Quantitative Biodiversity, full-time, second cycle programme (in English) (S2-PRK-QuBiD)

IMPORTANT – MAKE SURE YOU SELECT THE CORRECT APPLICATION ROUND!

Admission to the Quantitative Biodiversity (QuBiD) programme for the 2027/2028 academic year is organised in two rounds, depending on the applicant's citizenship:

Round I – for applicants who do not hold citizenship of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland. 

• Application period: 15 November 2026 – 15 January 2027
• Available places: 5

Round II – for applicants who hold citizenship of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland

• Application period: 16 January – 1 March 2027
• Available places: 35

Before registering, please make sure you select the application round corresponding to your citizenship.

If you hold multiple citizenships, including citizenship of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, please select Round II.

Where and when your classes will take place?

Place: You will study in three European countries. You spend your first semester at the University of Warsaw and your second at the University of Milan. For the second year, you move to Charles University in Prague, Sorbonne University in France, the University of Copenhagen or the University of Tartu, depending on your assigned mobility track. Mandatory field courses are also part of the programme, including activities in Urwitałt, Poland, and in Italy.

Time: The programme starts on 1st October and lasts four semesters. You attend full-time classes following each host university’s academic calendar. Your final semester focuses on preparing your Master’s thesis.

What kind of knowledge, skills and competencies you will acquire at this field of studies?

Are you interested in understanding why biodiversity changes and how we can better protect it? At QuBiD, we bring together ecology and evolutionary biology with mathematics, coding and large-scale data analysis. We teach you to investigate changes in populations, communities and ecosystems, from local field observations to global patterns.

You will learn to design studies, collect field and laboratory data, analyse molecular information, and develop and assess quantitative models. You will work with bioinformatics, statistics and digital tools, including the responsible use of AI. You will interpret results critically, evaluate uncertainty and communicate findings in an international team.

Where you can find a job after completing studies?

Your skills may be useful in research institutes, universities, nature conservation organisations, environmental authorities, consulting companies and data analysis teams. Possible roles involve biodiversity monitoring, ecosystem assessment, climate-change impact analysis, environmental modelling and evidence-based reporting. The programme also provides a foundation for applying to doctoral programmes.

Are there different specialties and specializations at the field of studies?

Yes. In your second year you follow one of four international mobility tracks:

· Biodiversity & Evolution – Charles University, Prague: evolution, genetics, genomics and biological systematics.

· Biodiversity, Ecosystem Dynamics & Global Change – Sorbonne University: environmental change, ecosystem diversity and human impacts, including marine environments.

· Community Ecology & Conservation – University of Copenhagen: community ecology, biodiversity monitoring and nature conservation.

· Biodiversity Informatics & Taxonomy – University of Tartu: taxonomy, bioinformatics and biodiversity data management.

You indicate your preferences when applying. Track allocation depends on the admissions ranking, your preferences and available places. Each track has 10 places.

What will you learn during the studies?

In Warsaw, you build a foundation in biodiversity and its origins while developing mathematical modelling, big-data analysis and molecular-data skills. You also take part in fieldwork. In Milan, you explore quantitative ecology, biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, laboratory and field methods, and the dynamics of biological systems.

During your second year, you deepen your expertise through track-specific courses and carry out a research project leading to your Master’s thesis. Lectures, practical data-analysis classes, laboratory sessions and field courses help you connect scientific concepts with real-world questions. The 120 ECTS are divided into 30 ECTS in Warsaw, 30 in Milan and 60 at your second-year university.

Will you pursue internship during the studies?

You gain practical experience through field and laboratory courses, including activities in Poland and Italy. Inernship is not mandatory element of the programme as a such, however it will be possible, highly recommended or mandatory, depending on your selected mobility track. Check the approved study programme for information about any separate professional internship requirements.

Is it possible to study one/several semesters at other university?

Yes. International mobility is a compulsory part of QuBiD, not an optional exchange. Everyone studies successively in Warsaw, Milan and at one of the four second-year partner universities. Upon successful completion, you receive a degree from the University of Warsaw, a degree from the University of Milan and a degree from your second-year university, issued under the applicable national regulations.

Where you can find more information on the study programme?

Find current programme information, mobility-track descriptions and course details at https://qubid.eu. More about the coordinating university: https://www.biol.uw.edu.pl.