Biomolecular Sciences

Check whether you meet the programme requirements and apply

• I have a Dutch university level (WO) Bachelor’s degree (VU Bachelor’s degree, VU pre-master's or Bachelor’s degree at another university)

  The Biomolecular Science programme is open to both Dutch and International Students. Some HBO/HLO specialisations also provide adequate preparation to the programme. The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application.
  
  Admission to the Master's programme is possible for an applicant who has obtained a Bachelor’s degree obtained at an institution of academic higher education, which demonstrates the following knowledge, understanding and skills:

  1. A minimum of 24 EC coursework in Biochemistry/Molecular Genetics/Molecular Cell Biology at the 300 level (last year of Bachelor's).
  2. An average Bachelor grade of at least 7.0 out of 10, or equivalent (GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0, second class upper division or higher).
  3. Bachelor's internship of at least 18EC in a relevant field (Biochemistry/Molecular Genetics/Molecular Cell Biology) with a minimum grade of 7.5 out of 10 or equivalent in other grading systems. If a final grade is not yet available an interim evaluation by the internship supervision will be considered.
  4. Experience with practical laboratory techniques gained in coursework and the Bachelor internship. 

• I have a Dutch higher vocational education (HBO) Bachelor’s degree

  The master's programme of Biomolecular Sciences does not offer a pre-master's programme.
  
  Some HBO/HLO specializations also provide adequate preparation to the programme. The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application.

  Admission to the Master's programme is possible for an applicant who has obtained a Bachelor’s degree obtained at an institution of academic higher education, which demonstrates the following knowledge, understanding and skills:

  1. A minimum of 24 ECTS coursework in Biochemistry/Molecular Genetics/Molecular Cell Biology at the 300 level (last year of Bachelor's).
  2. An average Bachelor grade of at least 7.0 out of 10, or equivalent (GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0, second class upper division or higher).
  3. Bachelor's internship of at least 18 EC in a relevant field (Biochemistry/Molecular Genetics/Molecular Cell Biology) with a minimum grade of 7.5 out of 10 or equivalent in other grading systems. If a final grade is not yet available an interim evaluation by the internship supervision will be considered.
  4. Experience with practical laboratory techniques gained in coursework and the Bachelor internship.
  5. Interview with assignment: All HBO/HLO students that meet the admission requirements will be invited for an interview with an assignment after application.

  General language proficiency requirements
  VU Amsterdam requires students to pass an English language proficiency test. Exceptions are made for students who:

  • HBO/HLO students who get invited to an intake interview and for which the Admissions Board decides that the English proficiency is sufficient
  • have obtained a Dutch VWO diploma including English, or an International Baccalaureate or European Baccalaureate diploma
  • have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a Dutch university (WO)
  • have completed previous education in Canada, Ireland, UK, USA, Australia or New Zealand.

  You can find which test types and scores are accepted, the deadlines for submitting test results and all other relevant information on our application page under the Language Proficiency Requirements tab.

  Although complete applications are preferred, you can begin your application before you have completed the test and then submit your passing score once you have been conditionally admitted. Copies of your English test results can be sent to the following address: toelating.beta@vu.nl.

• Application with a Dutch degree

  The Biomolecular Sciences programme is open to both Dutch and International Students. The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application. You find all information about the general application procedure with a Dutch degree on the application page.

  Use this form to apply for the Master’s: Application form Master's Biomolecular Sciences.

  The application deadline is:

  1 June for holders of a Dutch bachelor’s degree (with a Dutch or EU/EEA nationality).

  Your application will be rejected in case you didn’t upload the required documents in ‘your dashboard’ within 6 weeks after your enrolment in Studielink, OR in case you’ve uploaded (one or more) of the required documents after June 1^st. Applications and documents submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

  Required documents (deadline June 1^st)

  This Master’s programme requires students with a Dutch bachelor's degree to upload the following documents as soon as possible and in any case 6 weeks after your enrolment and before 1 June.

  • Curriculum Vitae.
  • Bachelor's transcript, including your GPA .

  Your online dashboard gives you an overview of the submitted and missing documents. Check your dashboard regularly.

  Additional required document (only for HBO students, deadline August 31^st)

  • HBO students need to send in a sufficient English language test result (check the requirements and exemptions on the webpage).

  You can also submit the result of the English language test after you have been conditionally accepted, the deadline for submitting the test result is August 31^st. Please send a scan of your test result to toelating.beta@vu.nl.

• I have an international degree

  Admission requirements

  Students must meet the following admission requirements:

  1.  Academic requirements

  Your previous education needs to be deemed equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) obtained at a research university (nominal duration 3 years). Please find more information about your admissibility with a non-Dutch degree here. We do not require a GRE or GMAT test score.

  2. Programme specific requirements
  

  Knowledge

  • A minimum of 24 ECTS in Biochemistry, Molecular Genetics, Molecular Cell Biology at the 300 level (last year of Bachelor's);
  • A minimum undergraduate GPA that is equivalent to a 7.0 in the Dutch grading system

  Practical laboratory and research skills

  • Experience with practical laboratory techniques gained in coursework and the Bachelor internship.
  • Academic competence at the MSc level and motivation for a career in research which may be evaluated during an interview with assignment (online).
  • A minimum of 18 ECTS obtained during a Bachelor research internship in a relevant field (Biochemistry/Molecular Genetics/Molecular Cell Biology) with a minimum grade of a 7.5 in the Dutch grading system. If a final grade is not yet available an interim evaluation by the internship supervision will be considered.

  How to demonstrate that you meet the above requirements

  You are required to indicate how you meet the programme specific admission requirements in your Application Form. The Admission Board will evaluate your Application Form and decide if your academic background is sufficient to gain admission to the programme.

  3. English-language proficiency requirements

  You will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You can find an overview of relevant information to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page. 

• Application with an international degree

  Application documents

  To apply you are required to provide the following documents:

  • Scan of your passport or national ID card (ID for EEA students only) valid at the start date of the programme
  • Master Application File please download the correct file from this page. In this file you can see which documents are required to apply for your programme.
  • Proof of English language proficiency (if already obtained): upload your proof of English language proficiency or English language test results. Please find the English language requirements here.

  After having prepared the required documents, please follow the online application procedure. 

  Application fee & deadlines

  All students seeking admission to an international Master’s programme with an international degree are required to pay a non-refundable €100 application fee. Only after you have paid this fee will we be able to start the evaluation of your application file. If you are applying for more than one programme, you will only need to pay the application fee once. Your application fee payment is valid for two years.
  
  Information on how to apply with an international university degree and deadlines can be found here. 

  Grants and scholarships

  As an international student planning to study at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, you can apply for a variety of grants and bursaries. Detailed information about scholarships and deadlines can be found on www.vu.nl/scholarships or www.grantfinder.nl.

  International Student and Alumni Ambassadors 

  Our International Student and Alumni Ambassadors are happy to tell you all about their experiences with studying at VU Amsterdam and living in Amsterdam.

  • Our Student Ambassadors are current students at VU Amsterdam that represent a wide variety of programmes and countries.
  • Our International Alumni Ambassadors are VU Amsterdam graduates who are currently either working in the Netherlands or abroad, or doing a PhD or (second) Master's.

  You will find the full overview of our Ambassadors here: vu.nl/ambassadors. There you can chat with them directly.