Biology and Education

Specialisation of: Biology
Degree: Master of Science in Biology
Mode of Study: Full-time
Duration: 2 years
Start date: Flexible, for international students preferably September or February
Language of instruction: English and Dutch
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 66860
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The Master’s specialisation in Biology and Education combines a one-year biology research with a one-year teacher training programme. This specialisation meets the requirements for the teaching qualification in biology, needed to teach in the Dutch high school system .

The Leiden MSc in Biology provides ample opportunities for students interested in molecular biosciences or in evolution, biodiversity and conservation.
The Institute of Biology at Leiden University has top research specialisations in evolutionary and molecular biology, while the Institute of Environmental Sciences specialises in research on conservation and sustainability.
The availability of extensive invaluable biodiversity collections in the National Herbarium of the Netherlands, the famous Hortus botanicus, and the popular National Museum of Natural History Naturalis contribute to an excellent environment for biologists in Leiden. Biology in Leiden is part of the Faculty of Science providing ample opportunities for crossing borders with other science areas. Furthermore, the close proximity of the Bio Science Park with its many companies active in the (bio)medical field and the collaborations with the Leiden University Medical Center enhance the study possibilities enormously.

The Biology and Education specialisation comprises a one-year biology research component and a one-year education component. It combines research training in biology (taught in English) with a second year training in education (taught in Dutch). Successful completion of this programme leads to the so-called ‘eerstegraads lesbevoegdheid’ (the Dutch High School Teaching Certificate).

Reasons to Choose Biology in Leiden

  1. No less than five biological research institutes collaborate in the MSc programme in Leiden, giving it a very broad and diverse scope.
  2. The multi-disciplinary character of the programme is further increased through collaborations between our research groups and other biological and medical research institutions.
  3. All MSc specialisations combine a solid educational programme with the focus on hands-on research, providing a balanced training.
  4. Biology in Leiden offers an international academic environment and world-class research.
  5. In Leiden, you can combine training in biological research with training in communication, education and science-based business.

Prof.dr. Carel ten Cate

“We are Experts on Evolution and Masters of Molecules.”

“I am very happy with our new MSc programme, which is organised along the same lines as our research. It has a strong focus on what I consider two of the most challenging and fascinating subjects in biology: understanding the processes underlying evolution and biodiversity, and the functioning of the molecular machinery of living cells. The developments in modern biology are, by the way, such that these topics show many crosslinks. We examine these subjects using a range of different model organisms and state-of-the-art techniques. Both require multidisciplinary research and at Leiden we are privileged to be able to do this through a unique collaboration between different research institutes. It is also particularly interesting that fundamental science is often combined with research that seeks, for instance, medical or commercial applications, or addresses problems and issues that are relevant to our society or our changing world.

All this, combined with brand new facilities for research in these fields, enables us to offer students an excellent, broad training in which theoretical courses go hand in hand with individual research projects at the forefront of science. Each programme has enough flexibility to cater for those who want to specialise in a particular area as well as those who want to combine various elements. As a scientist I think that the Leiden constellation has a lot to offer, and I believe it also creates a very attractive environment for many students!”