Decentralised selection
There are a limited number of places available for medical studies: around 2,800 new places per year. A numerus clausus (a limited number of places) has been established for the bachelor’s programme.
Customised selection per bachelor’s programme
In the past, places were allocated through a combination of draw and selection. Students with a grade of 8+ on their final exams were admitted immediately. In 2013, this procedure was ended by the Quality in Diversity Act. The central draw was abolished, and instead, each programme is allowed to determine its own selection procedure based on clear quality criteria.
Each programme has its own profile and a tailored selection method, which ensures a better match between students and programmes. This regulation came into effect for students who started in the 2017 academic year. Most medical programmes had already organised their decentralised selection earlier.
In 2023, the House of Representatives decided that, in addition to or in combination with this decentralised selection, draw selection may also be used again as a selection method. This allows programmes to apply more customisation when setting up selection procedures and increases equal opportunities for prospective students. The relevant selection method can be found on each umc’s own website.
Master’s programmes
Most master’s programmes offer limited opportunities for lateral entry. Students with a background other than a bachelor’s degree in medicine can enter the master’s programme in medicine after completing a local admission procedure and subsequent programme. These procedures may also vary between umc’s.