To apply for this Master’s programme you will need to register in Studielink AND apply for the programme at the Faculty of Science through DataNose before the mentioned dates, even if you have not completed your Bachelor’s programme yet.

Start your application procedure on time

We strongly advise international students to apply as early as possible and at least a week before the deadline as the registrations in Studielink and DataNose and getting all documents ready will take several days. Additionally, affordable accommodation is scarce in Amsterdam. The University of Amsterdam can assist in finding accommodation, but cannot give any guarantees regarding housing. Note that early applicants do have a slightly bigger chance in finding a room through the UvA than late applicants.

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

Deadlines

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.

1. Prior education

To be eligible for the track Freshwater and Marine Biology of the Master's programme Biological Sciences, you must hold a Bachelor's degree in Biology, or its equivalent. Our International Team and the Admissions Board will verify whether a non-Dutch degree is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree at a Dutch university. If your degree is assessed as less you are not eligible for admission. All international Bachelor’s degrees are evaluated based on standards set by the NUFFIC 

2. Grades and required level

We are seeking students who have demonstrated strong academic ability and can manage the high level and workload of the programme.

One of the key criteria we consider during the selection process is your Grade Point Average (GPA). While there is no fixed minimum GPA requirement, we assess your overall academic performance in relation to all selection criteria to make a well-informed decision. You are advised to have an overall grade point average (GPA) equivalent to at least:

• 3.0 (American system)
• 2.1 (a second class upper/division one degree in the British system)
• C (ECTS-system)

The GPA is the average of the bachelor’s course grades weighed by course/study load. Admission, however, will not be granted based on a sufficient grade point average alone.

Additional requirements

• You have obtained your Bachelor’s degree
• You must have completed a Bachelor's thesis (experimental work or field work) of at least 15 EC. The subject of the Bachelor's thesis must show affinity with Biological Sciences.
• You must have advanced (2nd and 3rd year BSc level) knowledge in Freshwater and/or Marine 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
• Study progress Bachelor’s programme
• Motivation

3. English language proficiency

All information regarding the English language proficiency obligations can be found here:

Deadlines for English test results

The deadline for submitting a sufficient English proficiency test result is the same as the application deadline for the selected Master's programme. Applications submitted without a sufficient English proficiency test result will be kept on hold.

Before you can apply to the UvA, you will need to submit an enrolment application in Studielink. Studielink is the national online system for students who would like to pursue a degree programme at a Dutch research university.

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 can select the track of your interest later on in DataNose.

Within 48 hours after submitting your enrolment application in Studielink, you will receive an email with your UvAnetID and an email with instructions for the next step of the application process. Follow the instructions in the email to activate your UvAnetID as you will need it to complete your UvA application.

If you apply for a master’s programme organized by the Faculty of Science of the University of Amsterdam, you first need to pay your application fee in SIS. You can pay your non-refundable €100 application fee* by credit card (Mastercard or Visa), PayPal, Bancontact or iDEAL.

Only after paying the fee, you can start your application in DataNose. It is not possible to start your application without first paying the non-refundable application fee.

Note that it can take up to 24 hours for your fee payment to be registered in SIS and you are able to submit your application in Datanose. Make sure to pay your application fee in time and at least 72 hours before the application deadline of your programme.

You don't have to pay the application fee:

• if you have or will obtain a bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university or university of applied sciences (HBO).
• if you have already applied and have paid the application fee for another master’s programme at the UvA for the academic year 2026-2027
• if you are an exchange student.
• if your tuition fees for the academic year 2026-2027 will be paid by the Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF). If so, your application fee will be refunded.

*The application fee is non-refundable. You are not entitled to a refund even if you do not submit your application form, or if you submit an application form after the deadline (which will not be taken into consideration) or if you submit an incomplete application.

Please direct all your questions about the payment of the application fee to the Central Student Service Desk.

Only after activating your UvAnetID and paying the non-refundable application fee, you can submit your UvA online application via DataNose.

Please make sure to upload the required documents in PDF format. Applicants who (will) hold more than one academic degree must merge copies of all academic transcripts into one PDF.

You need to upload the following documents to DataNose:

1. A motivation letter in English (max. 500 words).
2. Your Curriculum Vitae in English.
3. A copy of your high school grade list and diploma.
4. A copy of your Bachelor’s transcript in Dutch, English, German or French and in the original language, including an explanation of your university’s grading system.
5. A copy of your Bachelor’s diploma/certificate in Dutch, English, German or French and in the original language. If you have not finished your current academic programme yet, a list of courses of your final year.
6. A description of your Bachelor thesis/project in English (if applicable).
7. Two email addresses of referees. Please make sure they are notified and available for contact via email. We need to receive the reference letters within two weeks after submitting your application. In addition, no reference letters will be accepted/dealt with after the application deadline.
8. Proof of English proficiency.

Please make sure you have uploaded all the required documents, as you can’t add any more documents after submitting your application. Only your English scores can be sent in later.

If you have any questions about the required documents as an international degree student, please contact the International Team.

As soon as you have submitted the complete online application in DataNose, you will receive a confirmation of receipt. For this selective programme, you will first be informed about your eligibility. We strive to get back to you regarding your eligibility within 6 weeks. Then, if the Admissions Board finds you are eligible for this programme, you can participate in the selection process, which takes place in the first half of May. You will be informed of the results of the selection process in the second half of May.

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.

Important: students from outside the EU/EEA (including Switzerland) who are not selected for a place in the programme as a result of the selection procedure in May, cannot be placed on the waiting list because visa and residence permits can no longer be arranged for after this date.
You can track the status of your admission using the checklist in DataNose.

If you are conditionally admitted to the Master’s programme you will receive an admissions letter by means of email. In the letter you will find a link to DataNose to accept or decline your place in the programme. This has to be done within two weeks. If you have questions about this, please contact the International Team.

If you are (conditionally) admitted to a program, we must verify your previous education. Please click on the link below for more information on how to do this.

You will need to arrange a variety of practical matters before starting your studies. This includes your visa or residence permit, insurance and housing.

After your (conditional) admission you will receive information by means of email on how to complete your registration and how to apply for a visa or residence permit, if needed. 

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

In order to complete your enrolment for a degree programme at the UvA, you will need to pay the tuition fee.