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Life Sciences

Program type Continuing Education, Initial Training

Degree Master's

Graduate program(s) Earth Science and Biodiversity, Life Sciences

Domain(s) Fundamental Sciences

Discipline(s) Sustainable development, Life Sciences

Teaching language(s) French, English

Place Paris

PSL host school

Other PSL school(s) contributing to the curriculum

Description

Admissions

The PSL Master in Life Sciences is an interdisciplinary Master’s programme that aims to prepare the next generation of scientists, engineers, and physicians to address emerging questions in contemporary biology, ecology and environmental sciences.

The Master is developed in a partnership of world-renowned institutions: Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS - PSL), Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE - PSL), Collège de France, Ecole Supérieure de Physique Chimie Industrielles de la Ville de Paris (ESPCI - PSL), Mines Paris - PSL, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (IBPC), Institut Curie and Institut Pasteur. The recruitment of competitively selected students, an exceptionally high researcher/student ratio, individual study programs and the quality of close tutoring are a hallmark of the different teaching institutions within PSL. In addition, research training through research practice is a defining feature of these institutions.

IMaLiS is managed by the Department of Biology at the ENS
Integrative Biologie and Physiopathology (BioP) and Biodiversity Environment (BE) are managed by the Life and Earth Sciences section at the EPHE.

This Master's degree is affiliated with two PSL graduate programs: Earth Science and Biodiversity & Life Sciences.

Tracks

Master year 1

3 tracks
- Interdisciplinary Master in Life Sciences (IMaLiS)
- Integrative Biology and Physiopathology (BioP)
- Biodiversity - Environment (BE)

Master year 2

IMaLiS : 4 tracks
- Quantitative biology
- Neurosciences
- Fundamental biology for health
- Ecology and evolution
Biodiversity - Environment (BE) : 1 track
Integrative Biology and Physiopathology (BioP) : 3 tracks
- Normal cells, cancer and therapies
- Neurobiology and cognition
- Infectiology and microbiology

→ IMaLiS aims to nurture both interdisciplinary cross-pollination as well as the development of formalized, quantitative approaches. IMaLiS courses generally take place in the Department of Biology of the ENS. Learning opportunities within IMaLiS are further expanded by close-knit partnerships with several leading French teaching and research institutions , including Sorbonne University, AgroParisTech, the Institut Pasteur and the Institut Curie, and foreign universities (University of Arizona). In line with our philosophy to train for research through the practice of research, the second semester of year 1 and 2 is entirely dedicated to long internships of four (M1) or five (M2) months in France or abroad.

Within the framework of the PSL Graduate Program of Life Sciences, a scholarship programme offering competitive stipends to international students of IMaLiS has been established to support international students (10,000 €/year) with a degree in Life Sciences or in another scientific discipline but with knowledge in Life Sciences.
More information

For details of Master 1 courses
For details of Master 2 courses

→ BioP and BE aim at forming scientists involved in environmental or physiological research projects, either applied or academic. Internship opportunities are available within a large network of partners in and around top-ranked universities throughout French territories and abroad. These structures provide the most appropriate research training by immersing students in a research programme and with their own research topic.

Thus, most BioP and BE courses take place at EPHE-PSL labs located in Paris, Montpellier, Lyon, Bordeaux, Caen, Dijon, Perpignan and Dinard. Within the framework of the Life Sciences Graduate Programme, a scholarship program of excellence (€10,000/year) has been established for BioP students.;

More information on the BioP track
More information on the BE track

Training objectives

IMaLiS

IMaLiS offers a high-level, generalist study program in Life Sciences that incorporates key interdisciplinary content (including optional training in mathematics, physics, chemistry, geosciences and computer sciences).

In the first year of the IMaLiS program students are free to select a variety of courses in cellular and developmental biology, neurosciences, cancer biology, genetics, epigenetics and genomics, virology and microbiology, immunology, systems biology, computational biology and informatics, evolution and ecology. Specific combinations of courses can be selected in consultation with faculty, for instance to prepare the specialization during the Master 2 year, and to align with the student’s individual professional objectives. In addition, during both years complementary training in career skills (foreign languages, scientific communication, statistics, grant- and resume writing, ethics, etc.) are offered.

In the second year of the IMaLiS program, students specialize by choosing one of the four curricula listed above. Finally, the program partners with world-class laboratories to offer opportunities for internships and is highly international in scope, with international recruiting, courses taught in English, and internship opportunities abroad.

Biodiversity - Environment (BE)

BE offers training in professions related to the research in ecology and the environment, the science-society interface and the management of natural spaces. Each semester, students immerse themselves in four pillars of skills (Specialized thematic knowledge, Data cycle, Professional environment, Applications), with a regular progression of knowledge and skills embodied by a set of project-based lessons.

From the first week of M1, students go into the field and then complete an internship in M1 and M2. Internships can be carried out in academic research organizations, local authorities or government agencies, NGOs, associations and companies. The lessons are spread over several sites in order to be as close as possible to ecological issues and research centers.

