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Entrance exam: 21+ applicants without direct admission

In case you do not possess a diploma that makes you eligible for admission to a Bachelor's degree programme, you can participate in the entrance examination (colloquium doctum) for admission if you are 21 or older. From 1 October 2023, you can find the form to request admission here.

You need to demonstrate that you are proficient at the level for admission by sitting tests at pre-university school-leaving examination level (VWO) and submitting the certificates awarded to you to VU Amsterdam. You should be 21 or older at the time you begin the degree programme. Which tests you need to pass depends on which Bachelor's programme you want to enroll in. The entrance examination only offers admission to that specific programme in that specific academic year.

Application deadline

For the academic year of 2024-2025, the deadline to apply for admission with the entrance exam is 15 December 2023. 

International diploma

The 21+ Entrance exam does not apply if you are seeking admission based on a completed non-Dutch diploma that either meets the diploma requirement for admission or gives you access to higher education in your own country. In this case, go to ‘How do I apply for a Bachelor’s programme’ for the regular application procedure. 

If you have any questions, please contact:

Get to know VU Amsterdam

Watch the recording of our webinar that was organised on 19 October

Go to Campus Online

Apply for the 21+ Entrance examination ('Toelatingsonderzoek')

  • Applying without a diploma

    Application deadline:

    15 December 2023

    You can apply from 1 October 2023 onwards for academic year 2024-2025. If you apply after 15 December, unfortunately we cannot accept your application anymore. 

    Step 1: Apply in Studielink

    Go to Studielink and create an application for the study programme you wish to apply for. In Studielink you can apply for a maximum of 4 courses in total in the Netherlands.

    Do you currently live in the Netherlands? Then you will need to log in with your DigiD. 

    If you do not yet live in the Netherlands you can choose "Log in without DigiD". When you create your Studielink account via this option you will need a scan or photo of your valid passport or European ID card.

    Previous education in Studielink if you do not possess a diploma:

    If you are 21+ and are not in possession of any type of diploma (high school or other), you leave the section "previous education" empty. You will then automatically be evaluated by our Student Administration. The Student Administration will process your request for participation in the Colloquium Doctum entrance tests and send you your admission decision.

    Step 2: Fill out the Entrance exam form

    Complete the Entrance exam form for every study programme you have applied for. Please note that the deadline has passed and this is no longer possible.

    Step 3: Complete your VU Dashboard

    After you complete your application request in Studielink you will receive your login details – a VUnet-ID username and a password – for our application system on your personal dashboard on VU.nl by e-mail. This may take up to two working days*. 

    *In case you did not receive your login details, please first check your spam folder. If you are still unable to locate them, then contact the UCIT service desk on ucit-servicedesk@vu.nl or +31 (0)20 598 0000.

    Step 4: Complete your Entrance examination payment

    See 'Costs and payment options'. After submitting the Entrance exam form, you will receive payment instructions by e-mail.

    Step 5: Wait for the Admission Decision

    The Student Administration will inform you within 4 weeks about the conditions for admission.

    Application deadline:

    15 December 2023

    Questions?

    Get in touch with the Student Desk.

  • Applying with an international diploma that does not give access to higher education in your own country

    Application deadline:

    15 December 2023

    You can apply from 1 October 2023 onwards for academic year 2024-2025. You are asked to submit the application of your chosen study programme in Studielink and submit your completed application file in your personal VU dashboard by 15 December. This includes the payment of the application fee, if applicable. VU Amsterdam cannot assess your eligibility if your application is incomplete. If you submit your complete application after 15 December, unfortunately we cannot accept your application anymore. 

    How to apply

    If you are applying with an international diploma that does not give access to higher education in your own country and you will be 21 or older at the time you begin the degree programme:

    • Start your application in Studielink and enter your international education (diploma name and country where this was obtained) under "previous education". 
    • See our webpage ‘How do I apply for a Bachelor’s programme’ for the application procedure. Your programme choice and the type of diploma you obtained determine which application procedure you should follow. 
    • If it is indeed determined that you do not qualify for admission based on your diploma, the VU Regulations for Application and Enrolment give candidates aged 21+ the right to participate in the VU Entrance exam ('Toelatingsonderzoek'). Which exams are required will depend on the programme you are interested in and can be found under 'not directly eligible for admission?' on the programme's webpage.
    • In the admission decision you will then be asked to complete the Entrance exam form to request participation in this procedure. Make sure to complete the Entrance exam form before the deadline communicated in your admission decision. Please note that the deadline has passed and this is no longer possible.

