Molecular Mechanisms of Disease

All diseases have their origin in the disturbance of molecular processes. As a student of the Research Master’s programme in Molecular Mechanisms of Disease (MMD) you’ll follow an educational programme that will provide you with in-depth insight and research experience into the molecular processes underlying health and disease. Such knowledge forms the basis for the development of new therapies for cancer, metabolic, infectious and immunological diseases.

The MMD programme is part of the graduate school of the Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), one of the research institutes at the Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc). Research at the RIMLS is directed at elucidating the molecular basis of disease-related processes and translating these results into the clinic.

A key characteristic of the MMD Research Master’s programme is to offer a challenging and highly structured programme in the full width of the molecular biomedical sciences. 98 percent of our students so far have successfully completed the programme, 81 percent within two years.

Unique characteristics:
• Very intensive contact with established researchers
• Group-oriented learning and excellent academic resources
• Master-classes with top international researchers organised three times a year
• Free Dutch language courses
• Personal mentor to help students plan their individual programme of study
• Two six-month research internships, of which one abroad in a laboratory of your choice
• Highly international student group with a maximum of 24 students
• Intensive training in academic writing, presentation skills, writing of grant applications
• Translational bench-to-bedside courses
• Availability of full scholarships
• Free Dutch Language Course

Key courses: Infection, Immunity and Regenerative Medicine; Immunity-related Disorders and Immunotherapy; Metabolism, Transport and Motion; Metabolic Disorders; Cell Growth and Differentiation; Developmental Disorders and Malignancies; Excellence in Communication; Scientific Skills; Science and Society; Genomics and Statistics; Master-classes; Electives according to interest can be selected from other life science curricula.

This programme was designed for high-calibre students. Enrolment is limited to 24 students a year.

Academic background

Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree with a background in life sciences such as Cell Biology, Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or Molecular Biology.

Further academic requirements include:

• A Bachelor’s degree with results well above average.
• A strong motivation to pursue a career in research that is related to the molecular mechanisms of disease.
• At least two months of hands-on practical experience.

If you have questions concerning the relevance of your academic background, please contact the Academic Advisor by sending an email to: mmd@ru.nl.

A proficiency in English

In order to take part in this programme, you need to have fluency in both written and spoken English. Non-native speakers of English* without a Dutch Bachelor's degree or VWO diploma need one of the following:

• A TOEFL score of ≥575 (paper based) or ≥90 (internet based)
• A IELTS score of ≥6.5
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with a mark of C or higher

* Applicants are considered to be a native speaker of English if they are from Australia, Canada (with exception of Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, UK, USA or South Africa.

There are various scholarships available for studying at Radboud University. Some of the opportunities are described below. A full list, including detailed information, can be found on our scholarships and grants page at our website. 

Radboud Scholarship Programme

Open to a select number of excellent international students. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,083 2019/2020). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Orange Tulip Scholarship

Open to students from Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Indonesia, South-Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and China. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,083 2019/2020). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships

Open to excellent American students. The grant will be paid in 12 monthly instalments of 1,050 euros. International travel and the cost of the residence permit will be covered, and an extra allowance of €1150 will be paid on arrival.

Sino-Dutch Bilateral Exchange Scholarship

Open to excellent students from China. Consists of a contribution of € 16,113 towards the total costs of one year of study or research in the Netherlands.

DIKTI-Neso Scholarships

Aimed at lecturers at higher education institutions in Indonesia who wish to pursue a PhD or Master's at a university in the Netherlands. A DIKTI scholarship includes allowances for living expenses, insurance, travel costs, tuition fees and more.

Indonesian Education Scholarship (LPDP)

Open to excellent Indonesian students under the age of 35. Involves a full scholarship.

Holland Scholarship Programme

Open to excellent students from Canada, America, India and Turkey. Scholarship consists of 5,000 euros payed at the start of study.

Dutch Student Finance

EU/EEA students and Swiss students under 30 years of age are eligible if they are working at least 56 hours per month in the Netherlands, or have been living in the Netherlands for five years or more. Dutch student finance consists of four components: a basic grant, a supplementary grant (depending on the parental income), a student travel product, and a loan.