Please note: This programme has been phased out.

This programme is no longer open for applications. 
Please check out the new Master’s programme Cardiovascular Health and Disease.

If you are a current student of Biology of Disease, please visit the students website.

Explore the intersection of basic and clinical research

Biology of Disease positions you at the cutting edge of basic and clinical science, in particular in the cardiovascular research field. You study disease mechanisms in the broadest sense, and learn to conduct (cardiovascular) disease-related translational research in cooperation with clinical and pre-clinical staff.

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Opportunity to choose between two tracks
Icon earth black, Utrecht University
No. 1
University in the Netherlands
Shanghai Ranking 2019

Learn to translate a disease into a scientifically sound experiment or model or the other way around. Expand your knowledge concerning the disease or build bridges towards therapeutic leads by studying underlying mechanisms of the disease. Our various research projects focus on different subjects and diseases, allowing you to gain experience in multiple labs.

Become an expert of cardiovascular diseases

We offer the option to put additional focus on cardiovascular diseases by following our cardiovascular track. It’s an excellent preparation to flow smoothly towards the PhD programme Cardiovascular Research.

The internships were fundamental for getting to where I am today.

Why you should study Biology of Disease at Utrecht University

  • Compared to other Master’s programmes in (cardiovascular) disease mechanisms in the Netherlands, our programme in Utrecht allows you to become an expert in the cardiovascular research field.
  • It gives you the opportunity to compose a personalised programme of multiple clinical specialties within disease biology.
  • Carry out two hands-on research projects at research groups and do your minor research project abroad to gain additional skills and an international perspective on your chosen specialisation.
  • Benefit from a solid mentoring system. Discuss your study progress with the Programme Coordinator and work under the supervision of a PhD student or post-doc from amongst our enthusiastic and international staff.

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.

Our programme allows you to become an expert in the cardiovascular research field by choosing the Cardiovascular Research track, but also to focus on multiple clinical specialties within disease biology. This is possible through strong interconnections in all main research programmes of the University Medical Center Utrecht, including the Circulatory Health research programme, and close contact with other participating faculties located nearby on campus.

In this programme, you develop the skills to translate fundamental research into pathophysiology and anatomy of organs and organ systems (human and animal). You also have the freedom to choose subjects and tailor your programme to your personal interests. Courses from this programme offer you an in-depth education in cardiovascular fields such as imaging, immunology, haemostasis and regenerative medicine, but also education with a broad perspective such as metabolic pathways, infections, and neuroscience. We encourage you to do your minor research project abroad to gain additional skills and an international perspective on your chosen specialisation.

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 UMC Utrecht. Research at the GSLS is highly interdisciplinary, because scientific breakthroughs take place where physics, medicine, chemistry and biology interact.

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.

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: 
February, September
Tuition fees: 
Dutch and other EU/EEA students (statutory fee, full-time) 2024-2025: € 2,530

Non-EU/EEA students (institutional fee) 2024-2025: € 23,765

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