Apply for a MSc Programme

Holders of the following Bachelor’s degrees are considered to have sufficient knowledge and skills to be admitted to the ranking list of the Master’s programme in Marine Biology on that basis:

• Biology from the University of Groningen, with the major Ecology and Evolution;

• For holders of another relevant academic Bachelor’s degree with a specialization in biology, ecology, evolution, theoretical biology, behaviour, marine biology, molecular biology, genetics there is an individual admission procedure based on the content of the bachelor’s programme and language skills. You can still apply, we will always consider your application.

The Master's programme Marine Biology 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.

The Marine Biology research Master is selective. Selection will be based on academic performance and motivation to determine if you will be selected for the master's programme.

More detailed information on the selection critera can be found in the Teaching and Examination Regulations (Appendix VI, paragraph 3).

This Master’s programme does have a limited intake (cap). The maximum number of students who will be admitted to the programme is 30.

Because curriculum changes are currently being implemented, information about the Pre-master’s programme is currently unavailable.

As a result, students are currently unable to submit an admission request for the Pre-master’s programme.

Updated information will be published on this page from 1 February onwards.

You can submit an admission request for the Pre-master’s programme between 1 February and 1 May.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

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 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 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.

You can submit an admission request for the Pre-master’s programme between 1 February and 1 May.

1. Curriculum Vitae.
2. Official transcript of records.
3. Copy of Bachelor’s degree or official statement of graduation, or if you have not obtained one yet, a document containing a description + planning of the remaining course units in your Bachelor's programme.
4. Report of Bachelor's Project (if applicable) 
5. The completely filled-in checklist for the Master’s programme Marine Biology
or
the completely filled-in checklist for the Pre-Master’s programme Marine Biology.

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

Admission is conditional because in most cases students have not obtained their bachelor’s degree yet.

Because this Master’s programme has a selection procedure with cap, admission is also determined on a ranking list on the basis of the candidates' total scores. This ranking list is used to allocate places on the programme.

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 within six weeks.

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

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).