Study and analyse human behaviour and wellbeing
Then the Psychology programme is for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Would you like to learn more about the programme? We wrote down the answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
For students who want to start the bachelor's programme in Psychology in September 2024, a selection procedure (Numerus Fixus) applies. There are 600 places available at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The number of places available for Psychology includes the total of the English and Dutch track. You can apply from 1 October 2023 until 15 January 2024 (23.59 CET) in Studielink for academic year 2024-2025. After you have applied in Studielink, you complete your application in your personal dashboard on vu.nl.
What does the selection procedure look like?
After you have applied for the programme between 1 October 2023 and 15 January 2024 (23.59 CET), you can participate in the selection procedure. You will receive further information about this procedure by email a few days after we have received your application. Please note: candidates who register before 1 November, will receive this email on 1 November.
The available places will be allocated via a combination of selection and lottery. All candidates will be scored on the following selection criteria:
- A score based on the Grade Point Average (GPA) of your previous education. For this purpose, your grades of the admission-giving education are taken into account. If you have not yet completed this education, your grades from the last completed year are taken into account.
- A score obtained on a test, to be taken at the end of an introduction day.
These activities will take place on the VU Campus. Online participation is only possible for candidates who do not live in the Netherlands at the time of the introduction day.
The procedure is as follows:
1. Candidates with a Grade Point Average on their high school diploma that is equivalent to ≥ 7.5 in the Dutch grading system and a sufficient score on the test during the introduction day will be selected directly and will be offered a place in the programme.
2. The remaining places will be allocated via unweighted lottery to candidates who have obtained a score on both selection criteria.
Introduction day and test
All candidates participate in the introduction day and make the test as a best efforts obligation. These activities will take place on Saturday 2 March 2024, on the VU Campus. Online participation is only possible for candidates who do not live in the Netherlands at the time of the introduction day.
During the introduction day you will follow two lectures. Afterwards, you will take a test. Candidates who participate online will also take the test online. Two weeks prior to the introduction day, you will receive an invitation with all necessary information. You do not have to prepare anything for this day.
If you are unable to participate in the introduction day and the test, we unfortunately cannot give you a ranking number. Without a ranking number it is not possible to start the programme.
Important dates:
Information on Numerus Fixus
Visit our Numerus Fixus page for important information on Numerus Fixus programmes, including selection attempts.
If you have any questions regarding our selection procedure, please do not hesitate to contact us via selectiepsychologie.fgb@vu.nl
Psychology is a selective programme (Numerus Fixus). In addition to being selected for a spot in the programme, applicants holding a non-Dutch pre-university diploma must meet 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. All outstanding requirements need to be met in full by the time you enrol for the programme. Admission to the programme will remain conditional until your certified diploma copy is received and the conditions in your admission decision letter have been met.
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.
Applicants who do not meet this criterion may be asked to sit (an) entry exam(s) to prove they are eligible for admission.
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 required level of mathematics:
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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.
When advised to sit (an) entry exam(s), the following certificates are deemed equivalent to Dutch VWO Mathematics C and Biology*:
*Applicants who do not meet the first criterion (equivalent diploma to the Dutch VWO diploma) may be asked to sit a Mathematics C and a Biology entry exam to prove they are eligible for admission.
A positive result for the examinations (5,5/10 for the Boswell-Bèta and/or CCVX exam(s) or 60% for 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:
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.
Note that for diplomas obtained outside of the Netherlands an application fee of €100 applies.
Application fee payment options and possible exemptions
The Bachelor's programme in Psychology is a Numerus Fixus study programme. The application deadline for all students for 2024-2025 is 15 January 2024 (or 15 December 2023 if you are applying via the 21+ Entrance exam route). 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.
Have you read the information above and are you ready to apply? Great! Click here for the application procedure.
VWO diploma
Applicants who obtained a VWO diploma (all profiles) from a Dutch secondary educational institution are eligible for admission to the Bachelor's degree programme Psychology at VU Amsterdam.
Higher professional education (HBO) propaedeutic year
The following certificates must be obtained additionally at 6 VWO level:
Higher professional education (HBO) completed programme
The following certificates must be obtained additionally at 6 VWO level:
21+ applicants with a valid Dutch home address and residence permit
Do you not meet any of the above programme requirements and are 21 years of age or older? Then there is the possibility of admission to the programme based on the entrance examination. Please visit the "entrance examination" page for more information on the application deadline and fees.
The following certificates must be obtained at 6 VWO level:
Deficiencies at 6 VWO level
You can obtain your certificates at various institutions. Do this no later than 15 July 2024.
Ready to apply?
Great! The Bachelor's programme in Psychology is a Numerus Fixus study programme. You can apply via Studielink, please keep in mind the application deadlines.
Complete immediately your application until 100% in your personal dashboard on VU.nl.
A foreign diploma gives admission to this bachelor's programme if this diploma is equivalent to the Dutch vwo diploma. The admissions committee will assess the admission request only after receiving your application in Studielink and completing your student portal on VU.nl. The admissions committee will notify you of the admission decision by e-mail.
Additional admission requirements may apply:
1. A diploma equivalent to the Dutch vwo diploma.
See the List of Diploma Requirements for examples of accepted diplomas per country. Please note: this list is intended as an indication of admissibility; no rights can be derived from it.
2. Proof of sufficient command of the English language
You can find all accepted tests and scores on our webpage Meeting language requirements.
3. Proof of sufficient command of the Dutch language
You can find all accepted tests and scores on our webpage Meeting language requirements.
4. Passed certificate Mathematics A or B or C
You can obtain your vwo certificates at various institutions.
5. Passed certificate in Biology
You can obtain your vwo certificates from various institutions.
The deadline to submit the diploma and certificates is 15 July 2024.
The final admission requirements that apply to you will be communicated by the admissions committee when assessing your application.
Ready to apply?
Great! The Bachelor's programme in Psychologie is a Numerus Fixus study programme. You can apply via Studielink, please keep in mind the application deadlines.
Complete immediately your application until 100% in your personal dashboard on VU.nl.
VWO diploma
Applicants who obtained a VWO diploma (all profiles) from a Dutch secondary educational institution are eligible for admission to the Bachelor's degree programme Psychology at VU Amsterdam.
Higher professional education (HBO) propaedeutic year
The following certificates must be obtained additionally when applying for the Dutch track:
*Does not apply to a completed Dutch programme HBO propaedeutic year or Dutch at 5 HAVO
Higher professional education (HBO) completed programme
The following certificates must be obtained additionally when applying for the Dutch track:
*Doest not apply to a completed Dutch programme HBO bachelor or Dutch at 5 HAVO
21+ applicants with a valid Dutch home address and residence permit
Do you not meet any of the above programme requirements and are 21 years of age or older? Then there is the possibility of admission to the programme based on the entrance examination. Please visit the "entrance examination" page for more information on the application deadline and fees.
The following certificates must be obtained:
*Does not apply to completed Dutch at 5 HAVO
Deficiencies at 6 VWO level
You can obtain your certificates at various institutions. Do this no later than 15 July 2024.
Ready to apply?
Great! The Bachelor's programme in Psychologie (Dutch track) is a Numerus Fixus study programme. You can apply via Studielink, please keep in mind the application deadlines.
Complete immediately your application until 100% in your personal dashboard on VU.nl.
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.
General questions
International diploma applicants
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