Who can apply?
Admissions to M1 level:
Up to 25 students are admitted to M1 each year. We particularly welcome curious and motivated students interested in exploring biology across disciplinary boundaries.
Applicants should hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (180 ECTS in the European system, or at least 3 years of higher education) in Biology, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Physics, Chemistry or a related field. They should also have a good command of English, corresponding to at least B2 level.
Applicants with a Biology background are expected to have a solid foundation in cell and molecular biology (e.g., a good understanding of “Molecular Biology of the Cell”, Alberts et al.). Students from other scientific backgrounds are very welcome to apply. We expect them to have completed at least one introductory university-level course in biology (or to have equivalent prior knowledge), and to be ready to build on these foundations during the program.
Admissions to M2 level:
Students who successfully complete the M1 International Master in Life Sciences normally progress to M2.
Applicants who have completed an M1 or equivalent first year of a Master’s degree may also apply directly to M2. A number of direct-entry places are available each year.
Not sure whether your profile is a good fit?
If you meet the formal requirements above, you are eligible to apply. Whether your profile is a good fit for LiSci depends on your academic training, scientific interests, research experience and motivation, and can only be assessed from your complete application.
Because degree titles and curricula vary widely, the content of your training and your scientific goals are more important than the exact name of your degree. Applicants from Biology, Physics, Chemistry or other quantitative sciences may all be suitable, depending on their background and motivation. Research-oriented training, experimental work or research experience are particularly valuable, but not mandatory. Applicants from more applied or technical programs are also welcome if they can demonstrate a strong scientific foundation and a clear interest in research-oriented scientific careers.
We are generally unable to assess individual profiles by email. Before applying, please check whether your scientific interests match the program on our Is this program for you? page.
How to apply?
The application procedure depends on your country of residence, nationality and the year of the Master’s program you are applying to. Please identify the procedure that applies to your situation below. International applicants are also encouraged to consult Lyon 1 University’s information for foreign students.
Do you need an early pre-admission decision for a scholarship? If you are applying for a scholarship that requires proof of admission before our standard admission calendar, you may request an early evaluation by our Selection Committee. Please follow the procedure described on our Scholarships & pre-admission page. A pre-admission does not replace the official application procedure described below.
2026 application dates are shown below for reference; 2027 dates will be announced once confirmed.
European applicants (nationals of European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Andorra or Monaco)
M1 level:
- Apply via the Mon Master platform between February 17 and March 16, 2026 (2027 dates TBA)
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a virtual interview (April-May) to assess their motivation, general knowledge of biology, and ability to communicate effectively in English.
- Admission results and confirmation period: June 3-16, 2026 (2027 dates TBA)
- Complementary phase: please refer to the Mon Master platform for details
M2 level:
- Apply via eCandidat between April 13 and May 21, 2026. (2027 dates TBA)
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a virtual interview (in June) to assess their motivation, general knowledge of biology, and ability to communicate effectively in English.
- Admission results: June 26-30, 2026. (2027 dates TBA)
- Confirmation deadline for admitted students: July 13, 2026. (2027 dates TBA)
Applicants of other nationalities residing in a country subject to the ‘Études en France’ procedure
For both M1 and M2 levels, you must follow the ‘Études en France’ procedure until you obtain a student visa. Please consult this page to check whether the Études en France procedure applies to you.
- Contact the Campus France office in your country of residence for detailed information on the enrollment procedure and their specific registration deadlines (usually occurring early in the academic year).
- Campus France will review and transmit eligible applications to our program (mid-March)
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a virtual interview (April) to assess their motivation, general knowledge of biology, and ability to communicate effectively in English.
- Admission results: April 30, 2026. (2027 dates TBA)
- Confirmation deadline for admitted students: May 31, 2026. (2027 dates TBA)
NB: The video below explains how to find our program on the Etude en France database.
Applicants of other nationalities residing in a country not subject to the ‘Études en France’ procedure
You may follow the same procedure as European applicants. If admitted, you must regularize your status with the French consulate in your country of residence. This includes verifying your eligibility to study in France and, if necessary, applying for a student visa.
International applicants in mobility, exchange or cooperation agreement programs
See the UCBL page describing the specific modalities of Foreign students in exchange programs.
Additional information for international students
See the UCBL page dedicated to International students
Fees
- Application fees: There are no application fees for our program. However, the Etudes en France application process (see below) may include a visa-related fee payable at the embassy.
- Tuition fees: Tuition fees at Université Lyon 1 are detailed on this page (in French). Please note that differential tuition fees may apply to non-EU students. For reference, for the 2026–2027 academic year, the standard tuition fee was 255 € for EU students, while differential tuition fees were 3 950 €.
- Contribution to student and campus life: All students must pay the national CVEC fee before enrolling in a French higher education institution. This fee is collected by the CROUS and supports student services and activities related to social life, health, culture, and sports. As a reference, the CVEC fee was 105 € in 2025.
- For estimates and practical information regarding living expenses in Lyon, please refer to the practical guide provided by the Université Lyon 1 International Office. While intended for exchange students, it also offers useful information for all international students.