Delve into the heart of cancer research with the Cancer Biology course in the Master's in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Université Paris-Saclay. This course offers immersion in the mechanisms of tumour transformation, from the onset of cancers to innovative therapeutic approaches. Under the guidance of renowned lecturers and experts, you will discover the major advances in modern oncology and its clinical applications.
Strengthen key disciplines (scientific English, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, cell signalling and genomics) while developing the essential methodological competencies for analysing biological systems. Genome Biology Major (25 ECTS) Give your 1st year Master's a specific focus by choosing from among the many TUs offered in the core of your course. Minor (10 ECTS) Broaden your scientific culture to develop a cross-disciplinary approach. Immersion in Research (12.5 ECTS) Dive right into the heart of research: Strengthen key disciplines (scientific English, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, cell signalling and genomics) whilst developing the methodological competencies essential for analysing biological systems. Major in Cancer Biology (25 ECTS) Give your 1st year Master's a specific focus by freely choosing from the many modules offered as part of your core programme. Minor (10 ECTS) Broaden your scientific knowledge to develop a cross-disciplinary perspective. Research Immersion (12.5 ECTS) Immerse yourself in the heart of research: Draft a bibliographic dissertation and complete an 8-week laboratory internship. For the more inquisitive, combine the core TUs of two Majors to develop a double course.
Information
Skills
Competency 1: Scientific approach C1. Take a scientific approach, develop innovative ideas and produce new knowledge. Competency 2: Expertise, critical thinking and self-training C2. Acquire highly specialised disciplinary knowledge and methodologies in one field and at the interface of several fields of work (complex interdisciplinarity) Competency 3: Scientific communication C3.3: Extract and scrutinise relevant information from scientific documents or lectures in English. Competency 4: Professional soft skills C4. Analyse and adapt actions to a professional context
Objectives
The Cancer Biology course in the Master's in Molecular and Cellular Biology offers a curriculum through and in research. You will consolidate your disciplinary foundations, learn to analyse scientific literature, lead projects and work on specific problems, while enjoying the freedom to personalise your course according to your preferences and ambitions. Plan your course now using the online tool : \https://master-biologie-sante.eu/parcours/index.php] : In particular, the Cancer Biology Major will provide you with an in-depth curriculum combining basic biology, translational research and clinical applications. It will enable you to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of oncogenesis, while introducing you to the latest therapeutic innovations. This course has three objectives: 1. Acquire a solid understanding of the fundamental basis of oncogenesis, from the molecular level to the whole organism. 2. Develop an integrated vision of cancer research, drawing on the links between fundamental, translational and clinical approaches. 3. Train students to link cancer biology to the major issues of the day (immunotherapy, biotherapies, cellular engineering, precision medicine) and to learn about innovative approaches in this field. You will choose from a wide range of Teaching Units that will enable you to explore cancer biology from multiple angles, linking mechanistic understanding and therapeutic implications. This flexibility allows you to plan your course and start developing targeted expertise in the disciplines that interest you and where you plan to pursue your studies for your 2nd year Master's.
Career Opportunities
Career prospects
After a Master's + PhD: researcher or lecturer
Research & Development Engineer
Research and Innovation Manager
Research or Design Engineer
Research professions
Further Study Opportunities
M2 Gene, Cell, Development and Diseases
M2 Genetics, Genomics, Epigenetics and Evolution
M2 Human Genomics In Biotherapy, Health and Disease
2nd yea Master of Biology of ageing
2nd year Master of Oncology
2nd year Master of Immunology
2nd year Master's Training in Higher Education in Life Sciences: 'Agrégation' Life Sciences - Earth and Space Sciences
Admission Route
Capacity
Available Places
Target Audience and Entry Requirements
Hold a National undergraduate degree in Life Sciences or Life and Earth Sciences, obtained before September 1st of the academic year for which you are applying. Have a solid foundation in the fundamentals of biology: Molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, genetics. Must have validated TUs in the 2nd/3rd year undergraduate degree in line with the themes of the relevant course. For international French-speaking students: Have a diploma equivalent to an undergraduate degree in Life Sciences, guaranteeing the same prerequisites, obtained before 1st September of the academic year for which you are applying. If your full-time academic programme is highly specialised, we recommend that you first apply for a 3rd year undergraduate degree in Life Sciences (National diploma). Required level of French: C1 (certification). For English-speaking international students: You may apply to the International track in France if you graduated with a Bachelor degree, major in Biology, or if you will graduate before Sept 1st of the academic year for which you apply.
