Modern society faces an ever-increasing variety of challenges in the Life Sciences. Improved medical care has resulted in an ageing population, creating a greater need to understand and treat age-related disorders such as various forms of cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Bacteria under high selective pressure are acquiring broad antibiotic resistance, so we are constantly forced to develop new and innovative antibacterial drugs. And the potential risks inherent in industrialized food production are only just becoming apparent. It is more and more obvious that a thorough understanding of the molecular basis of the underlying cellular processes is essential to any successful and safe intervention. Moreover, the Biomolecular Sciences are increasingly encroaching into the realm of technology. The MSc Biomolecular Sciences aims to prepare students for a career within the international Life Sciences research community.

To be considered for admission to the Master’s programme in Biomolecular Sciences you must meet the following requirements depending on your previous education: WO Bachelor degrees from Dutch universities in related fields: Admission to the Master’s programme in Biomolecular Sciences is possible with a Bachelor’s degree from VU Amsterdam in Biomedical Sciences, Gezondheid en Leven (major Biomedische Wetenschappen) or Biology. If you have a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Medical Natural Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Molecular Life Sciences, (Bio)chemistry or related studies from another university in the Netherlands, you can also enter the Master's programme. In all of the above cases, students should also meet the following criteria: An average Bachelor grade of 7.0 or higher A Bachelor internship in a relevant field (Biochemistry/ Cell Biology) with a minimum grade of 7.5 If a final grade is not yet available an interim evaluation by the internship supervision will be considered. WO bachelor students from other fields, students from institutes of higher education and international students: If you have a Bachelor’s degree from a Dutch university in a field not mentioned above, a Bachelor’s degree from an institute of higher education in the Netherlands, or a Bachelor’s degree from abroad, the Admission board will decide on your admission based on the following criteria: A minimum of 24 EC coursework in Biochemistry/Molecular Cell Biology at the 300 level (last year of Bachelor). An average Bachelor grade of at least 7.0 out of 10, or equivalent (GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0, second class upper division or higher). Bachelor internship in a relevant field (Biochemistry/ Cell Biology) with a minimum grade of 7.5 out of 10 or equivalent in other grading systems. If a final grade is not yet available an interim evaluation by the internship supervision will be considered. Experience with practical laboratory techniques gained in coursework and the Bachelor internship. Academic competence at the MSc level and motivation for a career in research which will be evaluated during an interview (either in person or by computer). The Admission board may set additional requirements if necessary, for example Bachelor courses from the Minor Biomolecular Sciences. General language proficiency requirements VU Amsterdam requires international applicants requiring a residence permit to take an English test and to submit their score as a part of the application. In order to assess their English proficiency by the Admission board, EU students including Dutch students should contact the Master’s coordinator first. If applicable they can get an exemption from the language test. Exemptions are given to students who have completed their education in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand or Australia, who have obtained an international Baccalaureate or European Baccalaureate diploma and students from a Dutch University College such as AUC.