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Biology, Evolutionary Biology - Master Programme

Master's programme · 2 years · 120 credits

A collage of worms and birds. Photo.

Description

This Master’s programme is aimed at students who want to understand how evolution works – and why this knowledge matters. The programme provides a good foundation for doctoral studies as well as professions outside academia.

The Master’s programme in Evolutionary Biology has strong connections with research. Our teaching staff possess world-leading expertise in their fields and the programme content is adapted to the research front. During the programme you will gain practical experience of designing experiments and collecting data using the latest methods.

You will learn how to analyse different types of biological data in order to determine what has caused evolutionary changes. You will learn how to reconstruct evolutionary patterns from genomic data and to analyse and understand the evolutionary processes that lead to adaptation and diversity at different levels of biological organisation – from genes and characters to ecosystems. You will also receive training in how to solve research problems using analytical methods.

You will conduct oral and written presentations and gain extensive experience of working in groups. The teaching, which aims to be as interactive, discussion-based and relaxed as possible, is conducted in modern premises and laboratories using advanced equipment and software. The language of instruction is English.

Programme structure

The programme has a recommended study path, but you can also draw up a personal study plan after consultation with the study advisor and programme coordinator. The first semester begins with a course devoted to the major research areas within evolutionary biology. You can then choose from a variety of courses, including molecular biology, evolutionary ecology, biological statistics and genetic analysis. At the end of the spring semester, you take a course on methodology and applications within evolutionary biology.
In the third semester, you can take elective courses or begin your degree project. The degree project is worth 30, 45 or 60 credits and generally consists of an independent research project. The Master’s programme offers the option of doing an internship, which can provide valuable contacts and experiences

Career prospects

If you are passionate about research, there are good opportunities to continue your studies at a higher education institution. Just over half of the students on our Master’s programme in Biology go on to doctoral studies at a university in Sweden, Europe or another part of the world. As an evolutionary biologist, you will also have career prospects outside academia in professions that require analysis of big data, such as genetic data, and where there is a need for a deep understanding of how living systems change, for example, in biomedicine, biotechnology and ecology.
 

Closed for applications

Application opportunities

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

Specialisation: Evolutionary Biology

Bachelor’s degree of at least 180 credits, of which 90 credits must be in science, including 5 credits in statistics and 60 credits in biology comprising genetics, cell biology, ecology and organism biology, or the equivalent.

Proficiency in English equivalent to English 6/B from Swedish upper-secondary school.

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

Start Autumn Semester 2024

Day-time Lund, full time 100%

In English

Study period

2 September 2024 - 7 June 2026

Application

Closed for applications

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 applying for this programme.

Summary Sheet for the Master's programmes in Biology (PDF, 80 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

Testimonials