FAQ for international Bachelor's and Master's applicants

Applying for a Bachelor’s / Master’s programme

• Applying online: practical information

  I want to apply for a programme. Where do I start?

  The best place to start is at the programme page of the programme you're interested in. Check our overview of all Bachelor's programmes and our overview of all Master’s programmes. We highly recommend you to read the admission requirements and application procedures carefully. 

  For certain programmes, you can check your eligibility for admission by filling out a short set of questions. This option can be found on the 'Admissions' page of the programme, under 'check your eligibilty'. For further instructions, have a look at the following pages:

  For further instructions, have a look at the following pages:

  • Bachelors: How do I apply for a Bachelor’s programme?
  • Masters: How do I apply for a Master’s programme?

  Have you decided which programme you want to apply for? Great! You should then proceed to take the following (general) steps*:

  Step 1: Apply in Studielink.

  Step 2: Complete your application via your dashboard on VU.nl.

  Step 3: Pay the application fee of €100 if you obtained your diploma(s) outside of the Netherlands.

  Step 4: Wait for the admission decision. We aim to inform you within 4 to 6 weeks.

  * Depending on the programme, you might have to take additional steps. For example, for Numerus Fixus programmes, there is also a selection procedure, for which you will have to do a selection test.
  
  
  I have received an email stating my VUnetID will be sent to me, but I have not received anything yet. What should I do?

  In case you did not receive your login details, please first check your spam folder. Please also note it can take up to 48 hours before you receive your login details.   

  If you are still unable to locate them, then contact our IT Servicedesk.

  Our service desk can be reached on workdays from 07:30-17.00.

  Telephone: +31 (0)20 59 80000

  Email: servicedesk.it@vu.nl
  
  
  I am unable to register for Studielink. What can I do?

  Firstly, please have a look at the help and the FAQ section of Studielink as this may already help you in finding the answer to your question. If you are still unable to create a Studielink account, please contact our Student Desk.
  
  
  I have deferred my application from last year. What do I need to do? 

  The following concerns the deferral of most programmes, but please note that it might not be possible to defer your conditional admission (e.g. if your programme has a selection procedure). Please contact your International Student Advisor for more information. 

  If you deferred your conditional offer last academic year, please re-apply in Studielink for the upcoming academic year. Please use your old Studielink login details and do not create a new account. 

  If you no longer have your previous login details, please let your International Student Advisor know. Please note that it may not be necessary to pay the application fee again, as the paid fee is valid for two consecutive academic years.
  
  
  With regards to the Numerus Fixus Bachelor's programmes (Biomedical Sciences, Computer Sciences and Psychology), what is the difference between admission and selection?

  If you apply for a Bachelor’s programme with a Numerus Fixus (NF) it means that - apart from completing your application and meeting the admission requirements on time in order to be admissible - you must also participate in a selection procedure in order to be (possibly) selected.

  Hence, this means there are two procedures you need to go through: 1) applying and receiving a (conditional) admission and 2) completing the selection procedure for a Numerus Fixus programme. You can find more information about the selection procedure of each of the NF programmes on the respective admissions webpages.

• Admission requirements and documents

  Where can I find the admission requirements?

  The requirements per country/diploma for general admission to our Bachelor's programmes can be found here: Am I admissible with my non-Dutch diploma?

  For more information on the application requirements for Master's programmes, please find an overview here: How do I apply for a Master’s programme?

  The programme specific requirements (for both Bachelor’s and Master’s) can be found on the programme pages. Go to the vu.nl homepage -> under Education, click either Bachelor's programmes or Master's programmes -> click ‘View all Bachelor's/Master's programmes’ -> select the programme you're interested in -> click ‘Admissions’ at the top of the page.

  As the Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application, we are unfortunately unable to confirm via e-mail or telephone if you would be eligible to apply to a Bachelor’s / Master’s programme.
  
  
  What is the ‘Application File’ mentioned on my Personal Dashboard?

  To apply for a Bachelor's or Master's programme you need to hand in a complete Application Form. This document contains important documents and information required for your application. 

  For Master's programmes, you can find the Application Form template under the tab titled ‘Application with an international degree’ on the programme page of your choice. For Bachelor's programmes, you can find the Application Form here: Application documents (make sure to select the correct file, as applications for certain programmes require a different form!).

  In our experience, we are unable to open a PDF file embedded in the document. We therefore advise you to copy / paste a scan or photo of the required documents in the template and then save this as a PDF file. You can also merge several PDF files into one larger file. You can then upload this document to your VU Dashboard.
  
  
  Which documents do I need to upload for my application?

  Please check the ‘Admissions’ page of the programme you're interested in for their specific requirements. Here you will find exactly what you need to upload. 

  If you're a Bachelor's applicant, take a look at the general information on how to apply for a Bachelor's programme and check the overview of all required documents for Bachelor's programmes.

