IB Pathways
Figure 7 Diver surveying the presence and coverage of macroalgal species on subtidal rocky habitat.

Wageningen University & Research · Netherlands

Marine Sciences

The sea seen from nature, food and society: marine ecology alongside the ocean as a resource for the people who depend on it, working with engineers, biologists and policymakers.

Milla-Figueras et al. (2024) · CC BY 4.0

Where
WageningenNetherlands
Degree
BSc
Length
3 years
Taught in
English
Starts
Autumn 2027
Apply by
Not published yet2026: 15 June (EU/EEA, in Studielink)
Admission
Open to all who qualify
EU/EEA fee
€2,7712027/28 statutory fee
More facts
Degree
BSc
Length
3 years
Taught in
English
Starts
Autumn 2027

Deadlines

Not published yet2026: 15 June (EU/EEA, in Studielink)
  1. 1 December 2026*

    Create your Studielink account
    Your own plan
    Details

    Not an official deadline. With a Dutch address you log in with DigiD, which the government says takes about five days. Without one you upload a scan or photo of your passport or EU identity card and Studielink verifies it automatically. Either way, do it well before 15 January.

    Source
  2. 1 May 2027, 23:59*

    Last day to keep your right to a place (programmes without selection)
    Equal consideration
    Details

    Apply by 1 May and you are entitled to admission to a non-selective programme you qualify for. The government says a first application after 1 May may be refused - the programme can still take you, but does not have to. Some institutions set earlier dates of their own, and theirs is the one that binds.

    Studielink closes at 23:59 on 1 May. The government’s rule is what makes it an equal-consideration date: apply by 1 May and you are entitled to admission to a programme you qualify for ("Aanmelding tot en met 1 mei betekent ook recht op toelating"); a first application after 1 May "kan door de opleiding geweigerd worden" - the programme may still take you, but it does not have to. Some programmes close earlier for capacity or matching reasons, and the programme’s own date is the one that binds.

    Source
  3. 6 July 2027*

    IB results released
    Details

    Both Dutch deadlines fall well before this. How a conditional place pending results is handled is set by each institution; ask yours.

    Source

* Last year’s date, not yet confirmed.

Every date in the Netherlands

What it is

Year one analyses diverse marine systems and teaches research methods across disciplines, ending in fieldwork on the Wadden Sea and North Sea. Year two focuses on nature-inspired solutions to international challenges, including the responsible use of generative AI, and you present findings to industry professionals. Teaching combines lectures, group projects, lab and computer practicals and excursions to marine research institutes and coastal sites such as Texel and Croatia. In year three an elective semester allows a minor, for example Seagriculture, followed by a final project with graduation research on nature-based solutions. Graduates work as marine researchers and fisheries or aquaculture managers.

What you need

  • Maths AA (SL or HL) or AI HL
  • Chemistry (SL or HL)One of the named sciences must be HL.
  • Biology (SL or HL)One of the named sciences must be HL.
Requirements in full

Every IB applicant at Wageningen University & Research

Full IB Diploma. Strictest: Maths AI HL or AA SL/HL plus Chemistry and Physics, one at HL (2026 list). IB taught only in English, English A at 5, or English B HL 6/SL 7 covers English.

Where it says so

Its entry requirements

Check it on wur.nl

How places are decided

    • Everyone eligible is admitted
    No cap: meet the subject requirements and you are admitted. Apply early and send your marks so WUR can list any missing subjects. 2026 criteria; 2027 not yet published.
Sources (3)
  1. Marine Sciences at WUR — checked 2026-09-30
  2. Entry requirements
  3. IB applicants at WUR

Other degrees at WUR