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Name of the Masters programme
Science, Business & Innovation: Life and Health
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Science, Business & Innovation: Life and Health at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Curious about how to integrate both the scientific side and the business side into innovations?
Do you want to play a crucial role in determining the economic success of inventions?
During the two-year Master’s programme in Science, Business and Innovation (SBI) at VU Amsterdam, you’ll learn how to successfully introduce scientific knowledge and inventions into the market. This complex process requires the scientific and business worlds to cooperate to the fullest extent at each stage of development. The programme gives you the opportunity to specialise in one of two tracks, depending on your area of interest:
- Energy & Sustainability (E&S)
- Life & Health (L&H)
More information on this programme? Visit the website!
Science, Business & Innovation: Life and Health
The SBI Master’s programme is a collaboration between the Faculty of Science, the School of Business and Economics, and the Faculty of Social Sciences. And it’s the only such degree in the Netherlands, making it a unique proposition for prospective candidates. This challenging programme has been especially designed for students who already have a solid background in natural sciences, technology studies and science-based innovation studies.
Depending on your area of interest, you’ll take either the Energy & Sustainability track or the Life & Health track. The energy science track focuses on the development and implementation of sustainable solutions, while the life science track emphasises drug development, molecular diagnostics and innovative medical equipment.
No matter which track you choose, you’ll take compulsory core courses in the business aspects of, and science behind, scientific innovations. You’ll also follow courses specific to your track (some compulsory, others elective). Moreover, on the practical side, you’ll carry out a four-month science project, complete a six-month internship, and write your Master’s thesis.
By the end of the programme, you’ll have developed into a business-oriented and management-driven innovation professional, with knowledge and insight in natural sciences as well as the business and social science of your specialisation. You’ll also have the chance to exchange results, experience, insights and knowledge with your fellow students. Plus, you’ll attend Master’s group meetings to improve your communication and teamwork skills, and to help build your network.
More information on this programme? Visit the website!
Science, Business & Innovation: Life and Health
Professionals who are able to bridge the gap between the laboratory, the work floor and the boardroom are rare and are therefore highly sought-after.
As a graduate from the SBI Master’s programme, you’ll be able to introduce scientific knowledge and inventions at each stage of development – bringing all your stakeholders along with you in the process.
More information on this programme? Visit the website!
Science, Business & Innovation: Life and Health
I have an international degree
The Science, Business and Innovation programme is open to both Dutch and International Students. The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application.
In order to gain admission to the Science, Business and Innovation Master’s programme, you will need to have at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited research university including at least three full years of academic study amounting to a minimum of 180 ECTS or equivalent. We do not require a GRE or GMAT test score. A Bachelors' degree obtained at an applied university or higher vocational education (HBO in Dutch) in most cases does not grant direct access to the programme (only exceptionally high ranking students stand a chance of admission).
Specific requirements Science, Business and Innovation Master’s programme
The requirements to enter the SBI Master's programme are formulated in terms of knowledge, acquired skills and academic level. The main criteria are:
- basic knowledge on Bachelor’s level of mathematics (at least 9 ECTS), statistics (at least 6 ECTS), computer skills (at least 6 ECTS) and of
- business/innovation/social sciences of at least 24 ECTS.
In addition to these requirements, students entering the E&S variant need to have at least 45 ECTS obtained during their Bachelor’s degree on chemistry and/or physics courses (including thermodynamics). Students entering the L&H variant need at least 45 ECTS obtained during their Bachelor’s degree on chemistry and/or physics courses (including molecular and pharmaceutical sciences).
General English language proficiency requirements
VU Amsterdam requires all applicants to take an English test. You can, however, begin your application without having the test results. Exceptions are made for students who have completed a Bachelor's or Master's in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand or Australia.
The minimum English language proficiency requirements for admission to this Master's programme are:
- IELTS: 6.5 overall
- TOEFL Internet-based test: 92 overall
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): A, B, C
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): A, B, C
I have a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO) bachelor's degree (pre-Master's programme)
- Pre-Master's programme SBI
Students from science-based university Bachelor programs can enroll for the master SBI, after completing a pre-Master's programme (30 ECTS). A pre-Master's programme is also conditional for students with a (professional) Bachelor’s degree in Physics or Chemistry.
- Pre-Master's programme international students
This information is for students with previous education outside of the Netherlands. You do not apply directly for the pre-Master's programme. If you are interested in programme SBI you are invited to apply. SBI admission board will decide if you are eligible for the master programme or suggest the pre-Master's programme.
I have a Dutch university level (WO) bachelor’s degree (VU bachelor's degree, VU pre-Master's or bachelor's degree at another university)
Registration for the master’s programme SBI is open to anyone who is in possession of:
- a Bachelor’s degree in Science, Business & Innovation awarded by VU Amsterdam or
- a Bachelor’s degree in Natuurwetenschappen en Innovatiemanagement [Natural Sciences and Innovation Management], awarded by the University of Utrecht.
Students with a Bachelor degree from other Dutch University's, must apply via Studielink and contact the master coordinator. The master coordinator will decide if you fulfill the admission criteria. The requirements to be admissible for the master’s programme Science, Business & Innovation are formulated in terms of knowledge, acquired skills and academic level. In general, the main criteria are:
- Basic knowledge on bachelor level of mathematics (at least 9 EC)
- Statistics (at least 6 EC)
- Computer skills (at least 6 EC) and/or
- Business/innovation/social sciences of at least 24 EC.
In addition to these requirements, students entering the E&S variant need to have at least 45 EC obtained during their bachelor on chemistry and/or physics courses (including thermodynamics). Students entering the L&H variant need at least 45 EC obtained during their bachelor on chemistry and/or physics courses (including molecular and pharmaceutical sciences).
Language requirements
VU Amsterdam requires international students and students with a HBO degree to pass an English language proficiency test. This requirement can be met if no longer than two years before the start of the programme the applicant has successfully completed one of the following examinations with the minimum scores indicated:
- IELTS (Academic): 6.5 (due to Covid-19 the IELTS Indicator will also be accepted for admissions in 2020)
- Minimum Sub-scores 6.0
- TOEFL paper based test: 580
- TOEFL internet based test: 92
- Minimum Sub-score Reading 18
- Minimum Sub-score Listening 19
- Minimum Sub-score Speaking 19
- Minimum Sub-score Writing 23
- VU TOEFL ITP: 580
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): A, B, C
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): A, B, C
More information on this programme? Visit the website!
Overview of Masters programmes - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
More information on this programme? Visit the website!
Institution
Location: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam De Boelelaan 1105
1081 HV Amsterdam
Niederlande
Nord Holland
| T | +31 20 59 89898 | |
| E | international@vu.nl |
Facts about the Masters programme
Location
Amsterdam
Field of study
Business & Economics, Medicine & Health Sciences, Science & Mathematics
Degree
Master
Language
English
Start
winter semester - September
Application deadline
Type of study
Full-time
Duration of study: 2 years
Tuition fees EU: 2168 /
Tuition fees Non EU: 15320 /
Facts about the Masters programme
Location
Amsterdam
Field of study
Business & Economics, Medicine & Health Sciences, Science & Mathematics
Degree
Master
Language
English
Start
winter semester - September
Application deadline
Type of study
Full-time
Duration of study: 2 years
Tuition fees EU: 2168 /
Tuition fees Non EU: 15320 /
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