Oncology

This study guide contains information about the Master’s Program in Oncology organized by Faculty of Medicine for the academic year 2022 - 2023. All information about the structure of the course components, admission, planning, student facilities etc. are available on the faculty website.

Aim of the study program
Cancer is one of the main causes of death in the Western world. In our ageing society the number of cancer patients continues to rise, since the incidence of the disease is highest among the elderly. Research in order to prevent, diagnose and treat this disease is therefore of vital importance. The same applies to research into the causes of cancer and the long-term effects of treatment. Cancer research is multidisciplinary and takes place within a global network. A researcher in such a demanding environment needs to be well equipped.

The Master's Program in Oncology aims to transfer the unique combination of fundamental and translational oncology research at the VUmc to the next generation of students. The program is research-oriented and has a multidisciplinary character. Students are trained in state-of-the-art techniques in cancer research and therapy. The program also aims for education of skills for being able to develop, organize and perform oncological research. 

Structure of organization
The Faculty of Medicine VU Amsterdam coordinates all educational activities. The program director and master coordinator of the master program take care of the organization and gearing of the curriculum. The master program has an examination board and a program committee. The program committee advises the executive board of Amsterdam UMC, the vice-dean of the Faculty of Medicine VU Amsterdam and the program director about the content of the master’s program and the quality of execution. The examination board (EC Science Masters) decrees norms concerning admission of students, and makes sure that bachelors comply with the requirements for admission. EC Science Masters further decrees the terms concerning examination of different disciplines and overlooks the results of examinations, internships and theses. Furthermore, the examination board evaluates the combinations of optional courses and internships of each individual student. All compulsory and optional courses are coordinated by different course coordinators. 

General information about organization, education, research and patient's care within Amsterdam UMC can be found on the Amsterdam UMC website. A complete description of this course can be found in the Education and Examination Regulations (OER).  

For more information please contact the program coordinator: 
Email: masteroncology@vumc.nl 

Student Service Desk Faculty of Medicine VU:
Students can turn to the Student Service Centre with general questions about the graduation, registration for courses and examinations, registration of grades and schedules.

Faculty of Medicine: 
Ground floor G010 
Van der Boechorststraat 7- 1081 BT Amsterdam 
Email: studentenbalie@vumc.nl

Compulsory courses
All students of the Master’s Program in Oncology have to attend the compulsory courses of the program. 

Optional courses
Students have to have a consent from the board of examiners EC ECRO, if they want to attend an optional course. An approval can be asked via a digital approval form, which can be found on the faculty website of the Faculty of Medicine VU. Courses attended without the consent of the board of examiners will not be registered. For registration of optional courses students can use VUnet. If registration is not possible by using VUnet (e.g. external courses), the mode of inscription and corresponding e-mail addresses are indicated in each course description. Courses attended without the written consent of the board of examiners will not be registered. Possible financial consequences will be recovered from the student.

Minor, major internship and study of literature
The board of examiners has to give its approval for all internships and the literature study. An approval can be applied for via a digital approval form, which can be found on the faculty website Unapproved practical training/ literature study periods will not be registered by the educational secretarial office. Possible financial consequences will be recovered from the student.

External students
If a particular compulsory course can have more participants, students of other master programs from the VU can attend the course, providing that they meet the entry requirements and only when the maximum number of students is not reached. A written request for participation needs to be done in advance with the Oncology Admission Board including a C.V., a motivation letter, a reference letter and a recent transcript.(Email: masteroncology@vumc.nl)

Without permission of the Oncology Admission Board and the board of examiners of the main study program non-Oncology students are not accepted.