Communities and Ecosystems

An ecosystem is a complex equilibrium consisting of numerous plants, animals and micro-organisms. In this Master’s specialisation you’ll analyse the fine balance between different communities in an ecosystem and how it is influenced by changing soil and water characteristics, different weather conditions and human intervention. With this fundamental knowledge, you can make a difference in nature protection, nature restoration or in nature-based industrial processes, such as water purification. 

Key courses: Orientation in Biology and Environmental Sciences; Quantitative Conservation Biology; Management of Ecosystems; Environmental and Ecological Modelling; Biodiversity and Ecological Assessment; microbiology of Wetland Ecosystems.

Admission requirements for students with an international Bachelor’s degree

1. A completed Bachelor's degree
   Entering the Master’s specialisation in Communities and Ecosystems requires a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Environmental Sciences 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

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 (€2,060 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.