Clinical and Developmental Psychopathology (research master)

Check whether you meet the admission requirements and apply

• I have a Dutch university level (WO) bachelor’s degree (VU bachelor's degree or bachelor's degree at another university)

  Entry requirements

  The general requirements for admission to the Research Master's programme are:

  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Psychology or Education or a related bachelor’s degree (to be approved by the Admission Board)
  • Completed introductory level course in clinical diagnosis and assessment of mental health problems and risks
  • GPA of 7.5 (e.g. B) or higher, with an 8 (B+) or higher for your final thesis
  • A satisfactory result in the entrance assignment (see below)
  • Proficiency in English. Please take a close look at the language proficiency requirements. Note: Dutch students with a Dutch Bachelor diploma do not need to take a language proficiency test.
  • A personal interview may be part of the application procedure if the Admission Board considers it necessary
  • Please note that methods and statistics are an essential part of our programme. A quick test will give you an insight in what skills and knowledge are required to successfully take part in our programme.

• Application with a Dutch degree

  Step 1: Register in Studielink
  Apply for the Research Master’s programme in Clinical and Developmental Psychopathology. You will receive login details with which you can complete your registration in your dashboard on VU.nl. A registration does not commit you to anything and can be cancelled free of charge until 1 September.

  Step 2: submit a request to evaluate your eligibility
  To determine whether you are eligible , submit your VU Application file in your dashboard on VU.nl. In this file you can see which documents are required to apply for your programme.

  Selection assignment   
  Soon after we have received your request for admission you will receive the selection assignment. This involves the study of an empirical scientific article and the discussion of research ideas related to it. You will have two weeks to complete the assignment and return it to us. The Admission Board will then evaluate your assignment, as well as the information you provided with your request of admission.

  Step 3: Await decision on admission
  The admission board will review your application as soon as it is complete. Normally this takes about four weeks, but it might take longer in busy periods so be sure to apply as soon as possible. If you gain admission, you will receive a letter of conditional admission by email.

  Step 4: Complete your registration
  Make sure you have met the prior education requirements, specific entry requirements and paid your tuition fees by 31 August 2025.

  The deadlines for application:
  Deadline for submitting application in Studielink and in VUnet: 1 June.
  Deadline for completing your enrolment (including payment of tuition fees): 31 August.

• I have an international degree

  The Research Master’s programme in Clinical and Developmental Psychopathology is open to both Dutch and international students. The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application.

  Please note that this Master programme has a strong focus on scientific research and is especially suited for students who wish to pursue an academic career. If you are looking for a Master’s programme that has a strong focus on clinical research or clinical training, you might want to look into doing a clinical master.

  Admission requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Psychology or Education
  • Related academic bachelor’s degree (approved by the admissions committee)
  • Completed introductory level course in clinical diagnosis and assessment of mental health problems and risks
  • GPA of 7.5 (e.g. B) or higher, with an 8 (A-) or higher for your final thesis
  • A satisfactory result in the entrance assignment (see below)
  • Proven proficiency in English, see language proficiency requirements
  • A written motivational letter, explaining the choice for this Research Master. As this Master’s programme has a strong focus on academic research, we encourage you to carefully consider your own experience with academic research—and be sure to share this with us in your motivational letter and your CV.
  • One letter of recommendation from a professor of the university at which the applicant has undertaken the primary degree
  • A personal interview may be part of the application procedure if the committee judges it necessary

  Additional requirements

  • Methods and statistics are an essential part of our programme. A quick test will give you an insight in what skills and knowledge are required to successfully take part in our programme

  English language proficiency

  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.

• Application with an international degree

  Application documents

  Please download your Master application file to check which documents are required for this programme. 

   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 form here. 
  • 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. 

  Selection assignment    
  Soon after we have received your request for admission you will be sent the selection assignment. This involves the study of an empirical scientific article and the discussion of research ideas related to it. You will have two weeks to complete the assignment and return it to masters.fbms@vu.nl. The Admissions Committee will then evaluate your assignment, as well as the information you provided with your request of admission.

  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.