Master
Biobased Sciences
★ StudyPath verdict
8.2/10
Best for students passionate about sustainable transitions and the circular bio-economy, with backgrounds in science, engineering or economics. Trade-off: smaller cohort offers personalised attention but a less established alumni network th
Tuition · Intl
↗€21,900
EU: €2,694/year · click ↗
Duration
2 years
120 ECTS
Start
Sep 26
apply by Jun 26
Language
English
IELTS 6.5+
Accred.
NVAO
NVAO 2025
Admission
Open
no intake cap
Enrolled/yr
↗134
DUO ↑40% ↗
Intl. %
↗40%
of students ↗
S:F ratio
↗15:1
institution-wide ↗
Min. English
6.5
IELTS required
Entry route
↗Bachelor
8 direct routes ↗
Satisfaction
↗4.1/5
NSE 2026 ↗
Employment
↗95%
field est. ↗
Median salary
↗€3,480
/mo gross · field ↗
Alumni
?
no data yet
↗ Real values are sourced; tiles marked “?” aren’t collected yet · Enrolled/yr is live from DUO · Satisfaction/outcomes are live from StudiekeuzedatabaseLast sync: 25 Jun 2026
About this program
MSc Biobased Sciences focuses on the transition from a petrochemical to a biobased and circular economy.
The masterprogramme Biobased Sciences teaches interdisciplinary design of biobased production chains including biomass production, bioconversion, biorefinery and societal, logistic and economic transition processes. Thus, technical, economic, social and environmental aspects are integrated to come to a transition to a biobased and circular economy.
Institution’s own description (HOVI via Studiekeuzedatabase)
English120 ECTSMaster of ScienceField area: Agriculture & EnvironmentSector: Aarde en MilieuCode of Conduct (intl.)Full-timeMaster
Teaching formats
Case studyComputer assignmentsField tripGroup assignmentGroup discussionIndividual assignmentInternshipLab work
About Wageningen University & Research
Wageningen University is the world #1 ranked university in agriculture and forestry for 7 consecutive years. Founded in 1876, it specializes in life sciences with focus on food, agriculture, and environment. Known as the most sustainable university in Netherlands and located in the "Food Valley" region.
Living in Wageningen
Student cost of living
Rent · room
€420/mo
Monthly total
€700–€1,200
Cost of living
Low
Population
39k
Academic, international, and green. Wageningen is essentially a university town where academic life and city life merge. The atmosphere is intellectually stimulating with a strong focus on sustainability and global food challenges.
View city guide →Specializations
Tracks from HOVI
Biorefinery and Conversion ↗Specialisation
The specialisation focuses on the processing steps, starting from biomass refinery up to the production of chemicals, biopolymers or renewable energy.
Biomass Production and Carbon Capture ↗Specialisation
The specialisation focuses on the knowledge of plant physiology and development, genetics and breeding, and plant biotechnology for biomass production.
Biobased and Circular Economy ↗Specialisation
This specialisation focuses on economic aspects to enable the transition from a petrochemical to a biobased economy.
Source: HOVI via Studiekeuzedatabase
Curriculum
Course structure by year
?No curriculum data yet
Career outcomes
Graduate surveys · field-group level
Good job-market outlookfield: milieutechnologie
Median starting salary (field)€3,480/mo gross
Employed ~1.5y after graduating95%
Months to a substantial job3
Working in their own field81%
Permanent contract61%
Satisfied with their job3.9/5
Top graduate occupations (field)
Bedrijfs- en organisatieanalisten22%
Field-group estimates from national graduate surveys via Studiekeuzedatabase — not measured per programme
Progression & cohort
Official register statistics
Complete this degree76%
Women among first-years67%
International students40%
Say workload is “just right”72%
Official register statistics (1cijferHO · 2025) via Studiekeuzedatabase
Student voices
National Student Survey (NSE) — first-party reviews coming
4.1/5overall satisfaction · NSE 2026 · 18 respondents
Content & set-up4.1
Teachers4.2
Atmosphere4.2
Involvement & contact4.2
Study guidance4.6
Testing & assessment4
Facilities4.3
Career preparation3.4
Teachers' English4.7
Would choose again3.9
Source: Nationale Studenten Enquête via Studiekeuzedatabase (Studiekeuze123/LCSK)
Admissions
Minimum language scores · from StudyInNL
- TOEFL internet based: 92
- TOEFL internet based: 23
- IELTS listening: 6.0
- IELTS overall band: 6.5
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English: 176
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: 180
Scholarships
Internships
?No data yet
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