Political Science (pre-master)

Check whether you meet the programme requirements and sign up

• I have a Dutch higher vocational education (HBO) bachelor’s degree

  Admission to the Master’s programme is open to students holding any Bachelor’s degree in higher vocational education (hbo) in which at least 240 ECTS have been obtained, providing they successfully completed the pre-master's programme.

  In order to enter the pre-master’s programme with a HBO Bachelor’s degree, you have to pass the pre-master’s assessment.

  The assessment is designed to ensure that students admitted to the pre-master's, with the intention of subsequently completing the Master's programme, are able to meet the required academic level.
  
  Pre-master's assessment
  In order to start with pre-master’s programme, you must first succeed for the pre-master's assessment. The pre-masterassessment of the Faculty of Social Sciences consists of the following components:

  • English language competence
  • Arithmetic competence (statistics)
  • Cognitive capacities and arithmetic/mathematical skills
    

  For a more reliable outcome, the results of the bottom two components are counted together to one score for Numerical and Mathematical skills.

  This score and the one for English language competence are not mutually compensated. You must achieve a sufficient score for both components.
  
  Please check the webpage for information about the pre-master's assessment and how to apply in Studielink and VU.nl for both the pre-master’s programme and the assessment.

  Doorstroomminor SWO at Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA)

  If you have a HBO Bachelor's degree including the doorstroomminor Sociaalwetenschappelijk Onderzoek at HvA, you are admissible to the Master’s programme in Political Science after successfully completing one of the following courses, part of the Bachelor's programme in Political Science:

  • State, Power and Conflict (S_SPC)
  • International Relations and Global Governance (S_IRGG)
  • Dutch politics and qualitative methods (S_DPQM)

  In order to follow one of these courses, you have to register as bijvakstudent.
  You don't have to follow the pre-master's programme nor take the pre-master’s assessment.
  
  Before starting with the Master's programme you have to meet the English language requirements listed below.
  

  English language requirements

  To be admitted to the English-taught pre-master’s programme, international students must meet the following results in the English language test (no older than 2 years):

  • IELTS score with a minimum of 6.5
  • TOEFL score internet based test: 92
  • VU TOEFL-ITP: 580 (only valid for VU Amsterdam)
  • CAMBRIDGE CERTIFICATE in Advanced English (CAE): A or B
  • CAMBRIDGE CERTIFICATE of Proficiency in English (CPE): A, B or C

  Exemptions from the language test requirements are granted in the following cases:

  • Your Bachelor’s or Master’s diploma was obtained in an English-language university programme in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK or USA.
  • Your Bachelor’s or Master’s diploma was obtained in an English-taught programme at a Dutch university.
  • Your Bachelor’s or Master’s diploma was obtained in an English-taught programme in a different EU-country.
  • You have a Dutch vwo-diploma (level 6 vwo-nieuw)
  • You are a pre-master's student and have passed the pre-master's assessment before entering the programme.

  Make sure to register on time at Taalloket for the VU TOEFL-ITP, as the possibilities are limited, especially during the busy summer period. If you have a Dutch Bachelor's degree obtained at a Dutch university, the first take of the VU TOEFL-ITP is free of charge.

  Please upload a scan of the result of your test to your application in your VU Dashboard before 31 August at the latest.

• Registration procedure

  1. Registration for the pre-master’s programme in Studielink is open until 31 May at the latest. Please note: The application deadline for the pre-master's assessment is 30 June. Without successful completion of this pre-master's assessment, it is not be possible to start the premaster's programme with a vocational education (HBO) bachelor’s degree.*
     After registering in Studielink you’ll receive login data for your VU-application portal. 
  2. Finish your application in your VU-application portal, incl. registration for the pre-master's assessment 
  3. Pre-master's assessment and hbo-bachelordiploma must be obtained before 31 August at the latest 
  4. Arrange payment of the tuition fee and complete your registration before 31 August at the latest. 

  *If you have taken a minor or pre-master's which makes you directly admissible (see information on the admission requirements mentioned earlier on this page), please add proof of this to your VU Dashboard and apply directly for the master's programme.

  Before the beginning of the programme you’ll receive practical information about starting your studies.
  
  To be admitted to the English-taught Master’s programme, you must meet the English language requirements listed on the Master’s website.