Application Period(s)
From 15/01/2026 to 16/03/2026
From February 17th to March 16th, 2026
To find out which platform you should apply through, please see the Masters' applications and enrolment page.
Supporting documents
Compulsory supporting documents
Motivation letter.
All transcripts of the years / semesters validated since the high school diploma at the date of application.
Curriculum Vitae.
Additional supporting documents
Certificate of French (compulsory for non-French speakers).
VAP file (obligatory for all persons requesting a valuation of the assets to enter the diploma).
| Subjects | ECTS | Semester | Lecture | directed study | practical class | Lecture/directed study | Lecture/practical class | directed study/practical class | distance-learning course | Project | Supervised studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Préparation au M1 - site Evry | Semestre 1 | 15 | |||||||||
| Préparation au M1 Sites Orsay - Versailles | Semestre 1 | 25 | |||||||||
| Subjects | ECTS | Semester | Lecture | directed study | practical class | Lecture/directed study | Lecture/practical class | directed study/practical class | distance-learning course | Project | Supervised studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groupe Socle - Anglais S1 | |||||||||||
| Anglais Scientifique Santé | Annualisé | 12.5 | 12.5 | ||||||||
| English for Sciences ORSAY | Semestre 1 | 25 | |||||||||
| Anglais S1 UEVE | Annualisé | ||||||||||
| Anglais S1 UVSQ | Semestre 1 | ||||||||||
| Intercultural Communication Project EUGLOH | Semestre 1 | 24 | |||||||||
| BIOMEX | |||||||||||
| BIOMécanismes et EXploration multi-échelle (BIOMEX) | Semestre 1 | 31 | 56 | 22 | |||||||
| Subjects | ECTS | Semester | Lecture | directed study | practical class | Lecture/directed study | Lecture/practical class | directed study/practical class | distance-learning course | Project | Supervised studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IR.fr | |||||||||||
| Projet scientifique | Semestre 2 | 4 | |||||||||
| Stage | Semestre 2 | 4 | |||||||||
| IR.en | |||||||||||
| Internship | Semestre 2 | 4 | |||||||||
| Scientific project | Semestre 2 | 4 | |||||||||
| Autres Stages IR | |||||||||||
| Stage expérimental (cursus Santé UVSQ) | Semestre 2 | 2 | |||||||||
| Stage facultatif | Semestre 2 | ||||||||||
| Stage expérimental (cursus Santé KB) | Semestre 2 | ||||||||||
| Subjects | ECTS | Semester | Lecture | directed study | practical class | Lecture/directed study | Lecture/practical class | directed study/practical class | distance-learning course | Project | Supervised studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Préparation au M1 - site Evry | Semestre 1 | 15 | |||||||||
| Préparation au M1 Sites Orsay - Versailles | Semestre 1 | 25 | |||||||||
| Subjects | ECTS | Semester | Lecture | directed study | practical class | Lecture/directed study | Lecture/practical class | directed study/practical class | distance-learning course | Project | Supervised studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groupe Socle - Anglais S1 | |||||||||||
| Anglais Scientifique Santé | Annualisé | 12.5 | 12.5 | ||||||||
| English for Sciences ORSAY | Semestre 1 | 25 | |||||||||
| Anglais S1 UEVE | Annualisé | ||||||||||
| Anglais S1 UVSQ | Semestre 1 | ||||||||||
| Intercultural Communication Project EUGLOH | Semestre 1 | 24 | |||||||||
| BIOMEX | |||||||||||
| BIOMécanismes et EXploration multi-échelle (BIOMEX) | Semestre 1 | 31 | 56 | 22 | |||||||
| Subjects | ECTS | Semester | Lecture | directed study | practical class | Lecture/directed study | Lecture/practical class | directed study/practical class | distance-learning course | Project | Supervised studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IR.fr | |||||||||||
| Projet scientifique | Semestre 2 | 4 | |||||||||
| Stage | Semestre 2 | 4 | |||||||||
| IR.en | |||||||||||
| Internship | Semestre 2 | 4 | |||||||||
| Scientific project | Semestre 2 | 4 | |||||||||
| Autres Stages IR | |||||||||||
| Stage expérimental (cursus Santé UVSQ) | Semestre 2 | 2 | |||||||||
| Stage facultatif | Semestre 2 | ||||||||||
| Stage expérimental (cursus Santé KB) | Semestre 2 | ||||||||||
Training campus
