Apply for a MSc Programme

If you hold one of the following Bachelor’s degrees, you are considered to have sufficient knowledge and skills and will be admitted to the Master’s programme in Biomolecular Sciences.

• Biology (University of Groningen, with the major Molecular Life Sciences);

• Life Science & Technology (University of Groningen, curriculum from 2020/2021 onwards) on the basis of a Research Project Molecular Life Sciences (15 EC).

• Pharmacy (University of Groningen, with the combination of the major Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences with the minor Molecular Life Sciences).

• Chemistry (University of Groningen, with the major Chemistry of Life).

The Master's programme Biomolecular Sciences is selective. 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.

For a selective programme like this, applicants are also checked for their academic performance and motivation. These will be assessed on the basis of your application file.

For detailed information on how the selection procedure is performed, please check the official documentation (Teaching and Exam Regulation, Appendix VI, paragraph 3)

This Master’s programme does NOT have a limited intake: this means that every applicant fulfilling the admission & selection requirements will be admitted to the programme.

Are you currently enrolled in a Dutch (HBO) Bachelor’s programme and interested in one of our Master’s programmes? A Pre-master’s programme may be offered to students with a Dutch Bachelor’s degree who have covered some but not all key subjects in their own degree. Also, students with a relevant HBO degree are not directly admissible but will be offered a Pre-master’s programme.

The admission & selection procedure for Pre-master’s students is exactly the same as for all other students. Please follow the steps indicated below.

The Board of Admissions can decide to offer a Pre-master's programme to:

• Students with a Dutch University Bachelor’s degree which covers some, but not all, key subjects needed for admission.

• Students with a relevant HBO degree.

We offer predetermined Pre-master’s programmes, which are listed in in our online course catalogue Ocasys, and individually determined Pre-master’s programmes for the Master’s progamme Biomolecular Sciences. Please know that up-to-date programmes are published as of 1 June. 

The selection procedure takes place before starting the Pre-master’s programme. After successfully finishing the Pre-master’s programme, you will be automatically admissible into the Master's programme.

The starting date for a Pre-master's programme is 1 September. After successful completion of the Pre-master's programme, the Master's programme can be started on September 1st in the following academic year.

Pre-master's programme 1
The following types of HBO qualification qualifies for participation in the admission and selection procedure:

• Biology and Medical Laboratory Research (specializing in molecular biology / biochemistry / diagnostics; a research specialization is best) (CROHO 34397);

• Biotechnology (CROHO 34331);

• Bioinformatics (CROHO 39215).

For HBO programmes not listed above, the Board of Admissions determines whether you can be admitted. In such cases, the content of the Pre-Master’s programme is individually tailored by the Board of Admissions and depends on the knowledge acquired during the HBO Bachelor’s programme. A Pre-Master’s programme consists of course units, each carrying a credit value of 5 ECTS.

Please know that for selective Master’s programmes, 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 Board of Admissions assesses students on the strength of the knowledge/major and skills they have already acquired and motivation. As part of the selection procedure, the Board of Admissions therefore requests a nomination letter from the HBO programme.

b. A completed Pre-master's programme in Biomolecular Sciences also gives access to the Master’s programme Biology.

You can apply for a Pre-master's programme by submitting an admission request.

Please register in Studielink for the (Pre-) Master’s programme (including the 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 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 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 checklistfor the selective Master's programme Biomolecular Sciences.
   or
   the completely filled-in checklistfor the Pre-master's programme Biomolecular Sciences.
5. Written report, see the explanation in the checklists (link at point 4).

After the Board of Admissions has assessed your admission request you will receive an (conditional) admission letter within six weeks.

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

After you have submitted your admission request the Board of Admissions 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 programme is insufficient you wil receive a rejection letter.

After the Board of Admissions 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.

Please note: If you are admitted to a Fast-track programme, you will receive further instructions via the admission letter regarding enrolment in Studielink and the remaining steps.

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).