Combine data science and life science and make a difference in the world

Master
Full-time
2 years

Data Science for Life Sciences

Level: master
Form: full-time
Duration: 2 years
Language: English
Locations: Groningen
Degree: Master of Science
Credits: 120 ECTS
Startmonths: Start: September

Exact and Information Sciences
Health and Sports

Are you good at handling lots of data? Would you like to learn more programming techniques and apply them to bridge the gap between computer science and life sciences? After this master, you will possess the skills you need to facilitate and initiate innovations for life sciences, such as programming machine learning applications and managing data storage.

Apply for this programme Request brochure

Projects with impact

During your master’s, you will work on real-world projects that address societal and organisational challenges. Through hands-on research, you will create innovative solutions that make a difference. Curious what that looks like? Below are a few examples of our students' projects.

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Fenna Feenstra

Teacher
Marcel Kempenaar

Teacher
Dave Langers

Teacher
Mirjam Lurvink

Teacher
Tsjerk Wassenaar

Teacher
Peter Kroon

Teacher/System administrator

About this programme

Contribute to data science

The Data Science for Life Sciences master’s programme is designed for students with a background in life sciences or IT who want to contribute to the fast-growing field of data science in the life sciences. The programme equips you with the skills to develop and implement AI-driven solutions, such as biomarker or biocide discovery, disease prediction in crops, automated tumor identification, and personalized medicine.
You will learn to work with modern data processing technologies, write algorithms, and analyze complex health and omics data using Python and R.

New data technologies

This English-taught, interdisciplinary programme is practice-oriented and includes collaboration with companies and the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). By bridging life sciences and computer technology, you will be prepared to drive innovation in healthcare, agriculture, and biotechnology. The programme is open to students from all Life Science & Technology-related bachelor’s degrees and IT-students who want to expand their knowledge towards the life sciences. We train you to work as a professional data scientist, who is up to speed with new technologies and knows how and where to gather necessary information.

Why choose the master Data Science for the Life Sciences?

Practice-based
Learn the newest data science techniques
Dynamic learning environment with lecturers, researchers and professionals from the workfield

Master Data Science for Life Science

Course overview

The master programme is divided into four semesters.

Semester 1

The first semesters of this programme focus on general skills in the field of data science, programming and life sciences. You will be introduced into the field and work through a project where you can directly apply what you have learnt. Besides these content-related subjects, you will also gain more professional and research skills.

Semester 2-3

The second and third semester are similar to the first. You build on the skills acquired and gradually progress on to more advanced programming and data science techniques. These semesters are also aimed at improving a wide range of skills, from content-related to more soft skills, which you will put into practice during large projects. In these projects, you can choose your own focus on a subject of your own interest.

Semester 4

In the last semester, you will undertake a graduation project within your specialisation. This final project is carried out independently and individually, usually at a company or research institute.

Curious about the courses you'll take each year? Check out the full overview here! More details about the courses can also be found in the Student Manual.

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You are eligable for admission to this master if you have a Bachelor's degree from one of the following programmes:

Institute for Life Science & Technology (Hanze University of Applied Science)
Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy
Communication, Media & IT (from any University of Applied Science)
Electrical Engineering, Sensor Technology major (with the skills English, Statistics and programming)
Biology, Life Sciences, Informatics or equivalent (for international students)

When applying for this Master's programme, all applicants need to prove that they have achieved a sufficient level of English. Therefore, one of the following is required:

IELTS score: minimum of 6.0 (original results). For speaking as well as listening a minimum subscore of 6 is mandatory;
TOEFL (iBT) taken at a test center, score: minimum of 80 points with a minimum score of 18 for listening and speaking (original results, please indicate Hanze University of Applied Sciences to check your TOEFL score from ETS in your test taker profile; the institution code is 2165)
Cambridge Advanced Exam in English: B minimum
Cambridge Proficiency Exam in English: C minimum
Pearson PTE (Academic): minimum of 61 (original results), with a minimum score of 48.1 for listening and 46.2 for speaking
LanguageCert (Academic): minimum of 65 (original results), with a minimum score of 60 for both listening and speaking

All language scores must contain four subjects: reading, writing, listening and speaking. It is possible to get an exemption for the English requirements if you:

obtained a diploma at an English-taught institution within the EER. You have to prove that your prior education was full-time English-taught by providing a statement from the school, signed and stamped, confirming that the medium of instruction and examination was entirely in English. The form must bear the stamp and signature of an authorised person.
obtained a diploma from an English-taught programme in one of the following countries: Australia, Canada (English speaking part), Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom or the United States of America.

