Oncology

This study guide contains information on the Oncology program organized by Faculty of Medicine VU for the academic year 2025 - 2026. All information about the structure of the course components, planning, admission and student facilities are available on the faculty website.

Aim of the study program

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and the incidence keeps rising due to aging of population. 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 Amsterdam UMC 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 – Faculty of Medicine VU Amsterdam can be found on the Amsterdam UMC website.

A complete description of this course can be found in the Teaching and Examination Regulations Masters (OER).

For more information please contact the program coordinator:

Email: masteroncology.vu@amsterdamumc.nl

Student Service Desk Faculty of Medicine VU

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

Faculty of Medicine VU:
Ground floor G.018
Van der Boechorststraat 7- 1081 BT Amsterdam
Email: studentenbalie.vu@amsterdamumc.nl

Compulsory courses

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

Optional courses

Students require consent of the examination board (EC Science Masters), if they want to attend an optional course. Approval can be requested via a digital course approval form, which can be found on the program website of the Faculty of Medicine VU Amsterdam. For registration of optional courses students can use VUnet. If registration is not possible by using VUnet (e.g. for external courses), the mode of inscription and corresponding e-mail addresses are indicated in each course description. Students are motivated to look for optional courses outside Amsterdam UMC or VU University. Courses attended without the written consent of the examination board (EC Science Masters) will not be registered. Possible financial consequences will be recovered from the student.

Minor, major internship and study of literature

The examination board (EC Science Masters) has to approve all internships and the literature study. Approval can be requested via a digital approval form, which can be found on the program website. Unapproved internship / 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 has space for additional participants, students of other master programs from the VU can attend the course, provided that they meet the entry requirements and only if the maximum number of students has not yet been reached. A written request for participation needs to be sent in advance to the Oncology Admission Board. The request should include a C.V., a motivation letter and a recent transcript. (Email: masteroncology.vu@amsterdamumc.nl)

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