What are the effects of climate change on marine life? What causes a disease like cancer and how can you prevent or cure it? What happens in the brain while you are asleep?
The field of Biology is concerned with how plants, animals and humans are made up and how they function. The difference with biology at secondary school is that this degree programme involves more exact science: you will study more mathematics, physics and chemistry. Scientists are expanding their horizons more and more. As a biologist, you will increasingly work together with scientists of other disciplines. This interaction will provide you with useful knowledge.
Choose the Major that suits you best!
Many universities offer degree programmes in Biology. The big advantage of studying in Groningen is that you can choose the exact specialization that suits you best. After the broad-based first semester, which comprises course units that cover virtually all aspects of biology, you will choose a specialization that you are interested in, for example Ecology and Evolution or Biomedical Sciences.
The second year is when you make your definitive choice of Major. You can choose from the following five Majors:
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | ||
| Basic Cell and Molecular Biology | ||||
| Biostatistics 1 | ||||
| First year symposium | ||||
| Genetics, Ecology and Evolution | ||||
| Lab course | ||||
| Microbiology | ||||
| Physiology | ||||
| Behavioural Neurosciences | ||||
| Biochemistry and Cell Biology in Ecology and Evolution | ||||
| Cell Biology and Immunology | ||||
| Ecophysiology of Plants and Animals | ||||
| Evolutionary Ecology | ||||
| Metabolism | ||||
| Molecules of Life | ||||
| Research Skills in Ecology and Evolution 1,2 & 3 | ||||
| Research Skills in Life Sciences 1,2 & 3 | ||||
The first, broad-based semester is identical for all students and helps you to familiarize yourself with the various fields within the domain of biology. After this semester, you will choose a Major. During the first three semesters, you will follow many compulsory course units. Afterwards, you will be able to choose from many electives and set out your own route to gaining your degree. How much electives you can choose depends on your major of choice.
During the first semester of the third year, you will follow a
Minor to broaden or deepen your knowledge. Your Bachelor's degree
programme will be finished with a Bachelor's project within your
chosen Major. The vast majority of your lecturers are involved in
research in some way. Their research will help you to become
acquainted with the many current developments in the field of life
sciences.
Every year consists of 60 ECTS (study credit points). Most courses
are good for 5 ECTS.
| Programme options |
|---|
| Integrative Biology (major) This Major is an excellent choice for students who are looking for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives in biology. You will use these perspectives to unravel the complexity of biology. The Major offers a great deal of options to choose from, so you can compile a personal study programme that is perfectly tailored to your own interests. |
| Ecology and Evolution (major) This Major is designed for students who are interested in studying organisms in their natural habitats. You will learn how different species interact with their environment and their ecological partners, and how this network supports biodiversity, resilience and ecosystems. |
| Behaviour and Neurosciences (major) This Major is for students who want to know how the brain works and/or why animals and humans behave the way that they do. It will help you to understand how all kinds of factors affect behaviour, such as nurture conditions, the environment and endogenous aspects. |
| Molecular Life Sciences (major) This Major is perfect if you are interested in the molecular processes on which all life forms are based. You will learn about the functioning of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in their environment. You will also learn about the tools that you need to study these processes, such as computational tools to analyse the increasingly large and complex datasets that are generated in modern biological research. |
| Biomedical Sciences (major) This Major focuses on human beings as a biological creature. Medical biologists want to understand the biological basis of diseases in humans and how these diseases develop until observable complaints occur. Their aim is to develop better diagnostic and therapeutic programmes. |
Students have the possibility to study abroad during their minor programme (30 ECTS) in the first semester of the third year of the Bachelor's degree programme.
Biologie
Natuurkunde
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| additional subject |
All other profiles and their equivalents must be supplemented by Mathematics A or B, Physics, Chemistry and Biology |
| language test |
Language proficiency certificate for English (except for applicants with a Dutch pre-university education (VWO) as well as the exemptions listed on the language exemptions webpage). More info: https://www.rug.nl/fse/programme/admissions/bsc/language |
| other admission requirements |
Before you apply! When you cannot fulfil the vwo requirement, due to deficient profile or if you want to be admitted on the basis of a successfully passed first year of HBO or colloquium doctum, you need to submit an additional admission request via the Admission Board Bachelor programmes. Please go to this website for more information. |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Secondary education equivalent to Dutch pre-university education (vwo) is required. A list of qualifications that are considered equivalent to pre-university education in the Netherlands can be found here: https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/procedures/application-informatie/with-non-dutch-diploma/entry-requirements/bachelor-entry-requirements/vwo-equivalent-qualifications If you have any questions concerning admission to the programme, please contact our Admissions Office: https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/contact/ |
| additional subject |
Sufficient background knowledge in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics is required. The Admissions Board will determine whether your background knowledge in these subjects is sufficient to start the Bachelor's degree programme of your choice. |
| language test |
You will need to submit proof of English proficiency in accordance with the requirements of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Please find our English language requirements (exemptions, IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge and more) on this page: https://www.rug.nl/fse/programme/admissions/bsc/language |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| Nationality | Year | Fee | Programme form |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA | 2024-2025 | € 2530 | full-time |
| non-EU/EEA | 2024-2025 | € 19300 | full-time |
Practical information for:
When you study Biology, you develop a scientific way of thinking that will help you to solve biology-related questions and problems. This analytical perspective is useful in all kinds of jobs, so you will have plenty of career options after graduating.
