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 are also welcome to apply. The admission committee will decide on each candidate’s eligibility. If you have any questions, you can contact the Master’s coordinator Els Kroezinga: e.h.kroezinga@vu.nl. Admission to the master's programme is possible for an applicant who has a Bachelor’s degree obtained at an institution of academic higher education, which demonstrates the following knowledge, understanding and skills: 
  - at least 45 EC in chemistry and/or physics and
  - at least 12 EC in business and/or innovation sciences are required.

• 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

  The Science, Business and Innovation programme is open to both Dutch and International Students. Admission to the Master's programme is possible for an applicant who has a Bachelor’s degree obtained at an institution of academic higher education, which demonstrates the following knowledge, understanding and skills: Admission to the master's programme is possible for an applicant who has a Bachelor’s degree obtained at an institution of academic higher education, which demonstrates the following knowledge, understanding and skills: 
  - at least 45 EC in chemistry and/or physics and
  - at least 12 EC in business and/or innovation sciences are required.

  The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application. You find all 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 SBI.
  Use this form to apply for the pre-Master’s: Application form pre-Master's SBI.

  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, 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

  Admission requirements

  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
  

  Knowledge, understanding and skills 

  • A minimum of 45 ECTS in Chemistry and/or Physics 
  • A minimum of 12 ECTS ECTS in Business/Innovation Sciences  

  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 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.