To apply for this Master's programme, you will need to register in Studielink and subsequently apply through the application system SIS before the mentioned dates, even if you have not yet completed your Bachelor's programme.  

Start your application procedure on time

We strongly advise you to apply as early as possible, a week before the deadline at the latest, as registration in Studielink and SIS, paying the required application fee and arranging for all documents will take several days. 

Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be considered for admission.

Deadlines

Applying is possible from 1 October on.  

EU/EEA students: 30 April 23.59 CET  

Non-EU/EEA students: 31 January 23.59 CET*  

* Are you a current Bachelor's or Master's student at a Dutch higher education institution? Then the deadline mentioned under “EU/EEA students” applies, i.e. 30 April 23.59 CET.  

Deadline with a UvA Scholarship 

Please note that if you want to apply for a UvA Scholarship, other deadlines for application to the Master's programme apply.

Prior education

To be eligible for the track Freshwater and Marine Biology of the Master’s programme Biological Sciences, students need to have a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Future Planet Studies with a major Future Earth, or Beta-Gamma with a major Biology, or an equivalent degree.

Additional requirements

• You have obtained your bachelor’s degree before the start of the Master programme.
• You must have completed a Bachelor's thesis (experimental work or field work) of at least 12 EC. The subject of the Bachelor's thesis must show affinity with Biological Sciences.
• You must have advanced knowledge (second and third year BSc level) in Marine or Aquatic Biology. 

Selection criteria

Up to, but no more than, 35 students are admitted to the Freshwater and Marine Biology track of the Master’s programme Biological Sciences. If more than the maximum number of candidates are found suitable, candidates will be selected on (in random order):

• Study programme
• GPA score
• Motivation

Before you can apply to the UvA, you will need to submit an enrollment application through Studielink. Studielink is the national online system for students who aim to enroll in a degree programme at a Dutch institute of higher education.  

Check your DigiD (before starting in Studielink)  

A DigiD (Digital Identification) is an online ID that provides access to government administration websites.  

• Students who do not live in the Netherlands can use Studielink without a DigiD.  

• Students who currently live in the Netherlands will need their DigiD to use Studielink. We strongly recommend you to apply for your DigiD at least three weeks before registering in Studielink.  

Important! While selecting the Master's programme of your interest in Studielink, make sure to select the regular programme (option 1). Do not select option 2 (after a temporary termination of enrolment) or option 3 (elective) if you are a degree seeking student. You will select the track of your interest later on in SIS. 

After submitting your enrolment application in Studielink, you will receive an email with your UvAnetID. This can take up to 48 hours. Follow the instructions in the email to activate your UvAnetID as you will need it to complete your UvA application.  

After submitting an enrolment request in Studielink, you will receive an email within 48 hours with a link to submit your application in SIS. To log in to SIS, you will need your activated UvAnetID. Please fill out the application form, upload the required documents, and submit your application before the application deadline.  

Please note: Completing all the steps may take a few days. You might also need to look for or request certain documents. We therefore strongly recommend that you start well in advance.  
  
Documents should be uploaded in PDF format. A complete application consists of the following documents:  

1. A self-written motivation letter in English (max. 500 words).  
2. Your curriculum vitae in the English language. Please ensure that all previous education, including high school, is included.  
3. A copy of your Bachelor's transcript including your GPA.  
4. A copy of your Bachelor's diploma/certificate or an official graduation statement. Please include a (self-made) list of courses in your final year, if you have not yet completed your current academic programme.   
5. A summary of your Bachelor's thesis/project in English (if applicable).   

In case any of the above-mentioned documents are missing, your application will be considered incomplete, and we cannot continue with your application.    

As soon as you have submitted the (sufficiently) complete online application in SIS, it will be evaluated by our Admissions Board. We strive to process each application within 6 weeks. Important: For this selective programme, you will first be informed about your eligibility and whether you can participate in the selection procedure which will take place in the second half of May. You can track the status of your admission using the checklist in SIS.  

Important: Students from outside the EU/EEA (including Switzerland) who are not selected for a place in the programme following the selection procedure in May, may not be eligible for the waiting list if the deadline for visa and residence permit applications has passed.  

Accept   

If you meet all the entry requirements and the Admissions Board has approved your application, we will send you a letter of conditional acceptance by email. Please accept your offer in SIS within 2 weeks. If you do not respond to your offer within 2 weeks, we cannot continue with your admission process. Please note that accepting the offer does not oblige you to start the programme. You will still be able to withdraw your enrolment request in Studielink until August 31st.  

Decline   

Please remember to cancel your Studielink enrolment request if you reject the offer in SIS.  

Defer   

It is not possible to defer your admission to the next academic year. A new enrolment is required for each academic year as entry requirements may change.  

If you are (conditionally) admitted to a Master’s programme, then do check your SIS application. The link in your checklist gives you all required information about the verification of your previous education.  

A student ID card is a personal card which serves as proof of identity for examinations or borrowing library books. After admission, you will receive instructions on how to request your student ID card. 

To finalize your enrolment in a degree programme at the UvA, you will be required to pay the tuition fee.