Admission requirements

On this page, you will find important details of the application process (such as deadlines, admission requirements, required documents and application assessment) for the master’s programme in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics for the academic year 2025-2026.

For this master's programme, selection takes place on the basis of your quality and suitability. For this, your motivation, previous education and your (professional) experience are important.

Important deadlines for application

The master’s programme in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics starts in September

The deadlines below are applicable for applicants who want to start their studies in September 2025.

Note: if you are viewing this webpage on your phone, we recommend that you use landscape mode.

Date	What you need to know about this date
1 October 2024	Studielink is open for applications for the academic year 2025-2026
1 May 2025, 23:59 CET	Deadline for completing the entire application process for non-EU/EEA applicants (these applicants require a visa or residence permit)
1 June 2025, 23:59 CET	Deadline for completing the entire application process for applicants from the EU/EEA or Switzerland

Please note:

Find out if you can apply for a scholarship or financial aid. Deadlines for scholarships are often earlier than the dates mentioned above.
In Studielink you need to choose the starting moment. Please make sure to select September 2025 in the pulldown-menu, so that you will apply for the start of the next academic year.

The information on this page is for students who would like to start in academic year 2025-2026.

Office of Admissions
fse-admissions@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Are you a non-EU citizen requiring a visa/residence permit for study?

Please note that Maastricht University can only formally apply for your visa/residence permit if you have met all admission and enrolment requirements.

This means you have to have completed all admission and enrolment tasks in the MyApplication portal (except the ‘visa/residence permit’-task and the ‘send certified copy of diploma’-task) before we can send your application to the IND (Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service).

We have to send the application to the IND before 1 July when you’re starting in September (or before 1 December when you’re starting in February, if applicable for your study programme).

Therefore, we strongly recommend that you reconsider applying for this study programme if you are not sure that you will meet the following requirements before 1 July/1 December:

Having remedied all subject and/or language deficiencies (if applicable)
Having qualified for admission to your study programme, including being selected (if applicable to your study programme) AND
Having paid the tuition fee for your study programme

General requirements: previous education

The admission requirements for academic year 2025-2026 for the master’s programme in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics depend on your previous education. Please check below which requirements apply to you.

Graduates from other relevant bachelor’s programmes

You qualify for admission if you have:

a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field composed of at least 180 ECTS.

Relevant fields are:

Biochemistry
Bioinformatics
Biology
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Sciences or (Molecular) Life Sciences
Data Science
Informatics or Computer Sciences
Life Sciences and Technology
Medical Natural Sciences
Mathematics
Neuroscience
Physics

If you're unsure whether your bachelor's degree is in a relevant field, please contact our admissions office: fse-admissions@maastrichtuniversity.nl

UM graduates applying for a continuing master’s programme

You qualify for admission if you hold a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Maastricht Science Programme, Computer Science or Data Science and Artificial Intelligence from Maastricht University (UM).

Graduates from equivalent Dutch HBO bachelor's programmes

You qualify for admission, but you need additional approval by the Board of Admissions.

Additional requirements

Language requirements for English-language master's programmes

As English is the language of instruction in this study programme, it is essential that your English language skills are good enough for you to undertake intensive and challenging academic courses that are taught and examined in English.

Answer the questions below to find out if you meet the language requirements.

Applicants who received their previous education in a non-EU/EEA country (handling fee)

Applicants for this study programme who received their previous education in a non-EU/EEA country will have to pay a handling fee. More information on this handling fee and how to arrange this payment can be found on the Handling fee page.

Documents required for the application process

During the application process for this study programme you will need to complete a number of tasks for which you will often have to upload documents. The list below gives you an insight into what documents you will (and might) need to prepare.

Required documents for all applicants to this study programme

A recent passport picture*
The passport picture must satisfy certain requirements. You can find these requirements in the task description 'Upload portrait picture' in the MyApplication portal.
A copy of your valid passport or your EU/EEA identity card*
Make a copy of the page with your personal details. Save this copy as ‘passport copy’ and not as ‘passport picture’.
A copy of your most recent grades transcript of your current bachelor’s programme
A copy of your diploma of your current bachelor’s programme if you have obtained it
If you have not graduated yet, you can upload your official grades transcript from your bachelor's programme.
Your curriculum vitae
List your education, relevant extracurricular activities and internship/professional experience.
A motivation letter (max. 500 words)
- Provide good arguments about why you want to do this master's programme at Maastricht University and why you believe that you can successfully complete the programme.
- Your letter should answer the following questions:
  - Why did you choose Maastricht University?
  - Why do you want to study the master's in Systems Biology?
  - What makes you a suitable candidate for this programme?
  - How do your background/strengths/skills relate to the field of systems biology? To answer this, you can describe any previous experience you might have. For example, describe any courses you might have taken, participation in bachelor or extracurricular research or projects (if any), experience with English, experience or views on teamwork, etc. It all counts.
  - What do you hope to learn/develop by studying Systems Biology at Maastricht University?

*As a UM student it is not necessary to upload these documents in the MyApplication portal. Unless your passport is not valid on 1 September 2025; in that case you do have to upload a copy of your passport.

Documents that might be required depending on your (academic) background

Document(s) that demonstrate your proficiency in English (if applicable)
Answer the questions concerning language requirements under ‘Language requirements for English-language master’s programmes’ on this webpage to find out if you need to provide additional documentation. The outcome of your answers will indicate which documents you can use to prove your proficiency.
A letter from your home university stating the language of instruction was English (if applicable)

How do we assess your application?

When you want to apply or are applying for this study programme, it is useful to know how we assess your application. You can find more information about this here.

For this master's programme, selection takes place.

The Board of Admissions will review and assess your application. You will be informed whether you are selected for an interview

The admissions interview

The interview is intended to find out whether there is a match between you and our master's programme. The interview is conducted in English by two members of the Board of Admissions and takes approximately 30 minutes. The interview takes place via Zoom/Microsoft Teams.

Preparation

Your application and personal statement will be the starting point for the interview. You should also inform yourself well about the Systems Biology and Bioinformatics programme. Sources to do so are this website, our (online) Experience Days, or (if possible) an open day you have visited.

After the interview

Within one week after the interview, the Board of Admissions will inform you whether you are offered a place in the master’s in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics or not.

Finalisation of your application at Systems Biology and Bioinformatics

After accepting the offered place in the Systems Biology and Bioinformatics master's programme and successfully completing the admission process, you will receive an email informing you on the steps to take in order to finalise your enrolment at UM. Furthermore, you will receive a request to pay your tuition fee.

Scholarships

At Maastricht University, scholarships are handled directly by the Scholarship Office (not by the study programmes). For information about available scholarships and deadlines, please consult this website.