How do I apply for a degree programme that uses a selection procedure (numerus fixus)?

Bachelor's Day and webinar

VU Amsterdam organises the Bachelor’s Day twice a year. During these open days you can attend presentations and talk to representatives from all of our programmes. Most Bachelor's programmes also offer the opportunity to attend a Taster Day on campus. 

You can also join the International Bachelor's webinar on 24 October 2024 and discover more about applying and studying in Amsterdam.

Check the admission requirements and selection procedure

Go to the programme page of your programme of interest and check the admission requirements and selection procedure for the programme under "Admissions":

• Biomedical Sciences
• Computer Science
• Psychology 

Student Self-Check tool

There is also the option to fill out the online Student Self-Check tool - prior to applying - to find out more about your chances to be admitted.

Application procedure

Before you apply: take a look at the step-by-step application video to find out how you can apply for our English-taught programmes with a non-Dutch diploma. Then progress to 'Step 1: Apply in Studielink' below.

Switching programmes

Are you having doubts about your current study programme and would you like to switch programmes within VU Amsterdam or from another institution? Or would you like to learn more about transferring credit? VU Amsterdam is happy to guide you in the transition to another study programme.

Go to Studielink and create an application for the study programme you wish to apply for. 

Application deadline: 15 January 2025

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 the option: 'International students - Create an account'. When you create your Studielink account via this option you will need a scan or photo of your valid passport or European ID card.

• Studielink Step-by-step plans - instructions on how to create a Studielink account (with or without DigiD)
• Online Studielink Q&A

Important when you register in Studielink:

• Make sure that the email address you fill in in Studielink (My details) is correct: you will receive important notices concerning your enrolment via this address.
• Please enter your prior education (on the basis of which your application will be evaluated) correctly.
• Select the study programme of choice with (Bachelor) at the end from the list in Studielink (note: specialisations and tracks can be selected in your personal dashboard on VU.nl, the next step of your application).
• Enter your payment details so the correct tuition fee can be calculated. This does not generate an automatic payment. The deadline for payment is 15 July 2025 for numerus fixus study programmes.

Within 48 hours* (two working days) of finishing your application in Studielink you will receive your VUnetID (username) and password via email. You can use these to log in to the application portal in your personal dashboard on VU.nl.  If you already are (or have been) a VU Amsterdam student, or if you applied before, use your existing VUnetID and password to log in.

Complete you application by answering the questions asked in the application portal and make sure to upload the requested items. Complete your application until 100% in your VU dashboard within six weeks and no later than one week after the application deadline closes.

Questions? Read our step by step guide to completing your application in your dashboard on VU.nl.

*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.

Application documents

In the portal you are asked to upload the required documents in PDF-format and submit your application.

Required application documents (including the VU Application Form - Numerus Fixus)

Note that you do not have to send original documents when applying! For the application phase uploading scans of your previous education documents is sufficient. 

Complete your application by 15 January - this includes the payment of the 100 euro application fee

If you obtained your diploma outside of the Kingdom of the Netherlands we ask you to pay a non-refundable €100 application fee before the deadline of 15 January. 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

Do you think you qualify for an exemption? Please send an e-mail to bachelors.fs@vu.nl (Computer Science, Biomedical Sciences) or bachelors.fbms@vu.nl (Psychology) before 15 January in order for us to exempt you from paying this fee.

The International Office will confirm receipt of your complete application once your file is submitted and all documents have been checked. Your admission decision will be determined based on the submitted documents only. Note that during holiday times and closer to the deadline dates the processing time (i.e. checking of all documents) and decision time is longer than in slower periods. Keep this in mind in planning when to submit your application. 

Once you have received confirmation that the application is complete, we aim to send you the admission decision within 4-6 weeks. 

All information regarding your application will be sent to your Studielink registered email address. It is your own responsibility to check your inbox regularly, including the spam folder. 

Unsure if your application is complete? 

You can always check the status of your application in your status overview. Note that your application is only complete when you have received a confirmation email from us. 

You will receive an invitation to take part in the selection procedure for your chosen Numerus Fixus programme after the application deadline of 15 January. Information about the selection procedure can be found on your programme's Admissions page.

• Biomedical Sciences
• Computer Science
• Psychology 

Read more about the selection rules and deadlines for programmes with a selection procedure.

Once you have secured your (conditional) admission to VU Amsterdam, your exciting student onboarding journey begins. 

International student onboarding

To optimise your student experience, VU Amsterdam offers a range of onboarding services and activities. All activities within the onboarding process are aimed at social and academic integration and cultural adaptation to foster your study success.  

Read more about student onboarding  

Confirm your participation in your VU Dashboard after conditional admission

Do not miss out on any of our essential student services and confirm your participation.

You will receive your decision on admission by e-mail (make sure to check your spam folder regularly). Please read this e-mail carefully and keep it in your personal administration.

Confirm your participation in your VU dashboard once you have been conditionally admitted. This will enable you to apply for Accommodation and Visa services. Please note the following:

• If you have one or more deficiencies, you can only apply for our accommodation and/or visa services after you have eliminated them by passing your entrance exam(s) before the deadlines mentioned in your decision on admission e-mail
• If you decide to withdraw your application before 15 January, you will not have used up one of your participation opportunities in a Numerus Fixus programme application procedure. Find more info here.
• It is possible to withdraw your application after 15 January, but you will have used up one participation opportunity in a Numerus Fixus programme application procedure. Find more info here.

Arrange practical matters

Before and when you arrive, the International Office will help you to arrange practical matters such as picking up the keys to your room, opening a Dutch bank account, picking up your residence permit and registering at the municipality.

More information about the arrangement of practicalities can be found on our When you arrive page.

