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.
Overview IB Diploma requirements per programme (PDF)
Overview GCE A-level requirements per programme (PDF)
Overview AP College Board requirements per programme (PDF)
Requirements that apply:
1. A diploma equivalent to the Dutch pre-university VWO-diploma
The International Office will determine whether your diploma is equivalent to the Dutch 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 English test and then submit your passing score once you have been conditionally admitted.
3. Proof of sufficient proficiency in Mathematics
The International Office will determine whether your mathematics level is sufficient*. These are some examples of diploma subjects that demonstrate sufficient proficiency in the subject Mathematics:
- International Baccalaureate: Mathematics HL, Analysis & Approaches HL
- British GCE A-Levels: A-level in Mathematics, at least grade A, B or C
- Germany: Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife, including Mathematics on erhöhtem Anforderungsniveau (eA) or as Leistungsfach
- European Baccalaureate: Mathematics; written or oral examination, at least 5 hours during the Orientation Cycle
- College Board AP scores: AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC minimum score 3
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?
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 Application Form – Bachelor
Download the correct form from this page. In this document, you are asked to provide further details about your previous education level.
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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 entry exam, the following certificates are deemed equivalent to Dutch VWO Mathematics B:
Mathematics Exams (available in English and accepted by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam):
- Boswell-Bèta (English). Boswell-Bèta in Utrecht (the Netherlands) provides VWO Mathematics B with exams in December, May and July.
- CCVX (Dutch and English). CCVX offers VWO Mathematics B.
- Online Mathematics Placement Test. The Online Mathematics Placement Test-D (OMPT-D) 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 B exam or 60% in the OMPT-D online exam) is compulsory for admission to the programme.
For OMPT the additional information applies: a maximum number of 2 attempts per admission round is allowed.
If you expect that you do not meet the mathematics requirement, 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.
