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| Application Deadline: | September start: April 1; Non EU: February 1; February start: December 1; Non EU: October 1 | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 1,713 ≈ € 12,000 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | Amsterdam / Netherlands / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 24 months | Start Date: | February, September |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 120 | ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of University of Amsterdam
The Master's programme in Biological Sciences is a two-year programme for students with a Dutch Bachelor of Science degree or its equivalent in Biology. Some of the tracks of this Master's programme may also be of interest to students of biomedical sciences, life sciences, physical geography, earth sciences, chemistry, environmental sciences, physics, mathematics and even econometrics.
Studying Biological Sciences at the University of Amsterdam
The Master's programme in Biological Sciences is closely linked to the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) and the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS), both founded in 2000.
The Master's programme in Biological Sciences consists of four tracks:
- Ecology and Evolution
- General Biology
- Green Life Sciences
- Limnology and Oceanography
General Biology
The Master's programme in General Biology covers everything from the molecular mechanisms of a virus to the population dynamics of African elephants. This programme is designed for students who want to become specialists with a broad orientation who do not restrict their focus to one subject in the field of biology.
The Master's programme in General Biology offers you the opportunity to select one of three specialisations in research, applications in society or teaching and communication. The programme consists primarily of research lab courses in which students work with scientists on their current research in the University's Biology Department or at one of the research institutes associated with the programme, such as the Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation Laboratory, the Netherlands Cancer Institute or the Dutch Institute for Ecological Research.
Contents
The majority of the Master's programme in General Biology consists of research lab courses, in which students contribute to current research being carried out within the Biology Department of the University of Amsterdam or at other universities in the Netherlands or abroad.
Students may also choose to carry out their research at one of the research institutes associated with the programme such as the Central Blood Bank Laboratory (Centraal Labortorium van de Bloedbank, CLB), the Dutch Cancer Institute (NKI) or the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO). Students may also choose to take courses in other subjects within or outside the field of biology, and may also do a ‘minor' in a subject outside their discipline.
Professional specialization within the Master’s programme
In general, Master’s students are trained to become independent researchers. But at the UvA Faculty of Science you can also choose to complete your Master’s programme with a professional specialization, that focuses on other skills than doing research. In that case you will follow the programme of your chosen scientific discipline during the first year of your Master’s, and the programme of the specialization during the second year.
You will graduate as a Master of Science.
There are three professional specializations available:
- Science Communication
- Teaching
- Management, Policy Analysis & Entrepreneurship.
A note to readers who don’t speak Dutch: Only the specialization Management, Policy Analysis & Entrepreneurship is described in English, because the other two specializations are only taught in Dutch.
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test if you come from a non-English speaking country.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
More informationRequirements
Specific entry requirements
Applicants must hold a Dutch Bachelor of Science degree or its equivalent in Biology or Medical Biology.
General entry requirements
Applicants must also fulfil the general entry requirements set by the Faculty of Science regarding academic background, academic average and proficiency in English.
English language requirements
All our international programmes are conducted in English. Non-native English speakers need to submit proof of their proficiency in the English language before enrolling in one of these programmes.
Please note we only accept the TOEFL Test, the test of the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) or a Cambridge Examination Score. The test result should be received by the International Office of the Faculty of Science before May 1st of the year of application.
The minimum scores required on the TOEFL Test are:
- Internet-based test (iBT): 90
- Computer-based test (CBT): 235
- Paper-based test (PBT): 580
Please note the TOEFL-code for the Faculty of Science of the Universiteit van Amsterdam is: 8628.
The minimum score on the IELTS test is 6.5.
A Cambridge Examination Score with a minimum test result of CAE A or B will also be accepted. For the CPE test a minimal score of B is required.
Chinese applicants are required to take an IELTS test or the TOEFL (Internet-based test only). These are the only two tests accepted by the NESO, which provides certificates to all Chinese students who wish to study in the Netherlands.
Please note there are some differences between the TOEFL and IELTS test. Available practice material, test dates, prices and locations differ per country.
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 6.5 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): | Grade A (Score: 80) |
| TOEFL Paper-based: | 580 |
| TOEFL Computer-based: | 235 |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 90 |
Accreditation
General Biology is a track of the Master's programme in Biological Sciences. The Master's programme in Biological Sciences has been legally accredited by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). This means that upon successful completion of the programme, students will receive a legally accredited Master's degree in Biological Sciences and the title of Master of Science (MSc).
Funding details
Huygens scholarship
The Dutch government has allocated a vast amount for excellent students coming to the Netherlands under the HSP Huygens Programme. The Nuffic is administrating the Huygens scholarship. Please find all all necessary information about application and selection on their website.
! The Faculty deadline for receiving Huygens scholarship requests is: 31 December 2010. On the online application form please mention the Huygens scholarship request by thicking the relevant box.
The International Office will make a first selection of most excellent students. For this students we will write a nomination letter. Applicants that are part of this selection will receive the nomination letter by e-mail before 1 February 2011 which is the Nuffic deadline for application.
Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
The Faculty of Economics and Business provides a limited number of scholarships for excellent students in the Master's programmes. There is no fixed number of available scholarships. The actual number will be determined by the amount that will be allocated to the Faculty.
Selection procedure
1) Applicants should write an AMS motivation letter (tell us in not more than 300 words your motivation to get the scholarship).
2) Applicants should upload the AMS digital motivation letter to their online application for the MSc programme before March 1st 2011.
3) Before the end of May 2011 we will inform all applicants about the results by e-mail.
Ahold Scholarship Programme
Ahold, an international food retailing group based in the Netherlands offers scholarships for non-EU students in the MSc in Accountancy and Control programme. Applicants should have an outstanding academic record and have special interest in retail and the intention to work and live in the USA or Europe after graduation. All non-EU applicants accepted to the MSc in Accountancy and Control programme will receive supplementary information on this Scholarship.
Colfuturo Scholarship
Students from Columbia can apply for this scholarship through their website.
Ford Foundation Scholarship
Scholarships are provided for students from a selection of countries worldwide. For more information see the Nuffic website.
Netherlands Fellowship Programmes
This programme provides funding for women and members of priority groups or marginalized regions. For more information see the Nuffic website.
Other scholarships
Further information on scholarships can be obtained from Nuffic, please refer to their website. Click on the link 'Grantfinder' to search for Dutch scholarships for foreign students.
Studentgrant
In certain cases it is possible for EU students to receive a monthly studentgrant from the Dutch government (i.e. IB Group). Please check their website for further information.
Contact
Contact University of Amsterdam
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