Microbiology

Microbiology at Radboud University focuses on the functioning of microorganisms and their potential for improving our health and the environment. Think of applications in energy-efficient societal waste processing or next generation vaccines. As the programme contains more than one year of academic research, you will gain extensive hands-on experience in microbial research.

The major topics of the Microbiology specialisation are:
• Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology
• Immunology
• Molecular Microbiology
• Medical Microbiology and Virology

Unique characteristics:
• You will follow medical as well as general microbiology courses, enabling you to choose the topics that interest you the most.
• The research of the Microbiology department at Radboud University has been bestowed with the most prestigious science prizes, including three ERC Advanced Grants, a Spinoza Prize, and two Gravitation Grants.
• You will be able to work with state-of-the-art bio-reactors, electron microscopy and mass spectroscopy equipment, and facilities for molecular methods. 
• We offer internships at multiple related research institutes, such as the department of Ecological Microbiology, the department of paediatrics (Radboudumc), the department of Internal Medicine (Radboudumc) and the department of Medical Microbiology (Radboudumc).

Key courses: Introduction and Orientation in Microbiology; Microbial Physiology and Metabolism; Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology; Microbial Cell structure and Function; Host-microbe Interactions and Medical Microbiology.

A completed Bachelor's degree

All students must have passed preliminary examinations in the following subjects, containing the subject matter of the following well-known international textbooks (or equivalent literature):

• Experimental skills: 12 EC of practical courses or an experimental Bachelor’s thesis on Microbial Physiology, Microbial Ecology, or Microbial Genetics or Biochemistry
• General microbiology: 6 EC e.g. Brock Biology of Microorganisms (Pearson)
• Biochemistry: 3 EC e.g. Principles of Biochemistry by Nelson, Cox & Lehninger (Macmillan)
• Molecular Biology: 3 EC e.g. Molecular Cell Biology by Lodish et al. (W.H. Freeman)
• Chemistry: 3 EC e.g. Chemistry by McMurry & Fay (Pearson)
• Mathematics, statistics or physics: 3 EC e.g. College Physics by Serway, Faughn & Vuille (Brooks/Cole)
• Basic understanding of the following subjects is required:
  - Metagenomics or genomics
  - Bioinformatics
  - Immunology

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

* 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.

Motivation letter

Please also supply a motivation letter (maximum 2 pages) that includes:

• A short description of your previous education
• An explanation of why you want to take part in this specialisation
• An indication of your future ambitions

Letter of reference

You also need to include at least one letter of reference from an expert in a relevant field, preferably your Bachelor’s thesis advisor.

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.