If you’re eager to learn about the impact of these developments, and want to solve complex societal problems in a world that is becoming increasingly connected, then the Master Management Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in the Health & Life Sciences is for you.
Using science to solve society’s complex problems
Check whether you meet the programme requirements and apply
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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)
Direct admission
You are eligible for direct admission to the Master's in Management, Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in Health and Life Sciences if you hold a Bachelor of Science degree of 180EC from a Dutch University in:
- Biochemistry
- Bioinformatics
- Biology
- Biomedical Sciences
- Health and Life Sciences (VU only)*
- Health Sciences (VU only)*
- Human Movement Sciences
- Medical Informatics
- Medical Natural Sciences
- Medicine
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Psychobiology
- Beta-gamma Studies (with a major in Chemistry, Ecology and Evolution, Biomedical Sciences, Brain and Cognition, Physics and Astronomy or Mathematics)
- University Colleges (with at least a major in a beta subject)
- HLO (including sufficient English test)
If you have a BSc. Degree from a Dutch University in one of the subjects listed above (or HLO), your admission is based on your obtained BSc Degree. For more information please visit the information website for Dutch University Degree holders.
* If you have a degree in Health Sciences from another Dutch university, your application needs to be assessed by the Admission Board (see below).
Admission via MPA Admission Board
If you have a Dutch Degree from a University Bachelor of Science degree in a different subject than listed above, you are still welcome to apply for the MPA programme if your degree is in a related Health and/or Life Sciences field. The MPA Admission Board will review your application and decide on your admission. Please note that you then do have to submit the following documents with your application:
- Curriculum Vitae*, that includes your personal details and lists your previous education and relevant work experience. An Europass CV template could be used, however other formats will be accepted too.
- Letter of Motivation* - A 1-2 page letter stating your reasons for applying to the programme.
- Transcript of Records (in Dutch/English) - A list of grades that your previous academic study/studies. If you have not yet completed your educational programme, please send temporary transcripts showing the grades you have received to date. In that case, please also send us a list of courses that are not on the temporary transcripts but that you will have to take to complete your programme.
*As these documents can't be submitted on the VU Dashboard, please send these to toelating.beta@vu.nl.
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 sent to the following address: toelating.beta@vu.nl. -
I have a Dutch higher vocational education (HBO) Bachelor’s degree (pre-master's)
Students with a HBO degree in ‘Biologie en Medisch Laboratoriumonderzoek’ (HLO) have direct admission to the MPA programme, but still need to pass the English test.
Admission via MPA Admission Board:If you have a Bachelor’s degree of a Dutch University of Applied science (HBO) other than HLO, you are still welcome to apply for the MPA programme if your degree is in a related Health and/or Life Sciences field. The MPA Admission Board will review your application and decide on your admission. Please note that you then do have to submit the following documents with your application:
- Curriculum Vitae*, that includes your personal details and lists your previous education and relevant work experience. An Europass CV template could be used, however other formats will be accepted too.
- Letter of Motivation* - A 1-2 page letter stating your reasons for applying to the programme.
- Transcript of Records (in Dutch/English) - A list of grades that your previous academic study/studies. If you have not yet completed your educational programme, please send temporary transcripts showing the grades you have received to date. In that case, please also send us a list of courses that are not on the temporary transcripts but that you will have to take to complete your programme.
*As these documents can't be submitted on the VU Dashboard, please send these to toelating.beta@vu.nl.
Language requirementsVrije 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 sent to the following address: toelating.beta@vu.nl. -
Application with a Dutch degree
Enthusiastic about this programme? And do you meet the admission requirements? Find out how to apply.
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 or international 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.
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I have an international degree
The Management, Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in Health and Life Sciences programme is open to both utch 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 Management, Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in Health and Life 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. A Bachelor degree obtained at an applied 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).Specific requirements for the Management, Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in Health and Life Sciences Master’s programme
The MPA Master's programme is open to students with an academic degree in one of the fields mentioned below. The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application.
- Biochemistry
- Bioinformatics
- Biology
- Biomedical Sciences
- Health and Life Sciences
- Health Sciences
- Human Movement Sciences
- Medical Informatics
- Medical Natural Sciences
- Medicine
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Psychobiology
If you have a University Bachelor's of Science degree in another subject than listed above, but related to the fields of Health and Life Sciences, you are still welcome to apply.
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.
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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 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.
Want to know more?
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International diploma applicants
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