Health Sciences

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)

  In order to determine your eligibility to the program the student must submit his/her application according to the formal application procedure. Check all general information on application to Master's programmes here. 

  Course prerequisites for entry to the Master in Health Sciences are met by students who have completed:

  • BSc in Health Sciences from the VU
  • BSc in Gezondheid & Leven from the VU, including the course Epi/stat III (AB_470228)
  • Pre-master's Health Sciences from the VU

  For all other students, the admission committee of the master Health Sciences will make a decision based on the transcripts and course descriptions. The admissions procedures are not different by specialisation, but students should check the study guide to ensure they meet the pre-requisites for the courses given by their chosen specialisation.

  Admission criteria for entry to the Masters in Health Sciences is as follows:

  • A Bachelor's degree from a Dutch University, which includes:
    • 30 ECTS human biology, physiology or biomedical (university bachelor's level)
    • 12 ECTS statistics courses (university bachelor's level)
    • 6 ECTS epidemiology (university bachelor's level). Please note that introductory/prerequisite courses such as Introduction to Public Health or the VU Bachelor's course Epidemiology (AB_470180) are not considered courses that cover sufficient content in Epidemiology.

  To be able to make a decision on whether or not you meet the admission criteria the Admission Board needs your bachelor's transcript and course descriptions with topics related to the admission criteria above and competences below (textbooks and literature is not necessary):

  Epidemiology

  Students should be competent in:

  • Drafting epidemiological studies using cohort, case control, cross-sectional and experimental designs;
  • Calculating, interpreting and choosing between descriptive epidemiological measures and effect sizes;
  • Calculating and interpreting diagnostic measures of validity and reliability;
  • Explaining validity and reliability in terms of measurement instruments as well as in terms of studies;
  • Discussing potential for bias and confounding in relation to the design and execution of a study and consequences in terms of the direction of these biases;
  • Explaining the meaning of effect modification in the context of an epidemiological study;
  • Recognition and detection of common methodological and statistical flaws;
  • Research integrity pertaining to methodology and statistics.

  Statistics

  Students should be competent in:

  • Basic statistics (describing sample characteristics, probability distributions i.e. Z-, t- and binomial distribution, calculating epidemiological effect sizes etc.);
  • Choosing between statistical techniques commonly used in epidemiology, conducting these analyses in statistical software and in interpreting the results of these techniques. These techniques should at least include: t-tests, chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA, uni- and multivariable regression models (linear, logistic and Cox regression);
  • Explaining the difference between association and prediction models;
  • Modelling confounding and effect modification in the above mentioned regression models;
  • Practical application of statistics in research.

  Course transcripts and descriptions are required except for students coming directly from the VU Health Sciences or the VU Health and Life Sciences Bachelor programmes.
  Course descriptions should provide a succinct but complete overview of courses related to human biology, statistics, epidemiology (course names, ECTS, topics covered and learning objectives). This format may be used.

  In the event that the content of the course is not self-evident the Admission Committee will determine whether a course qualifies based on the information provided in the course descriptions. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make the case explaining the content of the course in relation to the relevant content.

  Deficiency in epidemiology?

  If you suspect you do not (completely) meet the admission requirements stated above in regards to epidemiology, please make sure you apply before 1 May 2023 and submit both transcript and course descriptions, with regard to any possible options to eliminate this deficiency. The Health Science's Admission Board will inform you in case you are eligible.

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

  For all other students, the admission committee of the (pre-)master's in Health Sciences will make a decision based on the transcripts and course descriptions. 

  Admission criteria for entry to the pre-master’s in Health Sciences is as follows: 

  • Bachelors degree from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences or Dutch University
  • 30 ECTS human biology, physiology or bio-medical (bachelor's level)

  For more information on the admission requirements and relevant bachelor's degree, please see the pre-master's website.

  
  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 (Note that TOEFL MyBestScore is not accepted)
  • 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 uploaded in VUnet or sent to the following address: toelating.beta@vu.nl.

• Application with a Dutch degree

  If you want to apply for a Master's programme at VU Amsterdam, the application procedure depends on your previous degree and whether you obtained your degree in the Netherlands or abroad. You find all information about the application procedure with a Dutch degree on the application page. 

