Are you fascinated by the essential processes within living cells and eager to understand life at the molecular level? Do you want to deepen your knowledge in biomolecular sciences, and apply cutting-edge methods to answer fundamental questions and contribute to sustainable, biobased industrial or medical applications? Then the Master's degree programme in Biomolecular Sciences at the University of Groningen is for you.
The selective Master's programme is specifically designed for students primarily aiming for a research career.
This is a 2-year programme with 60 ECTS credits per year; most
courses are 5 ECTS. The programme starts with a series of advanced
theory courses and state-of-the-art techniques in biomolecular
sciences, followed by a series of optional specialist-topic or
skills-courses that are tailored to the individual preferences of
the student. A large part of the programme is devoted to two
research projects. During these research projects, students are
fully embedded in a research group of their choice to conduct their
own research. To guarantee optimal supervision and a first-class
research environment, the first project (30-40 ECTS) has to be
carried out at the Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and
Biotechnology Institute (GBB). The second project (30 EC) should be
conducted in a different research group, either at the GBB, the
University of Groningen, or elsewhere, to learn new techniques and
scientific approaches, and to extend the scientific network. If
desired, this second project can also be done at a biotech company
and/or abroad.
Check the content of the programme here: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60616
| Programme options |
|---|
| Biotransformation and Biocatalysis (specialization) |
| Cell Biochemistry (specialization) |
| Chemical Biology (specialization) |
| Electron cryo-Microscopy (specialization) |
| Host-Microbe Interactions (specialization) |
| Membrane Enzymology (specialization) |
| Molecular Cell Biology (specialization) |
| Molecular Dynamics (specialization) |
| Molecular Genetics (specialization) |
| Molecular Immunology (specialization) |
| Molecular Microbiology (specialization) |
| Molecular Systems Biology (specialization) |
| Biomolecular X-ray Crystallography Group (specialization) |
Exchange: All our science and engineering programmes offer possibilities to study abroad at a number of partner institutions. Our partners include top-100 universities in Europe (for example in Germany, UK, and Sweden) and in the USA, China, South-East Asia, and South America. Our exchange programmes have a typical duration of one semester and count toward your final degree.
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Other comparable university Bachelor's degree on decision of the Admissions Board. Information about admission possibilities and requirements for students from a Dutch HBO institute is published on: https://www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission An academic Bachelor's degree with a specialization in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology or Molecular Genetics. This is merely an indication of required background knowledge. The Admissions Board determines whether the specific contents of this/these course(s) meet the admission requirements of the Biomolecular Sciences programme. |
| other admission requirements |
Note that this is a selective master. Selection will be based on academic performance and motivation to determine if you will be selected for the master's programme. After you have registered in www.studielink.nl (before May 1st) your application will be passed on to the Admissions Board of the programme. More information about the application procedure: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/msc-admissions/ |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Life Science and Technology | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:This Master's degree is selective, please read the information about the selection procedure. Read more about entry requirements for the new curriculum: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/ter/ |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Life Science and Technology | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:This Master's degree is selective, please read the information about the selection procedure. |
| Chemistry | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:This Master's degree is selective, please read the information about the selection procedure. |
| Biology | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:This Master's degree is selective, please read the information about the selection procedure. |
This Master's programme has a selection procedure, the Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be admitted to the Master's degree programme.
For a more elaborate explanation of the selection procedure, please have a look here. You will need to fill out the checklist to explain why you are applying for this Master's degree programme (questions to be addressed are outlined on the form).
Provide two reference letters (non EU applicants) or provide the
names of those we may contact for reference (EU applicants) using
the application form.
Provide a bachelor thesis or another individually written report of
an academic assignment. If such a report is not available an
assignment will be given by the Board of Admissions.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
This Master's degree programme has a selection procedure; read the information below. An academic Bachelor's degree with a specialization in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology or Molecular Genetics. This is merely an indication of required background knowledge. The Admissions Board determines whether the specific contents of this/these course(s) meet the admission requirements of the master programme for which you applied. |
| language test |
MAKE SURE TO VISIT http://www.rug.nl/fwn/fmns-programme/admissions/msc/language-requirements for all the necessary information about required language tests and minimum scores. |
| other admission requirements |
Note that this is a selective master. Selection will be based on academic performance and motivation to determine if you will be selected for the master's programme. After you have registered in www.studielink.nl (before May 1st) your application will be passed on to the Admissions Board of the programme. BEFORE YOU APPLY Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements. |
This Master's programme has a selection procedure, the Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be admitted to the Master's degree programme.
For a more elaborate explanation of the selection procedure, please have a look here. You will need to fill out the checklist to explain why you are applying for this Master's degree programme (questions to be addressed are outlined on the form).
Provide two reference letters (non-EU applicants) or provide the
names of those we may contact for reference (EU applicants) using
the application form.
Provide a Bachelor thesis or another individually written report of
an academic assignment. If such a report is not available an
assignment will be given by the Board of Admissions.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
Biomolecular scientists, graduates of the Master's degree programme in Biomolecular Sciences, can pursue:
The Master's degree programme Biomolecular Sciences is closely linked to the Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB). The GBB is a research institute at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen. GBB also acts as an accredited Dutch Research School and since 2010 is embedded in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.
The research institute GBB performs research of the highest standard in the following fields:
Biomolecular sciences
* With a strong focus on proteins/enzymes in relation to their function in living cells
* Researching the fundamental properties of proteins, genes and other biomacromolecules, and microorganisms that are relevant in health and disease and for application in the areas of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Biotechnology.
Synthetic Biology
* Combined with other disciplines, the goal in this area is to design and develop novel functional biological and semi-artificial systems
* GBB has a strong national and international reputation in protein structure determination, protein engineering, biochemistry, enzymology, molecular (micro)biology, molecular genetics and bioinformatics
Various research questions in these key areas relate to human
health and disease, including:* Research on peroxisome homeostasis
with the aim of understanding the biogenesis, ageing and turnover
of peroxisomes in yeast, a suitable model for detrimental
peroxisome-related diseases
* The production and modification of (synthetic) antibiotics with
respect to eminent demand for new and better antibiotics
* The structure function determination of microbial proteins and
cell processes that play a key role in the development of
Parkinsons disease and mobility of immune cells, respectively
* Understanding the role of the microbiome and its metabolites in
human health, in particular the gut-brain axis
