You’ll focus on the chemistry aspects of early drug discovery. From the identification of new protein targets, computational design and synthesis of new molecules and radiopharmaceuticals, the affinity of a molecule towards its target and the cellular response, to the metabolism and toxicity of the molecule. You will choose an in-depth specialisation that suits your interests, while gaining knowledge in all drug discovery disciplines.
The Master’s programme in Drug Discovery Sciences is open to international students with a Bachelor’s degree from a programme comparable to Pharmaceutical Sciences at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam *. A Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy is not considered equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Admission requires a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited research university, including at least three full years of academic study and a minimum of 180 ECTS (or equivalent). A GRE or GMAT test score is not required. * Review the admission matrix below to check whether your education fulfils the requirement. All applicants must: have completed a Bachelor’s programme that provides the required knowledge base (see admission matrix below for more information). have practical laboratory experience relevant for your chosen specialisation. have research experience relevant for your chosen specialisation. All applicants must have sufficient knowledge of the English language: You will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You can find an overview of relevant information to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page. Each specialisation has different requirements: Design and Synthesis in Drug Discovery requires completion of a Bachelor’s programme focused on general chemistry, physical chemistry and organic chemistry. Pharmacology and Toxicology in Drug Discovery requires completion of a Bachelor’s programme focused on biochemistry and enzyme kinetics supported by knowledge of general chemistry. Bioanalytics in Drug Discovery requires completion of a Bachelor’s programme focused on general chemistry, enzyme kinetics and analytical chemistry. Education in Drug Discovery requires completion of a Bachelor’s programme and sufficient knowledge of general chemistry together with sufficient Dutch language proficiency evidenced by NT2-II, ITN, CNaVT (EDUP C1 or SRTR B2), a Dutch VWO diploma with a pass in Dutch, or an accepted Dutch-language higher education degree. Admission matrix The entry matrix below specifies the prior knowledge expected for each specialisation. This matrix serves as a guideline; the final decision on the suitability of your degree is made by the Admissions Board. 1. General chemistry 2. Bio- chemistry 3. Enzyme kinetics 4. Organic chemistry 5. Physical chemistry 6. Analytical chemistry Design and Synthesis in Drug Discovery x x x Pharmacology and Toxicology in Drug Discovery x x x Bioanalytics in Drug Discovery x x x Education in Drug Discovery x Required knowledge for the different specialisations: General chemistry: topics include chemical bonding, acid-base, buffers, equilibria, functional groups, molecular recognition, organic-chemical and biochemical structures (including amino acids, nucleotides and sugars), chemical structures, energy/thermodynamics, redox chemistry, solubility and chemical kinetics. An indication of the expected knowledge is given by the textbook Chemical Principles (Zumdahl/Coste), chapters 1-15. Biochemistry: topics include molecular biology, cell biology and pharmacology, including techniques such as protein expression, purification and mutagenesis. An indication of the expected knowledge is given by the textbooks Essential Cell Biology (Alberts et al.), chapters 1-16, and Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry (Patrick), chapters 1-18. Enzyme kinetics : topics include pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and pharmaceutical toxicology. An indication of the expected knowledge is given by the textbook Pharmacology (Rang & Dale), chapters 1-11 and Biochemistry (Stryer), chapters 14-20. Organic chemistry: an indication of the expected knowledge is given by the textbook Organic Chemistry (Clayden et al.), chapters 1-30. Physical chemistry: an indication of the expected knowledge is given by the textbook Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences (Peter Atkins and Julio de Paula), chapters 1-4. Analytical chemistry: topics include HPLC, spectroscopy, NMR, and mass spectrometry. An indication of the expected knowledge is given by the textbook Quantitative Chemical Analysis (Harris), chapters 1-10, 17-25. Check how to apply I have a Dutch degree The Drug Discovery Sciences programme is open to both Dutch and International Students. The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application. You find all information about the general application procedure with a Dutch degree on the application page . Use this form to apply for the Master’s: Application form Master's DDS . The application deadline is: 1 June for holders of a Dutch bachelor’s degree (with a Dutch or EU/EEA nationality). I have an international degree
To apply you are required to provide the following documents: Scan of your passport or national ID card (ID for EEA students only) valid at the start date of the programme Master Application File please download the correct file from this page . In this file you can see which documents are required to apply for your programme. Proof of English language proficiency (if already obtained): upload your proof of English language proficiency or English language test results. Please find the English language requirements here . After having prepared the required documents, please follow the online application procedure .
All students seeking admission to an international Master’s programme with an international degree are required to pay a non-refundable €100 application fee. Only after you have paid this fee will we be able to start the evaluation of your application file. If you are applying for more than one programme, you will only need to pay the application fee once. Your application fee payment is valid for two years. Information on how to apply with an international university degree and deadlines can be found here .