Nordic Master´s Programme in Biodiversity and Systematics
Be part of the new generation of taxonomists with the expertise and skills to take action against biodiversity loss. You will explore the incredible diversity of life, learn to identify and classify organisms, and gain both theoretical and practical research skills that open the way to careers in biodiversity conservation, systematics, and beyond.
Unidentified Tortoise Beetles. Part of Don Ehlen's "Insect Safari" collection. Photo: Jon Mable/Wikimedia commons
The Master's in Biodiversity and Systematics combines a strong theoretical foundation with extensive hands-on training. Courses are continuously updated to reflect the latest research, and the flexible structure allows you to tailor your studies to your own interests and career goals.
Reasons to choose the Nordic Master’s Programme in Biodiversity and Systematics:
- A unique Nordic collaboration between five leading universities
- Flexible distance learning combined with intensive field and lab sessions across the Nordic countries
- Broad training that combines biodiversity identification, systematics, theory, and research tools
- Excellent opportunities to gain practical skills in real research environments
- An international learning environment with students and teachers from across the Nordic region.
The programme is a collaboration between five Nordic universities: Stockholm University, University of Gothenburg, Lund University, Uppsala University and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Read more about the collaboration at the Nordic Academy of Biodiversity and Systematic Studies, NABiS.
Courses are taught as a combination of distance studies and intensive field or lab sessions (up to one week long) at field stations and universities across the Nordic region. This format offers flexibility in how and where you study, while also giving you valuable practical experience with biodiversity and systematics research.
The programme includes courses in four main categories:
- Biodiversity identification
- Biodiversity classification
- Systematics theory
- Tools and skills
You are required to take at least one course in each category, giving you both breadth and depth in your training. In addition, you can choose from a wide selection of elective courses to shape your individual study path.
Year 1
Compulsory courses
Alpha taxonomical principles (Gothenburg)
Fundamental and Molecular Systematics (Uppsala)
Elective courses
Find the elective courses at the Nordic Academy of Biodiversity and Systematic Studies, NABiS
Year 2
Compulsory course
Degree project in Biodiversity and Systematics
(instructions apply for all degree projects at the department)
Independent project
Master’s degree projects are carried out within ongoing research projects at your host university.
Recent degree projects
- Phylogenomics of Marine Nematodes
- Phylogeny and species delimitation of an endemic radiation of diving beetles of Madagascar using genomic data
- Species diversity and phylogeny of Dakuidae (Acoela)
- Exploring a territory teeming with terrestrial tardigrades: Integrative taxonomy supports two new species of Macrobiotidae from Kristianstad vattenrike biosphere reserve
- The early worm para(d)(H)ox: exploring the xenacoelomorph Hox complement
The Master’s Programme in Biodiversity and Systematics is open for applications only in the first admission round, with a deadline in mid-January.
Specific eligibility
Admission to the Nordic Master’s Programme in Biodiversity and Systematics requires a strong background in biology, equivalent to a bachelor’s degree with at least one year of full-time studies in biology. All applications are assessed individually. The examples below are provided only as guidance.
Backgrounds that may be considered eligible
Applicants with a degree that includes substantial coursework in organismal biology, systematics, ecology, evolution, or biodiversity, for example:
- Bachelor’s degree in biology (general or with specialisation in ecology, evolution, systematics, organismal biology, botany, zoology)
- Bachelor’s degree in zoology or botany
- Bachelor’s degree in ecology or environmental biology (including organismal biology, biodiversity or taxonomic components)
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences with at least one year of biology courses, including organismal and/or evolutionary biology
- Bachelor’s degree in marine biology or freshwater biology, if coursework includes biodiversity, taxonomy, or systematics
- Bachelor’s degree in natural resources or conservation biology, if supplemented with sufficient organismal biology courses
- Other Bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences, if it includes the equivalent of one year of biology and relevant coursework in systematics, biodiversity, evolution, or organism identification
Backgrounds that may not be considered eligible
Applicants whose studies have little or no focus on biology, or in which organismal and evolutionary biology are limited or absent, for example:
- Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, biotechnology or biomedicine with limited coursework in organismal biology, ecology, or biodiversity
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, if primarily focused on policy, sustainability, GIS, or earth sciences rather than biological diversity
- Bachelor’s degree in veterinary nursing, animal care, or wildlife rehabilitation, if lacking theoretical biology and organismal coursework
- Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or forestry, without substantial coursework in biology, taxonomy, or ecology
- Bachelor’s degree in geography, geology, or earth sciences without biology-related courses
- Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, humanities, or education, without biology or environmental science courses
Important to note
- These examples are not exhaustive.
- Meeting one of the “eligible” examples does not guarantee admission.
- Having a background listed as “not sufficient” may still qualify if combined with additional university-level Biology courses, especially in organismal biology, evolution, systematics, or taxonomy.
- The final decision is always based on an individual assessment of your complete academic record.
Selection process
Applicants that meet the eligibility requirements are ranked based on their merit rating. Only students with the highest merit ratings are selected for our programmes. The merit rating is based on the following four selection criteria, with equal weight:
- relevance of previous studies in relation to the programme
- grades of academic courses
- motivation letter
- research ideas
Required supporting documentation
To submit your motivation letter and research ideas you must use our cover letter form (updated yearly, only latest version accepted).
Cover letter/Motivation letter
After submitting the form, download the generated PDF and upload it to your application at University Admissions before the supporting documentation deadline.
Do not make any changes to the resulting PDF!
Note! The form is only available during the application period, up to the supporting documentation deadline. Recommendation letters and CVs are neither required nor considered if included.
A Master’s degree in Biodiversity and Systematics opens a wide range of career paths. Many graduates continue to academic research, contributing to our understanding of biodiversity and evolution, or work as museum curators managing biological collections.
The programme also prepares you for non-academic careers in areas such as nature conservation, environmental management, government agencies, and non-governmental organisations. With the combination of practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and research experience, you will be well equipped to make a meaningful impact on biodiversity and the sustainable management of natural resources.
