At Ghent University, we strive to educate people who dare to think about the challenges of tomorrow. For that purpose, we provide education that is embedded in six strategic objectives: Think Broadly, Keep Researching, Cultivate Talent, Contribute, Extend Horizons, Opt for Quality.
Ghent University continuously focuses on quality assurance and quality culture. The Ghent University's quality assurance system offers information on each study programme’s unique selling points, and on its strengths and weaknesses with regard to quality assurance.

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Ghent University's Education Objectives

Quality Assurance at Ghent University

1. Focus on research: our study programme places great emphasis on research competencies. Our graduates are highly capable of setting up experiments independently, which lead new insights into the functioning of biomolecules, the role they play in various life forms (i.e. micro-organisms, plants, animals and humans) and how they relate to phenomena such as development, growth and disease. Our students learn to apply these insights to the solution of real problems (e.g. the fight against cancer, sustainable agriculture in a changing climate and food safety, …).
2. Multiperspectivism: our students receive a broad education within the life sciences in which different domains of biomedical and bacterial biotechnology are covered (e.g. biomedical, microbial, plant, technology development). This is what distinguishes our study programme from Biomedical Sciences. By means of cross-curricular practicals, students become familiar with the multidisciplinary character of research in the life sciences (e.g. the application of physical principles in the microscopic analysis of cells and tissue).
3. Knowledge creation: our study programme places great store by a strong and broad theoretical knowledge of the basic sciences (i.e. physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry) during the first year and a half. This is followed by a varied theoretical and application-oriented training in molecular life sciences (i.e. biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, physiology, immunology). The latter focus distinguishes the study programme from the Biology Programme, which focuses more on, among other things, ecology and biodiversity.
4. Integration of theory and practice: our curriculum consists of tutorials and practicals in which theoretical knowledge is practiced and applied. In addition, we sharpen our students’ critical thought and problem-solving skills, and keep them informed of the latest technological developments in the field, such as new methods for DNA sequencing and genome editing. In the Master’s curriculum, our students achieve this by actively participating in current research within leading (international) research laboratories on such topics as e.g. inflammation, the development of new protein-based medicines, the development of drought- and heat-resistant crops or the application of enzymes in sustainable production methods.
5. Talent development: the Master’s curriculum contains different minors for students to choose from (i.e. Research, Interdisciplinary Combination or Economics and Business Administration), as well as a number of major (i.e. Biomedical Biotechnology, Plant Biotechnology, Microbial Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology). Students make these curricular choices based on their own interests. They further hone their skills as independent researchers-to be by means of Master’s projects and experiments. In addition, students can opt for the Master’s Programme of Teaching. 

    

    

1. Research competencies: our study programme is closely intertwined with the renowned Ghent Biotech sector, in which various companies have clustered around the Tech Lane Ghent Science Park/Campus Ardoyen. Students come into contact with, and participate in top research in a highly advanced research infrastructure (e.g. high-resolution microscopy and mass spectrometry). Almost all of our lecturers are active researchers.
2. Feedback: in our programme, we pay a lot of attention to (interim) feedback. Group feedback is organized after the first term of the first year. After practicals and projects, students are reminded of the most important points of attention and, as such, prepared for the final assessments.
3. International dimension: our Master’s programme is English-taught and our student population is internationally diverse. Students also come into contact with international researchers. In addition, we encourage our students to participate in Erasmus programmes.
4. Approachability: as a medium-sized study programme, we focus on low-threshold and intensive personal contacts between lecturers and students, and on student guidance. This manifests itself, for example, during integrated practicals, during which students come into close contact with their supervisors. This aspect is very appreciated by our students.
5. Connection to the professional field: there is great appreciation for the in-depth and broad theoretical and application-oriented knowledge of our graduates, both in the (international) research community and in the Flemish Biotech sector. Most students obtain their degree within the foreseen study time. Graduates also easily find a job in a varied job field, especially in research and development in both research institutions (e.g. Flemish Institute for Biotechnology) and in companies, especially in the pharmaceutical and plant biotechnology sector, but also in the food or chemical industry. 

    

1. Study load: the (Bachelor’s) curriculum is quite intense and activating, containing lecture blocks in the mornings and practicals in the afternoons.
2. Entrepreneurial orientation and (bio)ethics: in a curriculum with a mainly scientific and research-oriented focus more room could be made for the development of entrepreneurial competencies.
3. Civic competencies: in addition to the strong focus on research competencies and the emphasis on acquiring practical skills in the life sciences, civic competencies can be made even more visible in the study programme (e.g. communicating to society).  

This study programme is accredited by the Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders (Dutch: NVAO). Accreditation was extended following the positive outcome of the institutional review in 2022. Programme quality was validated by a quality review, i.e. a screening of the Education Monitor by the Education Quality Board. The resulting Quality Assurance Resolution (in Dutch) can be found here.

This information was last updated on 09/07/2024.
In case of questions or suggestions with regard to the publicly available information, please contact the study programme.