Biology

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

						
							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?


					
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locatieGroningen
diplomaBSc 
typeregulier, 180 EC
start1 september
taalvolledig English
opleidingsduur3 jaar voltijd
accreditatiesNVAO
croho-code56860
numerus fixusnee
honoursnee
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:
Ecology and Evolution
Molecular Life Sciences
Behaviour and Neurosciences
Biomedical Sciences
Integrative Biology



					

Waarom aan de University of Groningen?

The degree programme offers a wide choice of specializations that you can major in. During the first semester you will follow a broad based programme, after which you can make your definitive choice.
The biomedical science programmes have close ties with the University Medical Center Groningen. If you choose one of these programmes, you will spend a lot of time at the UMCG, for practicals, among other things.

Groningen also offers a unique Master's degree programme in Marine Biology.
Our faculty is the home of the 2016 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, Ben Feringa, and the Nobel Prize winner in Physics, Frits Zernike.

Studieprogramma

opbouw
1e jaar

opbouw

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.

Please be advised that students of the Faculty of Science and Engineering are expected to adhere to our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, ensuring seamless integration of personal electronic devices for academic purposes. For more detailed information on our BYOD policy, please visit our webpage.

						1	2
						periode
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

major Integrative Biology

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.

major Ecology and Evolution

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.

major Behaviour and Neurosciences

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.

major Molecular Life Sciences

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.

major Biomedical Sciences

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.

Onderwijs

onderwijs
bindend studieadviesBSA

taal van onderwijs	100% en
avondonderwijs	n.v.t.
afstandsonderwijs	n.v.t.

study abroad

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.

bindend studieadvies

minimaal 45 EC in de eerste 12 maanden

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.

Toelating en kosten

startmomenten

1 september 2025

aanmelding deadline : 1 mei 2025
wettelijk tarief : € 2601 (€1301 in het eerste jaar)
instellingstarief : € 13500
niet-EU/EER studenten : € 19800

1 september 2026

aanmelding deadline : 1 mei 2026
collegegeld nog niet bekend

toelaatbare profielen

VWO N&T	aangevuld met Biologie
VWO N&G	aangevuld met Natuurkunde

toelatingseisen

aanvullende vakeisen
All other profiles and their equivalents must be supplemented by Mathematics A or B, Physics, Chemistry and Biology

taaltoets
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/education/admission-application/apply-bsc/language

De stad

studievereniging

GLV Idun

Groninger LevenswetenschappenVereniging Idun is the study association for Biology, Life Science & Technology, Biomedical Engineering, and their connecting master programs.
The association organises various activities, from social activities, like our weekly drinks, or even traveling abroad. In addition, Idun also organizes career/education-related activities like company visits and lunch lectures. GLV Idun contributes to a fun student time by bringing students together, and preparing her members for their career ahead!

aan het woord: studenten en docenten

Thomas Westerhuis
Ella Rees-Baylis
Marloes Eerelman
Jorn Claassen

Thomas Westerhuis

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...

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.

lees verder ...

Ella Rees-Baylis

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...

lees verder ...

Marloes Eerelman

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...

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.

lees verder ...

Jorn Claassen

Jorn Claassen, student Biology

Keuzehulp

Studievergelijker

University of Groningen
Leiden University
Utrecht University
University of Amsterdam
VU University Amsterdam
Wageningen University

1/7 University of Groningen
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€ 303 gemiddelde kamerhuur

141 eerstejaars

56% vrouw

? uur contacttijd/week

100% Engelstalig

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2/7 Leiden University
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€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur

101 eerstejaars

50% vrouw

? uur contacttijd/week

50% Nederlandstalig
50% Engelstalig

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3/7 Utrecht University
Molecular Life Sciences

€ 336 gemiddelde kamerhuur

245 eerstejaars

54% vrouw

? uur contacttijd/week

100% Nederlandstalig

> bekijk opleiding

4/7 Utrecht University
Biologie

€ 336 gemiddelde kamerhuur

245 eerstejaars

54% vrouw

? uur contacttijd/week

100% Nederlandstalig

> bekijk opleiding

5/7 University of Amsterdam
Biologie

€ 424 gemiddelde kamerhuur

42 eerstejaars

47% vrouw

? uur contacttijd/week

65% Nederlandstalig
35% Engelstalig

> bekijk opleiding

6/7 VU University Amsterdam
Biologie

Keuzegids topopleiding 2018

€ 424 gemiddelde kamerhuur

25 eerstejaars

?% vrouw

? uur contacttijd/week

80% Nederlandstalig
20% Engelstalig

> bekijk opleiding

7/7 Wageningen University
Biologie

Keuzegids topopleiding 2020 84

€ 282 gemiddelde kamerhuur

168 eerstejaars

49% vrouw

? uur contacttijd/week

60% Nederlandstalig
40% Engelstalig

> bekijk opleiding

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opleiding	gelijkenis met Biology
Farmacie		bekijk

