UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Master in Biology
Tromsø, Norway
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
NOK 150,500 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Nordic applicants: 15 April, EU/EEA + Swiss applicants: 1 March, Non-EU/EEA applicants: 15 November
** Tuition fees are for non-EU/EEA/Switzerland applicants. Applicants from EU/EEA and Switzerland do not have to pay tuition.
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
Are you curious about the natural world, from genes to ecosystems? Do you want to conduct research that matters both scientifically and socially?
Here’s why UiT is the perfect place for your master’s degree:
- Unique Location: Study north of the Arctic Circle, surrounded by stunning landscapes and ecosystems.
- Hands-On Learning: Access Arctic marine and terrestrial habitats, which serve as our "living laboratories."
- Modern Facilities: Learn and research in one of Norway’s most advanced campuses, with cutting-edge tools for basic and applied science.
- Supportive Community: Be part of an academic environment that encourages exploration and discovery.
Start your Arctic biology journey today!
Program description
- Duration: 2 years
- Credits (ECTS): 120
- Admission requirements: Bachelor's degree with a major in biology (min 80 ECTS)
The programme has the following areas of study:
Program structure
| Term | 10 credits | 10 credits | 10 credits | 10 credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First semester (autumn) | Elective course | HMS-0501 Sikkerhet på laboratoriet, verksted, felt og tokt HMS-0502 Førstehjelp lab, verksted, felt og tokt HMS-0503 UiTs regelverk for feltarbeid og tokt HMS-0504 Biologisk materiale | Elective course | Elective course |
| Second semester (spring) | BIO-3503 Aquatic Animal Welfare HEL-6320 Animal Experimentation for Researchers | Elective course | Compulsory for all Master`s students in biology BIO-3012 Study design and data analysis in Biology II | Elective course |
| Third semester (autumn) | BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology | BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology | BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology | BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology |
| Fourth semester (spring) | BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology | BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology | BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology | BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology |
The course BIO-3503/HEL-6320 is compulsory for students who carry out experiments on living animals. Please note that there is an own application deadline for HEL-6320. The amount of compulsory and elective courses will vary depending on the Master's Discipline. The course portfolio taken by individual students will be decided upon by consultation with project supervisors. You may start on work for a 60 ECTS thesis in the second or third term, depending on your own preferences and the character of the project.
Teaching and assessment
Several teaching and assessment methods are employed, including lectures, seminars, laboratory work, computer lab, and field courses. These will vary from course to course.
Course examinations may be oral or written examinations, assessments of project work/ lab reports/field reports, often in combination.
Supervision of the project work that leads to the writing of the Master`s thesis will be given by faculty staff, sometimes in co-operation with an external supervisor.
Access to further studies
On successful completion of the degree program, students may be qualified for admission to a Ph.D.-program in Biology at the UiT or elsewhere.
Exchange
Students can apply for exchange studies or fieldwork abroad according to the available cooperation agreements within scholarship programs such as Erasmus, Nordplus, Barentsplus, or North2North. Please consult the program study adviser for more information. Students can also undertake periods of studying at The University Centre at Svalbard, UNIS.
Learning outcomes
A Master's candidate is expected to have advanced and comprehensive knowledge of biological methodology, theories, concepts, and scientific approaches. The candidates who complete the program are expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes, defined by general proficiency, knowledge, and skills:
Knowledge
Students will have advanced knowledge in biology and in one of the following disciplines offered:
- Arctic animal physiology
- Freshwater ecology
- Marine ecology and resource biology
- Molecular environmental biology
- Northern populations and ecosystem
Skills
Students will have the ability to:
- Formulate relevant research questions in an independent manner, and apply theories, concepts, and methods pursuant to the scientific and ethical standards in the field.
- To search for and evaluate recent biological research in a critical manner, and to make assessments using scientific knowledge in the field.
- To present biological knowledge and ideas in an instructive manner to researchers, policymakers, and the general public.
General proficiency
- Have acquired specialized expertise in one of the disciplines offered.
- Have the competence to analyze biological problems that require skills at a high level.
- Apply their knowledge and skills in biological theory and methods in new areas relevant to society.
- Have sufficient competence to participate in and to evaluate research projects or to advance to doctoral studies.
Job prospectives
A Master`s of Science degree in Biology will prepare students for a wide range of jobs, in both public and private sectors, including; research, administration, consulting, and the teaching profession.
Many Master`s students in Biology are connected to common projects involving the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology (AMB) and other institutes in Tromsø that carry out biological research and consultation work, e.g. Norwegian Polar Institute, Institute of Marine Research, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Bioforsk, Akvaplan-Niva, and Nofima.