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Methods of Research

6.0 - Last modified on 30-07-2026 Revised by Yvonne Spee

5.0 - Last modified on 13-12-2025 Revised by Jasper van Quekelberghe

4.0 - Last modified on 10-12-2025 Revised by Yvonne Spee

3.0 - Last modified on 27-09-2025 Revised by Gijs Van Dam

2.0 - Last modified on 16-09-2025 Revised by Yvonne Spee

1.0 - Created on 27-08-2025 Authored by Jasper van Quekelberghe

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Mandatory preparatory education
Before you are allowed to start your research, you must have completed the Methods of Research (MVO) block and participated in the MVO exam. All requirements are listed in the Education and Examination Regulations (OER). More information about the master’s research can be found in the knowledge item Master’s Research.

In the first MVO block, in September/October, lectures are recorded, which students may attend if they wish. If one of these lectures coincides with clinical rotations (coschappen) or other educational activities, the latter takes priority. In addition to the recording in September, four more teaching weeks for MVO are organized throughout the year. These in-person teaching sessions can be attended during a week in which other classes also take place. However, if MVO teaching coincides with another mandatory class, the mandatory class takes precedence.

Registering for Methods of Research
The course MvO is offered five times each year*.

In 2025-2026:

The schedule for semester 1 of the 2025–2026 academic year can be found on MyTimetable.

If you start with MVO and want to begin your Master’s Research immediately afterward, keep in mind that you must have fully completed your Master’s Research before the possible start of your clinical rotations. Allow at least 28 to 30 weeks for both the course (3 weeks of classes + exam) and the research project (18 or 20 weeks, visit Canvas for details), to account for possible delays.


* The starting dates for Methods of Research are scheduled each year around the same period/month as the previous year. Unfortunately, this cannot be guaranteed.

Registration criteria for Methods of Research
Registration is only required for the September block; the other four MVO weeks can be attended without registration. Of course, you must always be enrolled in the Master’s in Medicine program in Studielink.

Registering for MvO  in OSIRIS is only allowed if:

Timely registration via OSIRIS
If you wish to participate in the September block, you must register for the course yourself via OSIRIS no later than two weeks before the start. The registration option for the upcoming block opens after the exam of the previous MVO block has taken place. The course code is GENMA08MVO. OSIRIS may indicate that you have been placed on a waiting list; this can be ignored. All registered students who meet the requirements may start. The MVO block has no maximum number of participants. With this registration, you are automatically enrolled for the exam.

Registrering for exam (or resit) only
If you only wish to register for the (re)exam, you can arrange this via OSIRIS. Note: register only for the exam, not for the course. The exam is also listed under code GENMA08MVO.

Study group numer (September block)
After registering in OSIRIS, you will receive your study group number one week before the start of the course block.

Research Master Health Sciences and exemption for MvO
Medicine students must successfully complete the following courses if they want to apply for an exemption from Research Methods:

In addition, it is possible to use your Health Sciences research for the Master’s Research project. A request for exemption can be submitted to the Examination Board via Osiris Zaak.