Decipher truth and reality
Then the Bachelor of Philosophy is just the thing for you.
Check here whether you meet the admission requirements and how to register.
Note that for diplomas obtained outside of the Netherlands an application fee of €100 applies.
Application fee payment options and possible exemptions
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
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 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.
By selecting Philosophy 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 Filosofie.
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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 are the following subjects at 6 VWO level:
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 (a maximum of 2 attempts is allowed). Mathematics A/B or VWO state exams in German, French or Dutch can in certain cases 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:
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.
VWO diploma
Applicants who obtained a VWO diploma (all profiles) from a Dutch secondary educational institution are eligible for admission to the Bachelor programme Philosophy at VU Amsterdam.
Higher professional education (HBO) propaedeutic year
There are no additional requirements.
Higher professional education (HBO) completed programme
There are no additional requirements.
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 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.
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 with your non-Dutch diploma.
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. 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 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.
VWO diploma
Applicants who obtained a VWO diploma (all profiles) from a Dutch secondary educational institution are eligible for admission to the Dutch-taught Bachelor programme Filosofie at VU Amsterdam.
Higher professional education (HBO) propaedeutic year
There are no additional requirements.
Higher professional education (HBO) completed programme
There are no additional requirements.
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 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.
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:
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. 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 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:
Obtaining recognized certificates at 6 VWO level
Arrange your exams in time. You can obtain certificates accepted by VU Amsterdam from these different institutions.
Ready to apply?
Great! Click here for the application procedure. The application deadline for 21+ Entrance exam is 15 December. 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.
Check your study choice
It is compulsory to participate in the VU Study Choice Check activity of this programme!
VU Study Choice Check helps you to find out whether this study programme really suits you and matches the image and expectations you have. The VU Study Choice Check is part of the application procedure.
The 2026-2027 Study Check for this program consists of two parts:
For the core programme you can choose to study the programme in Dutch or English. Prior to the start of your studies, you select one of the following options:
You can find the admission requirements per track (including language (test) requirements) on this page.
Yes, this is possible!
Are you currently following a different research-focused Bachelor's programme and are you considering adding a second degree programme (major)?
Then our Bachelor's programme Philosophy is a suitable option for you!
What is the advantage of studying Philosophy in addition to your other studies?
In our programme you learn to develop a critical view on science, religion and society, strong argumentation and writing skills, as well as analytical research focus (including learning how to define research questions and getting to the root of the issue, which is a strong skill for the labour market).
Which study subject combination works well for Philosophy?
Any other research focused Bachelor's programme works! For example, we have students in our programme who study Law, Psychology, History and Physics as their second major.
Philosophy is a study programme that asks questions that go one step further, such as: 'what exactly is sound research?' and 'how should society be structured?'.
What does the programme look like?
You are taking the most important courses from the regular programme. Additionally, you can get possibly get exemptions based on credits obtained in a different programme.
Is it doable?
You can follow the programme either after concluding your other research focused Bachelor's programme, or (if not partly) simultaneously (which naturally results in a higher study load).
You can follow the programme at your own pace (and choose to register per period for 1 or 2 courses), but: keep in mind that if you register in Studielink for the full-time option, you are required to complete 42 EC in the first year of the programme as part of the BSA (binding study advice). If you study Philosophy at the same time as a different programme, we therefore advise you to register as a part-time student. You then prevent course schedule clashes and not meeting the minimum credit requirement, as the BSA (for this programme) is not applicable to you if you are registered for the part-time option.
What are the costs?
This differs per situation. Make sure to read all the conditions that apply for studying a second study programme on the tuition fee information page. Do you have any questions about your tuition fee rate? Then make sure to contact the Student Desk via the contact form.
Will I obtain a full Bachelor's degree?
Yes, after graduation you will receive a full Bachelor's degree in Philosophy. This may entail exemptions based credits obtained already in a different programme.
What is the language of instruction of this Bachelor's programme?
The programme is offered fully in English. This means that you will be studying together with fellow motivated Dutch and international students, from both the part-time and full-time programme.
How can I apply?
You can apply via Studielink by selecting the Bachelor's programme Philosophy (full-time or part-time) via the regular application procedure. You can indicate in the next step - VU Dashboard - that you wish to apply for the second study programme option. Once you are fully enrolled, you can submit a request for exemptions via de examination board of the programme.
Depending on whether you have already completed your other Bachelor's programme at the moment of application or not yet, you will be able to submit your exemption request with proof of completion of specific courses (obtained credits).
What is the start date?
When you have applied via Studielink and are fully enrolled, you can start the programme on 1 September at the start of the academic year. If you are unable to register by 1 September, you can take a look at the option to take some secondary subjects in Philosophy (depending on the entry requirements of the courses). It is not possible to start the full programme at a later start date.
How can I get in touch with fellow students who follow two programmes simultaneously?
Our programme has an active Student Assocation: “Icarus”. They will be happy to assist!
Why choose VU for Philosophy?
At VU we offer small-scale education and can offer personal guidance. For instance during the procress of writing papers and a thesis.
There are also many VU teachers involved with current research projects (What is the main task of a university? It it wrong to buy clothing from a sweat shop? Can arguments change someone's mind? Does neuroscience have the ability to show free will does not exist? It there a role for morality in the free market? etc.)
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.
Note: if you wish to register for Philosophy simultaneously with another programme, we recommend you to register as a part-time student. This selection has to be made already when you apply in Studielink, where you can select the part-time option of the programme. After that, you can continue with the regular application procedure.
Yes, this is possible!
Looking for part-time education, for example in combination with your professional job? VU Amsterdam offers the Bachelor's degree Philosophy as a part-time option. Keep in mind that planning is required, as there is a weekly programme and class schedule that is assigned.
More information about studying part-time
How can I apply?
You can select the part-time option of the programme in Studielink. After that, you can continue with the regular application procedure.
General questions
International diploma applicants
Contact
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