Mandatory preparatory education
Before you are allowed to start your research, you must have completed the Methods of Research (MvO) block and taken the corresponding block test. All requirements are listed in the OER. More information about the master's research project can be found in the knowledge item: Master's research project.
It is not allowed to combine clinical rotations with the Methods of Research block.
Registering for Methods of Research
The MvO block is offered three times per year*.
In 2025–2026:
- 17 September 2025 (3 weeks)
- 2 February 2026 (1 week)
- 2 March 2026 (1 week)
- 4 May 2026 (1 week)
- 8 June 2026 (1 week)
The timetable for semester 1 of the academic year 2025–2026 is available on the timetable website.
Planning to start with the MvO block? Be aware that by the possible start date of your clinical rotations, your master's research project must be fully completed. Allow for at least 28 or 30 weeks in total for both the education (3 weeks of teaching + exam) and the research (18 or 20 weeks, see Canvas for details), to account for potential delays.
*The start dates of the Methods of Research block are scheduled each academic year around the same time/month as in the previous year, although no guarantees can be given.
Enrollment criteria for the Methods of Research block
Enrollment for the MvO block in OSIRIS is only possible if you:
- Have passed the bachelor's degree at the time of enrollment;
- Have submitted an application for the master's in Medicine via Studielink with a start date on the 1st of the month in which the MvO block starts;
- Have completed a separate course registration in OSIRIS no later than two weeks before the start of the block.
Timely enrollment via OSIRIS
If you wish to participate, you must register for the course yourself in OSIRIS no later than two weeks before the start of the MvO block. The enrollment for the next block opens once the exam of the previous MvO block has taken place. The course code is GENMA08MVO. OSIRIS may state that you have been placed on a waiting list—this can be ignored. All students who meet the conditions and are registered may participate. There is no maximum number of participants for the MvO block. This registration also includes automatic enrollment for the exam.
Registering for the resit only
If you are taking a resit exam, you must register for the exam yourself in OSIRIS. Please note: only register for the exam, not the course. The exam can also be found under code GENMA08MVO.
Study group number
After registering in OSIRIS, you will receive your study group number one week before the start of the block.
Research Master in Health Sciences and exemption from MvO
Medicine students who wish to obtain an exemption from the Methods of Research block must have successfully completed the following courses:
- CK010 Study Design
- CK020 Biostatistics I
- CK030 Biostatistics II
- CK040 Clinical Epidemiology
It is also possible to use your Health Sciences research project as your master's research project. You can request an exemption from the Examination Board via Osiris Case.