Admission and application
Admission period
Dutch degree
- Start date
- End date
International degree, EEA student
- Start date
- End date
International degree, non-EEA student
- Start date
- End date
Radboud University has set a fixed number (numerus fixus) of 220 students for the Bachelor's programme in Biology. In case more prospective students apply, a selection and placement process will be carried out. Make sure to carefully consider the Regulations on Selection and Placement. Please check this page regularly for any new information for the selection procedure.
Admission requirements
- Culture and Society
- Economics and Society
- Science and Health
- Science and Engineering
With the Science and Engineering (Dutch: Natuur en Techniek) profile you are directly admissible, with the other profiles you must have Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics A or B, and Physics in your profile.
The colloquium doctum is a suitability assessment for a Bachelor’s programme at Dutch Universities. This assessment is initiated by the colloquium doctum committee of the programme.
As part of the admission examination for the Bachelor’s programme Biology, you must be able to prove that you have passed the following courses at the level of VWO (Dutch pre-university education) final examination:
- Biology
- English
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics A or Mathematics B
Mathematics requirements
You can only be admitted if you have a certain demonstrable level of Mathematics. If your level is not enough, you are required to pass a Mathematics test.
The tests that are accepted and the minimum passing scores are listed below. Please note: certificates of attendance or registration do not suffice.
- Online Mathematics Placement Test (OMPT), OMPT-A with minimum 65% or OMPT-D with minimum 55%
- VWO Mathematics A or B at (online) Boswell-Bèta, minimum passing grade: 6.0 out of 10.0
- Mathematics A or B at CCVX, minimum passing grade: 6.0 out of 10.0
Deadline
Because of the procedure and the preparation for the tests, we advise you to apply in Studielink between 1 October and 1 November, for admission to the academic year that starts the following September.
Application procedure
To apply, follow the regular application procedure at the bottom of this page. We recommend that you fill in/complete the online questionnaire (step 5 application procedure) as soon as possible after receiving it. If you have to take a state examination, you still have time to apply for it via DUO (in Dutch). This is possible from mid-October until 31 December.
All international degrees will be assessed by the Admissions Officer of the Faculty of Science to determine whether it is of sufficient level, or if additional conditions apply.
Diploma-specific requirements
Please download the diploma-specific admission requirements to check whether you can be admitted directly or have to take an additional test.
Mathematics requirements
You can only be admitted if you have a certain demonstrable level of Mathematics. If your level is not enough, you are required to pass a Mathematics test.
The tests that are accepted and the minimum passing scores are listed below. Please note: certificates of attendance or registration do not suffice.
- Online Mathematics Placement Test (OMPT), OMPT-A with minimum 65% or OMPT-D with minimum 55%
- VWO Mathematics A or B at (online) Boswell-Bèta, minimum passing grade: 6.0 out of 10.0
- Mathematics A or B at CCVX, minimum passing grade: 6.0 out of 10.0
Language requirements
To meet the admission requirements, a sufficient level of English proficiency is needed. English language proficiency can be proven via certain diplomas, or by successfully completing an English language test.
We consider your English language proficiency sufficient if you have or will obtain(ed) one of the following diplomas:
- A Dutch VWO diploma;
- An International Baccalaureate Diploma (diploma programme)
- A European Baccalaureate Diploma, with English Language 2 or English Language 1
- GCE A-Levels
- A diploma equivalent to, or higher than the Dutch VWO diploma, with English as the only language of instruction, obtained at an institution in an EU/EEA member state, Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America.
- One of the following diplomas, having passed English in the final examinations:
- Austrian Reifezeugnis/Reifeprüfungszeugnis
- Belgian Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs
- Danish Studentereksamenbevis
- Finnish Ylioppilastutkintotodistus/Studenterexamenbevis
- German Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife
- Luxembourgish Diplôme de Fin d’Études Secondaires
- Norwegian Vitnemal for Videregaende Skole
- Swedish Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskolan
If you do not have one of the above-mentioned diplomas, or if you're admitted and English is listed as a requirement in the admission email, we will require a certificate from one of the accepted English language exams below before the enrolment deadline (certificates may not be older than two years).
