Please note: This page is aimed at prospective students. Are you already a student at Radboud University? You can find your current study programme in the Course catalogue.

Curriculum of Human Biology

The first year consists of three compulsory Human Biology courses and personal and professional development courses. You can compose the rest of the programme with specialisation electives, a philosophy elective and free electives. To finish the programme, you have to complete two internships, a review article and a research proposal.  

About this study curriculum

The structure of your programme is as follows:

  • Compulsory courses (18 EC)
  • Electives (18 EC)
  • Review article (6 EC)
  • Research proposal (6 EC)
  • Two internships (2 x 36 EC)

Provisional overview for prospective students

This overview provides an indication of the study programme of the academic year 2026-2027 and is aimed at prospective students. It is subject to change and no rights may be derived from it. Already a student at Radboud University? View your current study programme in the Course catalogue.

Total EC
120 EC
Compulsory courses
P1
P2
P3
P4
6 EC
  1. P1
6 EC
  1. P1
3 EC
  1. P1
2 EC
1 EC

Personal and Professional Development

Sometime during your first year, you will begin with the Personal and Professional Development (PPD) component. In the courses Career Orientation and Portfolio, you will reflect on your personal and academic growth throughout the programme, and receive support in making decisions about your future career, whether within or outside of academia.

Elective courses

Your core curriculum is supplemented by electives. The elective programme consists of Natural Science electives, a Philosophy elective and Free electives. You’re free to compose this programme as you wish, provided that the level and coherence is sufficient for the Examination Board.

Natural Science electives (9 EC)
You need to choose at least one course from a list of selective electives for Medical Biology. The remaining EC can be filled with academic courses within the field of natural sciences. You can also decide to use 6 EC as extension of your internship.

Philosophy elective (3 EC)
Choose one Philosophy course from a set list of Science Philosophy electives.

Free electives

You can add 6 EC of electives as any course taught at Radboud University, another Dutch university or abroad. 

Internships
P1
P2
P3
P4
36 EC
  1. P1
  2. P2
  3. P3
  4. P4
36 EC
  1. P1
  2. P2
  3. P3
  4. P4

During your internships, you will conduct your own experiments under the guidance of leading researchers from various departments, such as Human Genetics, Physiology, Nephrology, Haematology, and Molecular Pharmacy and Toxicology.

You have the choice between:

  • Two internships of 36 EC each
  • One extended internship of 60 EC, supplemented with 12 EC additional natural science electives

You also have the option to pursue your research internships at a company or abroad. For example, you can apply for a grant to complete an internship at the Max Planck Gesellschaft, a prestigious global research institute. For further guidance, you can reach out to the teaching staff or the student advisor.

About our research

Thesis & research
P1
P2
P3
P4
6 EC
  1. P1
  2. P2
  3. P3
  4. P4
6 EC
  1. P1
  2. P2
  3. P3
  4. P4