In M2, the course offers the possibility of strong thematic customization, particularly on the themes of molecular ecology, analysis of biodiversity data, the science-society interface and the global problem of forest fires (taught in English). A faculty mentor is assigned to each student to help guide her or him in choosing courses, ﬁnding an internship, and preparing the internship agreement.

Integrative Biology and Physiopathology (BioP)

BioP offers multidisciplinary training to understand humans in all their complexity, drawing on a wide range of approaches, from molecules to behavior. The first year of BioP offers training in general skills and know-how (English, scientific communication, statistics, etc.) in the first semester, then pre-specialization courses, guiding towards one of the 3 M2 tracks (Neurobiology and cognition; Infectiology and microbiology; Normal cells, cancer and therapies).

The courses, taught in French, take place on different sites depending on the expertise of the organizers. Students participate in a research or R&D project, backing up the main training with a long internship in M1 and M2, to provide context within the framework of their learning.

The internships, which take place throughout the year, are spread across the country and can be carried out internationally. A faculty mentor is assigned to each student to help guide her or him in choosing courses, ﬁnding an internship, and preparing the internship agreement.

Curriculum and tracks

The study program comprises M1 year (60 ECTS) and M2 year (60 ECTS).

IMaLiS
- M1: A common curriculum with optional courses + one 4-month internship (mandatory)
- M2: 4 available tracks + one 5-month internship (mandatory)
Biodiversity - Environment (BE)
- M1: Core curriculum + Specialized options + one 2-month or more internship (mandatory)
- M2: Core curriculum + Specialized options + one 5-month or more internship (mandatory)
Integrative Biology and Physiopathology (BioP)
- M1 : Core curriculum + Specialized options semester 2 + one 4 to 6-month internship (mandatory)
- M2: Core curriculum + Specialized options semester + one 6-month internship (mandatory)

Who should apply?

Master year 1

IMaLis : The IMaLiS M1 year is open to French and international students with a degree equivalent to a Bachelor of Science (Life Sciences, Health Sciences, Science and Technology, Earth and Life Sciences, etc.) and to students from French engineering schools, who have demonstrated interest in the Life Sciences. IMaLiS is also suitable for students who have completed the first two to three years of medical/pharmaceutical studies in France and who would like additional training in the Life sciences (see also our Medicine/Science track) before choosing their area of specialization.
BioP and BE : BioP et BE M1 year curricula are open to students with a Bachelor of Science, or equivalent. Research experience through internships or professional activity is a plus. These curricula are particularly conducive to continuous training.

Master year 2

BioP and BE : The BioP and BE M2 year is open to students with a Master 1 degree in Science (Life Sciences, Health Sciences, Science and Technology, Earth and Life Sciences, etc.) or equivalent (minimum 4 years of studies), and to students from French engineering schools who have received basic education in Life Sciences.

Subsequent career opportunities

The PSL Master in Life Sciences primarily prepares students for careers as researchers, academic teachers/researchers, research physicians or research engineers in the public sector, or as Research and Development professionals in the private sector, particularly the pharmaceutical and innovative biotechnology industries. Career opportunities also exist in the management of parks and nature reserves, local authorities, as well as in the private or semi-public sectors in biodiversity or environmental management.

Benefits

•   Interdisciplinarity: Solid training in biology, ecology and related fields (for exemple : mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, geosciences).
•   Generalist education with specialization in a cutting-edge field
•   Training in research and in innovation through research: Students will complete two internships in academic/industrial research laboratories, private organizations, and/or design offices/regional authorities/nature reserves in France or abroad.
•   International exposure: The Master offers curricula taught exclusively in English (IMaLiS), or in French and English (BioP et BE). French language classes are available to international students. International internships benefit from existing networks with partner institutions.
•   Expert teaching: The programme is implemented by the leading specialists from world-renowned institutions.
•   Mentorship: A faculty mentor is assigned to each student to help guide her or him in choosing courses, finding an internship, and preparing a study contract. Students in the Medicine/Science tracks will receive dual mentoring in science and medicine.
•   High quality of PSL laboratories
•   Access to scholarships.
•   Access to pre-professional contracts and eligibility for continuous professional training.

Prerequisites

The IMaLiS curricula of the Master’s in Life Sciences are open to students with a Bachelor of Science degree and basic training in molecular and cellular biology. Applicants can equally be graduates of or currently enrolled in Frenche engineering schools, or can be currently enrolled in medical/pharmaceutical studies, as long as they have completed the first three years.
- Recommended Bachelor’s degrees for applying to the Year 1: Life Sciences, Health Sciences, Science and Technology, Earth and Life Sciences.
- Languages: At least a C1 level in English (reminder: courses in the IMaLiS Master’s program are generally taught in English, including the M1 year).
The BioP and BE curricula are open to students with a Bachelor of Science or equivalent.
- Recommended Bachelor’s degrees for applying to the M1 year: Life Sciences, Health Sciences, Science and Technology, Earth and Life Sciences.
- Foreign candidates must demonstrate their proficiency in French (B2 level certification required)
- These courses are particularly conducive to pre-professional contracts and further education. (Fiche RNCP 38672)
Process and submission deadlines 2026

