Top Master Degrees in Amsterdam in Netherlands 2019/2020

While the 20th century was the century of physics, we have now entered the century of the genome. Twin studies and more recently molecular genetic studies have highlighted the influence of our genetic code on our behavior and health. To adequately understand and influence behavior and health, we need to increase our understanding of the way our genes play their part, by itself and in interaction with our environment.... [-]

VU University Amsterdam is the first university in The Netherlands (and probably in the world) to offer a dedicated scientific Master’s programme in clinical experimental research in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. This Master’s programme is unique in its multidisciplinary focus on clinical experimental research in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. It addresses both biological and psychosocial factors and allows you to conduct a physiotherapy-related research project yourself. It is an excellent stepping-stone to a successful clinical or research career.

The programme is spread over 6 blocks. The first 2 blocks (September – December) are reserved for courses that focus on specific knowledge and skills regarding research methodology and movement analysis. In blocks 3-6 (January – June) you will prepare and perform a substantial, individual research project under the supervision of one of our qualified staff members. In addition, you can select two elective courses based on your individual interest. Another course in this period focuses on the process from lab research to clinical implementation. Throughout the programme, seminars are organized to introduce you to national and international state-of-the-art researchers in physiotherapy research. Various teaching formats are used, such as lectures, practicals, work groups, seminars and directed self-guided learning. These different formats enhance your theoretical knowledge and research skills and integrate those within the context of relevant physiotherapy-related problems.... [-]

Master in Oncology

Could the common cold virus give us a vaccine for cancer? Dendritic cells are specialized cells that alert the immune system to danger. Tumours interfere with this function, thereby managing to escape detection by the immune system. Dr. Tanja de Gruijl at the VUmc immunotherapy research group is trying to develop new cancer vaccines by using the common cold virus. This is just one example of the innovations being carried out in addition to traditional treatment methods.

Training a new generation of specialists to meet future challenges

Cancer is one of the main causes of death in the Western world. In our aging society, the number of cancer patients will continue to rise in the coming decades, since the incidence of the disease is higher among the elderly. Research into preventing, detecting and treating this disease will, therefore, become even more important in the future. Research into how cancer develops and the long-term effects of cancer treatment is also essential, especially now that more people are living longer after being successfully treated.Cancer research is multidisciplinary and takes place within a global network. Researchers must be well equipped to function effectively in such a demanding environment. The Master’s program in Oncology will provide you with the training you need to carry out this vital interdisciplinary work. ... [-]

Master in Neurosciences

Brain disorders, in particular neurodegenerative diseases and mental illnesses, are among the most prevalent and debilitating diseases of our time. They are typically caused by the interplay of environmental factors and genetic variation in multiple genes, which is currently being mapped by major international initiatives. Future brain research should therefore focus on integrative projects as a next step in characterizing this complex environmental/genetic interplay and in revealing how it translates into brain function and/or disease. To succeed, we need a new generation of neuroscientists capable of integrating information from genes and proteins to synapses, and from networks up to complex brain function and dysfunction. Are you ready for the challenge?... [-]

Translate fundamental research into biomedical engineering solutionsReady to meet tomorrow's complex medical challenges and approaches? The Master’s programme in Biomedical Technology and Physics* covers the fields of Medical Physics, Biophysics, and Clinical Technology. This combination will teach you how to translate research into the fundamentals of physics, biology and chemistry into innovative biomedical engineering solutions for healthcare. A multidisciplinary background like this will equip you perfectly for tomorrow’s approaches to medical research, in all their complexity. Biomedical Technology and Physics (BMTP) is a collaboration between the researchers of the Science department of VU and the medical centers VUmc and AMC (together Amsterdam UMC). ... [-]

Master in Human Movement Sciences: Sport, Exercise & Health (Research)

The Research Master’s Human Movement Sciences: Sport, Exercise & Health (research) is a two-year full-time program that teaches you how human movement works and how performance can be improved. The multidisciplinary program stretches from molecular biology to cognitive neuroscience and human motor behavior. Teaching and research go hand in hand: the vast majority of our lecturers are researchers at the interdisciplinary research institute MOVE, which is a collaboration between the Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU Medical Center, and ACTA (dentistry).

Structure of the program

The Research Master's is a two-year full-time program that aims at integrating fundamental scientific research with relevant questions from clinical and sports practice. You can fine-tune your own profile by focusing on sport, health, or more basic fundamental aspects of human movement. This not only applies to the courses you select but also to the topic of your research internship.Sport... [-]

Master in Health Sciences

In the Master’s program in Health Sciences, you will learn to analyze the various complex factors that contribute to health. You will go beyond individual health issues to tackle health problems in different ways. Obesity can be tackled through medication or stomach reduction procedures. Health scientists, however, look at other methods such as increasing taxes on fatty foods, reducing the number of sweets and soft drinks children can buy at school, designing residential areas so that there are places for children to play and educating people about healthy eating and exercise.

