Below you can find a description of the documents that may be asked for. Please note that every study programme may have a different set of required documents that you need to upload.
- Copy of your valid passport or ID (ID = only for EU residents)
A clear scan of the pages in your passport that contain your personal data. It needs to be valid up to at least 1 September of the year in which you’re planning to start your programme (or 1 February if your programme offers this starting date). A copy of a passport (or ID) that is no longer valid cannot be accepted.
- Curriculum Vitae
A curriculum vitae that includes your personal details and lists your previous education and relevant work experience. A Europass CV template could be used, however other formats will be accepted too.
- Letter(s) of recommendation (only required for a few programmes!)
Letters written by members of the academic staff at the educational institute where you have studied (or are currently studying). Digital copies, uploaded in your dashboard are preferred. If referees prefer providing their references directly to the university, please let them email your your contact person in the international office. Please ask your referees to include your VU student number (7 digit number) in the email.
Most programmes do not require recommendation letters, some require one and some require two – you can check this on this page.
- Statement of Intent (Letter of Motivation, may be directed to the Admission Board)
A 1-2 page letter stating your reasons for applying to the programme. Also, if applicable, please specify in this letter, the name of the specialization you are applying for.
- Diploma(s)*
A copy of the original Bachelor's degree or certificate.
Diploma requirements: Upload a scan of your diploma English, German, Dutch, French or Spanish. If your diploma is in another language, you must also submit an English translation by a sworn translator.
Please note: Before we can unconditionally accept you, we will need you to supply us with a certified copy of your diploma certificate. See for further details the section on 'what happens after admission'. Deadline for supplying: 31 August 2026.
- Transcript of records
A transcript in English* of the grades obtained during your previous higher education (Bachelor’s or Master’s programme). In case you went on exchange during your programme (and the courses and grades are not mentioned on your main transcript), then please add the transcript from your exchange university as well.
If you did not graduate yet, please submit a temporary transcript listing the grades you obtained so far. In case you will still complete relevant courses before your graduation, then please make sure to include these courses in your course description document (see below).
*For the initial application, this does not need to be done by a sworn translator although it is preferred.
- Thesis (or alternative piece of academic writing; upload at least 2-5 pages, not counting the bibliography)
Please upload your thesis or an alternative writing sample such as an academic paper or essay (written in English).If you have not written anything in English during your studies, then please select one of your own academic writing samples and add a 2-5 page summary in English before the text in the original language. Always include your literature references, but do not count the bibliography in meeting the required length of 2-5 pages. Please be aware that for some programmes you need to upload a specific essay as mentioned on that programme's webpage (for example the MSc International Crimes, Conflict and Criminology or the LLM Law and Politics of International Security)
Please note, we will always check application documents for plagiarism.
- A description of the relevant courses followed and literature used during your previous higher education
Please describe the courses you have taken during your previous higher education that are relevant to the Master’s programme you are applying for (the admission requirements can be found on the specific programme pages). You can either copy this from a study guide or type a 5-10 line description for each relevant course if a study guide is not readily available. Don’t forget to mention the main literature used for the courses you took and the number of credits/class hours.
Please use this format.
- English language test (can also be provided after conditional admission)*
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam requires all applicants to meet the English language proficiency requirements. Please see here for further information on the English language requirements.
- Valid residence permit
If you already live in the Netherlands, a copy (front and reverse side) of your valid residence permit (if available). If your residence permit is no longer valid, please submit a copy of the expired card and an official statement from the immigration authorities (IND) acknowledging that you have applied for an extension.
* Although complete applications are preferred, both the certified copy of the diploma certificate and the English test result, can be supplied to us after you've submitted the rest of your application. The deadline to supply the certified copy of the diploma certificate is 31 August 2026 for all students (both EU and non-EU students). The deadline to supply the English test result is 31 August 2026 for EU students and 1 June 2026 for non-EU students (due to it being a requirement for the visa/residence application procedure). Course registrations are not possible until all documents have been provided.