  The mentioned documents can be in English, German, Dutch, French, Italian or Spanish. All other documents need be written in or translated into English.

  If you're a Master's applicant, please take a look at the general information on how to apply for a Master’s programme.

  To apply for a Master's programme you need to hand in a complete Application Form. You can find the application form template under the tab 'Admissions' > ‘Application with an international degree’ on the programme page of your choice. All required documents are listed in this template.
  
  
  I have not graduated yet. Can I still apply for a Bachelor's or Master's programme?

  For more information about your diploma, please take a look on our page about the verification of previous education.

  Bachelor's applicants: Yes, you can apply if you have not yet obtained your diploma, as long as your graduation date is before 31 August. Please let your school fill out, sign and stamp the Diploma Statement in that case. This document is included in the Bachelor Application Form.

  Master's applicants: You do not have to upload or send us a copy of your diploma if you have not graduated yet. This is not a required application document. Only if you receive a conditional offer from us will you need to send a certified copy of your diploma by postal mail before 31 August 2025. You can also ignore the automated email you receive from Studielink asking to send us a copy of the diploma.
  
  
  Do I need to hand in an English language test result when submitting my application?

  Although complete applications are preferred, you can already submit your application without your English test results. You can submit your passing score to your International Student Advisor at a later stage, but make sure to do so before the final deadline. 

  For more information about the English proficiency requirements, deadlines, etc. for Bachelor's applicants, please check our page on meeting language proficiency requirements. For more information about the English proficiency requirements, deadlines, etc. for Master's applicants, please see ‘Language Proficiency Requirements’ on our page about the application procedure for Master's programmes.

• Application and tuition fee

  I cannot afford the application fee. Can this fee be waived?

  All students seeking admission to an English-taught Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programme with an international diploma are required to pay a non-refundable €100 application fee. Only after you have paid this fee will we be able to start the assessment of your application file, so we strongly advise you not to delay the payment.

  There are however some exemptions to the payment of the application fee, which apply in the following situations:

  • If you have obtained your international diploma within the Kingdom of the Netherlands (for instance an IB diploma or A-levels).
  • If you have already applied for (and paid the application fee for) another programme at VU Amsterdam. Note that the fee payment is only valid for two consecutive academic years (e.g. 2022-2023 and 2023-2024) and will expire after this period. 
  • If you are applying through the Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF) and/or have an official refugee status in the Netherlands (as shown on your residence permit).
  • If you are a VASVU student.
  • If you are applying for the StuNed scholarship (for Indonesian Master's applicants only).
  • If you are applying for Joint Degree Master's Programme for which the application of international students is handled by the UvA (MSc in Chemistry, MSc in Computational Science, MSc in Entrepreneurship, MSc in Physics and Astronomy). 

  Do you meet one of the criteria mentioned above? Then please send your International Student Advisor(s) an email with your student number + the reason you qualify for a fee exemption, so we can process this for you. Note that we may ask you to send proof to support this.

  If none of the above applies to you, you will have to pay the application fee. If this is not financially viable for you, we strongly encourage you to reconsider coming to Amsterdam, as living and studying here requires a significant financial investment.

  
  I cannot afford the tuition fee. Are there scholarships available?

  Unfortunately, the scholarship options for Bachelor's students are quite limited. VU Amsterdam does not offer them, but we advise you to check our tips about funding your studies. Alternatively, you could check whether you’d be eligible for financial support financial support for foreign students through the government. Another good source to consult is Study in NL. 

  For international Master's students, there are some more scholarship options. Please have a look at our page on VU scholarships for incoming Master's students.

  I wish to apply for more than one Bachelor's or Master's programme. How do I do that? Do I have to pay the application twice?

  You can apply for up to four programmes at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam after paying the application fee once. To do so, you need to start and complete a new application in Studielink for every programme you wish to apply for.

After Submitting Your Application

• I have applied for a Bachelor's / Master's programme, but I have not heard anything. What do I do?

  Please note that the first step after you have submitted your application is for the International Office Admissions teams to look at the correctness and completeness of your application form. We work hard to do this within a week after submission, but when it is very busy it may take a bit longer.

  If anything appears to be missing or incorrect, you will be contacted about this. If your application form is complete, it will be forwarded to the International Student Advisors and/or Admission Board. You will be notified by email. The International Student Advisors and/or Admissions Board aim(s) to review your file within 4-8 weeks after reception.

  If you do not immediately hear from us, please note your application form may still be pending. If it takes longer than the above-mentioned times, feel free to check in with your International Student Advisor .

• I am waiting for a decision concerning my application. How long do I have to wait for a reply?

  The International Office will confirm receipt of your complete application once your form is submitted and all documents have been checked. Your admission decision will be determined based on the submitted documents only.

