformatics is a critical element of the research environments at the Department of Biology and other departments at Lund University, above all at the Faculty of Medicine.

Most importantly, the program is specifically designed for students with and without computational experience. Some of our most prolific graduates joined the program without ever writing one line of code in their life. All classes are tought in English.

Programme structure

The first year begins with a course on the fundamentals of bioinformatics and sequence analysis, followed by a course on programming in Python. Thereafter you will complete courses on modelling and statistics. During the spring semester, you will delve more deeply into DNA sequencing informatics and then conduct a research project or applied work in bioinformatics.

During the third semester, you can start your degree project or do an additional project. The degree project is worth 30, 45 or 60 credits and is flexible. It is generally done in a research team, but it can also be done in cooperation with a public authority or a company.

In addition, the Master’s programme offers the option of doing an internship, which can provide valuable contacts.

Career prospects

Bioinformatic experts are in short supply, and our sought-for graduates are offered exciting opportunities and competitive salaries. The Bioinformatics MSc programme prepares you for a successful career in research and development in academic institutions or biotechnology and life science-oriented companies. Our MSc Bioinformatics program has a perfect 100% work assignment rate, with more than half of our grades continuing to do a postgraduate degree and others taking leading roles in the biotech industry.

Computers in the programme

The programme requires that you have access to a computer, preferably a laptop, on which you can install software mainly provided by the University, such as Microsoft 365, CAD/CAM and development environments for Python, Matlab or other computational tools. It can be either a Windows computer or a MacOS. On some courses you may need to buy or rent your own software.

Conditions in the study environment and during study visits and field studies

The programme contains compulsory elements that require you to be able to work independently and safely in a laboratory environment, in a hospital environment, in workshops, in production facilities, or during study visits and field studies. These elements require the ability to comply with safety regulations and instructions, and to move around in and evacuate premises safely. The elements also require the ability to monitor and control the processes studied.

Ethical concerns

The programme includes compulsory elements that some people may have concerns about, such as patient-centred activities in healthcare, animal testing or dissection. However, the student is obliged to acquire knowledge and skills in these areas as well, to the extent necessary to fulfil the learning outcomes of the course. For some elements, there might be specific requirements regarding rules on hygiene, the design of protective and work clothing, confidentiality and professionalism.

Open for applications

Application opportunities

This programme is open for applications from 15 October 2024 to 15 January 2025.

Contact

Department of Biology, Study advisor

Lotta Persmark

Phone: +46 46 222 37 28

Email: lotta [dot] persmark [at] biol [dot] lu [dot] se

Requirements and selection

Entry requirements

Bachelor’s degree of at least 180 credits in molecular biology, biomedicine, biology, bioinformatics, biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry or the equivalent.

English course 6 (advanced proficiency)

or

Bachelor’s degree of at least 180 credits in computer science, mathematics or the equivalent.

English course 6 (advanced proficiency)

Selection criteria

Based on grades awarded for previous academic courses, as well as a statement of purpose for the application and qualifications from research/work of relevance to the study programme (from the applicant’s “Summary sheet”).

English language requirements

Most of Lund University’s programmes require English Level 6 (unless otherwise stated under 'Entry requirements'). This is the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. There are several ways to prove your English language proficiency – check which proof is accepted at the University Admissions in Sweden website. All students must prove they meet English language requirements by the deadline, in order to be considered for admission.

How to prove your English proficiency – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements

Check if there are any country-specific eligibility rules for you to study Bachelor's or Master's studies in Sweden:

Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se

Apply

Your selection at www.universityadmissions.se

Day-time Lund, full time 100%

In English

Study period

1 September 2025 - 6 June 2027

Application

Last application date 2025-01-15

How to apply

Lund University uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application periods.

When to apply for studies

Step 1: Apply online

  • Check that you meet the entry requirements of the programme or course you are interested in (refer to the section above on this webpage).
  • Start your application – go to the University Admissions in Sweden website where you create an account and select programmes/courses during the application period.
    Visit the University Admissions in Sweden website
  • Rank your programme/course choices in order of preference and submit them before the application deadline.

Step 2: Submit documents

  • Read about how to document your eligibility and how to submit your documents at the University Admissions in Sweden website. Follow any country-specific document rules for Master's studies or Bachelor's studies
    Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
    Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
     
  • Get all your documents ready:
    - official transcripts and high school diploma (Bachelor's applicants)
    - official transcripts and degree certificate or proof that you are in the final year of your Bachelor's (Master's applicants)
    - passport/ID (all applicants) and
    - proof of English proficiency (all applicants).
     
  • Prepare programme-specific documents if stated in the next paragraph on this webpage.
  • Upload or send all required documents to University Admissions before the document deadline.
  • Pay the application fee (if applicable – refer to the section below on this webpage) before the document deadline.

* Note that the process is different if you are applying as an exchange student or as a part of a cooperation programme (such as Erasmus+).
* If you have studied your entire Bachelor's programme in Sweden and all of your academic credits are in Ladok, you do not have to submit transcripts or your diploma when applying for a Master's programme. However, there may still be other documents you need to submit! See the link below. 

Svensk student? 
Läs instruktionerna om att söka till ett internationellt masterprogram på lu.se

Programme-specific documents

In addition to the documents mentioned under Step 2, you must also submit a Summary Sheet when you apply to this programme. Please use the form below.

Summary Sheet for the Master's in Bioinformatics (PDF, 125 kB, new tab)

Watch on YouTube: How to apply for a Master's programme

Tuition fees

Non-EU/EEA citizens

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 340 000

First payment: SEK 85 000

Convert currency – xe.com

Citizens of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. You pay one instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

Application fee

If you are required to pay tuition fees, you are generally also required to pay an application fee of SEK 900 when you apply at the University Admissions in Sweden website. You pay one application fee regardless of how many programmes or courses you apply to.


*Note that there are no tuition or application fees for exchange students or doctoral/PhD students, regardless of their nationality.

Scholarships & funding

Lund University Global Scholarship programme

The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.

Lund University Global Scholarship

Swedish Institute Scholarships

The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students applying for studies in Sweden at Master's level.

Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website

Country-specific scholarships and funding options

Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University.

External scholarships

Information about scholarships from external organisations