About this programme
Master in Biosciences is a Master's Degree programme at Nord University in Bodø, taught in English. It runs for 2 years and carries 120 ECTS credits. The register gives Bodø as the campus town. It lists the degree as Master. Nord University is a state university in Nordland.
How it compares
Master in Biosciences is one of 11 English-taught Science programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 5 institutions. 4 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from NOK 260,000 to NOK 295,000. 11 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students.
What you will study
What you study
The Master of Biosciences at Nord University gives you advanced knowledge in biology, with a focus on sustainability and your chosen specialisation. You pick one of five tracks: Aquaculture, Genomics or Marine Ecology in Bodø, or Animal Science or Terrestrial Ecology and Nature Management in Steinkjer. The programme teaches you scientific methods used in biological research, how to analyse and interpret biological data, and how to carry out an independent research project under supervision. You also learn to communicate biological issues to both scientists and the public.
How the programme is organised
This is a two-year full-time master's worth 120 ECTS. The specialisations are split between the Bodø and Steinkjer campuses. In Bodø you study at Noatun, the faculty building finished in 2024, with advanced laboratories. In Steinkjer, InnoCamp brings together education, industry and research, and the campus has laboratory facilities and access to research farms. The research vessel PIA, owned by Nord University and the Institute of Marine Research, is used for teaching and scientific excursions at sea. The programme encourages exchange in the second semester, and Nord has agreements with partner universities. The application deadline for spring exchange is 1 September.
Who it suits
You need a completed bachelor's degree of at least 180 ECTS, including a specialisation of at least 80 ECTS in biosciences, with a minimum grade average of C. The programme suits students who want to work with living organisms and the environment, whether in aquaculture, genomics, marine ecology, animal science or terrestrial ecology and nature management. It is for people who like laboratory work, field research and independent projects, and who want a degree that leads to jobs in research, consultancy or the public sector.
Admission, language and next steps
The programme is taught in English. The application deadlines are 15 April for Nordic and EU/EEA applicants, and 1 December for non-EU/EEA applicants. Check the programme page for the exact application periods and requirements. After graduating, you can apply for PhD programmes in Norway or abroad, or take a teacher training programme to qualify for secondary school teaching. If you want to stay in Norway to work after your studies, you can apply to UDI for a residence permit for work purposes before your study permit expires. 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.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Laboratory work
- Environmental consultancy
- Aquaculture sector
- Public sector, from municipal authorities to national government and agencies
- PhD studies at Norwegian or foreign universities
- Secondary school teaching (with additional teacher training)
Before you apply
Master’s applications go straight to Nord University, 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: April 15 EU/ EEA applicants: April 15 Non-EU/ EEA applicants: December 1. The register shows 1 December 2026 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 Master in Biosciences taught in English?
Yes. The Study in Norway register, run by HK-dir, lists it as an English-taught programme at Nord University. 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 Bodø as the campus town for this programme at Nord University.
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. Nord University 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 Nord University lists it: Nordic applicants: April 15 EU/ EEA applicants: April 15 Non-EU/ EEA applicants: December 1. The register shows 1 December 2026 as a deadline date for this programme. Confirm the date for your own situation on the programme page at Nord University.
What does it cost?
Nord University gives this wording for the tuition: Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland do not pay tuition fees at Nord University. For information about tuition fees for students from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland, including current rates, please visit our website. Degree students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland normally pay tuition at Norwegian institutions, and the fees vary by institution and programme. 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 Nord University is linked from this page so you can compare.