Study and analyse human behaviour and wellbeing
Then the Psychology programme is for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Would you like to learn more about the programme? We wrote down the answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
For students who want to start the bachelor's programme in Psychology in September 2025, a selection procedure (Numerus Fixus) applies. There are 600 places available at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The number of places available for Psychology includes the total of the English and Dutch track. You can apply from 1 October 2024 until 15 January 2025 (23.59 CET) in Studielink for academic year 2025-2026. After you have applied in Studielink, you complete your application in your personal dashboard on vu.nl.
What does the selection procedure look like?
After you have applied for the programme between 1 October 2024 and 15 January 2025 (23.59 CET), you can participate in the selection procedure. You will receive further information about this procedure by email a few days after we have received your application. Please note: candidates who register before 1 November, will receive this email on 1 November.
The available places will be allocated via a combination of selection and lottery. All candidates will be scored on the following selection criteria:
- A score based on the Grade Point Average (GPA) of your previous education. For this purpose, your grades of the admission-giving education are taken into account. If you have not yet completed this education, your grades from the last completed year are taken into account.
- A score obtained on a best efforts obligation.
The procedure is as follows:
1. Candidates with a Grade Point Average on their high school diploma that is equivalent to ≥ 7.5 in the Dutch grading system and a sufficient score on the best efforts obligation will be selected directly and will be offered a place in the programme.
2. The remaining places will be allocated via unweighted lottery to candidates who have obtained a score on both selection criteria.
Best efforts obligation
The best efforts obligation consists of two components:
-studying the study material for the test (including watching some online video's)
-participation in the test
Study materials
Three weeks before the test, you will receive all the necessary information by e-mail to gain access to the study materials. We expect that you will need approximately 12 hours to study the materials. It is not necessary nor possible to start preparing for the test earlier.
The online test
All candidates will take the test on Saturday 8 March 2025. The test will be administered online using Online Proctoring. Three weeks prior to the test, you will receive more information about the test and the start time by email. This is the only date and time at which the test can be taken. There are no exceptions to this.
If you did not participate in one or both components of the best efforts obligation, we unfortunately cannot give you a ranking number. Without a ranking number, it is not possible to start the programme.
Important dates:
Information on Numerus Fixus
Visit our Numerus Fixus page for important information on Numerus Fixus programmes, including selection attempts.
If you have any questions regarding our selection procedure, please do not hesitate to contact us via selectiepsychologie.fgb@vu.nl
Psychology is a selective programme (Numerus Fixus). In addition to being selected for a spot in the programme, applicants holding a non-Dutch pre-university diploma must meet a number of requirements*. If you do not yet meet the requirements but expect to do so in the future (such as obtaining your diploma), you can already apply.
We will evaluate your application and inform you of our admission decision. All outstanding requirements need to be met in full by the time you enrol for the programme. Admission to the programme will remain conditional until your certified diploma copy is received and the conditions in your admission decision letter have been met.
Requirements that apply:
1. A diploma equivalent to the Dutch pre-university VWO-diploma
See the Diploma Requirement List for examples of accepted diplomas per country.
Please note: this list is meant to give you an indication of admissibility; no rights can be derived from it.
Applicants who do not meet this criterion may be asked to sit (an) entry exam(s) to prove they are eligible for admission.
2. Proof of sufficient proficiency in English
You can find all accepted tests and scores on our Language Requirements webpage. Although complete applications are preferred, you can begin your application before you have completed the test and then submit your passing score once you have been conditionally admitted.
3. Proof of sufficient proficiency in Mathematics
After you've applied for the programme and uploaded the required documents in your VU Dashboard, the International Office will determine whether your diploma is equivalent to the Dutch VWO-diploma and whether your mathematics level is sufficient.
These examples of diplomas demonstrate sufficient proficiency in the required level of mathematics:
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* Not directly eligible for admission?
If your diploma is not considered to be at the right level and/or if your proficiency in mathematics is considered to be insufficient, you will be informed if it is possible to meet the requirements with an additional certificate.
When advised to sit (an) entry exam(s), the following certificates are deemed equivalent to Dutch VWO Mathematics C and Biology*:
*Applicants who do not meet the first criterion (equivalent diploma to the Dutch VWO diploma) may be asked to sit a Mathematics C and a Biology entry exam to prove they are eligible for admission.
A positive result for the examinations (5,5/10 for the Boswell-Bèta and/or CCVX exam(s) or 60% for the OMPT-E online exam) is compulsory for admission to the programme. If your OMPT test result was obtained more than 1 year ago, you may be asked to re-take the test to prove your mathematics proficiency. When this applies to you, it will be communicated in your admission decision if retaking the test is needed.
To ensure that your application is processed in time in order to study and register for the exams we ask applicants to apply for their bachelor's programme of choice before:
Note that in addition to these tests, all applicants will need to submit proof of sufficient proficiency in English. You can find all accepted tests and scores on our Language Requirements webpage.
Note that for diplomas obtained outside of the Netherlands an application fee of €100 applies.
