Life Science & Technology (MSc)

Improved molecular knowledge of the mechanisms of processes in the cell can lead to better medicines and new or advanced methods for combating diseases. Our MSc students in Life Science and Technology (LST) specifically learn to understand the molecular and structural chemical and biological aspects of disease-related processes and to apply chemical and biotechnological tools to treat diseases. An attractive feature of the MSc LST at Leiden University is the great flexibility of the study programme, allowing students to tailor a programme based on their personal interests.

Paula van der Meer

2nd year student

I am interested in research in cellular biology and biochemistry, especially when focussed on the molecular processes underlying diseases such as cancer. The freedom to choose your courses is what I like most about the MSc Life Science & Technology in Leiden.

What does this master’s programme entail?

The emphasis of the LST programme is on motivating and encouraging students to work as young academics and develop to their full potential. Over the years, MSc LST courses have evolved along with LIC's research strategy and were adapted to developments in research areas at the forefront of life sciences. The two-year programme consists of 120 EC and offers four specialisations. Students spend 30 – 80 EC on research training projects, depending on their specialisation and use of electives.

Our four specialisations

You will learn to find solutions for complex societal problems as encountered in personalized medicine, chemical biology and sustainable use of biological sources.

The Life Science Research and Development (Research) specialisation in LST offers the student the opportunity to spend two full years on training and specialisation to become not only an independent and creative researcher, but also someone who can use their analytical skills to resolve challenges in their career in science or in society. The majority of the students from the research specialisation continue their career in a PhD position.

The programme consists of:

60 EC research training project
6 EC academic development
24 EC core courses
6 EC specialisation-specific components
24 EC electives

The research training component is the core of the research specialisation and comprises at least 60 EC (one whole academic year).

Prepare for a career in teaching secondary education. After completion you obtained the qualifications to be a chemistry and/or biology teacher.

The specialisation Education (EDU) prepares students for a career as a teacher qualified to teach in Dutch secondary education. The programme is designed to obtain the so-called “eerstegraads lesbevoegdheid” which qualiﬁes for teaching at all levels in Dutch high schools. Students in the LST programme are prepared for the school subject of chemistry and/or biology. The specialisation module comprises courses and teaching practice at a Dutch school for secondary education.

The programme consists of:

30 EC research training project
6 EC academic development
24 EC core courses
60 EC specialisation-specific components

Students who already have completed the minor Education in their BSc study only need 30 EC of the specialisation module. Of the remaining 30 EC, they are required to use at least 10 EC for their research training component. The final 20 EC is used as free elective space.

The language of the specialisation-specific components is Dutch. Apart from the general qualifications that apply for the MSc programme, applicants must provide proof of proficiency in Dutch (“Toelatingsexamen Universiteit Leiden – gevorderd, met spreekvaardigheid minimaal een 7.5”).

Combine research with programmes in different aspects of science communication, such as journalism.

The MSc specialisation in Science Communication and Society (SCS) offers students the opportunity to combine life science research training with programmes in different aspects of science communication, such as journalism, new media, museology and information visualisation. The programme prepares students for a career in popularisation of science, for example, as a science communicator, a science policymaker or a public relations or health communication officer, or for a career as a scientist with a communicating mindset.

The programme consists of:

30 EC research training project
6 EC academic development
24 EC core courses
20 EC electives
40 EC specialisation-specific components

This specialisation starts in September.

Combine training in life sciences with learning about business and entrepreneurship.

The business studies (BS) specialisation offers the opportunity to combine training in Life Sciences research with education in business and entrepreneurship. It enables science students to understand the fundamentals of business management and innovation. The emphasis is on science-driven organisations and on establishing new businesses based on the outcomes of scientiﬁc research. The BS programme is geared towards pursuing future career opportunities both in academia and in industry. About 40% of the former BS-students continued in a PhD position, where most of the others found employment in industry as a consultant or in a managerial position.

The programme consists of:

30 EC research training project
6 EC academic development
24 EC core courses
20 EC electives
40 EC specialisation-specific components

The specialisation is open to students from MSc programmes from the Faculty of Science and the MSc programme in Biomedical Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine (LUMC). This specialisation starts in September and February.

Discover why our students choose the Life Science and Technology master's programme

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Why study Life Science and Technology at Leiden University?

Based on your ambitions and interests you can tailor your programme to molecular life sciences, biomedicine and chemical biology, by choosing from a wide range of electives.
You will learn to understand the biomolecular processes underlying life and how to use this knowledge in biomedical research.
You will be mentored by one of our research group leaders, who will personally guide you throughout your studies.
You can do research training projects within the Faculty of Science, Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Erasmus Medical Center or even abroad.
The Leiden Institute of Chemistry is active in research on biological systems with medical relevance (GPCRs, glycosidases, antibacterial resistance, chaperones, amyloids) and the development of soft materials (biocompatible soft polymers), incorporating structural biology techniques (EM, XRD, NMR).
You may work together with world-leading experts collaborating in research related to chemical biology, i.e. use chemical tools (chemical immunology, proteomics, sugar chemistry) to study disease-related problems.

Find more reasons to study Life Science and Technology at Leiden University.

Life Science and Technology: the right master’s programme for you?

If you are interested in Life Sciences and you are looking for a programme with ample opportunities to put together your own study path, our Life Science and Technology programme is the right choice. The programme focuses on disease-related problems at the molecular and cellular level. You will be trained for a career in life sciences within or outside academia. You can choose a specialisation where you combine one year of LST courses and research with up to one year of training in business studies, communication or education. The programme is open for students with an internationally recognized BSc degree in Life Science & Technology or a Bachelor of Science degree with a strong life sciences component.

In theoretical courses of the MSc LST programme the synthesis or molecular properties of drugs are discussed, but in their MSc research training project LST students generally do cell biology in a research group in the Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), or work in a clinical setting at, for example, the LUMC or the Dutch Cancer Institute (NKI). The molecular knowledge and understanding of our LST students is highly regarded in these and other clinical institutes, and our LST students easily find research training projects. In the MSc Biopharmaceutical Sciences, students focus their studies on, for example, drug delivery techniques and uptake mechanisms, the effectiveness and safety of drugs, and pharmacology. MSc Biomedical Sciences students focus their studies on the systemic level related to the maintenance of health and prevention of disease.

Chat with a student

Do you have a question about studying at Leiden University or student life in Leiden? Do you want more information about the Life Science and Technology programme? Chat with a current student for answers to your questions!