After taking the selection test, you will receive your ranking number through Studielink on 15 April. When your ranking number entitles you to a place then you will be offered a place through Studielink. You must accept your place within two weeks. If you do not accept or accept after the deadline, your place will become available to the candidate with the next lowest ranking number. You will then not be able to begin the degree programme on 1 September. For an up-to-date overview of the released ranking numbers, see our numerus fixus page.

Proof of completion of your previous education

VU Amsterdam will send you a message when you need to submit proof of your completion of your previous education. You will find this information in your decision on admission e-mail

Certified copy of diploma

A certified copy means that the copy of the actual diploma needs to bear an original stamp and signature of an authorised person or institution or an employee of your high school or university. Please note that only the original of the certified copy is accepted – we will not accept scans or copies because their authenticity cannot be verified. Read more about submitting your certified diploma copy.

When you receive the diploma of your previous education (only) after 1 September

If you have met all the requirements to graduate before 31 August but are still waiting for the diploma certificate to be issued, you will need to ask your school to provide a statement of graduation. Read more about submitting a statement of graduation.

English proficiency test results (if applicable)

Read more about the accepted English language tests and scores
Once you have received your English proficiency test results - that meet the set minima for the study programme you are applying for - the certificate has to be uploaded in the application section of your VU Dashboard. After receipt of the scores we will verify your scores with the test centre and process them in your application status. Please see the instructions: Verification of your test scores.
Please note: If you need to apply for a study visa, make sure to send the required document to the International Office before June 1st.

Deficiencies

If your conditional offer states you need to submit other specific test results (such as mathematics) you can notify the International Student Advisor when you have obtained the required certificate and score. We strongly advise you to submit the required document as soon as possible after your conditional admission. Please note: If you need to apply for a study visa, make sure to send your passing scores to the International Office before June 1st. 

Make sure that you have paid the tuition fees or issued the digital direct debit mandate before 15 July 2025. You will not be enrolled and will not be able to start the degree programme in September if you miss the deadline.

If you opt for a digital direct debit mandate in Studielink you will need to confirm this when the action appears in your to-do list. This will be within 24 hours. This confirmation is deemed to be the actual payment, so don't forget this step!

Read more about the payment of tuition fees

You will receive a message from Studielink once you finalise your enrolment and your student registration is complete. Only after having received this message, you will know you have met all the requirements for enrolment. Your status in Studielink will change to 'enrolled'. The deadline for full enrolment is 1 August 2025. If your enrolment is not complete on this date, you will not be able to start the progamme. If you have questions about your enrolment status, please check your VU Dashboard or contact your International Student Advisor.

Visit the Campus online

The University Campus is the lively hub of the university and you are welcome to pay a virtual visit to get to know the university.
Visit the online campus tour and explore the campus, university buildings and more!

Contact our Student Ambassadors

Do you have a question for a current student? Are you curious about everyday life in Amsterdam, from our campus to the food, music and events going on throughout the city? Want to know how much homework you will have each night, or how the Dutch educational system differs from your own? Ask one of our ambassadors! You can contact the VU Student and Alumni Ambassadors for questions about their experiences with the programme, the university, the Netherlands, finding a job, or whatever you would like to ask. Check the Student Ambassadors page to find an ambassador from the programme you’re interested in or from your home country. 

Read the Student Blog

On www.amsterdamstudents.com you can read blog updates from our (international) students.

Make sure to check the programme page first to see which admission and selection requirements apply.

Log in to Studielink with your DigiD and select the programme of your choice. Please note: the application deadline for numerus fixus studies is 15 January at the latest!

Make sure you meet the selection requirements before the application deadline. You can find these on the page of the relevant programme.

Complete your application in your application portal and upload the requested documents before 15 January. Do this in time, or you will not be able to take part in the selection. After completing your application, you will receive more information from the faculty about the selection procedure.

On 15 April you will receive your ranking number through Studielink. If it entitles you to a place, you will be offered this place through Studielink. You must accept the offered place within two weeks. If you do not accept or do not accept in time, your place will be allocated to the next candidate. You will then no longer be able to start with the study programme. For an up-to-date overview of the released ranking numbers, see our numerus fixus page.

You will be informed by VU Amsterdam whether you need to hand in a proof of your previous education. The deadline for handing in your documents is 15 July. The following documents are accepted:

• Original certified copy of diploma. Submit the document by post (Student Administration, de Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands) or to the Student Desk (Main Building, ground floor). You can have your diploma authenticated at the Student Desk as well. Make sure to bring your original diploma and a copy with you. Please note: do not submit original documents, as these will not be returned.
  
  
• Graduation certificate. Apply for this from your current study programme. The declaration must state the programme and the examination date and must be signed by the Examination Board. Submit the original by post (Student Administration, de Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands) or to the Student Desk (Main Building, ground floor). 
  
  
• Digital extract from the Diploma Register. Download the extract from www.mijndiplomas.nl and submit it digitally via studentdesk@vu.nl. You cannot submit a printed version of the extract as it is not valid. Please note: this option is only valid if you do not have an original certified copy of your diploma or graduation statement before the deadline. Unless stated otherwise, we only process documents that are handed in by post or at the student desk. If you submit a digital document, we may ask you (at a later moment) to submit a hard copy.

Make sure you pay the tuition fees or issue the digital authorisation before 15 July. Otherwise, you will not become enrolled and cannot start the study programme. Have you opted for digital authorisation in Studielink? Then you still have to confirm this when the action appears in your to-do list. This will take a maximum of 24 hours. The confirmation is the actual payment, so don't forget this step!

Your enrolment is only complete once you receive a message from Studielink and VU Amsterdam that you are enrolled. You can always check the status of your application in your dashboard on VU.nl.

Click here to read more on how to apply for a numerus fixus programme with a Dutch diploma.