Data Science for Life Sciences

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.

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

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. 

Entry requirements

 The entry requirements for our master’s programme are as follows:

• 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)
• English proficiency
  • IELTS score: 6.0 minimum
  • TOEFL score: 80 points minimum
  • Cambridge Advanced Exam in English: B minimum or Cambridge Proficiency Exam in English: C minimum.
  • Pearson PTE (Academic): minimum of 61 (original results)
  • LanguageCert (Academic): minimum of 65 (original results)

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 authorized 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.

Furthermore, you have to submit:

• Documented proof of knowledge and skills in the disciplines of programming, data science and biology. Demonstrated proof is either a diploma, a certificate, a portfolio or a sufficient grade of the entry test.

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.

Application

When you are ready and want to apply for our programme, you have to submit your request first in our national registration system www.studielink.nl. After this, we will start the admissions process through our own application system “Hanze Apply”. The application deadlines:

• for EU students is [15 August]
• for non-EU students is [1 June]

For exceptions and the most updated information, go here.

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.

Step 7: Prepare for your studies

For more information on immigration, housing, the welcome day and more, check this site.