Biomedical Sciences

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 Biomedical Sciences for the academic year 2025-2026.

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

Please click here to look into the admission requirements for academic year 2024-2025.

Important deadlines for application

This master’s programme starts in September.
The deadlines below are applicable for applicants who want to start their studies in September 2025.

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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
 
1 February 2025, 23:59 CET Application deadline for non-EU/EEA applicants who want to be considered for the UM NL-High Potential Scholarship

Please note: if you apply for a UM scholarship, the scholarship application deadline applies.

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

Admission requirements

The admission requirements for academic year 2025-2026 for this master’s programme in Biomedical Sciences depend on your previous education. Please check below which requirements apply to you.

Click below on the question that applies to you for more information:

Relevant university degrees are among others: Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Technology, Health Sciences (Biology and Health), Life Sciences, (Veterinary) Medicine, Movement Sciences, Nutrition and Health, Regenerative Medicine and Technology, University College (depending on courses followed, > 50% biology). In case your domain is not mentioned here, the Board of Admissions can assess whether your domain is considered relevant once you have completed your application via Studielink.

Relevant university of applied sciences degrees are among others: Biological and Medical Laboratory Research, Biotechnology, Applied Sciences (Science & Life/Biology), Biology Biometry. In case your domain is not mentioned here, the Board of Admissions can assess whether your domain is considered relevant once you have completed your application via Studielink.

Do you have a relevant bachelor’s degree from Maastricht University obtained before 1 September 2025?

You qualify for admission.
Please upload the following documents in the MyApplication portal:

  • A recent passport picture
    The passport picture must satisfy certain requirements. You can find these requirements in the job description ‘Upload passport photo’ in the MyApplication portal. 

  • A copy of your passport or your EU/EEA identity card
    Make a copy of the page with your personal details. Save this document as ‘passport copy’ and not as ‘passport picture. 

  • A copy of your most recent certified grades transcript AND/OR a copy of your diploma
    If you have not graduated yet, you can upload your official grades transcript from your bachelor’s programme.

  • Your curriculum vitae
    Please list your education, relevant extracurricular activities and internship/professional experience.

  • Document(s) that demonstrate your proficiency in English
    Check the language requirements to find out if you need to provide additional documentation. The outcome of your answers will indicate which document(s) you can use to prove your proficiency.

  • Master's preference form in case you apply for more than one master’s programme
    The document 'FHML master’s preference form' that needs to be filled in (only if you are applying for more than one master’s programme) will be offered to you in the MyApplication portal under the task ‘Indicate master’s preference’.
     

All required documents must have been uploaded before the application deadline that applies to you. See the paragraph 'Important deadlines for application' on this page.
 

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Do you have a relevant bachelor’s degree from another Dutch (WO) university obtained before 1 September 2025?

You qualify for admission. Please upload the following documents in the MyApplication portal:

  • A recent passport picture
    The passport picture must satisfy certain requirements. You can find these requirements in the job description ‘Upload passport photo’ in the MyApplication portal. 
  • A copy of your passport or your EU/EEA identity card
    Make a copy of the page with your personal details. Save this document as ‘passport copy’ and not as ‘passport picture’.
  • A copy of your most recent certified grades transcript AND/OR a copy of your diploma.
    If you have not graduated yet, you can upload your official grades transcript from your bachelor’s programme.
  • Your curriculum vitae
    Please list your education, relevant extracurricular activities and internship/professional experience.
  • Document(s) that demonstrate your proficiency in English
    Check the language requirements to find out if you need to provide additional documentation. The outcome of your answers will indicate which document(s) you can use to prove your proficiency.
  • Master's preference form in case you apply for more than one programme
    The document 'FHML master’s preference form' that needs to be filled in (only if you are applying for more than one master’s programme) will be offered to you in the MyApplication portal under the task ‘Indicate master’s preference’.

All required documents must have been uploaded before the application deadline that applies to you. See the paragraph 'Important deadlines for application' on this page.
 

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Do you have a relevant bachelor’s degree from a university of applied sciences (HBO, Fachhochschule, Hogeschool, College, TEI or another professional bachelor’s) obtained before 1 September 2025?

