About this programme
European Master in Animal Biodiversity and Genomics is a Master's Degree programme at Norwegian University of Life Sciences in Ås, taught in English. It runs for 2 years and carries 120 ECTS credits. The register gives Ås as the campus town. It lists the degree as Master. Norwegian University of Life Sciences is a state university in Akershus.
What you will study
What you study
The European Master in Animal Biodiversity and Genomics is a two-year, 120 ECTS programme taught in English. It focuses on using quantitative and molecular genetics for animal breeding. You will study statistical genetics (understanding and measuring genetic variation), genomics (molecular genetics and bioinformatics), animal breeding (design and evaluation of breeding programmes) and other topics that cover intra-animal biological relationships. The programme is run by a consortium of six universities: NMBU, Wageningen University, BOKU, SLU, Agro ParisTech and Georg-August-Universität Göttingen.
How the programme is organised
All students start at NMBU for the first year. After one or two semesters, you continue to one of the partner universities. To receive the MSc at NMBU, you must complete at least 60 ECTS, including a 30 ECTS thesis supervised jointly by NMBU and one of the other partner universities. Two courses are compulsory: SDG300 Sustainable Development Goals in Plant and Animal Food Systems and BIN300 Statistical Genomics. Beyond that, you compose your own study plan with courses in quantitative and molecular genetics. Recommended courses include Models and Algorithms in Bioinformatics, Genome Analysis - methodology, Molecular Genomics, Animal breeding Plans, and Theory and Application of Inbreeding Management. Teaching methods vary: lectures, laboratory exercises, field trips, group work, independent studies, exercises and seminars by students. Examinations are final oral or written exams, assignments or portfolio assessment.
Who it suits
This master's suits you if you have a bachelor's degree in animal sciences, biology or a related field and want to specialise in animal breeding and genetics. You should have some background in statistics and genetics. The programme is for students who want to work with sustainable animal breeding, manage breeding programmes in low-income countries, conduct breeding value estimations for industry, respond to climate change through breeding, or improve animal welfare through breeding. It also prepares you for further PhD studies.
Admission, language and next steps
Admission requires a BSc degree or equivalent in animal science or related fields, with prerequisites such as knowledge of statistics and genetics. Your grade point average must be at least 70% of the maximum score. English proficiency must be equivalent to the TOEFL requirements set by NMBU, with results approved by the Admission Office. The application process is handled by the EM-ABG coordinator at BOKU. The application deadline is January 15th for all applicants. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland are normally exempt from tuition fees at state institutions; other degree students normally pay a fee set by the institution. Check the programme page for details and apply through the coordinator at BOKU.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Breeding programme management in low-income countries
- Breeding value estimation for industry
- Roles addressing climate change through breeding
- Animal welfare improvement through breeding
- Work in organisations focused on sustainable animal breeding
- PhD studies in animal breeding and genetics
Before you apply
Master’s applications go straight to Norwegian University of Life Sciences, not through the national admission service (NUCAS). Study in Norway states that you need a bachelor’s degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), including courses equal to at least one and a half years of full-time study relevant to the programme. The institution lists its deadline as: Nordic applicants: January 15 EU applicants: January 15 Non EU-applicants: January 15. The register shows 15 January 2027 as a deadline date for this programme. Deadlines are set by each institution for each programme, so confirm yours. Entry requirements and language tests are also set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, study permits and housing.
Facts on this page come from the Study in Norway register, the official English-programme list run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Fees are in NOK as the institution lists them. "Not listed" means the register has no figure, not that the programme is free. Always confirm requirements, fees and deadlines with the institution.
Quick answers
Is European Master in Animal Biodiversity and Genomics taught in English?
Yes. The Study in Norway register, run by HK-dir, lists it as an English-taught programme at Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Only English-taught degree programmes are included here.
How long does it take?
The register records 2 years of study and 120 ECTS credits. Sixty ECTS credits are one academic year of full-time study.
Where is it taught?
The register lists Ås as the campus town for this programme at Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
How do I apply?
Master’s applications go straight to the institution, not through the national admission service (NUCAS). Study in Norway states that you need a bachelor’s degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), including courses equal to at least one and a half years of full-time study relevant to the programme, and some programmes require a minimum grade average. Norwegian University of Life Sciences publishes its requirements on the programme page.
When is the application deadline?
Each institution sets and publishes its own deadline for each programme, and the dates can differ between applicants from outside the EU/EEA, EU/EEA applicants and Nordic applicants. As Norwegian University of Life Sciences lists it: Nordic applicants: January 15 EU applicants: January 15 Non EU-applicants: January 15. The register shows 15 January 2027 as a deadline date for this programme. Confirm the date for your own situation on the programme page at Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
What does it cost?
No annual fee is listed for this programme. Degree students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland normally pay tuition at Norwegian institutions, and the fees vary by institution and programme, so ask Norwegian University of Life Sciences what applies to you. For students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland the record shows no tuition fee. Fees are in NOK as the institution lists them. Every student also pays a semester fee of about NOK 1,000 to the student welfare organisation linked to the institution.
Do I need a permit to study there?
Students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland need a study permit from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). UDI asks for proof of admission, housing and funds of NOK 15,488 a month or NOK 170,368 a year (2026/27), on top of any tuition fee. A study permit allows work of up to 20 hours a week during term and full time in the holidays. Students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland register with the police within three months of arrival instead.
Is this programme officially listed?
It comes from the Study in Norway register at studyinnorway.no, the English-programme list run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. The programme page at Norwegian University of Life Sciences is linked from this page so you can compare.
More at Norwegian University of Life Sciences
All programmes →Norwegian University of Life Sciences · Ås