IMaLiS

The Master IMaLiS, awarding a degree in Life Sciences, is a two-year program that requires the validation of 120 ECTS during the M1 and M2 years. The program is accessible in the first year of study (M1).
In certain cases, direct admission to the second year (M2) may be granted by the selection committee to candidates who have made a specific request when submitting their application, at the end of the full selection process (application and interview).
Please note: a M1 degree or equivalent (four years of higher education in science topics, i.e., 240 ECTS or international equivalent credits validated or in the process of being validated at the time of application) is only one of the mandatory prerequisites. The panel reviewing these applications will also assess the applicant's level of knowledge in Life Sciences, mastery of a substantial interdisciplinary foundation, and research experience (demonstrated, for example, by an internship in a laboratory lasting at least four months).

→ Master's year 1 application
- Application period: from January 15 to February 24, 2026 (11:59 p.m. CET)
- Application procedure: Apply on PSL application portal & interview
In preparing your M1 application, please include the following:
- A cover letter explaining your interest in the program
- A detailed CV, transcripts for the 3 years of your Bachelor’s degree and certificate of successful completion of the Bachelor’s degree (if the degree is still in preparation, transcripts for the ongoing academic year are sufficient at the time of application, a certification will be required at the time of registration)
- Certification of English language proficiency (C1 optional but recommended if English is not your mother tongue). Accepted certifications: TOEFL iBT, CAE, TOEIC, and IELTS
- Two letters of recommendation (preferably, one from a university professor and one from an internship or project supervisor; exceptionally, two academic references). Letters of recommendation from your referees must be received via the Admission Portal before the deadline (February 26, 2026 for recommendation letters).
  . Otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete.
- Should you ask to be considered at the M2 level, you need to provide a detailed explanation in your letter of motivation as to why you believe to be eligible for direct admission to the second year, based on your background in Life Sciences, the interdisciplinary nature of your education and your research experience. They must also provide transcripts for the three years of their bachelor's degree/BSc, one year of their master's degree/fourth year of their BSc, and a certificate of completion for their Master M1/BSc in four years (if the degree is still in preparation, transcripts for the ongoing academic year are sufficient at the time of application, a certification will be required at the time of registration).
BioP and BE

→ Master's year 1: depending on your profile (nationality, etc.), applications must be submitted
- Application period : from February 17 to March 16, 2026
- Application procedure :
  - on the French platform Mon Master
  - on the PSL application portal
    Would you like to know which application procedure applies to your profile?
    > Use the PSL form
→ Master's year 2: on the PSL application portal for all applicants, French and international.

Do you need help understanding the application procedure for PSL Master’s programs?
> Visit the dedicated page

Your application file for Master’s Year 1 must include the following materials:
- A cover letter specifying your interest in the program, the track you wish to apply for, and your professional project.
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
- A copy of complete undergraduate academic transcripts.
- For foreign degrees, please include a French translation. If unavailable, you must submit the Prior Learning Validation (VA) form, which is included in the application file. Your previous academic achievements will only be considered valid if the programme's selection committee gives a favorable opinion on your VA form.
- A recommendation letter from an academic and/or professional referee is appreciated.
- A research experience gained through internships is appreciated.
Additional Documents Required for Master’s Year 2 Applications:
- A copy of the complete Master’s Year 1 academic transcript. For foreign degrees, please include a French translation
- A copy of the Bachelor's degree or equivalent. If unavailable, you must submit the Prior Learning Validation (VA) form, which is included in the application file. Your previous academic achievements will only be considered valid if the programme's selection committee gives a favorable opinion on your VA form.
→ PhD Track Application (Master's year 1) [applications closed]

The Master’s in Life sciences (IMaLiS track) is offered as part of the PhD Track in Life sciences and PhD track in Earth sciences & biodiversity

Admission procedure & application dates

Applications for the PhD tracks have been closed since December 11, 2025. You may still apply to the Master’s Degree in Life sciences (see the application calendar and procedure above).

What is a PSL PhD Track?

A PhD Track is a highly selective, fully funded 5-year program (2 years of Master’s + 3 years of PhD), entirely taught in English. It is intended for high-potential students hoping to become top-level researchers, in France or abroad, in the public or private sector.

→ More information about PSL PhD Tracks

Teaching location

IMaLIS : Paris
BE : Paris, Montpellier, Dinard, Perpignan and Dijon
BioP : Paris, Lyon, Montpellier, Dijon, Caen and Bordeaux

Tuition fees 2025/2026

Tuition fees : €254 /year (set by ministerial decree)
Student Life and Campus Fee (CVEC) : €105 /year - More information about CVEC

Institution for registration: ENS - PSL (IMaLis) or EPHE - PSL (BioP and BE)
Degree issued: French Master’s degree delivered by Université PSL