Admission Requirements

Below, you find a summarized overview of the general IMIM admission requirements. Please note
that the available number of places in the programme is limited and that access to the programme is
granted on the basis of a ranking of applications (see below).

 IMIM is a multi- and interdisciplinary programme that allows for applicants from many
different academic backgrounds to gain access, provided that they have an excellent
academic record and a passion for translational biomedical research.
 A bachelor degree in one of the following (or closely related) fields: biochemistry;
pharmaceutical sciences; biomedical sciences; genetics; molecular biology; biotechnology;
medicine; dentistry; or similar.
 A bachelor (or master) degree at least equivalent to an European undergraduate degree (of
180 ECTS) in terms of general end-level of the qualification as well as academic focus.
 Proven record of academic/extra-curricular excellence: e.g. GPA; research experience.
 Strong motivation to pursue a career incorporating translational, biomedical sciences and
research.
 Proven English proficiency in accordance with IMIM admission requirements.

Required application documents

To apply, you will need to submit the following documents via the IMIM application system:

1. A completely filled out Application Form

2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Motivation letter (strict requirement: max. 750 words, in English)
4. Proof of English Proficiency
Proof of English proficiency complying with IMIM language requirements. However, if you
have not yet taken one of the accepted English language tests, we can start processing your
application without this proof. If you are offered a place in the programme, (one of) the
condition(s) of admission will be proving your English language proficiency in accordance
with IMIM requirements. The deadline of submitting your English language test is the 28th
of February 2021. 
5. Reference forms
Reference forms from at least two referees; these are obligatory application documents that
will have to be submitted in your online application before the application deadline. A third
referee is optional.
6. Educational documents
Copy of your bachelor (and if applicable master) degree, or official letter stating expected
date of graduation.  
Copy of your transcript of records. Including: courses, grades, grading system, average
grade and, if not yet graduated a list of modules still to be completed. Please note: submit in
both English and your native language if your university issues this.
7. Passport/ID
Copy of your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least another year.
8. Abstract of research project
Abstract of your (under)graduate thesis/research graduation project (max. 3 pages, in
English). Please note that if you do not conclude your studies with a thesis research project,
please provide an abstract of another research project or a detailed description of an
internship/project instead.
9. Proof of residence
Proof of your current place of residence; A residence certificate issued in accordance with
the candidate's municipality normal registration rules OR A certificate from the candidate's
place of work, study or training issued by the employer or institution in question. A bank
statement is also an option. All the documents must have been issued within 12 months
 before the application deadline! This is important for the possibility of obtaining
an EMJMD scholarship.
10. Additional documents
In addition to the above mentioned obligatory application documents, you may of course
also include with your application other documents (max. 5 pages) that you consider to be
relevant with regard to your IMIM application.
Application documents - format
 If the original documents are not in English, translations are required.
Your transcript and degree(s) must be translated by an official translator. You can translate
the other documents yourself. 
 Each document needs to be converted into a PDF document.
 Each single document has a maximum file size of 2 MB, except the Application Form and
Reference Forms (4 MB).
 If you want to upload multiple documents in the same category (e.g. a bachelor and master
degree), please combine these files into one single PDF.
 Please provide each document with a recognizable file name, preferably: [Your family
name]_[document type] (e.g. Smith_Application_form)

Your application can only be considered complete if all outlined requirements regarding application
documents have been met and all required fields in the online application system and -form have
been filled out.

Upon successfully submitting your application, you should automatically receive a unique
application number via email from our application system (please also check your spam folder).
The IMIM programme is an English-taught master. Therefore an excellent
command of the English language is a prerequisite for admission to and
participation in IMIM. In principle, all applicants must include proof of
proficiency in English by an English test. However, if you have not yet
taken one of the accepted English language tests, we can start
processing your application without this proof. If you are offered a place in
the programme, (one of) the condition(s) of admission will be proving your
English language proficiency in accordance with IMIM requirements. An
English certificate or letter from your university is not sufficient. 
Which tests are accepted?   
 IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 6.5 – no less than 6.0 on each section
 TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) with an overall score of 92 – no less than 21 on each
section
 TOEFL CBT (computer-based test) with an overall score of 237 – no less than 21 on each
section
 TOEFL PBT (paper-based test) with an overall score of 580 – no less than 55 on each
section
 Cambridge English: Cambridge certificate C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (formerly
known as CAE/CPE)
 University of Groningen LCET: Minimum section scores C2 or C1 (one B2 allowed)
See: https://www.rug.nl/(...)g-unit/english-lcet/
 International Baccalaureate, with English as the medium of instruction
 Concerning the closure of some test locations due to COVID-19, we also approve
the TOEFL iBT Home Edition for now
Please keep in mind
  The test scores cannot be older than two years
 TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure
 You may apply for a degree programme, even though you have not yet taken an English
language test or while your test score is still insufficient. In that case, you might be
conditionally admitted with (one of) the condition(s) for final admission being that you take
and pass a (new) test. Please inform us of the date on which you are planning to take such a
test.
Submission of test results
 IELTS: a scan of the score report can be uploaded with your application or sent by email. 
 TOEFL: please upload a scan of your score report with your application and submit a
request with ETS to allow us to access your test results in the ETS online database
(institution code 7191). 
 Cambridge English: please upload a scan of your score report with your application and
submit a request to allow us to access your test results.
Convince us!
Your motivation letter plays a very important role in the admission procedure. This letter gives the
Admission Board relevant clues about your suitability as a candidate for the programme. Think
about what makes you stand out from the rest. Try to avoid commonplaces by really focusing on
your personal motivation and experience. Motivate us to choose you as an IMIM student! 

There are no specific requirements with regard to the letter’s format. However, there is a 750 word
limit that is strictly applied. Applications not meeting this requirement will be taken into account.
Leading questions
We recommend to address at least the following points:

 Why are you passionate about translational medicine? What  interests you specifically?

 Why are you applying to IMIM, rather than to other programmes in related fields?

 Why are you applying to a programme that is specifically oriented towards training in

research and preparation for a subsequent PhD programme?

 Why do you think that you are a suitable candidate for such a selective programme?

 How do you fit in a class of students from all over the world, with diverse cultural and
academic backgrounds, and all belonging to the top of their respective cohorts?
 What are your future plans for when you have completed your master programme?