Language and Media

Check whether you meet the admission requirements and apply

• Applying with non-Dutch previous education for Communication and Information Studies (EN tracks)

  Note that for diplomas obtained outside of the Netherlands an application fee of €100 applies.
  Application fee payment options and possible exemptions

  Admission requirements

  Applicants holding a non-Dutch pre-university diploma apply via the International Office. We check if your previous education meets 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.
  
  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.
  
  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.

  Application documents

  • Scan of your passport or national ID card (ID for EEA students only) valid at the start date of the programme
  • VU Application Form - Bachelor; please download the correct format from this page. In the document you are asked to provide further details about your previous education level.
  • Proof of English language proficiency (if already obtained): upload your proof of English language proficiency or English language test results.
    VU English language requirements

  Application procedure

  Application deadline
  The final application deadline for non-EU/EEA students is 1 April  and for Dutch and EU students the final deadline is 1 May. 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.
  
  By selecting Communication and Information Studies in Studielink you can start you application – in your VU dashboard, the next application step, you can confirm your choice for one of the two English-taught tracks: Language and Media or Language and Mind. If you have your Studielink set to Dutch you can find the programme under Communicatie- en Informatiewetenschappen.

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  *Not directly eligible for admission?
  Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements may in some cases be asked to sit (an) entry exam(s) to prove they are eligible for admission. The required tests may include one or more of the following subjects at 6 VWO level:

  • History (VU History test)
  • VWO Mathematics C (OMPT-E) 

  A positive result for the mathematics examination is 5,5/10 in the VWO mathematics C exam or 60% in the OMPT-E online exam. Mathematics A/B or VWO state exams in German, French or Dutch with passing grades can also be accepted in lieu of the above mentioned mathematics exam.

  You can obtain your certificates to resolve these deficiencies at various institutions.

  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:

  • 15 December if you are applying via the 21+ Entrance exam route
  • 1 April for all other students

  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.

• Admission requirements with Dutch previous education for Communication and Information Studies (EN tracks)

  Language and Media or Language and Mind

  VWO diploma
  Applicants who obtained a VWO diploma (all profiles) from a Dutch secondary educational institution are eligible for admission to the Bachelor programme Communication and Information Studies at VU Amsterdam.

  Higher professional education (HBO) propaedeutic year 
  The following certificates must be obtained additionally:

  • English at 6 VWO level
  • History or Dutch at 6 VWO level

  Higher professional education (HBO) completed programme 
  The following certificate must be obtained additionally:

  • English at 6 VWO level*

  *Does not apply to a completed English-taught HBO bachelor

  Obtaining recognized certificates at 6 VWO level
  Arrange your exams in time. You can obtain certificates accepted by VU from these different institutions.

  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. 

• Applicants 21+ entrance exam with a valid Dutch home address and residence permit for Communicatie- en Informatiewetenschappen (EN track)

  Language and Media or Language and Mind

  Do you not meet any of the above program requirements and are 21 years of age or older? Then there is the possibility of admission to the program based on the entrance examination. 

  The following certificates must be obtained:

  • Passing certificate English at 6 VWO level
  • Passing certificate of two 6 VWO level subjects of choice out of: History, German, French, Dutch or Mathematics A or B or C

  Obtaining recognized certificates at 6 VWO level
  Arrange your exams in time. 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.

• Admission requirements with Dutch previous education for Communicatie- en Informatiewetenschappen (NL track)

  Media en Journalistiek

  VWO diploma
  Applicants who obtained a VWO diploma (all profiles) from a Dutch secondary educational institution are eligible for admission to the Bachelor programme Communicatie- en Informatiewetenschappen at VU Amsterdam.

  Higher professional education (HBO) propaedeutic year 
  The following certificates must be obtained additionally:

  • English at 6 VWO level
  • Dutch at 6 VWO level

  Higher professional education (HBO) completed programme 
  The following certificate must be obtained additionally:

  • Dutch at 6 VWO level:* 
  • English at 6 VWO level**: 

  *Does not apply to a completed Dutch programme HBO bachelor
  **Does not apply to a completed English programme HBO bachelor

  Obtaining recognized certificates at 6 VWO level
  Arrange your exams in time. You can obtain certificates accepted by VU from these different institutions.

  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. 

• Applicants 21+ entrance exam with a valid Dutch home address and residence permit for Communicatie- en Informatiewetenschappen (NL track)

  Media en Journalistiek

  Do you not meet any of the above program requirements and are 21 years of age or older? Then there is the possibility of admission to the program based on the entrance examination. 

  The following certificates must be obtained:

  • Passing certificate Dutch at 6 VWO level
  • Passing certificate English at 6 VWO level
  • Passing certificate of one 6 VWO level subject of choice out of: History, German, French or Mathematics A or B or C

  Obtaining recognized certificates at 6 VWO level
  Arrange your exams in time. 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.

• Admission requirements with non-Dutch previous education for Communicatie- en Informatiewetenschappen (NL track)

  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:

  • Passing certificate English at 6 VWO level
  • Passing certificate Dutch: minimal NT2 II / CNaVT (STRT of EDUP)
  • Passing certificate History at 6 VWO level
  • Passing certificate Mathematics A, B or C at VWO level

  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. You can obtain certificates accepted by VU from these different institutions.

  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. 

• VU Study Choice Check

  Check your study choice

  As a prospective student at VU Amsterdam you will take part in the VU Study Choice Check. The Study Choice Check consists of two parts: 

  - a digital questionnaire (mandatory)

  - an activity (optional)

  The activity is organized both online and at VU. The activity at VU will take place on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The online activity is ongoing and is offered via Canvas, our digital learning platform.

  For general information about Study Choice Check, please check the website VU Studiekeuzecheck (in Dutch) or VU Study Choice Check (in English). Do you have a specific question about the study choice check activity of this study programme? Please contact studiekeuzecheck.fgw@vu.nl. 

• Binding Study Advice (BSA)

  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.