Study program

The aim of this one-year Master’s program in Health Sciences is to provide students with knowledge and skills in the broad field of health sciences. The Master’s program in Health Sciences is an academic program, it is aimed at professional careers inside and outside university research. It comprises 60 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits.The program is structured as follows:... [-]

Master in Global Health

Global health is defined as the broad field of study, research, and practice geared towards improving health and achieving equity in health. Global health researchers need transdisciplinary approaches. They need to cross disciplinary boundaries and interact with health professionals, patients, and others to gain an in-depth understanding of global health problems and to set out cohesive and strategic action to solve these problems. In the Research Master’s in Global Health, you will embark on an intensive study of cross-cutting aspects of health systems. You will obtain the latest insights, as well as design and implement interventions and innovation strategies to address these health challenges.... [-]

Master in Drug Discovery and Safety

In the Master’s program in Drug Discovery and Safety, you will examine the interaction between molecules and the human body from a range of perspectives: chemical, medical, toxicological, pharmacological and genetic. You will focus on a specialization that suits your specific interests while working in a multidisciplinary environment where you will be challenged to address key questions about the medicines of the future. Sixty percent of diseases are still incurable, so there are still a great many challenges for researchers to tackle.

The program in a nutshell

The Master's program in Drug Discovery and Safety is a two-year program worth 120 ECs. During this time, you will take compulsory courses in your chosen specialization, plus a number of optional courses. Your own laboratory research is an important part of the program, which you perform in one of the participating research groups. Moreover, you write a literature thesis on a subject within Drug Discovery and Safety research and you acquire general academic skills.... [-]

Cardiovascular disease is, together with cancer, a leading cause of death in the Western world. In the Netherlands, more than 100 people die every day due to cardiovascular disease. While patient outcome following acute cardiovascular disease has improved tremendously in the last decades, patients suffer more and more from the burden of chronic diseases like diabetes, thrombosis or heart failure. To improve patient outcome, more scientific research focusing on prevention, pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy is needed. With your Master’s degree you may contribute to further improvement of health care for these patients.

This is what you will be doingThe Master Cardiovascular Research offers you a challenging program with a high degree of freedom to choose among several specialized Master courses and a number of outstanding research groups for research projects. The program coordinator advises you during your career development and helps you to set-out a tailor-made programme of your interests. The Master Cardiovascular Research is a two-year international program of 120 ECTS and tuition is completely in English. ... [-]

While pursuing a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences you can opt to study a combination of different specialisations. The research specialisations will enable you to embark on a career in research. In the second year you decide on your profile, either with a focus on research or more into biomedical related specialisations. These specialisations will enable you to work in professions like policy officer, sciencific journalism or advisor, and the education specialisation (only in Dutch) will enable you to teach at pre-university or higher vocational education level.... [-]

Do you want to study in an inspiring environment and get updated on the newest developments in public health? Discuss health problems and exchange experiences with a group of like-minded health professionals from Mexico to Myanmar, from Canada to China, from Afghanistan to Zambia? Then come and study in our magnificent building in the heart of Amsterdam! Our Master of Public Health offers the following specializations:

The International Course in Health Development (MPH/ICHD) is an annual twelve-month Master of Public Health program organized by the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) in cooperation with the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). Health systems in developing countries face a wide range of challenges: inequalities in health and health care; the overwhelming problems posed by the HIV pandemic; health sector reforms; a call for equity and poverty reduction; epidemiological and demographic transitions with their double burden of disease; new partnerships with donors and other institutions through sector-wide approaches and Global Funds; the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; and a focus on quality of services and evidence-based public health. Providing an effective response to these issues requires well-trained professionals able to solve complex public health problems systematically and using a multisectoral approach.... [-]

If you are a health professional (for example medical doctor, nurse, midwife) and you aspire to develop or-/ boost your career in international health, then the Master in International Health (MIH) is designed for you. This Master in International Health is a flexible program, allowing for full-time or part-time study. It consists of a core course, advanced modules, and a research project submitted as a thesis. The program can be completed within 1 to 5 years, depending on your availability. The MIH is organised by the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). You can choose from hundreds of accredited advanced modules from the TropEd network. This way you can design a program that fits your individual interests and future plans. You study with like-minded professionals from all over the world and exchange knowledge and experience. Study at KIT results in lifelong friendships and contacts across the world.... [-]