If you have any questions whether you qualify for admission, please email admissionsforbachelors [at] science.ru.nl.
Application procedure
If you wish to take a Numerus Fixus programme, you should be aware that the application process is slightly different. For example, you will have to take part in a selection procedure and the application deadline will be much earlier than the deadlines for other programmes, which is 15 January.
Steps
Step 1: Apply via Studielink.nl
If you wish to apply for a Numerus Fixus study programme, you will need to make sure that you submit your enrolment request in Studielink before the application deadline of 15 January. You can submit your request from 1 October onwards. When doing so, do not forget to list your complete chosen set of courses in Studielink.
You may not apply for more than two numerus fixus programmes per year
You may apply for a maximum of two Numerus Fixus programmes. However, you may not apply simultaneously for either of the following combinations of study programmes:
- The Medicine programme at Radboud University + a Medicine programme at another university
- The Dentistry programme at Radboud University + a Dentistry programme at another university
All other combinations of study programmes are permitted.
Please note: you must make sure that you have a DigiD account
You will need to have a DigiD account to apply for a programme in Studielink. If you do not have your own DigiD, you will need to request one via www.digid.nl; you will need to do this well ahead of the enrolment deadline. It usually takes five working days before you have received your activation code for your DigiD. If you do not live in the Netherlands or you still have to move here, you will not be able to use a DigiD and you will have to use your username and password to log in to Studielink.
Step 2: Complete the questionnaire (only if you are not directly admissible)
If you do not directly meet the admission requirements for taking part in the selection procedure, you will receive your OSIRIS Application login details by email shortly after you have applied. This email will also contain a questionnaire about your previous education. Make sure that you complete this questionnaire as soon as possible. We aim to send you the additional conditions that apply to your situation within three weeks.
Please note: make sure that you have met the prior education requirements before 31 July or that you have requested a postponement from the Academic Affairs division of Radboud University. If you have requested a postponement, the deadline for meeting the prior education requirements is 31 August.
Step 3: Take part in the selection procedure
If you meet the admission requirements and selection criteria, you will receive information about the selection procedure by email shortly after 15 January. This procedure differs for each programme. You can find all information about the selection on the programme page under Admission requirements. If you are already on the programme page, scroll down to read more about the selection procedure. You can also read about it in the Regulations Selection and Placement.
The selection procedure assignments will need to be completed in February or March.
Preparing for the selection procedure assignments
Please bear in mind that you will need to prepare for the selection procedure assignments. For example, the selection procedure may include a homework assignments or knowledge test; this may require homework. This means that you will need to make sure that you start your assignments on time. You may be required to send additional documents or information. If you miss the deadline, you will not be allowed to take part in the procedure.
Step 4: Receipt of your ranking number
On 15 April, the list of allocated ranking numbers will be published on Studielink. If you have been assigned a ranking number that falls within the number of available places, you will be offered a place via Studielink.
If your ranking number is higher than the number of available places. We will automatically place you on our waiting list. Do not withdraw your application in Studielink. If you do so, then we will no longer be able to offer you a place. If someone declines a place, does not accept a place in time or fails the final exam, their place will be offered to the next person on the ranking list. This means that you can still be offered a place after 15 April. In this case, Studielink will send you a message. So, keep a close eye on your email (including your spam inbox) and your account in Studielink. The very last day that Radboud University will still be able to offer you a place if one becomes available is 31 August.
Questions about ranking numbers
Questions about the selection procedure (e.g., questions about ranking numbers and assessment results) may be addressed via email to the relevant study programme.
Lodging an objection to an assigned ranking number
If you would like to lodge an objection because of the ranking number that you have been given, you may do this via the Complaints Office within six weeks of receiving your ranking number.
Step 5: Accept your place
If you are offered a place, you will need to either accept or decline via Studielink within two weeks. Otherwise, your place will be forfeited. If you wish to decline your place, you will need to cancel your enrolment request in Studielink as soon as possible. Your place can then be given to another student.
Enrolling in two study numerus fixus study programmes
If you have enroled in two numerus fixus programmes and you have been offered two places, you will need to accept one and decline the other within two weeks. If you accept the last place that was offered, the first place that you accepted will automatically be forfeited. If you would still like to take the study programme that you were first offered, you will then need to cancel your enrolment request for the study programme that you were subsequently offered.