  Note that during holiday times and closer to the deadline dates the processing time (checking of all documents) and decision time is longer than in calmer periods. Keep this in mind in planning when to submit your application. Once you have received confirmation that the application is complete, we aim to send you the admission decision within 4-8 weeks.

  All information regarding your application will be sent to your Studielink registered e-mail address. It is your own responsibility to check your inbox regularly, including the spam folder.

• I need to hand in an assignment for the Research Master's programme in Clinical and Developmental Psychopathology, where can I send it to?

  If you have applied for the Research Master's programme in Clinical and Developmental Psychopathology, you can send the requested assignment to masters.fbms@vu.nl.

• Does the Bachelor’s programme I am applying for make use of VU Study Choice Check?

  Most Bachelor's programmes have adopted the VU Study Choice Check. Note that the Study Choice Check consists of two parts: a questionnaire and an activity. For the latter, you will receive an invitation around springtime.

  For some programmes the Study Choice Check is optional, for others it is mandatory. Please see your programme page to check what applies to your programme. 

• Why has my Application File been rejected?

  There can be several reasons why your Application File has been rejected. The reason(s) for the rejection will be included in the email you receive from us. Please make sure that the files you upload adhere to the requirements stated on the website.

  If you have any more questions about the reasons why your application file has not been accepted, please contact your International Student Advisor.

After admission: start your onboarding journey!

• Questions about how to complete your admission

   I have been (conditionally) admitted. What are the next steps I need to take?

  For more information on what do after admission, please consult our page on what happens after admission.

  For the next steps in the selection process of Numerus Fixus programmes, make sure to also check the tab ‘After Admission’ on our page detailing how to apply for a degree programme that uses a selection procedure (Numerus Fixus).

• Questions about my diploma / transcript

  What is a certified copy of a diploma/transcript and how do I share it with VU Amsterdam?

  VU Amsterdam requires a certified copy of your diploma (so not the original diploma) to verify your previous education – this copy should contain an original stamp and signature provided by the awarding institute (your school or university) as proof that it is a copy of the original document. If your diploma is not issued in English, German, Dutch, French or Spanish, please also submit an English translation by a sworn translator. Further specifications on what is accepted as a certified copy can be found on www.vu.nl/diploma

  Please do not send original documents, as they will not be returned to you. You can also bring a certified copy of your diploma to the Student Desk.
  
  
  I have sent my diploma to VU but haven't heard back/verification is still marked red in my Dashboard. What should I do?

  We kindly ask you for your patience. It can take a little while before we have received, verified and processed your documents, especially during peak periods around deadlines. Once this is done, it will take about a day before it is updated on your Dashboard. If you eventually would want to inquire about the status, please contact the Student Desk by emailing studentdesk@vu.nl.

  When you send your documents, please always remember to write your student number down on your documents!
  
  
  Bachelor's applicants only: I have sent all my documents, but the “Additional Admission Requirements” tab is still marked as red in my Dashboard. What am I missing?

  If the “Additional Admission Requirements” is marked red, this could mean you need to hand in a deficiency test (e.g. for Mathematics). Alternatively, it could indicate that certain conditions were imposed, for example a minimum GPA, a certain profile, course(s) or grade(s), and we still need to verify if you have met these requirements.

  Please consult your Decision on Admission Letter to see what your additional requirements are. After you have submitted your diploma to us, it may take some time

  before we are able to verify whether you have met the set conditions/requirements. We kindly ask you for your patience. In case you still have questions, please contact your International Student Advisor via email.
  
  
  I will not receive my diploma before 31 August 2023. Can I still start my Bachelor’s or Master’s programme?

  In order to be admitted to a Bachelor's or Master's programme of the VU Amsterdam, you do need to have graduated before 31 August. Unless you have a document stating you have actually graduated, you cannot enroll into the programme.

• Questions about test requirements

  Where can I send my English test result to?

  If you are obtaining your English test result after already having submitted your application, please send it to your International Student Advisor per email. The best way to do this is by responding to the Decision on Admission letter. You do not need to send a hard copy by postal mail. Make sure that you are sharing the test results so VU Amsterdam can verify your results.

  For more information on language requirements:

  • Bachelor's applicants can consult the page on meeting language proficiency requirements for Bachelor's degrees.
  • Master applicants can consult the page on meeting language proficiency requirements for Master's degrees.

  
  
  I will not have an English language test result before the deadline. Can I still start my degree programme?

  No, if you do not submit your English language test before the deadline that has been communicated to you, you will not meet all the admission requirements and hence will not be admissible. Please note the following deadlines:

  • 1 June - for students who require a study visa/residence permit.
  • 15 August (preferred submission date) - for PPE applicants who do not require a study visa/residence permit.
  • 31 August - final deadline for students with the EU/EEA nationality and other students who do not require a study visa/residence permit.

