Master in Molecular Medicine

Master in Molecular Medicine is one of 4 English-taught Medicine & Health Sciences programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 3 institutions. 1 of them lists an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland. 4 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students.

The Master's in Molecular Medicine at NTNU is a full-time, two-year programme taught in English. It focuses on understanding how disease works at the molecular level, with the aim of developing new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent illness. The programme is run by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

What you study

Molecular medicine brings together cell and molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, biotechnology and bioinformatics to study disease. You look at the genes, proteins and other molecules involved in disease development and progression. The goal is to find new diagnostic tools and therapies that target specific disease-causing molecules. This is often called precision or personalised medicine, where treatment is tailored to subgroups of patients or to the individual based on their genetic and molecular profile.

The programme has two main components: theoretical and methodological courses (60 ECTS) and a master's thesis (60 ECTS). The courses are split into 30 ECTS of compulsory courses and 30 ECTS of elective courses. You get hands-on training in molecular medicine methods, with direct application to human diseases and their molecular mechanisms.

How the programme is organised

The programme starts in the autumn semester, in mid-August. It is full-time and lasts two years. Teaching uses active learning strategies: problem-based learning (PBL), team-based learning (TBL), colloquiums, student presentations, laboratory exercises and project work. The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is tightly integrated with St. Olav's Hospital, so you work in modern laboratory environments alongside researchers from both NTNU and the hospital.

The programme is international, and you will meet students with different ethnic backgrounds. SOMA is the student organisation for all master's students at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. It offers academic and social activities throughout the semester, including the annual Buddy Week in August for new master's students.

Who it suits

This programme suits students who are motivated towards research or teaching in molecular medicine specifically, or in life science more generally. The introduction to experimental and analytical methods is also relevant to other academic fields, both in Norway and internationally. You should have a solid background in cellular and molecular biology.

Admission, language and next steps

To apply, you need a bachelor's degree (or a three-year equivalent) in biomedical science, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, medicine or a similar field, with an average grade equal to or higher than the Norwegian C. A solid background in cellular and molecular biology is highly recommended. The programme admits 30 students each year: 15 spots are reserved for Norwegian and Nordic students, and 15 for EU and international students.

Application deadlines are 1 December for non-EU/non-EEA students, 1 March for EU/EEA/Swiss students, and 15 April for Norwegian/Nordic students. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland are normally exempt from tuition fees at state institutions. Other international students pay a tuition fee set by NTNU; this programme is in category C. Check the programme page for details on fees and application steps.

The language of instruction is English. For questions, contact the student counsellors at studie@ikom.ntnu.no.

Master’s applications go straight to Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 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. 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.