Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

M.Sc. in Biomedical Technology and Physics

Learn about modern-day clinical practice, problems, and technologies

This two-year program in Biomedical Technology and Physics is a collaboration between researchers from the VU’s Science department and Amsterdam UMC (bringing together two medical centers: VUmc and AMC). You’ll be taught by specialists who are experts in current clinical practice and will explain the (technological) challenges they meet. You will be trained to work on innovative solutions for complex medical problems from a strong exact background, especially in physics.

You’ll follow an internship as part of a research group at Amsterdam UMC or the VU. This is an important part of the program. You will use your knowledge to solve scientific and real-life problems and have a chance to improve your practical skills. Projects you could work on include improving the analysis of MRI images for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and the detection and analysis of body fluids at a crime scene. Another scenario would be investigating DNA replication with optical tweezers.

You can choose different elective courses aimed at deepening your hands-on knowledge of modeling and image processing, electronics, or entrepreneurship. You’ll then be able to choose between a more fundamental biophysical direction or one focused on clinical application. With the right choice of course this program meets the requirements set by the Dutch Society for Clinical Physics for admission to its training program in clinical physics.

Which specialization do you choose?

Choose a specialization that dictates the courses in the second year of this Master’s program. By studying either Science in Society or Science Communication you will develop skills to bridge the gap between science and society. If you want a teaching certificate for secondary education, you can choose an education specialization (Dutch only). You can also choose a research specialization to broaden your experience in that area, useful if you want to follow a career in academia.

• Research
• Science in Society
• Science Communication
• Leraar Voorbereidend Hoger Onderwijs in de Bètawetenschappen

A multidisciplinary program that covers three research fields

During your Master’s in Biomedical Technology and Physics, you’ll study three different fields: Medical Physics, Biophysics, and Clinical Technology.

Medical Physics deals with the study of processes in the human body. It also covers how to develop and improve devices to diagnose disease and/or monitor the outcome of treatment.

Biophysics has three key research areas: the development of minimally invasive optical imaging and microscopy technologies for the functional mapping of human tissues; the use of fluorescence and microscopic techniques for the study of DNA and essential proteins in human cells; and the use of advanced laser-spectroscopic techniques to study the interaction between light and biological matter.

Clinical Technology research is either embedded in Amsterdam UMC’s clinical and biomedical technology sciences or has strong links with it. You’ll be in close communication with medical staff and biologists.

Your future looks bright as a graduate of this Master’s program – a claim that is supported by the figures

You could work on innovations within the medical diagnosis, at a university, or in industry, researching ways to apply technology to treat various diseases. In such a capacity you could look at clarifying the molecular basis of different diseases; you could advise companies or hospitals on issues around management and medical equipment.

Graduates in Biomedical Technology and Physics enjoy highly favorable career prospects, partly due to the speed at which technology in the fields of imaging, analytical methods, bio-informatics, and molecular research is developing. Another reason for the high demand for their skills is the recent developments around social issues, such as the aging population or the drive for more efficient healthcare. As a specialist, you will also be in demand in interdisciplinary environments.

What can you do after your Master's degree?

Start working

A Master’s degree in Biomedical Technology and Physics means allows you to work on research in a clinical environment, medical research institutes, or in biomedical and pharmaceutical companies. You could become a product manager, developer, consultant, or researcher.

Following a PhD-programme

If you want to specialize further, you’ll now have an excellent basis to take part in a PhD-programme, either within our own research groups or in other research institutes. A Ph.D. program allows you to spend four years on a specific research question, giving you the expertise you need to become part of an international research network.

For more information about our (upcoming) open days and webinars please visit us

Each year we organise an online session for aspiring Master's students that covers all you need to know about the application process and beyond. This year, the International Master's webinar will take place on Tuesday 15 October at 16:00 (CET).

During the webinar, you will have the opportunity to:

• Discover what it is like to study at VU Amsterdam;
• Learn everything you need to know about the admission and application process;
• Get the latest insights on scholarship opportunities;
• Hear first-hand experiences from one of our current international students about being a student in the Netherlands' dynamic capital city.