  The application deadlines are:

  • 1 February for international students applying for one of the VU scholarships
  • 1 April for non-EU/EEA students*
  • 1 June for non-Dutch EU/EEA students
  • 1 June for holders of a Dutch bachelor’s degree (with a Dutch or EU/EEA nationality)

  *non-EU/EEA students who do not need a study visa and/or a residence permit can still apply until 1 June.

  This Master’s programme requires the following documents for Dutch degree holders:

  • Copy of your valid passport or ID 
  • Transcript of records of your Bachelor's programme*
  • Course descriptions focussed on the topics mentioned above (biology/physiology, bio-statistics and epidemiology)* You can use this format.

  For documents marked with an *: these need to be uploaded before the application deadline mentioned above. If one or more of these documents are missing, the application cannot be assessed by the Admission Board. Documents submitted after the application deadline will not be assessed.

• I have an international degree

  The Health Sciences programme is open to both Dutch and international Students. The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application.
  
  In order to gain admission to the Health Sciences Master’s programme, you will need to have at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited research university including at least three full years of academic study amounting to a minimum of 180 ECTS or equivalent. We do not require a GRE or GMAT test score. 

  Specific requirements for the Health Sciences Master’s programme

  Students with university Bachelor's degrees must meet the following admissions criteria:

  • Adequate knowledge in health and/or life sciences 
  • 30 ECTS human biology, physiology or biomedical (university Bachelor's level)
  • 12 ECTS statistics courses (university Bachelor's level)
  • 6 ECTS epidemiology (university Bachelor's level). 

  How to demonstrate that you meet the above criteria

  You are required to indicate in your motivation letter how you meet the admission criteria. You should substantiate your eligibility in as much detail as possible, by clearly listing topic by topic how your previous education covered the criteria above and the competences below. Your transcript and course description can also be used to this end.

  Required competences

  Epidemiology

  Students should be competent in:

  • Drafting epidemiological studies using cohort, case control, cross-sectional and experimental designs;
  • Calculating, interpreting and choosing between descriptive epidemiological measures and effect sizes;
  • Calculating and interpreting diagnostic measures of validity and reliability;
  • Explaining validity and reliability in terms of measurement instruments as well as in terms of studies;
  • Discussing potential for bias and confounding in relation to the design and execution of a study and consequences in terms of the direction of these biases;
  • Explaining the meaning of effect modification in the context of an epidemiological study;
  • Recognition and detection of common methodological and statistical flaws;
  • Research integrity pertaining to methodology and statistics.

  Statistics

  Students should be competent in:

  • Basic statistics (describing sample characteristics, probability distributions i.e. Z-, t- and binomial distribution, calculating epidemiological effect sizes etc.);
  • Choosing between statistical techniques commonly used in epidemiology, conducting these analyses in statistical software and in interpreting the results of these techniques. These techniques should at least include: t-tests, chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA, uni- and multivariable regression models (linear, logistic and Cox regression);
  • Explaining the difference between association and prediction models;
  • Modelling confounding and effect modification in the above mentioned regression models;
  • Practical application of statistics in research.

  Coursework in Epidemiology and Biostatistics must be at the university Bachelor level and must be listed on an official transcript/certificate.

  In the event that the content of any of the courses you listed is not self-evident, the admissions committee will determine whether a course qualifies based on the information provided in your motivation letter. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make the case explaining the content of the course in relation to the relevant content. 

  English language requirements

  If you are applying for one of our English-taught Master's degree programmes you will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency by submitting English test results. 

  Although complete applications are preferred, you can begin your application before you have completed the test and then submit your passing score once you have been conditionally admitted.

  You can find which test types and scores are accepted, the deadlines for submitting test results and all other relevant information on our application page under the Language Proficiency Requirements tab.

• Application with an international degree

  Required format and required documents
  Please note: you will need to upload all required documents in one PDF file, using this Application Form Template.
  Please check here which documents you need to submit for this specific Master's programme.

  After having prepared the required documents, please follow the online application procedure. Here you can find all relevant application information, including deadlines, a step-by-step explanation of the procedure and the English language requirements.

  For more information, international students may also contact the International Student Advisors: masters.fs@vu.nl.

  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. 

  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.