Application fee payment options and possible exemptions
Application deadline
The Bachelor's programme in Psychology is a numerus fixus study programme. You can apply in Studielink until 15 January.
Do you have a non-Dutch nationality? Then you may be eligible for housing via the International Office Accommodation Services. An early application is then strongly recommended.
Ready to apply?
Have you read the information above and are you ready to apply? Great! Click here for the application procedure.
Complete your application until 100% in your VU dashboard within six weeks and no later than one week after the application deadline closes.
VWO diploma
Applicants who obtained a VWO diploma (all profiles) from a Dutch secondary educational institution are eligible for admission to the Bachelor's degree programme Psychology at VU Amsterdam.
Higher professional education (HBO) propaedeutic year
The following certificates must be obtained additionally at 6 VWO level:
Higher professional education (HBO) completed programme
The following certificates must be obtained additionally at 6 VWO level:
Obtaining recognized certificates at 6 VWO level
Arrange your exams in time, the deadline for submitting the obtained certificates is 15 July 2025. You can obtain certificates accepted by VU from these different institutions.
Application deadline
The Bachelor's programme in Psychology is a numerus fixus study programme. You can apply in Studielink until 15 January 2025.
Ready to apply?
Great! Click here for the application procedure. Complete your application until 100% in your VU dashboard within six weeks and no later than one week after the application deadline closes.
Do you not meet any of the above programme requirements, but are 21 years of age or older? Then there is the possibility of admission to the programme based on the entrance examination.
The following certificates must be obtained:
Obtaining recognized certificates at 6 VWO level
Arrange your exams in time, the deadline for submitting the obtained certificates is 15 July 2025. You can obtain certificates accepted by VU from these different institutions.
Ready to apply?
Great! Click here for the application procedure. The application deadline for 21+ Entrance exam is 15 December 2024. Complete your application until 100% in your VU dashboard within six weeks and no later than one week after the application deadline closes.
VWO diploma
Applicants who obtained a VWO diploma (all profiles) from a Dutch secondary educational institution are eligible for admission to the Bachelor's degree programme Psychology at VU Amsterdam.
Higher professional education (HBO) propaedeutic year
The following certificates must be obtained additionally when applying for the Dutch track:
*Does not apply to a completed Dutch programme HBO propaedeutic year or Dutch at 5 HAVO
Higher professional education (HBO) completed programme
The following certificates must be obtained additionally when applying for the Dutch track:
*Doest not apply to a completed Dutch programme HBO bachelor or Dutch at 5 HAVO
Obtaining recognized certificates at 6 VWO level
Arrange your exams in time, the deadline for submitting the obtained certificates is 15 July 2025. You can obtain certificates accepted by VU from these different institutions.
Aanmelddeadline
The Bachelor's programme in Psychologie (NL track) is a numerus fixus study programme. You can apply in Studielink until 15 January 2025.
Ready to apply?
Great! Click here for the application procedure. Complete your application until 100% in your VU dashboard within six weeks and no later than one week after the application deadline closes.
Do you not meet any of the above programme requirements, but are 21 years of age or older? Then there is the possibility of admission to the programme based on the entrance examination.
The following certificates must be obtained:
* Does not apply to a passing subject for Dutch at 5 HAVO level.
Obtaining recognized certificates at 6 VWO level
Arrange your exams in time, the deadline for submitting the obtained certificates is 15 July 2025. You can obtain certificates accepted by VU from these different institutions.
Ready to apply?
Great! Click here for the application procedure. The application deadline for 21+ Entrance exam is 15 December 2024. Complete your application until 100% in your VU dashboard within six weeks and no later than one week after the application deadline closes.
A non-Dutch previous education does not always give direct admission. Therefore, it is important that you register for the study in Studielink as soon as possible. You will then receive an email with information about your personal VU Dashboard. Here you can upload all the necessary documents for assessing your admission. Upon receipt, you will be informed by email whether you are admissible to the programme.
The following additional admission requirements may apply:
The final admission requirements applicable to you will be communicated by the admissions committee once your application is assessed.
Obtaining recognized certificates at 6 VWO level
Arrange your exams in time, the deadline for submitting the obtained certificates is 15 July 2025. You can obtain certificates accepted by VU from these different institutions.
Aanmelddeadline
De bacheloropleiding Psychology is een numerus fixus opleiding. Je kunt je tot 15 januari 2025 aanmelden via Studielink.
Ready to apply?
Great! Click here for the application procedure. Complete your application until 100% in your VU dashboard within six weeks and no later than one week after the application deadline closes.
The BSA is an advice given to all Bachelor’s students on four occasions during their first year of studies concerning their study progress. The fourth recommendation, issued at the end of the first year, is binding in nature. To continue to the second year you must have obtained a certain number of credits.
To receive a positive BSA for this study programme you must have obtained a minimum of 42 EC (credits) at the end of the first year of enrolment. Every student has access to an overview of the obtained study results and assessments are available for inspection after registration of the test result.
General questions
International diploma applicants
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