Biology (MSc)

Why Leiden University?

Unique combination of knowledge and expertise through close collaboration

The MSc Biology programme is a collaboration between the Institute of Biology Leiden, Naturalis Biodiversity Center and the Institute of Environmental Sciences, giving the programme a broad and diverse scope. The choice of courses and internships is further increased by the embedding in the Faculty of Science and the connections with the Leiden University Medical Centre and Bioscience-based companies that are located in the Leiden Bioscience Park.

Array of disciplines

You can expand your intellectual horizons while deepening your expertise in an array of disciplines. You can learn about the fundamentals of Biology in a compelling and challenging environment. Disciplinary and interdisciplinary challenges provide a unique learning and research environment for our graduate programme.

Small groups

Courses and working classes concern small groups, while you are in one-to-one contact with a staff member during your research periods. We are committed to showing that a study in Biology is far from solitary and monastic, but rather that, at its very core, it is social and collegial.

International environment

The Leiden Graduate School of Science aims to provide an international academic environment with an appreciable number of master and Ph.D. students from abroad. Moreover the same applies to the scientific staff and the post-doctorate fellows. English is the language of the courses, the colloquia, the scientific meetings and the daily conversations in the research groups.

Faculty of Science

The Leiden University Faculty of Science is a first-class research faculty with an excellent position in the fundamental disciplines of science. The current research and education programmes cover the entire spectrum of science, including Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science, Computer Science, Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biology, and Environmental Sciences. Our science community is driven by their curiosity and desire to increase basic knowledge for science and to contribute to the great societal challenges of today and tomorrow. Our core values are scientific impact, technological innovation and societal relevance. 

Study at a world-class university

Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and enjoys an excellent worldwide reputation built up over more than four centuries. Since 1575 we’ve provided sound personal education for hundreds of thousands of students. We’ll do our utmost to give you the best possible support. And if you can and want to do more, we’ll challenge you every step of the way. For many years, we’ve been among the leaders in Dutch university rankings and we are currently to be found in a variety of top international rankings too.

More reasons to choose Leiden University