Apply for a MSc Programme

The Master's programme Ecology and Evolution has a selection procedure. This means that an applicant must both meet the admission requirements and successfully complete a selection procedure in order to be admitted to the programme.

Selection procedure

In order to select the appropriately suited and motivated students, the Admission Board requires a complete selection file from all candidates. The Admission Board of the individual programmes will review all individual applicants on the basis of their selection file. All candidates that have an appropriate background will be considered admissible and further considered for the selection procedure described below. All candidates who meet the selection criteria regarding ‘academic performance’ and ‘motivation’ (as specified by the different programmes) will be admitted to the ranking list. At least two members of the Admission Board score the selection criteria. Scoring is on a 9-point scale from 1 to 5 (1 = insufficient to 5 = excellent with 0.5 steps). If the scores on academic performance and/or motivation deviate 1 point or more, the members of the Admission Board that gave the scores have to confer, after which they grade a second time. This outcome constitutes the final score. Candidates with minimally a sufficient average score of 3 for each criterion, and an average overall score of at least 3.5 are selected.

Academic performance (60%)
The score on academic performance is the average result of the scores on relevance (70%) and proficiency (30%). Maximum score 1 point per key subject for criterium on relevance and maximum 5 points for criterium on proficiency.

A) Relevance and affiliation/fit (70%) of the followed Bachelor programme to the Master programme (list of subjects/courses followed and grades obtained; brief description of the content of 5 key subjects/courses demonstrating the programme specific knowledge and skill(s) acquired by the student).

Key subjects*:
1. Biostatistics (Biostatistics 1, Biostatistics 2, Research Skills in Ecology & Evolution 1+2)
2. Evolution (Evolutionary Ecology, Genes & Evolution, Genetics Ecology & Evolution, Research Skills in Ecology & Evolution 1+2)
3. Ecology (Behavioural Neuroscience, Evolutionary Ecology, Research Skills in Ecology & Evolution 1+2, Systems Ecology & Ecological Interactions)
4. Physiology (Physiology, Ecophysiology of Plants & Animals)
5. Cell biology (Basic Cell & Molecular Biology, Genetics Ecology & Evolution, Biochemistry & Cell Biology in Ecology & Evolution)

*Key subjects/courses: the nature of the knowledge and relevant skill(s) are defined by the deputy director in consultation with the programme committee, and are approved by the director of the Graduate School. Please consult our online catalogue www.rug.nl/ocasys/ for the intended learning outcomes of the course units that cover these subjects

B) Academic and analytical skills/Proficiency (30%) in completing an academic assignment in the context of the programme, and in individually producing a written report on the assignment topic. The report has to reflect the student’s ability to produce a well-structured and concise report. It also has to show that the student is developing a critical attitude, and is capable of critical thinking. The assignment handed in is free of choice, and can be a report on a practicum, experiment, fieldwork, a literature review, a bachelor thesis, etc.*)

*If the student has not made an individually written report in English during the bachelor programme he/she should contact Admission Support FSE to receive an assignment on the basis of which a written report can be prepared.

Motivation (40%)
The candidate has to provide a motivation form (max. 500 words, part of the checklist) demonstrating a suitable stance and talent to follow the programme. Maximum score 1 point (1 point for excellent, 0,5 point for satisfying) per question/issue 1-5. In case a specific motivation is covered under question/issue 6, the BoA members will together discuss the scoring of this answer, and note this in the scoring sheet. The motivation table in the checklist should address the following specific questions/issues:

1. Why did you choose this specific master’s degree programme?
2. How did the bachelor’s degree programme, extracurricular activities, and/or other experiences prepare you for this specific master programme?
3. In case it took you longer than nominal to acquire the bachelor degree, please briefly explain the cause(s) of the delay.
4. How does this master’ degree programme prepare you for your future career and/or serves your ambitions?
5. The master program contains two research projects of 5-7 months. On what topic and under supervision of which researcher(s) at the University of Groningen would you like to carry out your first project? Please motivate your choices?
6. Free space to mention anything you feel is relevant and is not addressed by the questions above.

