Global Health: Research

Check whether you meet the programme requirements and apply.

• I have a Dutch university level (WO) Bachelor’s degree (VU Bachelor’s degree, VU pre-master's or Bachelor’s degree at another university)

  A successful applicant should possess the following skills and qualities:

  • Good academic achievement 
  • Aptitude for critical analysis and logical thinking 
  • Experience with several scientific disciplines (for instance studying medicine, but doing work with social care during elective)
  • High motivation 
  • Social responsibility
  • Excellent social and communication skills (in English).

  We assess these skills and qualities through the specific admission requirements listed below: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in one of the disciplines linked to Global Health (e.g. Medical Biology, Health Sciences, Medical Anthropology, Medical Sociology, Medicine, Health Economics, Health Management, Pharmacy, Psychology, Nursing, Public Policy, Disability Studies) with basic knowledge of epidemiology/statistics (preferably at least 6 EC). A deficiency in the knowledge of Epidemiology can be compensated by taking an additional course (before the commencement of the study).
  • A GPA of 3.0 (7.0 in the Dutch grading system) or higher. For non-EU students, the transcript and the quality of the Bachelor’s program are evaluated by the VU International Office. If the diploma or a previous study program is not known by the International Office, the file of the student is sent to the NUFFIC office for additional evaluation and advice.
  • Motivation letter stating the reasons for applying for this Research Masters.
  • Comprehensive CV with a list of extra-curricular activities focusing on social responsibility, e.g. volunteer work or other activities showing the social qualities of the student. 
  • A sufficient score on the web-based entry examination. Examination consists of an open essay question on a Global Health topic, for which three sources will be provided. The student should build their argument using additional scientific literature. 
  • Receive a positive recommendation on the basis of an (in person or online) interview with the Masters programme director and/or coordinator.
  • For those who have not completed previous studies in English, a minimum score of 580 for the paper version of the TOEFL test (or an equivalent measuring the level of C1 in ‘Common European Framework of References for languages’ (CEFR)).

  Language requirements

  Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam requires international students and students with a HBO degree to pass an English language proficiency test. This requirement can be met if no longer than two years before the start of the programme the applicant has successfully completed one of the following examinations with the minimum scores indicated: 

  • IELTS  (Academic): 6.5
  • TOEFL paper based test: 580 
  • TOEFL internet based test: 92
  • VU TOEFL ITP: 580
  • Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): A, B, C
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): A, B, C

  Exceptions are made for students who:

  • have obtained a Dutch vwo-diploma including English, or an International Baccalaureate or European Baccalaureate diploma;
  • have obtained a Bachelor’s degree from a Dutch university; 
  • have completed previous education in Canada, Ireland, UK, USA, Australia or New Zealand.

  Please refer to the Language Requirements webpage for the general requirements regarding language proficiency.
  Copies of your English test results can be sent to the following address: toelating.beta@vu.nl.

• I have a Dutch higher vocational education (HBO) Bachelor’s degree (pre-Master's)

  A Bachelor's degree obtained at an applied sciences university or higher vocational education (HBO in Dutch) in most cases does not grant direct access to the programme: only exceptionally high ranking students stand a chance of admission. HBO students will be considered if they have high marks, completed a thesis/final project, and show high aptitude for the programme.

  HBO graduates who do not meet these criteria should first complete a pre-Masters. The Research Master Global Health does not have its own pre-Master’s programme, but relevant pre-Masters include Health Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Anthropology and Sociology,
  
  Students with a HBO degree (in Dutch) must take an English Language Test. For more information see under the heading ‘Application with a Dutch degree’ below. 

• Application with a Dutch degree

  The Global Health programme is selective, and open to both Dutch and International Students. The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application, receiving and checking an online exam, and interviewing you (online or in person). You find all information about the general application procedure with a Dutch degree on the application page.

  Use this form to apply for the Master’s: Application form Master's Global Health.

  The application deadline is:

  1 June for holders of a Dutch bachelor’s degree (with a Dutch or EU/EEA nationality).

  Your application will be rejected if you do not upload the required documents in your ‘online dashboard’ within 6 weeks after your enrolment in Studielink, OR if you uploaded (one or more) of the required documents after 1 June. Applications and documents submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

  Required documents (deadline 1 June)

  This Master’s programme requires students with a Dutch bachelor's degree to upload the following documents (in English) before 1 June:

  • Letter of Motivation
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Bachelor's transcript, including your GPA
  • Course descriptions of the relevant courses you have taken during your previous higher education, including the literature used

  Your online dashboard gives you an overview of the submitted and missing documents. Check your dashboard regularly.

