Program Overview

Biology MSc Program

The Biology MSc program at Eötvös Loránd University is designed for students who wish to pursue a research-oriented or teaching career in biology. The program is intended for students who are interested in carrying out distinguished scholarly activities, have original, creative, and critical thinking, and are able to develop a both theoretically and technically broadly based research knowledge in their selected fields of specialization.

Program Structure

• The program consists of intensive advanced and high-level courses in the different fields of biology, which are the most relevant for their specialization.
• Some 60% of time is practical hours (spent on laboratory/field practice and on research) ensuring knowledge of state-of-the-art methods.
• The curriculum is assembled from intensive advanced level courses on the theoretical aspects of selected disciplines and special seminar series on problems in a narrower field of science.
• The program also involves practical courses and a supervised research activity, which is needed for the preparation of the “M.Sc. Thesis”.
• In the first two semesters, emphasis is on theory and basic laboratory or field practice.
• The third and fourth semesters are devoted to research and preparation of thesis.

Strength of Program

• The Institute of Biology consists of 12 departments, providing one of the most differentiated education in the country.
• This results in broadly-based sub-programs and generates knowledge that is interdisciplinary.
• Besides teaching, there is an international level research work at each department, which gives possibility for students to learn the most important methods in different research fields of biology.
• During their thesis work, M.Sc. students join a research group preferably in a department of the University, but research groups in other universities or laboratories can also be chosen.
• Students have their own research project, which they work on under the supervision of a project leader.

Career Opportunities

• The Biology M.Sc. program is intended for students who wish to pursue a research-oriented or teaching career in biology.
• M.Sc. graduates will be able to participate creatively in research projects, to recognize and handle complex problems through multi-sided approach in planning and performing experiments.
• The knowledge obtained in the M.Sc. program forms an excellent basis that is necessary for studies in a Ph.D. program.
• Students having a diploma from the Biology Master of Science Program of Eötvös Loránd University will be competent researchers in any country on wide fields of biology from basic to applied science.
• They can get a job as researchers in industrial firms, different research institutes, or even in other universities.
• Diploma awarded by Eötvös Loránd University scores full marks worldwide.
• Those who do not want a career as a researcher but are interested in more practice-oriented jobs can exploit their knowledge from this program, after some further training, in teaching, in managing technology development projects at industrial or agricultural firms, and in governmental organizations.

Job Examples

• Researcher in basic or applied research institutes in different fields of biological discovery or development (from agriculture through environment protection, health care, medical techniques, and applications, to drug development).
• University teacher of different fields of biology, college or high school teacher of biology.
• Company employee of agricultural firms (gene technology of organisms, pest control, etc.), of industrial firms (among others, gene technology products, environment protection, drug development), officials in governmental organizations (e.g., health care, environment management, and protection).

Admission Requirements

• Entry requirements: Bachelor degrees are accepted in the following field: Biology.
• Additionally, Bachelor degrees in the field of Environmental Science, Nature Conservation Engineering, and Biochemical Engineering can be accepted, if the applicant has at least 100 ECTS credits in the following fields:
  • Mathematics – at least 6 credits
  • Informatics – at least 6 credits
  • Physics – at least 4 credits
  • Chemistry – at least 20 credits
  • Biology – at least 60 credits
• Language requirements: An internationally accredited language examination is required with at least a B2 CEFR level or equivalent result.
  • Examples of minimum level accepted:
    • TOEFL iBT 72 pts
    • IELTS 5.5
• Alternatively, an official certificate issued by the applicant’s previous higher education institution can be accepted, stating that the applicant’s previous education (Bachelor’s degree) was completed entirely in English.

Documents to Submit with Application

• Document | Comment
  • Online application form | -
  • Bachelor-level degree | -
  • Transcript of records | -
  • CV | -
  • Motivation letter | -
  • Letter of recommendation | -
  • Copy of the main pages of the passport | needs to be valid
  • Passport photo | -
  • Medical certificate | -
  • Copy of application fee transfer | Payment Information
  • Language certificate | -

Application Procedure

• The application starts at the online application system.
• Students need to register in the system, fill in the online application form, upload the required documents, and follow the instructions during the application process.
• Procedure of the entrance examination: Applicants will be informed via e-mail on the topics of the oral test two weeks before the entrance examination.
• The topics are equal to the Hungarian Biology masters entrance oral test topics.
• The Skype interview is organized in an in-advance collated time.
• Two examiners interview the applicant.
• During the interview, examiners gain information on the English communication skills and the terminology knowledge, moreover on the preparedness of the applicant.
• The competence of the applicant will be evaluated on a percentual scale.
• Following all interviews, the eligible applicants will be scored.

Program Details

• Title: Biology MSc
• Degree: Biologist
• Type: Degree program
• Level: Master
• Accreditation number: FF/1440-3/2015
• Faculty: Faculty of Science
• Institute: Institute of Biology
• Language: English
• Duration: 4 semesters (2 years)
• ECTS credits: 120
• Minimum number of students: 5 per sub-program (specialization)
• Maximum number of students: -

Tuition Fees

• EU/EEA students: 4,190 EUR per semester
• Non-EU/EEA students: 4,190 EUR per semester
• Application fee: 160 EUR (non-refundable)

Program Schedule

• Start program: 01, Sep, 2026
• Deadline for applications - September intake: 31, May, 2026
• Is there a February intake: No

Program Leader and Coordinator

• Program leader: Prof. Dr. László NYITRAY
• Program coordinator: Dr. Petra VARRÓ, assistant lecturer