Biomedical Research

Admission requirements

As a general rule, every study programme comes with its own set of conditions.

Which degree is required?

The Master of Science in Biomedical Research is open to holders of a Flemish bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences. Students without a Belgian degree will be evaluated and selected by the Admission Committee. Other equivalent academic bachelors are allowed (including Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, Biology and Life Sciences), but qualification will be evaluated based on both scientific competences and practical laboratory skills of the students by our Admission Committee. At least sufficient levels of education in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, Genetics, Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology and Biostatistics are required. In certain cases deficiencies can be remediated. Students with sufficient proficiency in Dutch (B2) are allowed to follow part of the bachelor programme (up to·120 ECTS) at the VUB as a preparation for the master. Other students may compensate their deficiencies by taking online courses that are approved by the Admission Committee.

If you hold a foreign diploma (non-Belgian degree), you have to consider specific administration. Let us guide you through these steps:

Check the most important steps to consider

Are there any language requirements?

All applicants must provide evidence of proficiency in English. Prospective students can provide proof of sufficient knowledge of English as the language of instruction by meeting one of the following criteria:

1. having a diploma of secondary or higher education where English was the language of instruction;
2. having successfully completed secondary education organised (by an educational establishment accredited) by the Flemish, French-speaking or German-speaking Community;
3. having successfully completed one of the following language proficiency tests corresponding to the Common European Framework of Reference with minimum level B2: 
   • • TOEFL iBT with minimum level: 79;
     • IELTS with minimum level: academic module 6.5; 
     • ITACE with minimum level: B2;
     • Cambridge English Qualification Scale with the following minimal level: 170;

Certificates and other proof of language tests must be no more than five years old on the date of your first enrolment.

Note: if your proof of English proficiency or APS certificate is not ready before the deadline, don't miss it! You can always submit it later.

Are there any other conditions?

In addition to certified copies of diplomas and transcripts, your CV, a motivational letter and two recommendation letters are required. The Admission Committee may also contact you by telephone conference to assess your qualifications and discuss your expectations of the master programme. Admission to the master programme will depend on the evaluation by the Admission Committee.

How to start your application?

Two application deadlines apply: pre-admission deadline is 7 February (for non-EEA and EEA-students); full admission deadline is 31 March (for non-EEA-students) or 30 June (for EEA-students).

For a first admission only the pre-admission deadline applies. Solely upon a positive evaluation by the evaluation committee students are invited to apply for the full admission procedure.

Send your pre-admission package to: preadmission.bmr.gf @vub.be