Na de studie

Beroepsperspectief / arbeidsmarkt

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!

aansluitende masteropleidingen

instelling	opleiding	instroomeisen
Radboud University Nijmegen	Adaptive Organisms	+ aanv. eisen
Wageningen University	Animal Sciences	+ aanv. eisen
Wageningen University	Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management	+ aanv. eisen
VU University Amsterdam	Artificial Intelligence	+ aanv. eisen
University of Groningen	Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences research	+ aanv. eisen
Radboud University Nijmegen	Behavioural Science (research) research	+ toelatingsgesprek + motivatiebrief
Utrecht University	Bio Inspired Innovation research	geen aanvullende eisen
Wageningen University	Biobased Sciences	geen aanvullende eisen
Wageningen University	Bioinformatics	+ aanv. eisen
VU University Amsterdam	Bioinformatics and Systems Biology	geen aanvullende eisen
University of Amsterdam	Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (joint degree)	+ aanv. eisen
University of Amsterdam	Ecology and Evolution	+ aanv. eisen
University of Groningen	Ecology and Evolution	+ basiskennis + motivatiebrief
VU University Amsterdam	Ecology and Evolution	geen aanvullende eisen
University of Amsterdam	Freshwater & Marine Biology	+ aanv. eisen
University of Amsterdam	General Biology	+ aanv. eisen
University of Amsterdam	Green Life Sciences	+ aanv. eisen
Wageningen University	Biology	geen aanvullende eisen
Radboud University Nijmegen	Biology	+ aanv. eisen
Leiden University	Biology	+ aanv. eisen
University of Groningen	Biology	geen aanvullende eisen
Utrecht University	Biology of Disease research	geen aanvullende eisen
Leiden University	Biology and Business Studies	+ aanv. eisen
Leiden University	Biology and Science Communication and Society	+ aanv. eisen
Leiden University	Evolutionary Biology	+ aanv. eisen
Radboud University Nijmegen	Biomedical Sciences	+ aanv. eisen
University of Groningen	Biomedical Sciences	+ aanv. eisen
VU University Amsterdam	Biomolecular Sciences	geen aanvullende eisen
University of Groningen	Biomolecular Sciences	+ aanv. eisen
Wageningen University	Biotechnology	+ aanv. eisen
Utrecht University	Cancer, Stem Cells and Developmental Biology research	geen aanvullende eisen
Wageningen University	Climate Studies	+ aanv. eisen
University of Groningen	Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology research	geen aanvullende eisen
Radboud University Nijmegen	Cognitive Neuroscience (research) research	+ motivatiebrief + toelatingsgesprek
University of Amsterdam	Computational Science	+ aanv. eisen
Radboud University Nijmegen	Conservation and Restoration Ecology	+ aanv. eisen
University of Groningen	CPE Track Health Systems and Prevention research	geen aanvullende eisen
University of Groningen	CPE Track Lifecourse Health Development research	geen aanvullende eisen
Wageningen University	Development and Rural Innovation	+ aanv. eisen
Utrecht University	Drug Innovation research	geen aanvullende eisen
Wageningen University	Earth and Environment	+ basiskennis + motivatiebrief + toelatingsgesprek + cijfergemiddelde
University of Amsterdam	Environmental Management	+ aanv. eisen
University of Amsterdam	Geo-ecological Dynamics	+ aanv. eisen
University of Groningen	Educatie en Communicatie in de Bètawetenschappen full-time,part-time educational	+ aanv. eisen
Radboud University Nijmegen	Educatie in de Bètawetenschappen educational	+ aanv. eisen
University of Groningen	Energy and Environmental Sciences	+ aanv. eisen
Utrecht University	Energy Science research	geen aanvullende eisen
Radboud University Nijmegen	Environment & Sustainability	+ aanv. eisen
Utrecht University	Environmental Biology research	geen aanvullende eisen
Utrecht University	Epidemiology research	geen aanvullende eisen
Radboud University Nijmegen	Filosofie van een bepaald wetenschapsgebied	geen aanvullende eisen
Wageningen University	Forest and Nature Conservation	+ aanv. eisen
Wageningen University	Geo-information Science	+ aanv. eisen
Maastricht University	Global Health	geen aanvullende eisen
Maastricht University	Governance and Leadership in European Public Health	geen aanvullende eisen
Utrecht University	History and Philosophy of Science research	geen aanvullende eisen
Radboud University Nijmegen	Human Biology	+ aanv. eisen
Maastricht University	Human Movement Sciences	geen aanvullende eisen
University of Groningen	Human Movement Sciences	+ 30 EC pre-master
Delft University of Technology	Industrial Ecology	+ aanv. eisen
Utrecht University	Infection and Immunity research	+ aanv. eisen
Utrecht University	Innovation Sciences research	+ aanv. eisen
University of Groningen	Innovative Medicine	geen aanvullende eisen
Utrecht University	Leraar VHO biologie full-time,part-time educational	+ 60 EC pre-master
Leiden University	Leraar VHO in Biologie educational	+ 60 EC pre-master
Utrecht University	Leraar VHO scheikunde full-time,part-time educational	+ 90 EC pre-master
University of Amsterdam	Lerarenopleiding Biologie educational	+ 60 EC pre-master
University of Amsterdam	Lerarenopleiding Biologie part-time educational	+ 60 EC pre-master
VU University Amsterdam	Management, Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in the Health & Life Sciences	+ aanv. eisen
University of Groningen	Marine Biology	+ aanv. eisen
Radboud University Nijmegen	Medical Biology	+ aanv. eisen
Radboud University Nijmegen	Medical Epigenomics	+ aanv. eisen
University of Groningen	Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences	+ aanv. eisen
Radboud University Nijmegen	Microbiology	+ aanv. eisen
Utrecht University	Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences research	geen aanvullende eisen
Radboud University Nijmegen	Molecular Mechanisms of Disease research	+ cijfergemiddelde + toelatingsgesprek + motivatiebrief
Erasmus University Rotterdam	Molecular Medicine research	+ motivatiebrief + toelatingsgesprek
University of Groningen	Molecular Medicine and Innovative Treatment	geen aanvullende eisen
Radboud University Nijmegen	Neurobiology	+ aanv. eisen
VU University Amsterdam	Neurosciences	geen aanvullende eisen
Utrecht University	One Health	geen aanvullende eisen
Tilburg University	Individual Differences and Assessment	+ aanv. eisen
Utrecht University	Science and Business Management research	geen aanvullende eisen
Utrecht University	Science Education and Communication educational	geen aanvullende eisen
Radboud University Nijmegen	Science in Society	+ aanv. eisen
Radboud University Nijmegen	Science, Management and Innovation	+ aanv. eisen
Utrecht University	Sustainable Business and Innovation	+ aanv. eisen
Utrecht University	Toxicology and Environmental Health research	geen aanvullende eisen

