Communication Science

Check whether you meet the admission requirements and apply

• Admission requirements with non-Dutch previous education for Communication Science (EN)

  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.

  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 subject Mathematics:

  • International Baccalaureate: All IB Mathematics subjects.
  • British GCE A-Levels: A-levels or AS-level in Mathematics with a grade A, B or C.
  • Germany: Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife.
  • European Baccalaureate: Mathematics; written or oral examination, at least 3 hours during the Orientation Cycle.

  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 Science in Studielink you can start you application – in your VU dashboard, the next application step, you can confirm your choice for the English-taught track. If you have your Studielink set to Dutch you can find the programme under Communicatiewetenschap.

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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.

  You can obtain your certificates to resolve these deficiencies at various institutions.
   
  When advised to sit an entrance exam, the following certificates are deemed equivalent to the required Dutch VWO Mathematics C level:
  
  Mathematics Exams

  • Boswell-Bèta (English). Boswell-Bèta in Utrecht (the Netherlands) provides a VWO Mathematics C exam in May, July and August.
  • Online Mathematics Placement Test. The Online Mathematics Placement Test-E (OMPT-E) is an online mathematics test that you can take from home by means of online proctoring.

  A positive result for the mathematics examination (5,5/10 in the mathematics C exam or 60% in 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:

  • 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 Science (EN)

  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 Science at VU Amsterdam.

  Higher professional education (HBO) propaedeutic year 
  The following certificates must be obtained additionally at 6 VWO level:

  • English 

  Higher professional education (HBO) completed programme 
  The following certificates must be obtained additionally at 6 VWO level:

  • English* 

  *Applies only to a completed Dutch 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. 

• 21+ applicants with a valid Dutch home address and residence permit for Communication Science (EN track)

  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:

  • English at 6 VWO level
  • Mathematics A or B or Cat 6 VWO level

  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. Complete your application until 100% in your VU dashboard within six weeks and no later than one week after the application deadline closes. 

• Admission requirements with Dutch previous education for Communicatiewetenschap (NLTrack)

  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 Science at VU Amsterdam.

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

  • Dutch: at least NT2 II / CNaVT (STRT or EDUP)*

  *Does not apply to a completed Dutch programme propaedeutic year ór Dutch at 5 HAVO level.

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

  • Dutch: at least NT2 II / CNaVT (STRT or EDUP)*

  *Does not apply to a completed Dutch programme HBO bachelor ór Dutch at 5 HAVO level.

  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. 

• 21+ applicants with a valid Dutch home address and residence permit for Communicatiewetenschap (NL track)

  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:

  • English at 6 VWO level
  • Mathematics A or B or C at 6 VWO level
  • Dutch: at least NT2 II / CNaVT (STRT or EDUP)*

  * 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. 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. 

• Admission requirements with non-Dutch previous education for Communicatiewetenschap (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: minimaal NT2 II / CNaVT (STRT of EDUP)
  • Passing certificate Mathematics A or B or C at 6 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

  As a prospective student you will take part in the VU Amsterdam “Study Choice Check”. The Study Choice Check is part of the application procedure for all VU Amsterdam bachelor degree programmes. It’s aim is to give you a realistic idea of the content of the study, so that you can determine if the study matches your expectations and whether you have chosen the right programme.

  The digital questionnaire of the Study Choice Check is a mandatory part of the central registration process. In addition, each Study Programme organizes a Study Choice Check-activity on campus and/or online. The Study Choice Check for Communication Science is held on campus on: Monday 3 June 2024 from 12:30-15:00hrs in the Main building. At the campus activity you will get to know the study programme  & the VU campus better, and you will already meet some of your fellow students. Should you not be able to join the meeting on campus, you can join the online activity on the Canvas pages instead (Canvas is our digital learning platform). You will receive two invites for the Study Choice Check activity by e-mail, one for the campus activity, and one for the online activity (which will be available till mid-August). They contain the link to the same Canvas page. On Canvas, you will find preparation material for the meeting on June 3rd; more information about the Study Programme and information to get ready for student life. Please make sure to read the canvas page. Both activities are not mandatory, but we highly recommend taking part in the Study Choice Check so you can decide for yourself if you made the right choice for you.

  For general information about Study Choice Check, please check out the website VU Studiekeuzecheck (in Dutch) or VU Study Choice Check (in English). If you have specific questions about the Communication Science Study Choice Check day on campus, please get in touch at studychoicecheck.fsw@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.