  For Numerus Fixus programmes:

  • 1 June - for students who require a study visa/residence permit.
  • 15 July - final deadline for students with the EU/EEA nationality and other students who do not require a study visa/residence permit. 

  Be aware of the fact that it can take a few weeks before you get the results of the English tests, so plan your test well ahead of time!
  
  
  The score for my English language test is too low. What do I do?

  If your test score is lower than required by your programme, you are not meeting all the admission requirements and hence will not be admissible. You could try and retake the test, if you still have sufficient time.
  
  
  I have received the results for my deficiency test. Where do I send it to?

  Please send it to your International Student Advisor per e-mail. TThe best way to do this is by responding to the Decision on Admission letter.

  You do not need to send a hard copy by postal mail. For more information or further alternatives, please see Deficiencies.
  
  
  I have been advised to sit a deficiency exam but will not receive my results before the deadline. Can I ask for an extension?

  We do not grant extensions for deficiency test, as you should have been made aware of this requirement well ahead of time. Bear in mind however, that it could take some time before you can schedule your test and before the results become available. Therefore, make sure to schedule your test appointment well before the deadline.
  
  
  I have received the results for my deficiency test, but the score is too low. What do I do?

  If your test score is lower than required by your programme, you are not meeting all the admission requirements and hence will not be admissible. You could try and retake the test, if you still have sufficient time.

• Questions about paying the tuition fee

  What is the tuition fee to study a Bachelor or Master programme?

  See all information about the tuition fees of Bachelor's programmes.

  See all information about the tuition fees of the Master's programmes.
  
  
  When do I have to pay the tuition fee?

  The fee must be paid before 31 August 2025. Please note that this might differ for Numerus Fixus programmes.

• Questions about (course) enrolment and registration

  I need a proof of (unconditional) admission. How do I obtain that?

  If you have met all requirements for enrolment, you can request a proof of registration from your personal dashboard on VU.nl. Otherwise, please send an email to your International Student Advisor.
  
  
  I want to register for courses, but I am unable to do so. What should I do?

  To be able to register for courses, you need to be unconditionally admitted to the programme of your choice. Please make sure you have met all conditions that are listed in your conditional admission letter. You can also check if you have met the requirements by checking your personal dashboard on VUnet. 

  Also, see more information about course registration.
  
  
  I need advice about the courses I can choose. Can you help me with this?

  Unfortunately, we cannot assist you with this. For more information about the content of the courses of your Bachelor's or Master's programme, please check the Study Guide of your programme. You can also contact your academic advisor once you are officially enrolled as a student.

  For first year Bachelor's students, please note that most of courses are mandatory, and thus there is little to no room to choose your own courses.

  If you have difficulties with enrolling into courses, please first consult our page on how to register and deregister for courses and exams or contact the Student Desk.

• Questions about student onboarding

  What is student onboarding?

  To optimise your student experience, VU Amsterdam offers (conditionally) admitted students a range of onboarding services and activities. All activities within the onboarding process are aimed at social and academic integration and cultural adaptation to foster your study success.  

  Read more about student onboarding  

  What kind of onboarding activities does VU Amsterdam offer?

  VU Amsterdam offers a range of activities both before and after your arrival in the Netherlands. Before you move to the Netherlands, there are several options to connect with your future fellow students so you can join the onboarding journey together, as well as informative online sessions about practical matters that need to be arranged before you go to Amsterdam.

  After your arrival, you can join our Introduction week for international students, join the introduction sessions of your programme and faculty and start off the year with an academic boost by taking part in the VU Jumpstart programme.

  Read more about student onboarding  
  
  
  

• Other questions

  I have been (conditionally) admitted but I want to start next year. How do I do this?

  Please contact your International Student Advisor to discuss the possibilities.

• My question is not answered in this FAQ. Who should I contact?

  • For further questions related to the application and admission process, please contact your International Student Advisor. If you're a Bachelor's applicant, find the contact details of the International Student Advisor(s) for Bachelor's programmes per faculty. If you're a Master's applicant, find the contact details of the International Student Advisor(s) for Master's programmes per faculty. 
  • For questions related to the Study Choice Check, please consult our page on the Study Choice Check. The right contact information can also be found there.
  • For questions related to housing: our international office can provide support in arranging accommodation for international degree students. Read more information about accommodation in Amsterdam.
  • For questions related to visa, please consult our page on visa and residence permit information. The right contact information can also be found there.
  • For questions related to academic advice/programme content, please see the contact information of the relevant academic advisor per faculty/programme.
  •  For questions related to diploma verification, tuition fee, course registration, Studielink, your personal dashboard on VU.nl, or other general questions, please contact the Student Desk.
  • For more information about support services for internationals, please read more about our International Support Services.
  • For general questions not related to any of the above, please call +31 (0)20 59 85000 or email  Studentdesk@vu.nl.

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