Biology, Animal Ecology - Master Programme
Start
Autumn 2026
Duration
2 years
Level
Master's
Language
English
Place of study
Lund
The Animal Ecology Master’s programme has strong ties with research. The Department of Biology has several research teams active at the highest international level, and the programme’s content is continuously adapted based on current research results. All of the teaching staff are researchers – many of them world-leading in their fields. These fields include animal migration, sensory biology, evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology and molecular ecology.
The programme provides knowledge on how ecological and evolutionary processes affect animals’ appearance, physiology and behaviour. You will learn to analyse and understand ecological and evolutionary processes at gene, individual and population levels. During the programme you will also obtain practical experience in designing and conducting field and laboratory experiments using current methods. Excursions and field projects are included in most of the courses. Field instruction is an important part of the programme and is provided at no cost to the student.
You will also learn to handle statistics and analyse and interpret biological data. You will practice both oral and written presentations and obtain ample experience in working in groups.
Teaching takes place on modern premises and in laboratories with advanced equipment. The courses have a high proportion of scheduled lessons, and the interaction with teaching staff and course assistants is relaxed. The language of instruction is English. The programme has a recommended study route, but you can also make a personal study plan after consultation with the study advisor and programme coordinator.
During the first semester you will study population and community ecology and then animal ecology. During the spring semester you can chose between molecular ecology and evolution or conservation biology. At the end of the spring semester you can study ornithology or evolutionary Biology, do a project or start your degree project.
The third semester offers an opportunity to take courses in evolutionary biology, sensory biology or modelling and advanced statistics. The degree project is worth 30, 45 or 60 credits and is generally conducted in a research team, but it can also be conducted in cooperation with a public authority or a company. The master’s programme offers the option of doing an internship, which can provide valuable contacts.
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 in our Animal Ecology Master’s programme continue to doctoral studies at a university in Sweden or in another country in Europe or beyond.
You can also work in professions outside of academia – in nature conservation, ecology and environmental management as a consultant or within the public sector as a municipal ecologist, for example.
Prerequisites
Specialisation: Animal Ecology 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 cell biology, genetics, ecology and zoology, 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”).
Computers in the programme
The student must 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 Macintosh computer. 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, rules and instructions, and to move around in and evacuate premises safely.
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, protective work clothing, confidentiality and professionalism.
Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens
Citizens of countries outside:
- The European Union (EU)
- The European Economic Area (EEA) and
- Switzerland
are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.
Tuition fees, payments and exemptions
Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 370,000
First payment: SEK 92,500
Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.
No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland
There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
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
African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship
Within the framework of the Lund University Global Scholarship programme, the University also offers the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship targeted at top academic students from selected African research universities.
Swedish Institute Scholarship: Global professionals
The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students from certain countries who are applying for select Master's programmes in Sweden.
Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website
Swedish Institute Scholarship: Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship
The Swedish Institute offers scholarships for Master's studies in Sweden for women from selected countries in Africa and Asia who want to pursue degrees in STEM fields. Check the country and programme requirements on the Swedish Institute's website to see if you are eligible for the scholarship.
SI Scholarship Pioneering Women in STEM
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. Most agreements are intended for Master’s applicants, although certain opportunities may also be available to Bachelor’s students.
External scholarships
In addition to scholarships offered by Lund University or through its partner agreements, there are external opportunities. On the page below, you’ll find examples of organisations that may provide financial support for international students from specific countries.