Information Sciences

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)

  The Master’s programme in Information Sciences is open to students with an academic Bachelor's degree in Information Sciences or in a related field like Computer Science, Informatics, Business Analytics, Software Systems, or Artificial Intelligence. If you have a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, you may conditionally enroll in the Master’s program in Information Sciences. In general, we expect the following subjects to be part of your Bachelor's programme:

  • Information Sciences courses: Business Modelling and Requirements Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Sciences project.
  • Computer Sciences courses: base-level courses in Programming, Software Engineering, software design, web technology and Databases.

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

  Holders of diplomas from selected Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences (HBO) programmes may apply for the pre-Master’s programme. Please note that admission is not granted: all applications have to be reviewed by the Admission Committee. The pre-Master’s programme Information Sciences is worth 30 ECTS credits. Applicable HBO programmes include: 

  • Business Computer Science  
  • Communication systems  
  • Computer technology  
  • Engineering, design and innovation  
  • HEAO business computer science  
  • Industrial automation 
  • Computer Science  
  • Computer and information science  
  • Network Infrastructure Design (NID)  
  • HTS Technical computer science  
  • Information engineering 

  If you have a diploma that is not listed above but is closely related to those mentioned, please contact the Master's programme director Jacco Van Ossenbruggen: jacco.van.ossenbruggen@vu.nl.

  pre-Master's programme Information Sciences  
  For further information regarding procedures on composing the pre-Masters' programme for Dutch University of Applied Sciences graduates see also this page (Dutch). We do not require a pre-Master's assessment. You have to complete the Pre-Master's programme (30 ECTS) within 1 year. After you have finished the pre-Master's programme you can be admitted to the Master's programme Information Sciences. 

• Application with a Dutch degree

  The Information Sciences programme is open to both Dutch and International Students. The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide about your admission after evaluating your complete online application. You can find all the information about the general application procedure with a Dutch degree on the application page.

  Use this form to apply for the Master’s: Application form Master's Information Sciences.
  Use this form to apply for the pre-Master’s: Application form pre-Master's Information Sciences.

  The application deadline is:

  1 June for holders of a Dutch bachelor’s degree (with a Dutch or EU/EEA nationality).

  Your application will be rejected in case you didn’t upload the required documents in ‘your dashboard’ within 6 weeks after your enrolment in Studielink, OR in case you’ve uploaded (one or more) of the required documents after June 1^st. Applications and documents submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

  Required documents (deadline June 1^st)

  This (Pre)Master’s programme requires students with a Dutch bachelor's degree to upload the following documents as soon as possible and in any case 6 weeks after your enrolment and before 1 June.

  • Bachelor's transcript (complete with all courses), including your GPA.
  • Course descriptions.

  Your online dashboard gives you an overview of the submitted and missing documents. Check your dashboard regularly.

• I have an international degree

  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. We do not require a GRE or GMAT test score.

  2. Programme-specific requirements

  • A Bachelor’s degree in Information Sciences or closely related Bachelor’s degree like Computer Science, Informatics, Business Analytics or Artificial Intelligence, including:
    • Information Sciences courses: Business Modelling and Requirements Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Sciences project;
    • Computer Sciences courses: base-level courses in Programming, Software Engineering and Databases;
    • Courses from other disciplines: Business/Economics, Social Sciences, Culture & Communication Studies

  How to demonstrate that you meet the above requirements 

  You are required to indicate how you meet the programme specific admission requirements in your Application Form. The Admission Board will evaluate your Application Form and decide if your academic background is sufficient to gain admission to the programme.

  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 our scholarship webpage 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.

• Additional costs

  Master students Information Sciences will have to spend approximately 200 euro per year for buying books. Students are expected to possess a laptop computer for participating in educational activities (which comes down to approx. 300 euro per academic year).