International Minors Medicine

Practical information

• About Amsterdam University Medical Center - VU Faculty of Medicine

  This minor is organized by VU Faculty of Medicine and linked to the Amsterdam University Medical Center, location VUmc. Amsterdam UMC - location VUmc has a strong international profile both in research and education which is reflected in its strong citation scores, its extensive international network, the high number of students doing part of their traineeships abroad, an English taught minor as an integral part of the regular medicine program, its international research master programs, and the specialized continuation courses offered  abroad.

  The high quality of research and education at VU University Amsterdam and its Faculty of Medicine can be demonstrated by its excellent performance in international rankings. In the Academic Ranking of World Universities (or the Shanghai ranking) VU University is ranked amongst the top 100 to 150 universities worldwide. In the subject field of medical sciences, we rank even higher, we belong to the top 50 worldwide. 

  The Bachelor of VU Faculty of Medicine is ranked first in the Dutch National Student Survey. The National Students Survey (NSE) is a large-scale international survey in the Netherlands, for which almost all students in higher education are invited to give their opinion about the quality of their education.

  The master Cardiovascular Research of Faculty of Medicine VU is also ranked first in the National Students Survey (NSE) 2018 of all biomedical master's programs in the Netherlands. The master Oncology ranked second. 

• Entry Requirements

  The international minors medicine are open to VU medical bachelor students and also to foreign students of partner institutions of VU and Amsterdam UMC. Exchange students who wish to apply for one of these minors need to have completed at least 90 EC in a relevant program like for example: medicine, biomedicinal sciences, psychobiology, technical medicine, or biopharmaceutical sciences. Furthermore, good English language proficiency is required. 

  VU Faculty of Medicine BSc students: Completed the first bachelor year and acquire at least 30 ECTS in the second year (= at least 90 ECTS), where 18 ECTS is acquired in the first semester of the second year.

  VU Biomedical Sciences BSc third year students in Health and Life Sciences (major clinical sciences or major biomedical sciences), Medical Natural Sciences and the beta track Amsterdam University College. Completed the first bachelor year and acquire at least 30 ECTS in the second year (= at least 90 ECTS). In addition, it is vital that you know the English language (at least on VWO level)

  Foreign students of partner institutions: Exchange or Semester in Amsterdam students who wish to apply for one of these minors need to have completed at least 90 ECTS.

  Interested? See Admission and Registration 

• Target Audience

  The international minors of the Faculty of Medicine VU are open to our medical bachelor students and also to foreign students of partner institutions of VU and Amsterdam UMC. Exchange students who wish to apply for one of these minors need to have completed at least 90 EC in a relevant program like for example: medicine, biomedicinal sciences, psychobiology, technical medicine, or biopharmaceutical sciences. In addition, it is essential that you have a good command of the English language. 
  
  VU Biomedical Sciences Bsc thrid year, Health and Life Sciences (major clinical sciences or major biomedical sciences), Medical Natural Sciences and the beta track Amsterdam University College can also enroll.
  You need to have completed the first bachelor year and acquire at least 30 EC in the second year (= at least 90 EC).  In addition, it is essential that you have a good command of the English language.

  Global Health Indonesia and Comprehensive Care and Anatomy are not open to outside students from other faculties or universities. 

  If you are an exchange student and you want to take part in Comprehensive Care and Anatomy, an exception can be made if you meet all the requirements. This differs per exchange student and will be considered individually after your application.

• Minor registration

  Minor registration
  If you wish you follow a minor, you must apply before 31 March. Submit a transcript of records and include information on your prior and current education, with your application.  
  Please note that the number of places for the International Minors Medicine is limited. Applying for a minor does not mean that you are guaranteed placement. The places are therefore allocated with priority. 

  Priority 1: VU Faculty of Medicine Bsc students;
  Priority 2: Exchange students;
  Priority 3: Foreign students of partner institution.

  VU Faculty of Medicine BSc students: bachelor.info@vumc.nl
  
  VU Biomedical Sciences BSc third year students in Health and Life Sciences (major clinical sciences or major biomedical sciences), Medical Natural Sciences and the beta track Amsterdam University College bachelor.info@vumc.nl

  Foreign students of partner institutions
  Exchange programme: incoming@vu.nl
  Semester in Amsterdam: semesterinamsterdam@vu.nl

  Student Dutch University : bachelor.info@vumc.nl
  Please include information on your prior and current education with your application

  Take note: Submissions after 31 March will not be taken into consideration.

  For general questions regarding the minor, you can send an email to international@vumc.nl 

• Information (VU Faculty of Medicine BSc students)

  The International minor is programmed in the first semester of the thrid year. The information sessions are organized in the second year of the medicine program:

  • In October there will be general information about the place of the minor in the degree programme and the possibilities for its implementation;
  • In November there will be information about the possibilities for taking a minor at a foreign university;
  • At the beginning of December there will be an information market about the faculty minors. All minors present themselves during this information session. You can obtain substantive information about the various minors at the various stands on the information market.

  You do not have to register for these information sessions. The data will be announced at the start of the academic year via rooster.vu.nl.  

• FAQ

  • When is the minor period at the Faculty of Medicine?
    The minor program is offered from September to December (24 ECTS). You have the option to complete  your minor with a literature essay in January (bachelor thesis) (6 ECTS) to make it 30 ECTS. 
    
  • What conditions do I have to meet to be eligible to take a minor?
    The international minors Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine are open to our medical bachelor students and also to foreign students of partner institutions of VU. Exchange students who wish to apply for one of these minors need to have completed at least 90 EC in a relevant program like for example: medicine, biomedicinal sciences, psychobiology, technical medicine, or biopharmaceutical sciences, health sciences. In addition, it is essential that you have a good command of the English language.
    Please mind that some selected minors are only open to VU medical students. 
    
  • Am I allowed to take two minors, simultaneously at the Faculty of Medicine?
    Unfortunately, you cannot take two minors simultaneously at the Faculty of Medicine. All minors are taught in the same period. You can choose to take a minor at a different faculty, click here for overview minors.  Attention: In order to include a second minor in your program, you will need approval from your program’s Board of Examiners. 
    
  • Can I choose or switch to another minor? 
    If you would like to change minors, you need to do this before the application deadline 31 March. Making changes after approval is not possible.  
    
  • When and how you will be notified of the timetable for your minor?
    At the VU Faculty of Medicine, the schedules will be announced late July or at the beginning of August. You can find the schedule of your minor at rooster.vu.nl  
    
  • I cannot register (course) in VUweb. What do I have to do?
    You cannot register for the minor courses yourself. The Faculty’s education office carries out registration. 
    
  • Where can I find more minor course information
    When you are registered for a course, you are automatically registered for the corresponding module on Canvas where more information will be posted.  
    
  • For how many credits (ECTS) may I register?
    A minor is 24 ECTS (September- December). You can complete your minor with a literature essay in January (bachelor thesis) (6ECTS) to make it 30 ECTS.  
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