Cognitive Neuropsychology (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:

  • An academic Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Artificial Intelligence, Biology, Medicine or a closely related subject area. 
  • A GPA of 8.0 or higher for your Bachelor’s degree based on the Dutch grading system. For a GPA below 8.0 but above 7.8, the admissions board will focus on the grades you obtained for courses relevant to the programme, such as statistics, research methods and (cognitive) neuroscience, (e.g. cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, cognitive neuroscience, biological psychology). Please note that admission is not possible if your GPA is below 7.8.
  • 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. This is an intense programme. Reading scientific articles and writing papers will both play a key part and the tempo is high, so your English-language skills, both oral and written, are very important. Also, you will be in close communication with your fellow students, and working with, and for, international companies.
  • An active interest in research. This will be indicated by your choice of undergraduate courses, which will show a strong presence of science-oriented courses and skill-oriented practical classes.

• Application with a Dutch degree

  Step 1: Register in Studielink
  Apply for the Research Master’s programme in Cognitive Neuropsychology. 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 Master with the following documents in your dashboard on VU.nl:

  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Motivation letter
  • Transcript of records, including grades and credits (ECTS) (if you did not graduate yet, please send us an official transcript listing of the grades you have obtained so far) 
  • Thesis (if available)
  • A description of the relevant courses you have taken during your previous higher education

  Upload all the necessary documents in one joint PDF file.

  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 VU.nl: 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 Cognitive Neuropsychology 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.

  Admission requirements

  • An academic Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Artificial Intelligence, Biology, Medicine or a closely related subject area. You may apply in the final year of your Bachelor’s programme if your degree will be conferred before September 1, when the Master's programme starts. You will also need to provide a provisional record of courses and grades, signed by the university's student administrator.
  • A GPA of 8.0 or international equivalent thereof (e.g. A, 3.8). For a GPA below 8.0 but above 7.8 (or above 3.7 and below 3.8), the admission board will focus on the grades you obtained for courses in statistics, research methods, and (cognitive) neuroscience, ((e.g. cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, cognitive neuroscience, biological psychology). Please note admission is not possible if your GPA is below 7.8 (e.g. 3.7).
  • Proficiency in English. This is an intense programme. Reading scientific articles and writing papers will both play a key part and the tempo is high, so your English-language skills, both oral and written, are very important. Also, you will be in close communication with your fellow students, and working with, and for, international companies. 
  • An active interest in research. This will be indicated by your choice of undergraduate courses, which will show a strong presence of science-oriented courses and skill-oriented practical classes.

  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.

• 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. 

  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.