Well-trained and creative minds help us solve the public health problems of the future. Do you see yourself tackling the increasing incidences of allergies and autoimmune disease, working on emerging infections such as SARS-CoV2 and MRSA? Would you like to spend time on developing personalised medicine to treat cancer or chronic inflammatory diseases? Join our programme!

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50+
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Tailor your own Master's programme

Contribute to faster diagnosis of diseases and better treatment options

Emerging infectious are a threat to human and animal well-being. An increasing number of allergies and chronic inflammatory diseases have major impact on individuals and society as a whole. Knowledge of the immune system provides you with the know-how to develop potential health care solutions for cancer, transplantation and downregulation of a hyperactive immune system as for example in rheumatoid arthritis.

A unique opportunity to experience what it is like to pursue a career as a researcher.

This Master’s programme covers a variety of topics such as fundamental and clinical immunology, vaccines, immunotherapy, mechanisms of infectious diseases, molecular epidemiology of infections, virulence factors of microorganisms, and resistance to treatment. You contribute to the accumulation of knowledge that is directly or indirectly leading to faster diagnosis of diseases and better treatment options.

Graduate School of Life Sciences

Life Sciences is one of the four strategic themes of Utrecht University and is organised in the Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS). The GSLS brings together the research expertise and facilities of the faculties of Science, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, in cooperation with the focus area Infection and Immunity at UMC Utrecht. Research at the GSLS is highly interdisciplinary, because scientific breakthroughs take place where physics, medicine, chemistry and biology interact.

Infection, immunity, and the role of microflora in human and animal welfare is one of Utrecht University’s core research areas and the Graduate School of Life Sciences is home to a large number of world-leading research groups working in this field. This research activity also means that there is a strong tradition of dual programmes in infection and immunity at Utrecht University. The School’s research groups work on a wide range of diverse, multidisciplinary research projects, and you may take your internship with one of over 50 groups during your Master’s study. These research groups are supported by an international network of partners and collaborators and publish widely in the most prestigious global academic journals. Utrecht University also has strong links with the Infection and Immunity Center Utrecht, which guarantees a high standard of teaching and a stimulating research environment.

Introducing Life Sciences 

Every year all new Master’s students of the Graduate School of Life Sciences start their academic year with a mandatory introduction week. Introducing Life Sciences (ILS) is part of the course Life Sciences Academy and covers aspects of academic education, including science integrity, career development and valorisation & industry.

Admission

Infection and Immunity is a selective research Master’s programme. Do you want to know if you are eligible for this Master's?

Check the entry requirements

Why you should study Infection and Immunity at Utrecht University

  • Work in a lively research environment during your six to nine month internships. Gain hands-on experience of biomedical research in infection and immunity.
  • Infection, immunity, and the role of microflora in human and animal welfare is one of Utrecht University’s core research areas and the Graduate School of Life Sciences is home to a large number of world-leading research groups working in this field.
  • The annual scientific symposium is a particular highlight. This symposium is organised by Master’s students and features talks by international experts and poster presentations by second year Master’s Infection and Immunity students on their own areas of research.
  • Freedom to design your own programme, by choosing a research project and electives that best fit your interests. You also select 1 out of 9 thematic profiles which are designed to equip you with skills for your future career.

Follow your Master at UMC Utrecht

Students are able to follow their Master’s programme at UMC Utrecht, one of the largest academic medical centers in the Netherlands. UMC Utrecht focuses on a number of fields; selected students get educated by some of the best researchers in these research areas. Students get ample opportunities for excellent internships both at UMC Utrecht and abroad with our international partners. They also have access to the large research infrastructure and research network of the focus areas.

Using stem cell transplantation we can give sick children a completely new immune system, I find that very spectacular!

Lotte Spel, Infection & Immunity graduate. Watch the video on Lotte's research project:

World class university

Choosing Utrecht University means choosing one of the best universities in the country. Several renowned international rankings place Utrecht University among the 100 best universities in the world. Moreover, in a survey among Dutch professors it was proclaimed the best university in the Netherlands. The teaching environment at Utrecht University is international: half of the Utrecht Master's programmes are taught in English. The existing and former academic staff of Utrecht University include twelve Nobel Prize laureates.

City of Utrecht 

The University is situated in Utrecht, a lively student city located in the heart of the Netherlands. It is considered the ‘gateway to Europe’. An inspiring city which nurtures talent and creativity.

Key facts

Degree: 
Biomedical Sciences
Language of instruction: 
English
Mode of study: 
Full-time
Study duration: 
2 years
Start: 
September
Tuition fees: 
Dutch and other EU/EEA students (statutory fee, full-time) 2025-2026: € 2.601

Non-EU/EEA students (institutional fee) 2025-2026: € 24.432

More information about fees
Croho code: 
66990
Accreditation: 
Accredited by the NVAO
Faculty: 
Medicine
Graduate school: 
School of Life Sciences
Brochure: 
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