Graduation

Graduating from the Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS) marks the successful completion of your Master’s programme. Follow Graduation step-by-step to ensure a smooth transition from student to graduate. Curious to know if you are classified to graduate cum laude? Scroll to the bottom of this page to see all requirements. 

Date of graduation

Your official graduation date is the last working day of the month in which the Board of Examiners approves your graduation application—this date will appear on your diploma. To have your application approved in a given month, you must submit your final grades and completed graduation application form (download and open in Adobe Reader) to the administration office no later than the 15th of that month*.

^{*Master's students that follow the Epidemiology programme hand in their graduation form at the Epidemiology administrative office at least five working days before the 15th of the month.}

Application for graduation ceremony

When you submit your graduation application form, you must also indicate which graduation ceremony you wish to attend. You can only take part in a ceremony if you submit your completed form to the administration office before the deadline for that specific date (see table below). All ceremonies are held at Utrecht University’s Academiegebouw.

Please note: Each ceremony has limited space, so you may not be assigned your preferred date. You will receive confirmation of your ceremony date within 10 working days after the application deadline (the 15th of each month). We strongly advise you not to book travel or accommodation until you receive this confirmation.
 

^{*Master's students that follow the Epidemiology programme hand in their graduation form at the Epidemiology administrative office at least five working days before the 15th of the month.}

Cum laude criteria

At the Graduate School of Life Sciences it is possible to graduate cum laude. Master’s students receive the cum laude distinction if they meet all of the following conditions:
 

1. They earned at least an 8.5 for the Major Research Project (including any extensions).

2. They earned at least an 8.5 for the Profile* (including any extensions).

3. They earned at least an 8.5 for the Writing Assignment*.

4. They achieved a weighted average of at least 8.0 (based on credits) for the remaining programme components. Electives used to extend the Research Project count as part of that project and are excluded from this average.

5. They did not take any resits, substitute, or replacement exams.

6. They received exemptions for no more than 12 credits. Exemptions are not included in the calculation.

7. The Board of Examiners found no evidence of fraud or plagiarism.

8. They completed the Master’s programme within 1.5 times the standard duration.

^{*Exceptions:
For Epidemiology, condition 2 does not apply.
For Epidemiology Postgraduate, conditions 2 and 3 do not apply.
For Science and Business Management, condition 2 applies to the business internship and condition 3 does not apply.}