    Application fee for applying with a non-Dutch diploma:
    If you are applying for an English-taught Bachelor's programme with a diploma outside of the Netherlands you are asked to complete the €100 application fee of the International Office. Only after you have paid this fee will we be able to start the assessment of your application file. Please do not delay paying the fee as this will delay your application.
    Application fee payment options and possible exemptions

    Questions?

    Get in touch via e-mail with the International Student Advisors of the International Office.

  • Costs and Payment options

    The costs for the entrance examination are €100,- per academic year*.

    Payment deadline: 31 December 2023.
    You can transfer the amount to NL49DEUT0488004470 to the account of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, stating S+student number + education name(s). 

    Once payment is made and your personal dashboard on VU.nl is completed, your request for admission will be processed and you will receive an official decision on the admission requirements within 4 weeks.

    The costs for the admission examination are not refundable, even if you later decide not to participate in the specified program or if it later turns out that you are not admissible to the program. So check carefully before completing your payment if you wish to continue with your request!

    *Applicants who completed an International Office application fee payment as part of their application are exempted from paying the Entrance exam fee.

  • After Admission

    Deadlines for Numerus Fixus

    We strongly advise you to submit the required test results as soon as possible. Please note: if you need to apply for a study visa/residence permit, make sure to send your passing scores to the International Office before June 1st.

    Complete admission and finalise enrolment: make sure to meet all admission requirements and tuition fee payment before 15 July 2024.

    Deadlines for all other programmes

    We strongly advise you to submit the required test results as soon as possible. Please note: if you need to apply for a study visa/residence permit, make sure to send your passing scores to the International Office before June 1st.

    Complete admission and finalise enrolment: make sure to meet all admission requirements and tuition fee payment before 31 August 2024.

  • Which tests will I need to sit for the entrance examination?

    The entrance examination consists of various tests, which may differ per study programme and per faculty. VU Amsterdam will send you an e-mail informing you of the tests you must pass and the deadline for submitting proof of this.

    Information about the admission requirements for the programme can be found on the programme page's 'Admissions' section.

    You must apply for your tests directly with the institutes that offer the tests. Fees may be charged. Pay attention to these institutes’ registration deadlines, which may be earlier than the deadline for submitting the proof of passing the tests to complete your enrolment for the Bachelor's degree programme of your choice.

    Find out more about deficiency tests

  • What to do when you have passed the tests

    1. You can send the certified copies to us by post, or bring them to the Student Desk. Certified test certificates bear a stamp and signature from an official institute to attest that the copy is the same as the original. The certificates can be certified by the administration of the institute that awarded the certificate or by the Student Desk. Bring the original and copy with you when you wish to have them certified by us.

      If you need to submit a certified copy of your test results, send it to the following address:

      Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
      Student Administration
      De Boelelaan 1105
      1081 HV Amsterdam
      The Netherlands

      Please include your VU student number when you send documents by post.
    2. When you have passed all required tests and VU Amsterdam has processed all results, you can view in your VU Dashboard that your previous education level has been verified. If you notice this is not the case, please contact the Student Desk via e-mail or phone.

  • Applicants younger than 21 without a diploma

    In case you are 18+ and you have an official refugee status in the Netherlands, please contact the Student Desk for further information.

    Application deadline in Studielink: 15 December 2023

Do you have any questions?

Please contact the Student Desk.

If you have questions about the tuition fee, Studielink or your personal dashboard on VU.nl, please contact the Student Desk: studentdesk@vu.nl, stating your student number.

Send a message via online chat (Mon – Fri: 10:30 – 12:30 and 14:00 – 16:00). 

Call +31 (0)20 59 85020 (Mon – Fri: 10:30 – 12:30 and 14:00 – 16:00). 

Are you currently a VU student? Ask your question via the question form (log in with your VUnetID)