Classics and Ancient Civilizations: Research

Check whether you meet the programme requirements and apply

• I have a Dutch university level (WO) Bachelor’s degree (VU Bachelor’s degree, VU pre-master's or Bachelor’s degree at another university)

  You can be admitted to the (Research) Master’s programme if you have obtained an academic (WO) Bachelor’s degree in:  

  • Classics (Griekse en Latijnse Taal en Cultuur)
  • Ancient Studies (Oudheidwetenschappen)
  • History with Ancient History as specialization;
  • Philosophy with Ancient Philosophy as specialization
  • Archaeology
  • Assyriology
  • Religious Studies
  • A similar degree programme with a relevant specialization.

  You must demonstrate the following knowledge, understanding and skills:

  • Knowledge: knowledge of current research methods and theories within the field of Classics and Ancient Civilizations
  • Understanding: the ability to interpret linguistic, literary or historical texts and/or archaeological data from an interdisciplinary perspective
  • Skills: the ability to translate, interpret and analyse Greek and Latin texts of average difficulty with the help of the scholarly apparatus (grammar, dictionary, commentary, secondary literature) (Classics); the ability to carry out a survey of primary sources (literary or material) and secondary literature and to derive from this a ‘status quaestionis’ (Ancient Studies)

  Selection criteria

  Your average mark for your Bachelor's programme was 7.5 (or equivalent) or higher. Your Bachelor’s thesis must have been graded with a score of 7.5 or higher. Motivation for the programme, demonstrated by: a letter stating the motivation for the programme and an indication of the desired specialisation.

  Proof of sufficient proficiency in English

  If you are applying for one of our English-taught Master's degree programmes you will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency by submitting English test results.  

  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. 

  You can find an overview of all accepted tests and scores that can be used to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page.

• I have a Dutch higher vocational education (HBO) Bachelor’s degree (pre-master's)

  Students with a higher vocational education qualification (HBO) cannot proceed directly to the (Research) Master’s programme in Classics and Ancient Civilizations. They will have to complete a Bachelor’s degree programme (or a short-track Bachelor’s programme) first.

• Application with a Dutch degree

  How to apply

  1. Apply for the Research Master’s programme in Studielink by 1 June. After applying in Studielink you will receive login information for your VU Dashboard. See also Additional information on the enrolment procedure.
  2. Add the requested Application File to your VU Dashboard and complete your application.
  3. Upon receipt of your application, your admission request will be processed and you will be notified whether you have been admitted or whether you must first meet additional requirements.
  4. Ensure that your payment of tuition fees for the Research Master’s programme has been received by 31 August so that you can complete your registration by then.
  5. Please check if you have to take an English language test. See the language requirement page for the steps you need to complete.

  The Admissions Committee will determine whether you are admissible to the Master’s programme. If you are not admissible, you will receive a notification with the exact reason.

• I have an international degree

  Admission requirements

  Students must meet the following admission requirements:

  1.  Academic requirements

  Your previous education needs to be deemed equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) obtained at a research university (nominal duration 3 years). Please find more information about your admissibility with a non-Dutch degree here. 

  2. Programme specific requirements
  

  You can be admitted to the (Research) Master’s programme if you have obtained an academic (WO) Bachelor’s degree in:   

  • Classics (Griekse en Latijnse Taal en Cultuur) 
  • Ancient Studies (Oudheidwetenschappen) 
  • History with Ancient History as specialization; 
  • Philosophy with Ancient Philosophy as specialization 
  • Archaeology 
  • Assyriology 
  • Religious Studies 
  • A similar degree programme with a relevant specialization. 

  As a student in the (Research) Master’s programme in Classics and Ancient Civilizations you are expected to have the following knowledge, insight and skills: 

  • knowledge of current research methods and theories within the field of Classics and Ancient Civilizations 
  • the ability to interpret linguistic, literary or historical texts and/or archaeological data from an interdisciplinary perspective 
  • the ability to translate, interpret and analyse Greek and Latin texts of average difficulty with the help of the scholarly     apparatus (grammar, dictionary, commentary, secondary literature) (Classics) 
  • the ability to carry out a survey of primary sources (literary or material) and secondary literature and to derive from this a ‘status quaestionis’ (Ancient Studies) 

  Selection criteria 

  Your average mark for your Bachelor's programme must be 7.5 (or equivalent) or higher. 

  How to demonstrate that you meet the above requirements

  You are required to indicate in the course description section of the Application Form how you meet the programme specific admission requirements. Your motivation for the programme is demonstrated by a letter stating why you are applying for the RMA programme, including an indication of your desired area of specialisation.

  Whether you meet the admission requirements, is determined by the Admission Board based on your complete application. 

  3. English-language proficiency requirements

  You will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You can find an overview of relevant information to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page. 

• Application with an international degree

  Application documents

  To apply you are required to provide the following documents:

  • Scan of your passport or national ID card (ID for EEA students only) valid at the start date of the programme
  • Master Application File please download the correct file from this page. In this file you can see which documents are required to apply for your programme.
  • Proof of English language proficiency (if already obtained): upload your proof of English language proficiency or English language test results. Please find the English language requirements here.

  After having prepared the required documents, please follow the online application procedure. 

  Application fee & deadlines

  All students seeking admission to an international Master’s programme with an international degree are required to pay a non-refundable €100 application fee. Only after you have paid this fee will we be able to start the evaluation of your application file. If you are applying for more than one programme, you will only need to pay the application fee once. Your application fee payment is valid for two years.
  
  Information on how to apply with an international university degree and deadlines can be found here. 

  Grants and scholarships

  As an international student planning to study at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, you can apply for a variety of grants and bursaries. Detailed information about scholarships and deadlines can be found on www.vu.nl/scholarships or www.grantfinder.nl.

  International Student and Alumni Ambassadors 

  Our International Student and Alumni Ambassadors are happy to tell you all about their experiences with studying at VU Amsterdam and living in Amsterdam.

  • Our Student Ambassadors are current students at VU Amsterdam that represent a wide variety of programmes and countries.
  • Our International Alumni Ambassadors are VU Amsterdam graduates who are currently either working in the Netherlands or abroad, or doing a PhD or (second) Master's.

  You will find the full overview of our Ambassadors here: vu.nl/ambassadors. There you can chat with them directly.