bron: doorstroommatrix.nl

Potentiële beroepen

beleids- of projectmedewerker

docent

ecoloog

gezondheidstechnoloog

microbioloog

milieuadviseur

onderzoeker

wetenschapsjournalist

bron: StudieData

Contact

Ask Our Students!
Like to talk about the programme and student life with someone currently studying Biology?
E: biostudents@rug.nl
studyscience@rug.nl Study Science
For general questions for all prospective students
E: studyscience@rug.nl
Academic Advisors FSE
W: Academic Advisors FSE

  Meer informatie?

  Bezoek de website van deze opleiding.


					open_in_newstudy website

Biology

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

Deze opleiding

Waarom aan de University of Groningen?

Studieprogramma

majors

major Integrative Biology

major Ecology and Evolution

major Behaviour and Neurosciences

major Molecular Life Sciences

major Biomedical Sciences

Onderwijs

study abroad

bindend studieadvies

Toelating en kosten

startmomenten

toelaatbare profielen

toelatingseisen

De stad

studievereniging

GLV Idun

aan het woord: studenten en docenten

Thomas Westerhuis

Being a student can mean so much more than just studying

Ella Rees-Baylis

Ecology and Evolution is really fascinating

Marloes Eerelman

I look forward to applying what I have learned thus far in a new environment.

Jorn Claassen

Jorn Claassen, student Biology

Keuzehulp

Studievergelijker

Kijk ook eens naar ..

Na de studie

Beroepsperspectief / arbeidsmarkt

aansluitende masteropleidingen

Potentiële beroepen

Contact