MSc in Microbiology
Nijmegen, Netherlands
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Apr 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 2,695 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Application deadline with scholarship: 31.01.2026| Final deadline for EU students: 01.07.2026| Deadline for EU students who want to get assistance with housing: 01.05.2026
** Institutional tuition fee EU/EEA: €14,709.00 | For non-EU/EEA students: €19,714.00
Key Summary
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, for example in the leading research department of Prof. Mike Jetten.
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 Pediatrics (Radboudumc), the Department of Internal Medicine (Radboudumc) and the Department of Medical Microbiology (Radboudumc). Teaching takes place in small groups and in a stimulating, personal setting.
Facts and figures
- Degree: MSc in Biology
- Faculty: Faculty of Science
- Croho code: 66860
- Duration: 2 years, (120 EC), full time
- Start month: September
- Language of instruction: English
- Enrolled students: 20 - 40 per year
- Contact hours: 20 - 30 hours per week
Master's Microbiology: something for you?
- Work with state-of-the-art bio-reactors, electron microscopy and mass spectroscopy equipment, and facilities for molecular methods.
- Follow medical as well as general microbiology courses, which enables you to choose the topics that interest you the most.
- We offer internships at multiple research institutes, including departments at the University Medical Centre (Radboudumc)
- The research of our Microbiology department has won many prestigious science prizes, including three ERC Advanced Grants, a Spinoza Prize, and two Gravitation Grants.
Radboud Scholarship Programme
The Radboud Scholarship Programme offers talented, highly motivated, non-EU/EEA students with outstanding study results the opportunity to be awarded a partial scholarship for an English-taught Master’s programme.
NL Scholarship (for prospective students)
The NL Scholarship (formerly known as Holland Scholarship) is a partial scholarship for non-EU/EEA students who want to do their Master’s in the Netherlands.
Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships
The Fulbright Commission, sponsored by Radboud University, is offering scholarships for talented American students to study at Radboud University.
Deadline is 31 January
Curriculum of Microbiology
The programme of the specialisation of Microbiology consists of compulsory courses, elective courses, a philosophy elective, research proposal, review article, and two internships. It has a course load of 120 EC (two years). In the specialisation you will study the interface between fundamental, applied and medical microbiology. As a Master’s student, you will be part of a Microbiology research department that is at the forefront in the areas of environmental, medical, and molecular microbiology.
About this study curriculum
The structure of your programme is as follows:
- Compulsory courses (18 EC)
- Electives (18 EC)
- Review article (6 EC)
- Research proposal (6 EC)
- Two internships (2 x 36 EC)
After your studies
The specialisation in Microbiology is an excellent preparation for a career in research, either in academia, at a governmental institute, or a company. Our students also apply their academic background in a more societal context, for example as policy officer, teacher, or consultant.
Possible occupations
- Researcher at a university or research institute
- Risk analyser
- Researcher at a governmental research institute
- Consultant at a consulting firm
- Researcher in a company, either a large or a start-up company
- Policy officer at a governmental organisation or an NGO
- Project coordinator in water or ecosystem management
- Communications officer at an environmental organisation
- Consultant at a governmental agency, like a ministry
- Teacher in biology (College or secondary education level)
Doing a PhD at Radboud University
If you would like to have a career in science, it is possible to apply for a PhD position at Radboud University. Of course, you can also apply at any other university worldwide. Many of our students have already successfully secured a PhD position.