Enrollment is now open for the full-time Master’s program Biological Therapeutics (BT), an interdisciplinary life sciences program co-created by the University of Warsaw and the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw. This edition is offered with no tuition fees. The program prepares students for careers in biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, and academia, covering areas such as the development of biological drugs and targeted therapies — key tools of 21st-century medicine.
Biological Therapeutics is a two-year full-time Master's program at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Warsaw (UW). The program is a joint initiative of the University of Warsaw and the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw (IIMCB). The curriculum is co-created by distinguished scientists with international track records who are among the world's leading researchers in the life sciences. Direct contact with leaders in biomedical research will allow students to learn about the latest advances in molecular biology, translational medicine, and biotechnology. The combination of academic excellence and the expertise of biopharmaceutical industry professionals will ensure an education that addresses the contemporary challenges of science and the job market.
“Biological Therapeutics is a unique interdisciplinary Master's program designed to educate a new generation of specialists in the field of biopharmaceuticals,” says Seweryn Mroczek, PhD from the Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warsaw, and the RNA Biology Laboratory (ERA Chairs Group) at IIMCB. “The program prepares students to work on the development of modern biological drugs - both in the scientific community and in the advanced pharmaceutical industry. We combine a solid theoretical foundation with practical laboratory training based on the most advanced molecular biology technologies, ensuring the highest quality standards,” adds the biologist.
Students of Biological Therapeutics will acquire comprehensive knowledge and skills necessary for work in the design and synthesis of biological drugs based on nucleic acids and proteins. Particular emphasis will be placed on mRNA therapies and monoclonal antibodies. Students will explore the molecular mechanisms of action of these drugs, use pharmaceutical biophysics methods to optimize production processes, and design preclinical studies using cell cultures and animal models. They will also learn about the CRISPR/Cas9 technique - a tool enabling the precise “cutting” and “insertion” of DNA fragments, used to study genes and develop new therapies.
“This program is intended for people from various fields of science - biology, chemistry, biophysics, and bioinformatics. Our goal is to provide students with tools to design and evaluate biological drugs. The program is conducted entirely in English, in accordance with international academic and industrial standards. It is not just science; it is an entry into the fascinating world of RNA and protein therapies, which are already transforming medicine,” says Prof. Andrzej Dziembowski, head of the RNA Biology Laboratory at IIMCB and a researcher at the University of Warsaw.
A gateway to the medicine of the future
The studies will develop laboratory competences, the ability to independently plan and conduct experiments, and the ability to implement and supervise biological drug production processes in accordance with quality and regulatory requirements. Graduates thus prepared will have the opportunity to work in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, research and diagnostic laboratories, cosmetics companies, and other sectors based on knowledge in the life sciences.
Laboratory classes, conducted in UW and IIMCB laboratories on the Ochota campus in Warsaw, will have a block format. This will allow students to carry out multi-stage experiments - from the design and synthesis of prototype therapeutics to their preclinical analysis. Students will use research infrastructure, including IN-MOL-CELL service laboratories at IIMCB, as well as modern teaching laboratories at the Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw.
“When I studied pharmacy, this kind of study program was missing. Today, I understand how important it is to combine theoretical knowledge with modern applications. It is worth applying to the Biological Therapeutics program,” encourages Karolina Kasztelan, MSc, Research Assistant at the RNA Biology Laboratory at IIMCB.
Tuition fees for the first edition of the program have been waived for the students from the member states of the European Union, the Swiss Confederation, or member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) that are parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA). Registration for the program runs from June 9 to July 9, 2026. Applicants are selected based on a qualifying interview conducted entirely in English. The qualifying interviews will take place on July 16-17, 2026, and the results are scheduled to be announced on July 22, 2026.
The Biological Therapeutics program is implemented as part of the Integrated Teaching Development Program - ZIP 2.0, which encompasses activities aimed at improving the quality of education, updating study programs, developing student competencies, and improving academic staff. The Integrated Teaching Development Program - ZIP 2.0 is implemented by the University of Warsaw in cooperation with the National Centre for Research and Development, with funding from the European Funds for Social Development (FERS) 2021-2027.