For selective masters, pre-master’s students are selected on the basis of the following selection criteria and selection procedure:
a. the Pre-master’s programme is intended for students at a University of Applied Sciences who are performing above average: the Admissions Board assesses students on the strength of the knowledge/major and skills they have already acquired and motivation. As part of the selection procedure, the Admissions Board therefor requests a nomination letter from the HBO programme.
b. a completed premaster in Ecology and Evolution also gives access to the MSc Biology.

FSE offers Pre-Master’s programmes for access to the MSc Ecology and Evolution and individually determined Pre-Master’s programmes.
The overview below shows:
- which NVAO-accredited HBO diploma grants access to the MSc Ecology and Evolution:;
- The content and student workload for these fixed programmes.

The following types of HBO qualification qualifies for participation in the selection procedure:

• (Applied) Biology (CROHO 30009)
• Environmental Management (CROHO 34859)
• Animal Management (CROHO 34333)
  

Pre-master's programme 1
The Pre-master’s programme of 35 ECTS comprises the following course units* (more detailed descriptions of the course units can be found on Ocasys):

• Systems Ecology & Ecological Interactions I (period 1a), 5 ECTS
• Systems Ecology & Ecological Interactions II (period 1a), 5 ECTS
• Genes and Evolution (period 1a), 5 ECTS
• Conservation Biology (period 1B), 5 ECTS
• Biostatistics II (period 2a), 5 ECTS
• Evolutionary Ecology (period 2a), 5 ECTS
• Bachelor Thesis (whole year), 5 ECTS

Starting date(s): 1 September

* subject to availability

Pre-master's programme 2
For HBO programmes not listed above, the Board of Admissions decides:
a. The content and the student workload of a tailormade Pre-Master’s programme.
or
b. Admission is not accepted.

Please register in Studielink for the (Pre-) Master’s programme (including the master track if available). Please make sure you meet the payment obligations before the starting date (single payment or in instalments).

Please note; In case you would like to start with a Pre-master's programme, please make sure you register for the Pre-master's programme instead of the Master's degree programme in Studielink. If you have questions on how to register in Studielink, please contact us.

Some Pre-master’s do not have their own programme in Studielink.
Please see the table below to find out how to apply for these Pre-master’s programmes.

To file an application for admission to the (Pre-)Master's degree programme, you need to upload the following documents in the application process which is described below.

Please note; the documents should be subitted as PDF-files and in English. Other formats and languages will not be taken into consideration!
The maximum file-size is 5 MB. If it is not possible to crop your PDF file to < 5 MB, please contact us.

1. Curriculum Vitae.
2. Official transcript of records.
3. A copy of your Bachelor's degree, or if you have not obtained your degree yet, a document containing a description + planning of the remaining course units in your programme.
4. The completely filled-in checklist for the selective programmes* Ecology and Evolution.

* You have to fill in a checklist for the Pre-master's programme Ecology and Evolution.

5. Written report, see the explanation in the checklists (link at point 4).

information about (conditional) admission

After you have submitted your admission request the admissions board will assess your file. You will receive an admission decision letter within six weeks. When the board has determined that your educational background or allignment with the Master's degree programme is insufficient you wil receive a rejection letter.

After the admissions board has assessed your admission request you will receive an (conditional) admission letter by email within six weeks.

When you have not yet obtained your bachelor's degree you will receive a conditional admission letter.

Because the Master's degree programme AI is selective, this means that once you have successfully completed the pre-Master's programme, you will also be automatically admitted to the Master's programme in AI. You do need to register in Studielink. After this Admission Support will process your application.

If you disagree with a decision, you can lodge a complaint, objection or appeal. Complaints, objections and appeals can be submitted to the Central Portal for the Legal Protection of Student Rights (CLRS).