For example: suppose that you apply for programmes A and B. You are informed in April that you have been offered a place on programme A, and you accept this place within two weeks. In July, you are subsequently informed that you have also been accepted into programme B. If you accept your place on programme B within two weeks, your place on programme A will automatically be forfeited. You will then need to cancel your enrolment request for programme B in Studielink. After all, you can only take one numerus fixus programme.
Finalise your enrolment
If you have accepted your place, you can enrol for the programme in mid-June. Please complete your enrolment before 31 August.
Links
Since Radboud University values small-scale and interactive education, we can only admit a limited number of students to this programme. In order to apply you must first make sure you meet the admission requirements of the programme. The application procedure then consists of five steps.
Steps
Step 1: Create an enrolment application in Studielink
To apply for a Numerus Fixus Bachelor’s programme, you have to create an account and an enrolment application in Studielink (the national online registration system for Dutch universities) between 1 October and 15 January. First you will be asked to fill in your previous education, then select the programme you wish to apply for in the list that appears.
You may not apply for more than two Numerus Fixus programmes per year
In the Netherlands, prospective students may register for no more than two Numerus Fixus (selective) programmes per year. When you apply for a Numerus Fixus programme at Radboud University, it is advisable to apply for a non-selective programme as well, in order to maximise your chances.
Step 2: Upload documents in OSIRIS Application
After you have created an enrolment application in Studielink, you will receive an email with personal login details for OSIRIS Application. You have 56 days to upload your documents and submit a complete application. After this period, if you have not submitted your application, it will be automatically cancelled.
You will be asked to upload the following documents:
- Scan of valid passport (personal details page only) or European ID card
- Diploma
If you have graduated and received your diploma, we require you to upload it to your application. If you have graduated but have not received your diploma or if you have not graduated yet, you can indicate this in the application form. In OSIRIS Application, please list the full, official name of the diploma that you have or will receive. Use the language and name in which the diploma is issued.
- Transcript of grades
Upload a transcript of grades for the past two years. Please also upload transcripts and diplomas from any post-secondary education that you have studied or are still studying.
- Sworn translations of diploma and transcript of grades
Translations need to be made by an officially recognised translator. Official translations are not required if your diploma and transcript are originally in Dutch, English or German. If your school provides English versions of your documents, upload those along with versions of the documents in the original language.
- Personal Statement
Your personal statement should contain, at least, a brief description of why you have chosen this specific Bachelor's programme and how it fits your previous education.
- Overview of education/experience
Please upload an overview that contains, in chronological order, information about your education and knowledge/experience acquired during an internship, training, or work; for example, a resume.
- Proof of English proficiency (see admission requirements)
If you must provide an English language certificate, you are permitted to apply without it. However, if you are admitted to the programme and a language certificate is listed as a requirement in your admission email, you will be required to provide proof of proficiency before the enrolment deadline.
- Nuffic Certificate (Chinese students only)
Chinese students are required to apply for a Nuffic Certificate regardless of the level and location of their previous education. The certificate is not required for the application, but if you are admitted to the programme, you will need this certificate by 1 June for the visa procedure. Find more information about it on the Study in Holland website.
Step 3: Take part in the Selection Process
If you meet the admission requirements and selection criteria, you will be sent the step-by-step guide by email to the selection process shortly after 15 January. This manual contains the exact deadlines and content of the selection assignments. You can also read about it in the Regulations Selection and Placement.
The selection procedure assignments will need to be completed in February or March.
Preparing for the selection procedure assignment
Please bear in mind that you will need to prepare for the selection procedure assignment. For example, the selection procedure may include a homework assignment or knowledge test; this may require homework. This means that you will need to make sure that you start your assignment on time. You may also be required to send additional documents or information. If you miss the deadline, you will not be allowed to take part in the procedure.
Step 4: Receipt of your ranking number
On 15 April, the list of allocated ranking numbers will be published on Studielink. If you have been assigned a ranking number that falls within the number of available places, you will be offered a place via Studielink.
