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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Biology
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Biology

Do you want to become an all-round biologist, or explore connections between different domains in biology to develop an interdisciplinary profile? If so, Biology in Groningen is the master's degree programme for you.

Integrative Biology Research Profiles

With five pre-designed research profiles in Integrative Biology focused on interdisciplinary areas such as Evolutionary Medicine and Biological Data Science and Modelling, a Science, Business, and Policy track, as well as the option to design a tailor-made program, the MSc Biology offers unlimited flexibility to shape your personal study program.

Two Distinct Career Tracks

The MSc Biology program has two tracks that prepare you for a variety of career paths:

  1. Integrative Biology Track: This research-oriented track prepares you for a career in scientific research, either in academia or a company's R&D department. This track includes substantial individual research projects where you will learn to conduct scientific research from start to finish. You will develop skills such as exploring scientific literature, formulating hypotheses, designing and performing field or lab experiments, executing computational analyses, and presenting your research results. Before starting your research projects, you will gain in-depth knowledge in your chosen area of specialization by selecting one of the available Integrative Biology specialization profiles or a tailor-made program of electives from Ecology and Evolution, Biomolecular Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, or other disciplines.
  2. Science, Business & Policy Track: This track combines a solid foundation in biology with skills-oriented training on how to connect science to real-world issues in society. In addition to an academic research project in biology, this track includes a six-month internship focused on applying scientific insights in business, policy, consultancy, or administration.

Personalized Mentorship at the Frontiers of Research

Throughout the programme, you will interact with teachers who are active at the frontiers of biological research. You will be able to select one of them as your personal study mentor; s/he will help you find the most interesting study route among the many available options and coach you throughout your master's programme.

Visit Us!

Intereted in our MSc Biology programme? Find out more during the Master's Week! More information: rug.nl/masterweek
Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Biology
Course type
Master
Duration
24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code
66860
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Science and Engineering
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • Combination of in-depth training and the opportunity to design a tailor-made programme
  • Specialize in an Integrative Biology programme or in Science, Business & Policy
  • Focus on the study of causes and consequences of Animal Behaviour
  • Coaching by a personal mentor
  • There is a possibility to enroll in the Master's degree programme four times a year (every half-semester, please academicadvisor.MScBIO rug.nl)
Programme

Curriculum

2-year programme; credits per year: 60 ECTS; most courses are 5 ECTS.

Please be advised that students of the Faculty of Science and Engineering are expected to adhere to our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, ensuring seamless integration of personal electronic devices for academic purposes. For more detailed information on our BYOD policy, please visit our webpage .
Programme options
Integrative Biology (profile)

The core of the track Integrative Biology is formed by a set of pre-structured profiles that each concentrate on an active area of research in integrative biology.

Each profile consists of a general mandatory part track Integrative Biology as well as profile specific mandatory and elective courses. Other available applicable electives are listed under the Biology Research track.

More information about this option

Science, Business and Policy (track)

Interested in the business side of science? You can combine this Master's programme with the Science Business & Policy profile. The SBP profile includes a six-month internship as a scientific advisor.

For the complete curriculum, please see: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/66860-5514

More information about this option

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is recommended
  • For an average of 20 weeks
  • Maximum of 60 EC

Exchange: All our science and engineering programmes offer study abroad possibilities 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.

Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
BiologyUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Life Science and TechnologyUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

Old curriculum: with the majors Biomedical Sciences, Behaviour and Neurosciences, or Molecular life sciences.

New curriculum: https://www.rug.nl/fse/education/ter/

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
BiologyAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Bachelor's degree in Biology or a related field. For admittance to the track Modelling in the Life Sciences, you will need a degree which contains enough courses relevant to this field.

Information about admission possibilities and requirements for students from a Dutch HBO institute is published on: https://www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission

other admission requirements

Dutch students can start in September, November, February and April.

BEFORE YOU APPLY Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' at https://www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements.

In your application procedure, you will need to describe your previous education. For this, please fill out this checklist.

For admittance to the track Modelling in the Life Sciences, students have to show that their Bachelor's degree contains enough courses relevant to this field. The Admissions Board will decide whether a student can be admitted to the Master's programme.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Bachelor's degree in Biology or a related field.

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.

additional subject

The Admissions Office will advise the Board of Admissions on your application, after which the board will decide if you meet the admission requirements in terms of general level of previous education and specific background knowledge.

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

BEFORE YOU APPLY Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' at https://www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements.

Please fill out this checklist to describe your previous education.

Registration procedure

The Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be admitted to the Master's degree programme. Applications are evaluated on a continuous basis. You do not have to wait until the application deadline to apply.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 24200full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

Graduates of the Master's degree programme in Biology who have chosen the Research track Integrative Biology often enter a PhD programme or join a research and development team in a company or research institute. Students who have chosen the Science, Business and Policy track find jobs (e.g. as science advisor) in a variety of fields, such as governmental organizations, research institutions, museums, publishers, or companies.

Job examples

  • PhD research position
  • R&D in a company or research institute
  • Science advisor
Research

CHE Excellence Ranking in Biology since 2007

The MSc programme in Biology includes one (SBP track) or two (Integrative Biology track) individually supervised research projects, where students work on their own research question while being fully embedded in a research group. Topics can span the full range of the MSc educational programmes, and/or combine two or more of these fields:

  • Biology
  • Ecology and Evolution
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
  • Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences

The Master's degree programme is coordinated by the following three Research institutes:

GELIFES

The Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES; http://www.rug.nl/research/gelifes/) focuses its research on the level of the individual organism (behaviour, physiology, morphology, genetics, development) and on higher levels of organisation (population, communities, ecosystems). The research is being done on a broad range of organisms (terrestrial-marine; microorganisms-plants-animals) with a broad range of methods and approaches (field, lab, theoretical). A hallmark of GELIFES is that we strive to integrate mechanistic approaches (how does an organism function?) with evolutionary approaches (why does the organisms function as it does?). We specifically aim to integrate these fields that are traditionally studied in isolation.

GELIFES embraces six expertise groups:


Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG)

ESRIG focuses on two themes, of which the first is called Energy supply and energy conversion. This includes the sustainable role of bio-fuels, also in connection to food and land use, energy transition, second (and later) generation bio fuel research; Organic Solar Cells, determination and monitoring of bio-fuel admixtures, natural gas and new gas mixture combustion research, innovative production methods for fossil fuels, underground coal gasification, geothermal energy, gas transition, hydrogen as energy carrier and (de-central) electricity production control design.
The second theme, 'Transition towards Sustainability' consists of carbon cycle and greenhouse gases research, CO2 emission monitoring, CO2 storage surveillance, CO2 storage in relation to underground characteristics, combustion efficiency and harmful emission reduction, development and evaluation of (inter)national climate policies, societal and ethical context of scientific/technical transitions towards sustainability.


GBB

The Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB) is a research institute at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen. GBB also acts as accredited Dutch research school and since 2010 is embedded within the Graduate School of Science.

Research groups GBB:

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Contact

  • Academic Advisors FSE (For questions regarding the programme)
  • studyscience@rug.nl Study Science (For students who are interested in a Campus Tour or who have other general questions)
    Email: studyscience rug.nl

Study associations

GLV Idun

Groninger LevenswetenschappenVereniging Idun is the study association for Biology, Life Science & Technology, Biomedical Engineering, and their connecting master programs.
The association organises various activities, from social activities, like our weekly drinks, or even traveling abroad. In addition, Idun also organizes career/education-related activities like company visits and lunch lectures. GLV Idun contributes to a fun student time by bringing students together, and preparing her members for their career ahead!
https://www.idun.nl/home
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