Systems Biology (specialization)

Application procedure

Applications for admission to the master’s programme, and the application fee payments must have been received by VU University no later than:

StudentsDeadlineApplication
non-EU/EEA and EU/EEA students who also wish to apply for a VUFP grant1 MarchHow to apply?
non-Dutch students with an international degree1 April/1 JuneHow to apply?
non-Dutch students with a Dutch degree1 JulyHow to apply?
Dutch students from institutions other than VU University Amsterdam 1 July How to apply? (Dutch)
Dutch students with an international degree 1 July How to apply? 

Students who want to be admitted into the specialization System Biology should apply for the master’s programme Bioinformatics by filling out the appropriate forms and sending them in together with the required documents. The forms can be downloaded by clicking the appropriate link above.

Admission requirements

For this specialization students should seek admission to the Master's programme of Bioinformatics. This specialization admits students with bachelors from the disciplines biomedical sciences, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, mathematics and engineering. Students with a bachelor other than biomedical sciences, biology or biochemistry (such as chemistry, physics, mathematics or engineering) should seek admission to the Master’s programme Bioinformatics and pass the first two compulsory courses before they can be admitted to the specialization Systems Biology.

If you have another Bachelor’s degree from a university or a Bachelor’s degree from an institute of higher education in the Netherlands or abroad, the Examination Board will decide on your admission. The board may set additional requirements if necessary.

Language proficiency requirements

VU University Amsterdam requires international applicants to take an English test and to submit their score as a part of the application. Exceptions are made for students who have completed their education in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand or Australia or who have obtained an international Baccalaureate or European Baccalaureate diploma.

Further information on the minimum English language proficiency requirements (TOEFL, IELTS, CAE, CPE) is available under the section:

How to apply?

Visa/ residence permit/ Nuffic certificate for Chinese students


All information about visa and residence permits is available under the section:
Visa/ residence permit

Here you can learn more about:

  • The visa deadlines and procedure
  • The Nuffic certificate for Chinese students (which was known as a NESO Certificate until 1 June 2010)
  • Legalisation
  • Residence permit

International Office


For additional information please contact: international@falw.vu.nl.

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Philosophy, Bioethics and Health

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