Apply for a MSc Programme

Applicants have to fulfil the following admission requirements: 

• an academic Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a specialization in Ecology and Evolution or Marine Biology 

• sufficient English proficiency;

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

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 Numerus Fixus or 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 Dutch HBO degree.

We offer predetermined Pre-master’s programmes, which are listed in our online course catalogue Ocasys, and individually determined Pre-master’s programmes for the Master’s programme Ecology and Evolution . 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
The following types of HBO qualification qualifies for participation in the admission and selection procedure:

·         (Applied) Biology (CROHO 30009)

·         Environmental Management (CROHO 34859)

·         Animal Management (CROHO 34333)

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. If you are admitted, you will receive an admission letter outlining the content of your Pre-master’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.

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 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).

After the admissions board 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 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 Ecology and Evolution 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 Ecology and Evolution. 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).