Master's Programme in Plant and Forest Biotechnology 120 credits
About the programme
Plant biotechnology is an important tool to solve global problems. How do we produce enough food in the world? How do we develop renewable fuels and manage ecosystems in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner? The Master’s programme in Plant and Forest Biotechnology gives you specialized competence and skills to recognize, understand and find solutions to these challenges.
World-leading research in plant science
International study environment
Gain lots of hands-on lab experience
While studying
The programme provides you with theoretical and practical knowledge about plant physiology, molecular biology, biotechnology and functional genomics; together with an understanding of the ethical, ecological and legal aspects of plant biotechnology. Advanced knowledge is given in plant cell and molecular biology as well as plant growth and development. This knowledge is then applied in the fields of plant breeding, biotechnology and functional genomics.
Hands-on experience
The different courses within the programme contain a variety of laboratory experiments, providing you with hands-on experience and training in how to design, perform and report scientific experiments. During your studies you also have the opportunity to establish contacts with agricultural and forestry biotechnology companies.
World leading research
The programme is organised by the Department of Plant Physiology (Umeå University) and the Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences). Together they form the Umeå Plant Science Centre, UPSC, where world leading research in plant and forest biotechnology is being conducted. Many of your teachers are active scientists and the education is anchored around the various research topics of UPSC.
Courses within the programme
Year 1
- Plant cell and molecular biology
- Plant Growth and Development
- Plant biotechnology and molecular breeding
- Elective courses
Year 2
- Elective courses
- Degree Thesis in Plant Biology or Degree Thesis in Plant Molecular Biology
Examples of elective courses:
- Project course in Plant Molecular Biology/Plant Biology
- Functional Genomics Theory
- Applied Functional Genomics
- Biomaterials and Bioenergy
- Genetics and Biotechnology in Forest Production Systems
Future and career opportunities
After the Master's programme you are well suited to work in a plant biotechnology company. The programme is also suitable for students who would like to work with research and development in a broader laboratory environment.
Further studies?
Following your degree you can apply for PhD programmes in plant biology, plant biotechnology, plant microbiology and bioinformatics.
Programme director
Apply
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Autumn 2025
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Master's Programme in Plant and Forest Biotechnology
International admissions round
HT25 / Umeå / English / On site
Show more Show less
StartAutumn term 2025
Number of credits120 credits
Type of studiesOn site
Study pace100%
Length2 years
Study locationUmeå
LanguageEnglish
Application codeUMU-M5008
Eligibility A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are: 60 ECTS biology, 30 of which should be plant biology and cell and molecular biology. Chemistry 15 ECTS. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.SelectionAcademic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)
ApplicationApplication deadline was 15 January 2025. The application period is closed.
Application and tuition feesAs a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
Application fee: SEK 900
Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 76,150
Total fee: SEK 304,600
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Master's Programme in Plant and Forest Biotechnology
Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens
HT25 / Umeå / English / On site
Show more Show less
StartAutumn term 2025
Number of credits120 credits
Type of studiesOn site
Study pace100%
Length2 years
Study locationUmeå
LanguageEnglish
Application codeUMU-P5008
Eligibility A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are: 60 ECTS biology, 30 of which should be plant biology and cell and molecular biology. Chemistry 15 ECTS. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.SelectionAcademic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)
ApplicationApplication deadline was 15 April 2025. The application period is closed. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
Application and tuition feesAs a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
Application fee: SEK 900
Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 76,150
Total fee: SEK 304,600
-
-
Autumn 2026
-
Master's Programme in Plant and Forest Biotechnology
International admissions round
HT26 / Umeå / English / On site
Application opens 16 October 2025Show more Show less
StartAutumn term 2026
Number of credits120 credits
Type of studiesOn site
Study pace100%
Length2 years
Study locationUmeå
LanguageEnglish
Application codeUMU-M5008
EligibilityA Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are: 60 ECTS biology, 30 of which should be plant biology and cell and molecular biology. Chemistry 15 ECTS. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6/level 2.
SelectionAcademic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)
ApplicationThe online application opens 16 October 2025 at 13:00 CET. Application deadline is 15 January 2026.
Application and tuition feesAs a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
Application fee: SEK 900
Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 76,150
Total fee: SEK 304,600
-
Master's Programme in Plant and Forest Biotechnology
Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens
HT26 / Umeå / English / On site
Application opens 16 March 2026Show more Show less
StartAutumn term 2026
Number of credits120 credits
Type of studiesOn site
Study pace100%
Length2 years
Study locationUmeå
LanguageEnglish
Application codeUMU-P5008
EligibilityA Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are: 60 ECTS biology, 30 of which should be plant biology and cell and molecular biology. Chemistry 15 ECTS. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6/level 2.
SelectionAcademic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)
ApplicationThe online application opens 16 March 2026 at 09:00 CET. Application deadline is 15 April 2026. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
Application and tuition feesAs a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
Application fee: SEK 900
Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 76,150
Total fee: SEK 304,600
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How to apply
Apply online via universityadmissions.se
You apply to our programmes and courses via universityadmissions.se – the official website for higher education applications in Sweden. There, you can track your application, check that your documents have been registered, and log in to find our your admission results.
Late applications
Admissions to most programmes and courses typically close after the final application deadline. However, some programmes and courses may still accept late applications if seats are available. These are marked “Open for late application” on universityadmissions.se. Please note that late applications are not guaranteed to be reviewed.
More about application and admission
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