MSc Biology

The master's program offers three graduation options, each designed to prepare students for a scientific career in specific areas of biology:

• Ecology and Biodiversity: students learn research methods for studying ecology and evolution in various ecosystems, guided by expert faculty with active research in biodiversity and conservation.
• Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences: this profile covers animal and plant development, microbiology, and cancer biology, emphasizing laboratory skills for engaging in advanced research.
• Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems: students study tropical ecosystems globally, focusing on botany and zoology, with a semester spent in tropical regions.

The program combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, enabling students to engage in cutting-edge research across diverse biological fields. The course units develop your skills in indispensable aspects of scientific research:

• Master’s Thesis in Biology
• Project Writing
• Professional Internship
• Integrated practical courses and/or Field Excursions

VUB is a young university with a rich tradition of critical thinking. We do not accept absolute truths. We study the ever-changing reality according to the principles of free enquiry: free from religion, ideology and worldview, built entirely on scientific methods. At VUB, you will learn how to investigate scientific theses and to ask obvious and less obvious questions. We focus on open-minded research and respectful disagreement. With us, you won’t simply reproduce opinions, you’ll learn to argue your point. You will leave here with your own vision. Those critical thinking skills are a vital asset for a brilliant career and an exciting life. At VUB, you will find yourself in an open and caring environment. We embrace every talent in every situation and want to see everyone succeed, both on campus and in life. If you study at VUB, you are studying in the heart of Europe. You’ll be at home in a cultural melting pot, where you jump easily between languages and respect others’ customs. It’s not only Brussels that has a cosmopolitan atmosphere: our university does too, with students from more than 150 countries studying at VUB every year. Every day, we work with several higher education institutions in Belgium and abroad. There are internship and career opportunities there for the taking, in Belgium and further afield.

Application prerequisite for the program Master of Science in Biology is an academic bachelor’s degree in bachelor in science, applied science or life sciences, or equivalent. Equivalency will be evaluated based on the scientific competencies and skills of the students by the Master of Biology Steering Committee. You will not need to sit an entrance exam to begin the program. Proven English proficiency is required.

A number of scholarships and grants are available to students based on criteria such as nationality, academic performance, study programme and study level.

VUB and Brussels provide a firm foundation for a scientific career thanks to the knowledge and skills acquired, and proximity to potential employers. A large fraction of our graduates begin a research career, at a university or in a specialised research institute. Many others find a job in nature conservation organizations, NGOs, environmental protection agencies, natural history museums, public health institutes, and hospitals, or in industry at a pharmaceutical, biomedical, biotechnological, or agro-industrial company. In addition, biologists are involved in environmental policy and governance work at regional, national, or international levels. And biologists with a vocation to pass their knowledge on to others can start teaching. Regardless of your career choice, the knowledge and skills you acquire during your master’s program in Brussels will be a major asset.

High-quality, accredited degree programmes All degree programs offered by the VUB are accredited by the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO), ensuring that they meet the highest predefined quality standards. Alongside this official quality control system, the VUB has an internal Quality Control Commission in charge of continuously monitoring the quality of education.