• A bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences [bachelor Biomedische Wetenschappen] of a NVAO accredited Biomedical Sciences programme or an equivalent thereof from a Dutch research university.

• Research experience for at least three months in a final project (internship) at the start of the master's programme;
• During a final project (internship) and/or courses the applicant has acquired skills with respect to working in a laboratory for at least three weeks;
• In depth knowledge, understanding and skills (demonstrated by grades and/or ECTS) in: Immunology (6 ECTS), Pathology (6 ECTS), Bio-Statistics (6 ECTS), Neuroscience (6 ECTS) and Molecular Biology (9 ECTS) at the start of the master's programme;
• Grade Point Average of at least 6.0 (Dutch grading system; or international equivalent) at the submission deadline.

• A bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences or an equivalent thereof from a foreign research university.

• Relevant Bachelor's programme;
• Research experience for at least three months in a final project (internship) at the start of the master's programme.
• During a final project (internship) and/or courses the applicant has acquired skills with respect to working in a laboratory for at least three weeks;
• In depth knowledge, understanding and skills (demonstrated by grades and/or ECTS) in: Immunology (6 ECTS), Pathology (6 ECTS), Bio-Statistics (6 ECTS), Neuroscience (6 ECTS) and Molecular Biology (9 ECTS) at the start of the master's programme;
• Grade Point Average of at least 6.0 (Dutch grading system; or international equivalent) at the submission deadline.

The following requirements apply*: 

• IELTS Academic modules only, on paper or on computer: 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 for each separate component score.
  • We do not accept IELTS Academic online.
  • We do not accept IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator, or IELTS One Skill Retake
• TOEFL internet based: 90 overall, with at least 4.0 (new 1-6 scale as of 21 January 2026) or 20 (old 0-30 scale) for each separate component.
  • We are not able to accept The TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situation only:
    You are unable to take an in-person test on location because test centres are inaccessible or closed due to unsafe conditions in a country.
  • We do not accept the following types of test: TOEFL My Best™ scores (multiple test scores combined), TOEFL Essentials™  or institutional tests such as ITP.

• Cambridge English Exam C2 Proficiency, or C1 Advanced (180), with a minimum score of 169 for each separate component.

Note that English test results may not be more than two years old and must be obtained in one single test.

* New TOEFL grading scale 2026
In January 2026, TOEFL introduced a new grading scale. Test certificates issued in 2026 and 2027 will show overall scores in both the old grading scale (0-120) and the new grading scale (1-6). Component or band scores will only be shown in the new grading scale.
Leiden University’s 2026-2027 overall score requirements will continue to be based on the old grading scale. If you took your test on or after 21 January 2026, you must meet the overall score requirement shown on our website in the old grading scale (0-120), and the component score requirements shown on our website in the new grading scale (1-6).

*You do not have to submit an English proficiency test if you have completed your education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada) Singapore, South-Africa or Malta; or if you have obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate™; or if you have completed a Dutch VWO diploma or an English-taught degree at a Dutch research university or (for September intake) a diploma of an English-taught higher professional education (hbo) programme completed at a Dutch university of applied sciences.

For detailed information, including exemption criteria and methods of submission, refer to English language proficiency.