Neurosciences

Admission requirements and application

The Master of Neuroscience Program is a regular research-master for students coming from many different disciplines, but in particular those with a background in Biology, Biomedical Sciences or Biological Psychology. We are accepting applications for admission as early as January 4, 2010.

• Non-EU students can apply between January 4 – April 1, 2010 
• EU students can apply between January 4 – May 1, 2010 
• Dutch students can apply between January 4 – July 1, 2010.

In all cases the decision will be made within 6 weeks after application and you will be contacted personally by the coordinator concerning the decision.
Four general requirements apply, in addition to more specific admission requirements listed per region. Final decision for admission to the first year Master  in Neuroscience program will be made based on the evaluation of the admission documents, possibly in combination with a judgment of the student's motivation revealed by an interview.

General requirements and application

1. A background in Biology, Biomedical Sciences or Psychology with a Biological Psychology or Neuropsychology profile. In addition, we are considering bachelors from adjacent fields, including Movement Sciences, Artificial Intelligence, Exact Sciences, Physics and/or Chemistry. Also students with a background in Medical and/or Natural Sciences are welcome. Please submit an overview of your study programme

2. We need a complete insight into the student's bachelor training. Hence please sent us a validated list of your grades obtained during previous training

3. One or two letters of support, provided by qualified persons, e.g. supervisors of bachelor thesis or coordinators of major bachelor courses. Each letter of support should include affiliations, original signature and up-to-date contact information, including email and phone number

4. Please, also include a letter of motivation in English (of 1-2 pages) stating:

• why you want to study Neurosciences 
• why you want to do this at VU University Amsterdam 
• why you are a good candidate for our multidisciplinary program

How to apply

Students who want to be admitted into the Master’s programme can apply by filling out the appropriate forms and sending them in together with the required documents. The forms can be downloaded by clicking on the appropriate link below:

Application form for Dutch applicants

Online application for international students

Dutch applicants

Our Master of Neurosciences Program is a regular research-master program. Admission is not automatic, neither for students from VU University Amsterdam or for any of the other Dutch students.

However if you are interested in Biology, Biomedical Sciences or Biological Psychology and did OK on major bachelor topics of interest for our program, we will always seriously consider your admission. An important factor in evaluating your application is your own motivation letter as well as a letter (or letters) of support from supervisors who know you and your work. Do not hesitate to contact our coordinator or the chair of the exam committee when you have questions about your application.

Requirements:

• we are accepting your applications between January 5 - June 1, 2010 (decision always within 6 weeks after application)
• included in your application should be:
  - all information regarding your bachelor and/or prior training
  - validated list of grades obtained
  - preferably two letters of support
  - letter of motivation
  - copy of passport
  - CV
• applicants may be personally contacted for an interview by the master coordinator and/or members of the board of education

EER students (except The Netherlands)

Requirements:

• we are accepting your application between January 5 - May 1, 2010 (decision always within 6 weeks after application) 
• included in your application should be: 
  - all information regarding your bachelor and/or prior training
  - validated list of grades obtained
  - preferably two letters of support
  - letter of motivation
  - copy of passport
  - CV
• proof of solid comprehension and/or skills in English language, i.e. TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) minimal score of 237 (computer based), 580 (paper-based), or 92-93 (Internet-based), or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) minimal score 6.5 average without any category below 6
• applicants will be personally contacted for an interview by the master coordinator and/or members of the board of education

Non-EER students

Requirements:

• application between January 5 - April 1, 2010 (decision always within 6 weeks after application) 
• included in your application should be: 
  - all information regarding your bachelor and/or prior training
  - validated list of grades obtained
  - preferably two letters of support
  - letter of motivation 
  - copy of passport
  - CV 
• please provide insight in comprehension and/or skills in English language, i.e. TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) minimal score of 237 (computer based),   580 (paper-based), or 92-93 (Internet-based), or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) minimal average score of 6.5 without any category below 6  
• applicants will be personally contacted for an interview by the master coordinator and/or members of the board of education

Admission of Chinese students
Chinese students are required to contact the Netherlands Education Support Office (NESO) in Beijing about certification of their diplomas and English language test (IELTS). This regulation applies to all students with the Chinese nationality who are not living in the Netherlands. More information on the NESO procedure:  
 
NESO Beijing

Visa application closing date

The closing date for applications from students who need an MVV permit (for provisional residence in the Netherlands) is 1 March 2009. For information on how to apply for an MVV permit, we refer you to the following page:

Practical information

You can find out if you need an MVV permit by checking the website of Nuffic (Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education):

Dutch immigration procedures

Contact

For additional information on admission and application, you can contact the Master's coordinator Wil Smeets:
 
wjaj.smeets@vumc.nl