Click here to find more information about language requirements.

All applicants for the Master's programme Data Science for Life Sciences apply through Studielink. Instructions on how to apply through Studielink can be found here. Candidates for admission should upload the following documents in Studielink:

The degrees and transcript of records based upon which you seek admission to the master, both the original as well as the translated versions;
A proof of English language proficiency as described under ‘language requirements’;
A CV mentioning your academic background, work experience, documented proof of relevant skills in the disciplines of programming, data science and biology as well as relevant extracurricular activities;
A short motivation letter describing in your own words the reason why you chose to study this master;
A short video presentation of no more than 5 minutes made preferably on YouTube. The topic can be an addition on your CV or motivation letter;

If you want to know more about the value of your own diploma, you can also check the diploma comparison site of our national agency NUFFIC.

The tuition fees can be calculated here. Every year you will be enrolled as a student for a full year. If you have any questions concerning the tuition fee, you can contact the Student Administration (STAD) at [email protected].

Note: Students with a NON-EU/EEA nationality must be aware that on top of the tuition fee you will have to prove that you have enough financial means to live off. Information about the procedure, the amount and what costs are included in the financial guarantee can be found here. Please check the correct amounts of the financial guarantee under immigration.

The Master Data Science for Life Sciences offers various scholarships to eligible students, namely the NL Scholarship (€ 5.000,-) and the Hanze Scholarship (€ 10.000). The scholarships are a great opportunity for first-year students to kick start their education at Hanze UAS.

To be eligible for a scholarship, you must meet the general requirements. These can be found on the Hanze UAS scholarship page.

In addition, there are also programme-specific requirements that you need to consider before applying for a scholarship.

NL Scholarship:

You must prove your English Language proficiency by submitting one of the following test scores:

TOEFL: minimum score of 100 with no sub scores under 18 for listening and speaking (internet-based)
IELTS (Academic): 7.0 minimum with no subscores under 6 for listening and speaking
A CGPA with a minimum score of 75% of the maximum possible score

Hanze Scholarship:

You must prove your English Language proficiency by submitting one of the following test scores:

TOEFL: minimum score of 100 with no sub scores under 18 for listening and speaking (internet-based)
IELTS (Academic): 7.0 minimum with no subscores under 6 for listening and speaking
A CGPA with a minimum score of 80% of the maximum possible score

A language test result may not be older than two years when the master programme starts in September. No other than the tests above are accepted.

Procedure:

Students who have been (conditionally) accepted for the programme will receive an invitation to apply for a scholarship from the enrolment advisor.
The application deadline for both scholarships is 30 April 00:00 hrs.
The grants committee will award the scholarships.
Between 30 April and 20 June, the latest, you’ll be notified by the Scholarship committee whether you’re granted a scholarship or not.

Note:

Higher scores increase your chances to obtain the scholarship
Only a few scholarships are available for this programme
The decision of the grants committee is final

Application – step-by-step guide

Step 1: Check the entry requirements

Check if you have a degree in one of the bachelor programmes mentioned above.

Step 2: Check the application deadlines

For more information, check this site.

Step 3: Collect the required documents

Provide us with documented proof of knowledge and skills in the disciplines of programming, data science and biology and proof of your English proficiency.

Step 4: Start your application

For more information, check this site.

Step 5: The Admission committee will check your admission

The admission committee of the Master Data Science for Life Sciences will check your application and your provided documents. You will receive their findings via e-mail, and they will let you know when you are accepted directly into the program or whether you need to follow an additional course.

Step 6: Pay your tuition fees

For more information, check this site.

Once you have received a letter of acceptance, you can finalize make your application final by paying the tuition fees filling out your payment details in www.studielink.nl. To know how much you need to pay, check this site. Non EU/EER students will have to transfer a financial guarantee with which the tuition fee will be paid for.