Epidemiology: Utrecht University

About the programme

The study of Epidemiology is an attractive option for students with a background in Biomedical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, or an equivalent degree, who have an explicit interest in applied medical or biomedical research and human or veterinary population medicine.

The Master’s programme in Epidemiology is offered in 2 variants: a 2-year regular programme, which is aimed at students holding a BSc degree, and a shorter, post-graduate programme (1.5 years), which is aimed at applicants who have already completed a medical or biomedical degree, such as physicians, veterinarians, pharmacists and candidates holding a MSc in Life Sciences.

The main components of the programmes are comprehensive theoretical education, a practical research project, structural and quantitative analysis of the literature, and the presentation of research in front of an audience. Both Epidemiology programmes offer five specialisations: Clinical Epidemiology, Veterinary Epidemiology, Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Pharmacoepidemiology, and Environmental & Occupational Epidemiology.

Entrance Requirements

To enrol in the regular, 2-year programme, applicants must hold one or more of the following:

• A BSc in Biomedical Sciences;
• A BSc in Medicine;
• A BSc in Veterinary Medicine;
• A BSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences;
• Or a degree from a university in the Netherlands or abroad which is comparable to the Dutch degrees indicated above.

Applicants with a BSc degree from outside Utrecht University will be assessed on an individual basis. Similarly, applicants from universities of professional education or laboratory preparation schools (HBO/HLO) will also be assessed on an individual basis.

The post-graduate, 1.5-year programme is open to students who have completed a medical or biomedical degree, such as:

• MSc in Life Sciences;
• Physicians (MD);
• Veterinarians (DVM);
• Pharmacists (PharmD);
• a degree from a university in the Netherlands or abroad which comparable to the Dutch degrees indicated above, preferably with at least one year of practical experience.

Both programmes require knowledge of basic medical terminology, explicit interest in (applied) biomedical research and affinity with one of the specialisation domains.

Proof of profiency in English

All other applicants, including applicants who hold a Dutch HBO diploma (diploma of higher professional education), must provide proof of proficiency in English. To do so, you are required to take one of the following English language tests:

• IELTS, Academic Module. Minimum score: 6.5 overall band, at least 6 for writing. IELTS is the test preferred by Utrecht University.
• TOEFL, Internet based. Minimum score: 93. Institutional scores are not accepted. The TOEFL institution code for Utrecht University is 9062.
• Cambridge Certificates
  • Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English at least a B grade.
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English at least a C grade.