Adaptive Organisms — Specialisation of Biology

How do plants adapt in areas with regular flooding or drought? And what are the consequences of an increase of water acidity for a fish or a micro-organism? In the Adaptive Organisms specialisation, you'll become an expert in stress adaptation of individual organisms. Next to in-depth courses about molecular physiology, ecophysiology and quantitative biology, you'll spend at least a whole year performing your own experiments. In this way, you'll learn hands-on to work with advanced equipment including electron microscopes and mass spectrometers and you'll develop a critical research mentality. Knowledge about stress adaptation is crucial for our society. Think of animal well-being, nature conservation, agriculture and biotechnology. Radboud University connects fundamental research to these real life situations, by collaborating with governmental organisations, NGOs and biotech companies. These are also the organisations where most Adaptive Organisms students end up after graduation or after obtaining their PhD, either as a researcher or in a research-related job such as policy officer or consultant.

Unique characteristics:
• This specialisation integrates all levels of organisation from molecule and cell up to functioning of organisms in their environment.
• With two internships, you’ll get a thorough background in academic research.
• You’ll work closely together with top researchers from the Institute for Water and Wetland Research (IWWR), which develops novel applications for problems of water shortage, pollution and floods.
• Radboud University just opened a new greenhouse complex and offers students the possibility to work with advanced research equipment and techniques, like electron microscopy mass spectrometry and next-generation sequencing.

Key courses: Orientation in Biology and Environmental Sciences; Quantitative Conservation Biology; Advanced Adaptation; Physiology; Microbiology of Wetland Ecosystems; Molecular Physiology of Plant Stress Adaption.

Admission requirements for students with an international Bachelor’s degree

1. A completed Bachelor's degree

Entering the Master’s specialisation in Adaptive Organisms requires a Bachelor’s degree in Biology or a related field of science.

An international degree has to be equivalent to a Dutch university diploma. The Admission's Office will determine if an international student has the required knowledge to be admitted, and if the student is required to follow specific courses from the Bachelor's programme to eliminate possible deficiencies.

1. 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)
   • An 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

Want to improve your English level for admission?
Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• Flexible study schedule
• Experienced teachers
• Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

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 in 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 in 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.