The Board of Admissions assesses whether you qualify for admission and you have to demonstrate your academic skills. There are two options to do so:

  • Option 1: prove your academic skills by completing the ‘Academic skills checklist’. 
    This checklist needs to be filled in the MyApplication portal. You can find the checklist in the portal under the task ‘Prove academic capabilities’.
    The checklist is sufficient if you have completed a thesis and have obtained at least 12 (relevant) ECTS in statistics and methodology according to the Board of Admissions.
    If you cannot demonstrate these academic skills, option 2 automatically applies.

     

  • Option 2: take a GRE General test and upload a sufficient GRE General test score report in the MyApplication portal. See our webpage for more information about the GRE-test.

Please upload the following documents in the MyApplication portal:

  • A recent passport picture
    The passport picture must satisfy certain requirements. You can find these requirements in the job description ‘Upload passport photo’ in the MyApplication portal. 
  • A copy of your passport or your EU/EEA identity card
    Make a copy of the page with your personal details. Save this document as ‘passport copy’ and not as ‘passport picture’.
  • A copy of your most recent certified grades transcript AND/OR a copy of your diploma.
    If you have not graduated yet, you can upload your official grades transcript from your bachelor’s programme. Add a translation if the original transcript is not in English or Dutch.

  • The Academic skills checklist or a sufficient GRE General score report
    Read the instructions on the checklist carefully. Only fully completed checklists will be considered.

     

  • Your curriculum vitae in English or Dutch
    Please list your education, relevant extracurricular activities and internship/professional experience
  • Document(s) that demonstrate your proficiency in English
    Check the language requirements to find out if you need to provide additional documentation. The outcome of your answers will indicate which document(s) you can use to prove your proficiency.
  • Master's preference form in case you apply for more than one master’s programme
    The document 'FHML master’s preference form' that needs to be filled in (only if you are applying for more than one master’s programme) will be offered to you in the MyApplication portal under the task ‘Indicate master’s preference’.

All required documents must have been uploaded before the application deadline that applies to you. See the paragraph 'Important deadlines for application' on this page.

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Do you have a relevant bachelor’s degree from an EEA* university obtained before 1 September 2025?

The Board of Admissions assesses whether you qualify for admission.
Please upload the following documents in the MyApplication portal:

  • A recent passport picture
    The passport picture must satisfy certain requirements. You can find these requirements in the job description ‘Upload passport photo’ in the MyApplication portal. 
  • A copy of your passport or your EU/EEA identity card
    Make a copy of the page with your personal details. Save this document as ‘passport copy’ and not as ‘passport picture’.
  • A copy of your most recent certified grades transcript AND/OR a copy of your diploma.
    If you have not graduated yet, you can upload your official grades transcript from your bachelor’s programme. Add a translation if the original transcript is not in English.
  • Your curriculum vitae in English
    Please list your education, relevant extracurricular activities and internship/professional experience.
  • Document(s) that demonstrate your proficiency in English
    Check the language requirements to find out if you need to provide additional documentation. The outcome of your answers will indicate which document(s) you can use to prove your proficiency.
  • Master's preference form in case you apply for more than one master’s programme
    The document 'FHML master’s preference form' that needs to be filled in (only if you are applying for more than one master’s programme) will be offered to you in the MyApplication portal under the task ‘Indicate master’s preference’

The Board of Admissions may ask you to upload additional documents e.g. a checklist academic skills or a sufficient GRE General test score report.

All required documents must have been uploaded before the application deadline that applies to you. See the paragraph 'Important deadlines for this study programme' on this page.

* Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden. This arrangement also includes Switzerland and the UK.

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Do you have a relevant bachelor’s degree from a non-EEA* university obtained before 1 September 2025?

Please upload the following documents in the MyApplication portal:

  • A recent passport picture
    The passport picture must satisfy certain requirements. You can find these requirements in the job description ‘Upload passport photo’ in the MyApplication portal. 
  • A copy of your passport or your EU/EEA identity card
    Make a copy of the page with your personal details. Save this document as ‘passport copy’ and not as ‘passport picture’
  • A copy of your most recent certified grades transcript AND/OR a copy of your diploma.
    If you have not graduated yet, you can upload your official grades transcript from your bachelor’s programme. Add a translation if the original transcript is not in English.
  • Your curriculum vitae in English
    Please list your education, relevant extracurricular activities and internship/professional experience.
  • Document(s) that demonstrate your proficiency in English
    Check the language requirements to find out if you need to provide additional documentation. The outcome of your answers will indicate which document(s) you can use to prove your proficiency.
  • A GRE General test score report with sufficient scores
    See our webpage for more information about the GRE General test.
  • Master's preference form in case you apply for more than one master’s programme
    The document 'FHML master’s preference form' that needs to be filled in (only if you are applying for more than one master’s programme) will be offered to you in the MyApplication portal under the task ‘Indicate master’s preference’.