If your ranking number is higher than the number of available places. You will automatically be placed you on our waiting list. Do not withdraw your application in Studielink. If you do so, we will no longer be able to offer you a place. If someone declines a place, does not accept a place in time or fails the final exam, their place will be offered to the next person on the ranking list. This means that you can still be offered a place after 15 April. In this case, Studielink will send you a message. So, keep a close eye on your email (including your spam inbox) and your account in Studielink. The very last day that Radboud University will still be able to offer you a place if one becomes available is 31 August.
Questions about ranking numbers
Questions about the selection procedure (e.g., questions about ranking numbers and assessment results) may be addressed via email to the relevant study programme.
Lodging an objection to an assigned ranking number
If you would like to lodge an objection because of the ranking number that you have been given, you may do this via the Complaints Office within six weeks of receiving your ranking number.
Step 5: Accept your place
If you are offered a place, you will need to either accept or decline via Studielink within two weeks. Otherwise, your place will be forfeited. If you wish to decline your place, you will need to cancel your enrolment request in Studielink as soon as possible. Your place can then be given to another student.
Enrolling in two Numerus Fixus study programmes
If you have enroled in two Numerus Fixus programmes and you have been offered two places, you will need to accept one and decline the other within two weeks. If you accept the last place that was offered, the first place that you accepted will automatically be forfeited. If you would still like to take the study programme that you were first offered, you will then need to cancel your enrolment request for the study programme that you were subsequently offered.
For example: suppose that you apply for programmes A and B. You are informed in April that you have been offered a place on programme A, and you accept this place within two weeks. In July, you are subsequently informed that you have also been accepted into programme B. If you accept your place on programme B within two weeks, your place on programme A will automatically be forfeited. You will then need to cancel your enrolment request for programme B in Studielink. After all, you can only take one Numerus Fixus programme.
Finalise your enrolment
Once you have accepted your place, you can enrol for the programme. Make sure to complete your enrolment before 31 July. Please note that non-EEA students should send in additional mathematics or English certificates (if applicable) before 1 June in view of their visa/residence permit application. Just like EEA students, non-EEA students have until 31 July to send in their diploma.
Questions?
Please contact us via admissions [at] ru.nl.
Links
Application and selection
Students who wish to be admitted to the Bachelor's programme in Biology for the academic year 2023-2024 may apply under the following conditions:
- You should register at Studielink between 1 October 2022 and 15 January 2023 at the latest.
- Students with an international diploma need to upload all required documents in Osiris Application.
- You should participate in the selection process. Shortly after 15 January 2023 you will receive a step-by-step guide with all the necessary information.
- You have received a Proof of Placement from 15 April 2023 onwards.
- You should meet all admission requirements before 31 July 2023 (or request for a postponement until 31 August 2023 at the latest). Please note that non-EEA/EU students should meet all admission requirements before 1 June 2023 in view of their visa application.
- Do you want to submit a request to deviate from the rules of numerus fixus programmes? Then read about the possibilities.
Information video
Find out more about the application and selection procedure by watching the video.
Important dates for selection and placement
- 1 October: From this date you can submit your application in Studielink.
- 15 January: Studielink closes at 23.59 CET for all prospective students.
- 19 January: You receive a step-by-step guide about the selection process and the selection assignments.
- 1 March: Deadline to do the selection assignments.
- 15 April: Ranking numbers will be announced. You have 14 days to accept or reject your Proof of Placement.
- 1 June: Non-EEA/EU students should meet all admission requirements to start visa application.
- 31 July: All other students should meet all admission requirements.
- August-September: Orientation week and start of the programme.
Selection criteria
The criteria for the selection process for Biology consist of:
- Score attained based on your vwo report grades (25%)
- Score attained in the motivation assignment and thorough orientation on Biology programme at Radboud University (75%)
All selection candidates will receive the Step-by-step guide Selection Biology Radboud University shortly after 15 January. This guide contains all the necessary information regarding the selection procedure, the deadlines, the different selection assignments and how to prepare yourself.
More information
Would you like to have more information? Please see the Frequently Asked Questions or contact us.
This information has been compiled with great care and should contain no errors. Nevertheless, no rights may be derived from its content.