Science, Business and Innovation

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)

  Registration for the master’s programme SBI is open to anyone who is in possession of:
  - a Bachelor’s degree in Science, Business & Innovation awarded by VU Amsterdam or
  - a Bachelor’s degree in Natuurwetenschappen en Innovatiemanagement [Natural Sciences and Innovation Management], awarded by the University of Utrecht.
  
  Students with a Bachelor degree from other Dutch Universities, must apply via Studielink and contact the master coordinator. The master coordinator will decide if you fulfill the admission criteria. The requirements to be admissible for the master’s programme Science, Business & Innovation are formulated in terms of knowledge, acquired skills and academic level. In general, the main criteria are: 

  - Basic knowledge on bachelor level of mathematics (at least 9 EC)
  - Statistics (at least 6 EC)
  - Computer skills (at least 6 EC) and
  - Business/innovation sciences of at least 24 EC.
   
  In addition to these requirements, students entering the E&S variant need to have at least 45 EC obtained during their bachelor on chemistry and/or physics courses (including thermodynamics). Students entering the L&H variant need at least 45 EC obtained during their bachelor on chemistry and/or physics courses (including molecular and pharmaceutical sciences). 
  

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

  • Pre-master's programme SBI
    Students from science-based university Bachelor programs can enroll for the master SBI, after completing a pre-master's programme (30 ECTS). A pre-master's programme is also conditional for students with a (professional) Bachelor’s degree in Physics or Chemistry.
    
  • Pre-master's programme international students
    This information is for students with previous education outside of the Netherlands. You do not apply directly for the pre-master's programme. If you are interested in programme SBI you are invited to apply for the master programme. SBI admission board will decide if you are eligible for the master programme or could suggest the pre-master's programme.

  For more information about the pre-master's programme, go to the pre-master's page SBI.

• Application with a Dutch degree

  Enthusiastic about this programme? And do you meet the admission requirements? Find out how to apply.

  If you want to apply for a Master's programme at VU Amsterdam, the application procedure depends on your previous degree(s) and whether you obtained your diploma in the Netherlands or abroad. You find all information about the application procedure with a Dutch degree on the application page.

  The application deadlines are:

  • 15 July for holders of a Dutch bachelor’s degree (with a Dutch or EU/EEA nationality)

  *non-EU/EEA students who do not need a study visa and/or a residence permit can still apply until 15 July.

• I have an international degree

  The Science, Business and Innovation programme 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.

  In order to gain admission to the Science, Business and Innovation Master’s programme, you will need to have at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited research university including at least three full years of academic study amounting to a minimum of 180 ECTS or equivalent. We do not require a GRE or GMAT test score.

  Specific requirements Science, Business and Innovation Master’s programme

  The requirements to enter the SBI Master's programme are formulated in terms of knowledge, acquired skills and academic level. The main criteria are:

  • basic knowledge on Bachelor’s level of mathematics (at least 9 ECTS), statistics (at least 6 ECTS), computer skills (at least 6 ECTS) 
  • basic knowledge on business/innovation sciences of at least 24 ECTS. 

  In addition to these requirements, students entering the E&S variant need to have at least 45 ECTS obtained during their Bachelor’s degree on chemistry and/or physics courses (including thermodynamics). Students entering the L&H variant need at least 45 ECTS obtained during their Bachelor’s degree on chemistry and/or physics courses (including molecular and pharmaceutical sciences).

  English language requirements

  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 which test types and scores are accepted, the deadlines for submitting test results and all other relevant information on our application page under the Language Proficiency Requirements tab.
  

• Application with an international degree

  Required format and required documents
  Please note: you will need to upload all required documents in one PDF file, using this Application Form Template.
  Please check here which documents you need to submit for this specific Master's programme. 

  After having prepared the required documents, please follow the online application procedure. Here you can find all relevant application information, including deadlines, a step-by-step explanation of the procedure and the English language requirements.

  For more information, international students may also contact the International Student Advisors: masters.fs@vu.nl.

  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.

  The application deadlines are:

  • 1 February for international students applying for one of the VU scholarships
  • 1 April for non-EU/EEA students*
  • 15 July for non-Dutch EU/EEA students

  *non-EU/EEA students who do not need a study visa and/or a residence permit can still apply until 15 July.