All required documents must have been uploaded before the application deadline that applies to you. See the paragraph 'Important deadlines for this application' on this page.

If you apply for a UM scholarship, your application must be complete before the scholarship deadline. Check the deadlines on the scholarships website.
You are only eligible for a scholarship if you have been offered a place in the study programme. Conditional admission is only possible if you have a relevant previous education and have uploaded all required documents (including a sufficient GRE General test score report, if this requirement applies to you).

A handling fee is required for applicants with a degree from a non-EEA country. For more information check our website.

* all countries except Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. This arrangement also includes Switzerland and the UK.

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Do you have a relevant master’s degree from an EEA or a non-EEA* university obtained before 1 September 2025?

(If a bachelor's degree in (veterinary) medicine or dentistry is a relevant degree for this master's programme, a nominal duration of 6 years or more is considered to be equivalent to a master's degree.)
 

Please upload the following documents in the MyApplication portal:

  • A recent passport picture
    The passport picture must satisfy certain requirements. You can find these guidelines in the job description ‘Upload passport photo’ in the MyApplication portal. 
  • A copy of your passport or your EU/EEA identity card
    Make a copy of the page with your personal details. Save this document as ‘passport copy’ and not as ‘passport picture’.
  • A copy of your most recent certified grades transcript AND/OR a copy of your diploma.
    If you have not graduated yet, you can upload your official grades transcript from your bachelor’s programme and master's programme. Add a translation if the original transcript is not in English.
  • Your curriculum vitae in English
    Please list your education, relevant extracurricular activities and internship/professional experience.
  • Document(s) that demonstrate your proficiency in English
    Check the language requirements to find out if you need to provide additional documentation. The outcome of your answers will indicate which document(s) you can use to prove your proficiency.
  • Master's preference form in case you apply for more than one master’s programme
    The document 'FHML master’s preference form' that needs to be filled in (only if you are applying for more than one master’s programme) will be offered to you in the MyApplication portal under the task ‘Indicate master’s preference’

All required documents must have been uploaded before the application deadline that applies to you. See the paragraph 'Important deadlines for application' on this page.

If you apply for a UM scholarship, your application must be complete before the scholarship deadline. Check the deadlines on the scholarships website.
You are only eligible for a scholarship if you have been offered a place in the study programme. This is possible if you have a relevant previous education and have uploaded all required documents (including a sufficient GRE General test score report, if this requirement applies to you).

A handling fee is required for applicants with a degree from a non-EEA country. For more information check our website

* all countries except Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. This arrangement also includes Switzerland and the UK.

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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 in this section.

The Board of Admissions (BoA) checks whether your educational background fits with the requirements for the master’s programme you applied for. The BoA only assesses complete applications received within the deadline. After receiving your application (and handling fee, if applicable), we will apply the following checks:

  • Is the previous education relevant for the master’s programme? In case of doubt about the relevance of your previous education, your application will be discussed with the coordinator of the master’s programme.
  • If applicable, are the academic requirements fulfilled (e.g. sufficient academic skills, GRE required)? If the GRE requirement applies to you, a sufficient GRE score report needs to be uploaded before the application deadline as well.
  • Is there proof of sufficient command of English? If an English language test is required, a sufficient score report needs to be uploaded before the enrollment deadline (31 August).

If the BoA needs additional information to properly assess your application, we will ask you to upload additional documents.

The assessment by the BoA results in either the decission that you qualify for admission to the master’s, or in a rejection. You will be informed about this within six weeks.

Please note: if you apply for a UM scholarship as well, your application has to be complete at the time of the scholarship deadline. Check the scholarship website for exact deadlines and the scholarship application procedure.