More information

• General admission requirements and application procedure

  Eligibility for admission

  In order to meet the general admission requirements for a Bachelor's programme at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, you will need either a Dutch VWO diploma (pre-university education) or a diploma that is evaluated by VU Amsterdam as equivalent in education level. 

  VU Amsterdam reviews all non-Dutch diploma applications individually due to their distinctive nature. Therefore, the only way to determine whether you are eligible for admission is by submitting an official application. 
  Note that you can start your application even if you have not obtained your diploma yet.*
  
  List of equivalent diplomas

  Take a look at the list of equivalent diplomas to see if your diploma may be considered equivalent by our university. 

  Application procedure

  • You can apply by following the steps of the application procedure for 'Applying with a non-Dutch diploma'.
  • Are you applying for a numerus fixus programme (limited number of spots)? Then you apply by following the numerus fixus application procedure.

  Deadlines

  Applications for academic year 2027-2028 are possible from 1 October 2026 until the following deadlines:

  • Numerus fixus (limited spots): 15 January 
  • Non-EU/EEA students: 1 April
  • EU/EEA students and students who do not need a study visa/residence permit through VU Amsterdam: 1 May
  • 21+ Entrance exam application: 15 December

  
  *For enrolment purposes, a certified copy of your diploma must be submitted by 31 August (for starting date 1 September) — or 1 August if you are applying for a programme that uses a selection procedure (Numerus Fixus). This means you can only apply if you expect to graduate before this date. For students who obtain their (i)GCE A-levels in August: find more details on our diploma verification page.

  
  

• Programme-specific requirements - check your eligibility with the Student Self-Check tool

  Programme-specific requirements

  Each Bachelor’s degree programme has specific programme admission requirements. Go to the information page of your programme of interest and check the admission requirements for the programme under the tab 'Admissions'. In this section you can find out if any knowledge of specific subjects is required, for example knowledge of mathematics. If your knowledge of specific subjects is below the required standard but you otherwise qualify for admission, you will be asked to sit examinations in those subjects.

  Online Student Self-Check tool

  Are you curious if you meet the admission requirements for one of our programmes? For many of them there is the option to fill out the online Student Self-Check tool - prior to applying - to find out more about your chances to be admitted.
  
  In the tool you will be asked some questions about your previous education and background. Based on your answers you will receive a personal preliminary advice on your eligibility for admission and the next steps you can take to continue your application.
  
  Please note: no rights can be derived from the Self Check tool results. For a definite admission decision you will have to complete the official application procedure for this programme.

  Faculty of Science

  • Bachelor Artificial Intelligence
  • Bachelor Business Analytics
  • Bachelor Computer Science

  Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
  School of Humanities

  • Bachelor Communication and Information Studies
  • Bachelor History: History and International Studies
  • Bachelor Literature and Society
  • Bachelor Media, Art, Design and Architecture
  • Bachelor Philosophy

  Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
  School of Social Sciences

  • Bachelor Communication Science
  • Bachelor Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology
  • Bachelor Political Science: Global Politics

  School of Business and Economics

  • Bachelor Econometrics & Operations Research
  • Bachelor Econometrics & Data Science
  • Bachelor Economics & Business Economics
  • Bachelor International Business Administration (IBA)

• Language requirements

  • If you are applying for one of our English-taught Bachelor's programmes you will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency.
  • If you are applying for a Dutch-taught programme will also have to prove that you are sufficiently proficient in Dutch.

  You can find an overview of all accepted tests and scores that can be used to demonstrate language proficiency on the language requirement page. 

  If needed, you can begin your programme application before you have completed the test and submit your passing score once you have been conditionally admitted.

• Questions about applying

  • Contact your International Student Advisor if you are applying for one of our English-taught degree programmes. Your International Student Advisor can help you with any questions you have about the programme, admission requirements, application procedure or practical matters related to being an international student studying at VU Amsterdam.
  • Are you applying for one of our Dutch programmes with a non-Dutch diploma? Then you can contact our Student Desk if you have any questions.

• Not directly eligible for admission?

  If you do not meet the admission requirements, the following options are advised:

  • Start your academic studies at an accredited university in your home country and obtain relevant credits to meet our entry requirements in the future.
  • Have a look at a University of Applied Sciences. They offer programmes with a more applied and practical approach (compared to the more research oriented approach offered at VU Amsterdam) and different admission requirements.
    Find out more about the differences between a University of Applied Sciences (HBO) and a Research University (WO) like VU Amsterdam.
    Note that upon full completion of the first year of a HBO Bachelor a successful candidate may be awarded a professional education (HBO) propaedeutic. A HBO propaedeutic or full HBO Bachelor's diploma can also be considered for admission to a VU Amsterdam Bachelor's programme. Admission requirements can be found on the programme page 'Admission' section under 'I have Dutch previous education'. 
  •  Apply for the VASVU foundation year. You will need a basic level of Dutch to start this programme, as VASVU courses are offered in the Dutch language.  
  • In some cases, it is possible to resolve your deficiencies by passing the relevant entrance examinations at Dutch pre-university school-leaving examination level (VWO). These exams are offered in English and/or Dutch. Which exams are required will depend on the programme you are interested in. After submitting an official application, you will be informed if you are eligible for these exams and how you can participate. Deficiencies for students requiring a visa must be resolved before 1 June. Deficiencies for programmes that use a selection procedure must be resolved by 15 July.

• Financing your studies

  VU Amsterdam does not offer any scholarships for international Bachelor's students. Other options may be available to you. Find more information about how to finance your studies.

• Student organisations

  There are a number of organisations for international students studying in the Netherlands. Some are focused on a specific field of study and others are general organisations:

  • Association Etats Généraux Etudiants de l’Europe (AEGEE)
  • Erasmus Student Network VU Amsterdam (ESN-VU)

Do you have any questions?