Many options
A biology degree gives you a wealth of excellent options. Some biologists become policy advisors in an organization or company, or find a job as a press officer, teacher, educational consultant or scientific journalist. A small number of biologists work in the corporate sector, for example as clinical research associates. In short, you will be eligible for a wide range of positions in all kinds of companies and organizations.
Want to become a researcher?
A lot of biologists work as researchers, either for a short while or as a long-term career. The type of research will depend on the discipline in which you specialize and the themes that play a role in your working environment. There are various types of research. For example, you could study the brain at the University Medical Center Groningen, or help to unravel the structure of genes in a laboratory. You could study the effects of gas drilling on the marine environment for the NAM, or coordinate research on the influence of large grazers on vulnerable ecosystems for a conservation organization. Or you could gather information about forgotten crops that could thrive with little or no pesticides in our changing climate. These are all examples of research. What you achieve with this research will depend on yourself and the world around you. It’s up to you!
Our academic educational programme in Biology is strongly linked to our research programme. We consider it important that our students are exposed to the latest research developments throughout the course of their studies.
In the Biology Bachelor’s degree programme, each student has the opportunity to conduct research to broaden their academic development. In lectures, lab courses and your own research project, you will be instructed by, and closely work together with, the scientific staff of our research institutes. These researchers are true specialists, and belong to the global experts in their respective fields.
In Groningen, research in the biology field is organized in two research institutes: the Groningen Institute of Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES) and the Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB). If you choose the major in Biomedical Sciences you will also work closely together with biomedical researchers in/from the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG).
GELIFES fills a special niche in the field of life sciences that not only encompasses neuroscience, evolutionary and ecological approaches, but also focuses on the integration of these fields.
GBB is a center for top-notch research and teaching in biomolecular sciences, hosting the subdisciplines of biochemistry, bioinformatics, biophysical chemistry, cell biology, chemical biology, enzymology, genetics, microbiology and systems biology. The focus is on curiosity-driven science, with application outlets into (industrial) biotechnology and biomedicine.
Interested in reading more about GELIFES, GBB and biomedical research in the UMCG? You can find more information about our research at:
Gelifes
Groningen Biomolecular
Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB)
UMCG Research
Institutes
Jorn Claassen, student Biology
Ecology and Evolution is really fascinating
Studying Biology in Groningen attracted me because you get lots of choice in relation to which areas of biology you''d like to study. This flexibility was important for me as I did not know what aspect of biology I wanted to major in. But from trying all the various courses in the first semester, I decided to major into Ecology and Evolution, which is really fascinating, as you get to study ecology on the molecular levels but also in terms of large ecosystems over lifetimes.
Also, Groningen is an amazing city, plus I feel particularly welcomed as an international student. I now live in a nice house in a village just outside the city, and really enjoy cycling to the Zernike Campus or to the city centre each day.
Being a student can mean so much more than just studying
Hello! My name is Thomas Westerhuis, I am a 22-year-old student and I have been living in Groningen for four and a half years. I started studying at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences, where I did the Bachelor's programme in Biology and Medical Laboratory Research.
During those years, I developed a love for the complexity that life has to offer. The unlimited processes that need to work together flawlessly to keep the biological cell functioning have always inspired my awe and wonder. Based on these interests, it was only natural to start the Life Science and Technology programme at the University of Groningen.
Besides studying, Groningen has a lot of different aspects to offer to give you a full student life. During your studies, you can embark on various social, sport, or other activities which allow you to meet a lot of different people. As for me, I became enthused by GLV Idun, the study association for the Biology, Biomedical Engineering, and Life Science and Technology programmes. This year I became part of the board as chair of the association. As chairman, it is my job to manage the association and the board. My main occupation is making sure that the day-to-day tasks are fulfilled, but I also ensure that we reach the goals set in our policy, and make sure that we keep track of our long-term vision.
I would recommend that you become active during your time at the University, as being a student can mean so much more than just studying. Whether you join a committee, a board, or a student assistantship at the University. Judging from my own experience, such positions can greatly benefit your personal, social, and organizational skills. Above all, I want to emphasize that it is also a lot of fun to take these kinds of responsibilities.
I look forward to applying what I have learned thus far in a new environment.
During high school, I developed an interest in the antibiotic crisis and became increasingly curious about the underlying biological mechanisms of this problem. Biology with the major biomedical sciences or medicine seemed like a good next step for me. I ended up studying neither. The biology programme in Groningen has a broad first year with mandatory course units before you pick a major. During this time I took some courses in molecular biology that convinced me to take the Molecular Life Sciences (MLS) major instead. This track has given me a good understanding of cell biology and the underlying mechanisms of life we find across the phylogenetic tree.
Most of the time, my coursework was divided into full-time 3 week courses. I have experienced the pros and cons of this model. On the one hand, it allowed me to focus on one subject at a time. On the other hand, there is little time for relaxation during the course and you must start studying on day 1 if you want to succeed. There is less lab work in the programme than I anticipated. Most of my days involve a 2-hour lecture and 4-6 hours of independent study, with the occasional lab or tutorial. I enjoy spending those hours in the University library, in one of Groningen’s cozy cafes or on campus.
Next semester I am going on an international exchange programme through the international office of our faculty. I look forward to applying what I have learned thus far in a new environment.
You will be offered study advice after first year of study. You can expect a positive result if you have earned more than 45 ECTS credit points (out of a total of 60 ECTS). If you have earned fewer than 45 ECTS and are issued a negative result, you will not be allowed to continue with your degree programme.
You will receive preliminary study advice in December to make sure that you know where you stand. Please contact your study advisor as soon as possible if you have any questions about the BSA system.
N.B. Some degree programmes use a tutoring system; please check with your study advisor.
