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 in the dropdown menu.
For students who wish to begin the Bachelor's programme in Psychology in September 2027, a selection procedure (Numerus Fixus) will apply. There are 600 places available at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The number of places available for Psychology includes the total of the English and Dutch tracks. You can apply from 1 October 2026 until 15 January 2027 (23.59 CET) in Studielink for the academic year 2027-2028. 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 2026 and 15 January 2027 (23.59 CET), you can participate in the selection procedure. You will receive further information about this procedure by e-mail within a week after we have received your application.
The available places will be allocated via a combination of selection and lottery. All candidates will be scored on the following selection criteria:
The procedure is as follows:
Candidates in Group 1 will be selected directly and will be offered a place in the programme. Group 2 and then Group 3 follow on the ranking list. Within these two groups, the places are awarded to the candidates by means of an unweighted lottery.
The online test
Three weeks before the test, you will receive all the necessary information by e-mail to gain access to the study materials. We expect that you will need approximately 12 hours to study the materials. It is neither necessary nor possible to start preparing for the test earlier.
The study materials and the exam are based on material representative of the first year of the Bachelor's programme in Psychology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The study materials will be in English.
Taking the test – March 6, 2027
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.
Note that for diplomas obtained outside of the Netherlands an application fee of €100 applies.
Application fee payment options and possible exemptions
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.
Overview of IB Diploma requirements per programme (PDF)
Overview of GCE A-level requirements per programme (PDF)
Overview of College Board Advanced Placement (AP) 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.
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:
Application deadline
The Bachelor's programme in Psychology is a numerus fixus study programme. You can apply in Studielink until 15 January 2027.
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.
---
* 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. For the OMPT test a maximum of 2 attempts per year is allowed.
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'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:
*Does not apply to a completed English-taught HBO bachelor’s degrees.
Obtaining recognized certificates at 6 VWO level
Arrange your exams in time, the deadline for submitting the obtained certificates is 15 July. You can obtain certificates accepted by VU from these different institutions.
Application deadline
The Bachelor's programme in Psychology is a numerus fixus study programme. You can apply in Studielink until 15 January.
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.
Do you not meet any of the above programme requirements, but are 21 years of age or older? Then there is the possibility of admission to the programme based on the entrance examination.
The following certificates must be obtained:
Obtaining recognized certificates at 6 VWO level
Arrange your exams in time, the deadline for submitting the obtained certificates is 15 July. 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.
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.
For students who wish to begin the Bachelor's programme in Psychology in September 2027, a selection procedure (Numerus Fixus) will apply. There are 600 places available at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The number of places available for Psychology includes the total of the English and Dutch tracks. You can apply from 1 October 2026 until 15 January 2027 (23.59 CET) in Studielink for the academic year 2027-2028. 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 2026 and 15 January 2027 (23.59 CET), you can participate in the selection procedure. You will receive further information about this procedure by e-mail within a week after we have received your application.
The available places will be allocated via a combination of selection and lottery. All candidates will be scored on the following selection criteria:
The procedure is as follows:
Candidates in Group 1 will be selected directly and will be offered a place in the programme. Group 2 and then Group 3 follow on the ranking list. Within these two groups, the places are awarded to the candidates by means of an unweighted lottery.
The online test
Three weeks before the test, you will receive all the necessary information by e-mail to gain access to the study materials. We expect that you will need approximately 12 hours to study the materials. It is neither necessary nor possible to start preparing for the test earlier.
The study materials and the exam are based on material representative of the first year of the Bachelor's programme in Psychology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The study materials will be in English.
Taking the test – March 6, 2027
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.
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:
*Does not apply to a completed English-taught HBO bachelor’s degrees.
**Does not apply to a completed Dutch programme HBO propaedeutic year or Dutch at 5 HAVO
Obtaining recognized certificates at 6 VWO level
Arrange your exams in time, the deadline for submitting the obtained certificates is 15 July. You can obtain certificates accepted by VU from these different institutions.
Application deadline
The Bachelor's programme in Psychologie (NL track) is a numerus fixus study programme. You can apply in Studielink until 15 January.
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.
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:
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, the deadline for submitting the obtained certificates is 15 July 2026. You can obtain certificates accepted by VU from these different institutions.
Application deadline
The Bachelor's programme in Psychologie (NL track) is a numerus fixus study programme. You can apply in Studielink until 15 January 2026.
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.
Do you not meet any of the above programme requirements, but are 21 years of age or older? Then there is the possibility of admission to the programme based on the entrance examination.
The following certificates must be obtained:
* 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, the deadline for submitting the obtained certificates is 15 July. 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.
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
Contact
Copyright © VU