Student blogs

Applying for a master’s program can feel overwhelming at times. It’s easy to get caught up in questions like, “What’s the right program for me?” or “Will this really align with my interests?” For me, the decision was surprisingly clear—I had a good sense of what I didn’t want to do after my bachelor’s degree, and when I came across the Bioentrepreneurship master’s program at KI, it just clicked. Since the application period is open, I thought I’d share what drew me to this program and why it’s been such a great choice for me so far.

From research to business

During my bachelor’s studies, I became more and more certain that I did not want to work in academia or in a laboratory setting. I did not have a very pleasant experience in the lab during my thesis, and after that, I wanted to stay as far away as I possibly could from the environment. I was still very much interested in life sciences and wanted to make an impact in health care outside of the lab. During my final year of my bachelor’s, I started to discover other opportunities in the industry that were not related to research and I became more curious about the intersection between life science and business. Initially, I wanted to gain more work experience by trying to get a job in the industry and from there pave my way to a corporate position. When I discovered the MBE program and looked into the course curriculum, I knew this was exactly what I needed and immediately started preparing my application.

Hands-on experience vs theoretical knowledge, or both?

The MBE program stands out with its distinctive course curriculum, and the courses are tailored to not only focus on teaching the fundamental theories of business and entrepreneurship but also to offer students practical skills. Something that convinced me to finally apply for the program was the practical placements. The program offers two practical placements, which are essentially internships in life-science companies. The first practical placement takes place in the first year during the second semester, where students are allocated to one of the partner companies based on their specific interests. During the second year, students get to do their placement in the company of their own choice. Moreover, the degree project can also be conducted in a company setting. As KI has a lot of connections to different companies, both big pharma and start up companies, it offers students a valuable opportunity to get exposure to the industry and, of course, build their network.

The curriculum focuses on essential business and entrepreneurial concepts such as project management, business development, product development, and market analysis. It’s worth mentioning that the program does not offer any science courses, which for me was not a problem as I wanted to focus on the business aspect. Although, I initially had some concerns about whether I’d be able to keep up without any prior knowledge of business. However, the program emphasises that no previous experience is required, as most students begin at a similar level, which was reassuring and turned out to be true.

How is it going now?

Now that I’m more than halfway through the program, I can confidently say I couldn’t be happier with my choice. The program has turned out to be much more fast-paced than I initially expected, and the workload can be intense at times, but I’ve genuinely enjoyed the journey so far. I’ve had the chance to attend countless networking events, meet interesting people, and learn more about their roles and experiences. On top of that, the teachers have been fantastic, and I’ve made great friends along the way. I’m already looking forward to the next semester and all the new opportunities it will bring!

Should you apply to the MBE program?

If you’re someone who’s passionate about making an impact in the life sciences industry, blending business with life science, or even dreaming of starting your own company in the field, then this program might just be the perfect fit for you. This program is interdisciplinary, combining hands-on learning with solid theoretical knowledge, which sets you up for a variety of career paths. You’ll get exposure to all sorts of roles across the sector, giving you a clearer picture of where you might want to go next. If this sounds like you, grab your laptop and start that application — you won’t want to miss this opportunity!