  Additional required document (only for HBO students)

  • HBO students need to send in a sufficient English language test result or proof of exemption eligibility (check the requirements and exemptions on the webpage).

  You can also submit the result of the English language test after you have been conditionally accepted. The deadline for submitting the English test result is August 31^st. Please send a scan of your test result to toelating.beta@vu.nl.

• I have an international degree

  Admission requirements

  Students must meet the following admission requirements:

  1.  Academic requirements

  Your previous education needs to be deemed equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) obtained at a research university (nominal duration 3 years). Please find more information about your admissibility with a non-Dutch degree here. We do not require a GRE or GMAT test score.

  Students with a Bachelor’s degree in one of the disciplines linked to Global Health are considered (e.g. Medical Biology, Health Sciences, Medical Anthropology, Sociology, Disability Studies, Medicine, Health Economics, Health Management, Pharmacy, Psychology, Nursing, Public Policy). 

  2. Programme specific requirements 

  • A minimum of 6 ECTS in Epidemiology and/or Statistics (a deficiency in the knowledge of Epidemiology can be compensated by taking additional courses before the commencement of the study) 
  • A high general academic level demonstrated by a minimum undergraduate GPA that is equivalent to a 7.0 in the Dutch grading system.   
  • High motivation: proven by explaining reasons for applying to this Research Master in motivation letter 
  • Social responsibility: proven by comprehensive CV with a list of extra-curricular activities focusing on social responsibility, e.g. volunteer work or other activities showing the social qualities of the student 
  • A sufficient score on the entry examination: this examination consists of an open essay question discussing a Global Health topic, for which some scientific literature and other sources will be provided, and other sources must be located and used by the student to build a clear argument. The exam is received and returned via email. 

    All candidates for this selective programme are also interviewed online or in person. The interview is primarily concerned with motivation and intended career direction. 

   Skills  

  • Aptitude for critical analysis and logical thinking  
  • Experience with several scientific disciplines (for instance studying medicine, but doing work with social care during elective) 
  • Excellent social and communication skills (in English) 

   How to demonstrate that you meet the above requirements

  You are required to indicate how you meet the programme specific admission requirements in your Application Form. The Admission Board will evaluate your Application Form and decide if your academic background is sufficient to gain admission to the programme.

  3. English-language proficiency requirements

  You will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You can find an overview of relevant information to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page. 

• Application with an international degree

  Application documents

  To apply you are required to provide the following documents:

  • Scan of your passport or national ID card (ID for EEA students only) valid at the start date of the programme
  • Master Application File please download the correct file from this page. In this file you can see which documents are required to apply for your programme.
  • Proof of English language proficiency (if already obtained): upload your proof of English language proficiency or English language test results. Please find the English language requirements here.

  After having prepared the required documents, please follow the online application procedure. 

  Application fee & deadlines

  All students seeking admission to an international Master’s programme with an international degree are required to pay a non-refundable €100 application fee. Only after you have paid this fee will we be able to start the evaluation of your application file. If you are applying for more than one programme, you will only need to pay the application fee once. Your application fee payment is valid for two years.
  
  Information on how to apply with an international university degree and deadlines can be found here. 

  Grants and scholarships

  As an international student planning to study at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, you can apply for a variety of grants and bursaries. Detailed information about scholarships and deadlines can be found on www.vu.nl/scholarships or www.grantfinder.nl.

  International Student and Alumni Ambassadors 

  Our International Student and Alumni Ambassadors are happy to tell you all about their experiences with studying at VU Amsterdam and living in Amsterdam.

  • Our Student Ambassadors are current students at VU Amsterdam that represent a wide variety of programmes and countries.
  • Our International Alumni Ambassadors are VU Amsterdam graduates who are currently either working in the Netherlands or abroad, or doing a PhD or (second) Master's.

  You will find the full overview of our Ambassadors here: vu.nl/ambassadors. There you can chat with them directly.