Species-specific Laboratory Animal Science
To plan and perform animal experiments you need two certificates: the basic course and the species-specific course
In animal experiments the well-being of laboratory animals is most important. To become qualified to carry out and set up animal experiments, you are required to have completed both a basic course on Laboratory Animal Science and a species-specific course. The species-specific course needs to cover the species you plan to work with.
- Suitable for:
- Experts planning and performing animal experiments
- Entry requirements:
- An MSc degree in a biological or zootechnical discipline or taking part in a MSc programme
- Knowledge of the basic biology subjects up to 18,75 ECTS (equivalent to 500 study hours) including at least 7.5 ECTS on Anatomy or Zoology and 7.5 ECTS on Physiology
- Entrance exam, more information below
- Start date(s):
- On demand
- Time investment:
- Look at each species-specific course for more information
- Provider:
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
- Fee:
- Look at each species-specific course for more information
- Extra information:
- If you have a Laboratory Animal Science certificate from before September 2018, the above mentioned requirements do not apply
- You can find information about each species-specific course below
- For more information about the course on Laboratory Animal Science (basic course and species-specific course on rodents and rabbits), click here

Entrance exam
There is a compulsory entrance exam on the subjects of anatomy, zoology and physiology. For further information, click here. The entrance exam is a multiple choice test that serves as proof of knowledge and must be completed prior to the start of a species-specific course. You register for the entrance test and a species-specific course at the same time.
Species-specific Laboratory Animal Science courses
At Utrecht University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine:
Other courses in the Netherlands:
Cancellation Policy
When cancelling a registration:
- 22 or more days prior to the course start date: you receive a full payment refund.
- 7–21 days prior to the course start date: 50% refund.
- 7 or fewer days before the course start date or no-show: no refund.
Dare to develop - professional education at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine