If your country is not on this list, it might still be possible to gain admission. The admissions teams assess each application individually and will inform you of the admission decision.
List of diplomas per country
Please note that our diploma list may be updated for future intakes. No rights can be derived from this list and the final decision on admission to the programme will be determined by the International Office and Student Administration.
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 via Studielink and providing all required documentation in the application section of the VU dashboard. After you have done so you will be informed whether you are eligible for admission.
Next to the general admission requirements, each Bachelor’s programme has its own specific admission requirements and these requirements will be taken into consideration while assessing your application. Please check the specific admission requirements on the page of your Bachelor's degree programme.
Questions?
Contact your International Student Advisor (ISA) if you are an international diploma applicant applying for one of our English-taught programmes.
International diploma applicants who are applying for a Dutch-taught study programme are assessed by the Student Administration. For questions you can contact the Student Desk.
For International Students
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Africa
Cameroon
General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level (at least 4 exam subjects with a final result of A, B of C) + General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level with at least 3 subjects with a final result of A or B
Egypt
Al Azhar Secondary Education Certificate/General Secondary Education Certificate and at least 1 year of credits in academic education at an internationally recognised university
Ghana
Senior Secondary School Certificate (at least 6 subjects graded A-C)/West African Senior School Certificate(at least 6 subjects graded A1-C6) and at least 1 year of credits in academic education at an internationally recognised university
Morocco
- Attestation du Baccalauréat, Série: Lettres (Modernes / Originelle) with a General Average of at least 14 and also scores of at least 14 for each of the 5 National Examinations
- Attestation du Baccalauréat, Série: Sciences (Expérimentales / Mathématique / Originelle) a General Average of at least 14 and also scores of at least 14 for each of the 5 National Examinations
Nigeria
West African Senior School Certificate (WAEC)/ Senior School Certificate (NECO) and at least 1 year of credits in academic education at an internationally recognised university
South Africa
National Senior Certificate with 7 examination courses and an overall average result of 70% (the courses Life Orientation and Mathematical Literacy are not included in the calculation of average result) and no result lower than 65% + 1 Independent Examinations Board (IEB) Advanced Programme Certificate (Mathematics, Physics or English) with a result of at least 55%
Tanzania
Certificate of Secondary Education (at least 5 exam subjects with a final result of A, B, C) + the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education including at least 3 principal level subjects with grade A or B + a principal pass (grade A – E) for General Studies
Tunisia
Diplôm du Baccalauréat with a moyenne final of at least 14. We accept the following streams: Experimental sciences; Languages (Literature); Humanities and social sciences; and Mathematics
Uganda
Uganda Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level ( at least 6 exam subjects with a final result of 1 to 6) + Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education with at least 3 principal level subjects with a final result of A or B
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level (at least 5 exam subjects with a final result of A, B, C) + the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level with at least 3 principal level subjects with a final result of A or B
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Asia
Bangladesh
Higher Secondary Certificate (humanities/sciences)/ Alim Certificate and at least 1 year of credits in academic education obtained at an internationally recognised university
China
Senior middle school graduation certificate (Gaozhong), a high Gaokao score and at least 1 year of credits in academic education obtained at an internationally recognised university
Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) with all subjects level 3-5
- Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) - Advanced Level
India
- All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE) with A1, A2 or B1 grades in 5 academic subjects
- Indian School Certificate (CISCE) with at least 5 academic subjects and a minimum grade of 75% for each subject
- Migration Cum Transfer Certificate of the Senior Secondary School Examination (NIOS) with at least 5 academic subjects and a score of A, B of C or a minimum grade of 75% in each subject
Indonesia
Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) and at least 1 year of credits in academic education at an internationally recognized university
Israel
Te’udat Bagrut including at least 3 academic subjects with unit level 4 or 5, one of these being English
Iran
Certificate of Completion of Secondary School Studies + Pre-University Certificate and at least 1 year of credits in academic education obtained at an internationally recognised university
Pakistan
- Higher Secondary School Certificate/Intermediate School Certificate (with a final grade of at least C) and at least 1 year of credits in academic education obtained at an internationally recognised university.
- Bachelor (Pass)
Singapore
Cambridge GCE A level in 3 H2 + 1 H1 content-based subjects + General Paper/Knowledge and Inquiry (5 different subjects in total)
South Korea
High School Certificate and at least 1 year of credits in academic education obtained at an internationally recognised university
Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) with 6 subjects grade A, B or C + General Certificate of Education Advanced level with at least 3 GCE-A levels with minimum grade C in general, academic subjects
Thailand
Certificate of Secondary Education/ Matayom 6 (M6) and at least 1 year of credits in academic education obtained at an internationally recognised university
Vietnam
- Bang Tot Nghiep Pho Thong Trung Hoc and at least 1 year of credits in academic education obtained at an internationally recognised university
- Bang Tot Nghiep Pho Thong Trung Hoc obtained at a high school for the gifted with an average final exam grade 7 (of the four national examinations) and no final exam grades under 6,5
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Europe
Albania
Diplomë e Maturës Shtetërore / Diploma e Maturës Shteteröre Profesionale
Austria
Reifezeugnis or Reifeprüfungszeugnis awarded by an Allgemeinbildende Höhere Schule
Belgium
- Algemeen Secundair Onderwijs (ASO)
- Certificat d’enseignement Sécondaire Supérieur
Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Diploma o položenom maturskom ispitu (RS) from a gimnazijum
- Diploma o završenoj srednjoj školi (FiBH) (Secondary School Leaving Diploma) from a gimnazijum
- Diploma o završenoj gimnaziji
Bulgaria
Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie, Academic stream from a gimnasia or a sredna obchschoobrazovatelna uchilishte
Croatia
Svjedodžba o (državnoj) maturi
Cyprus
Apolityrio Lykeiou with an overall average of at least 16/20 and one of the following specialisations:
- classical studies and humanities
- foreign languages and European studies
- economic sciences
- natural sciences/life sciences/information science/ technology
Czech Republic
Vysvědčení o maturitní zkoušce obtained at a Gymnázium
Denmark
- Studentereksamenbevis (STX)
- Bevis for Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF)
Estonia
Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus
Finland
- Ylioppilastutkintotodistus
- Studentexamenbevis
- Matriculation Examination Certificate
France
Baccalauréat Général
Germany
- Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife
- Zeugnis der fachgebundenen Hochschulreife
Greece
Apolityrio Genikou Lykeiou with an overall average of at least 16/20
Hungary
Gimnaziumi Erettsegi Bizonyitvany
Iceland
Stúdentspróf (Matriculation Examination), awarded by a Menntaskóli
Ireland
- Leaving Certificate with at least 6 exam subjects from the Established programme, including two courses with H5 or higher and 4 courses with at least O6 or H7 + a minimum of 350 CAO points
- Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme with at least 6 courses and the link modules, including two courses with H5 or higher and 4 courses with at least O6 or H7 + a minimum of 350 CAO points
Italy
Diploma di Superamento dell’Esame di Stato Conclusivo, awarded by a Liceo Classico/Scientifico/Linguistico/Scienze Umane
Latvia
Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību
Liechtenstein
Matura
Lithuania
Brandos Atestatas from a Gimnazija or Licejus
Luxembourg
- Diplôme de Fin d'Études Secondaires Classiques
Malta
Matriculation Certificate Examination, awarded by University of Malta
North Macedonia
Diploma za položena državna matura
Norway
Vitnemål for Videregående Opplaering, with a clear academic focus
Poland
Świadectwo Ukończenia Liceum Ogólnokształcącego + Świadectwo Dojrzałości (maturity certificate)
Portugal
Diploma do Ensino Secundário, cursos científicos humanisticos with a final GPA of at least 15/20
Romania
Diplomă de Bacalaureat (theoretical or academic stream) obtained after 2005
Russian Federation
Attestat o Srednem (Polnom) Obshchem Obrazovanii and at least 1 year of credits in academic education obtained at an internationally recognised university
Serbia
- Diploma o stečenom srednjem obrazovanju or Diploma/Uverenje o položenom maturskom ispitu when studied for four years
Slovakia
Vysvedčenie o Maturitnej skúške awarded by a Gymnázium
Slovenia
Splošna Matura
Spain
Bachillerato (Titulo de Bachiller) and the Prueba de Acceso a Estudios Universitarios (PAU) or the Evaluación de Bachillerato para el Acceso a la Universidad (EBAU) / Evaluación para el Acceso a la Universidad (EVAU) with a score of at least 6.0 (apto)
Sweden
Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskolan or Högskoleförberedande Examen with one of the following programmes:
- Ekonomiprogrammet/ Business Management and Economics Programme
- Estetiska programmet/ Arts Programme
- Humanistiska programmet/ Humanities Programme
- Naturvetenskapsprogrammet/ Natural Science Programme
- Samhällsvetenskapsprogrammet/ Social Science Programme
- Teknikprogrammet/ Technology Programme
Switzerland
- Maturity Certificate
- Maturitätszeugnis
- Maturitätsausweis
- Certificat de Maturité
Türkiye
- A high school diploma with a cumulative GPA of 80% in the final two years and awarded by a school with the Label France Education mentioned on this website.
- Lise Diplomasi with a cumulative GPA of 80% in the final two years + at least 4 College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exam certificates* with grade 3, 4 or 5.
*AP Seminar, AP Research, AP Capstone and vocational subjects are not accepted - Lise Diplomasi in combination with an international diploma such as International Baccalaureate, European Baccaleaurate, GCE A-levels or US High School that meets the minimum diploma requirements - check under "International" or "North America - United States" for the minimum requirements.
- If you have obtained a regular Lise Diplomasi, you must have obtained at least 1 year of credits in academic education at an internationally recognised university.
Ukraine
- Svidotstvo pro zdobuttia povnoi zagalnoi serednoi osvity (since 2019) + passing the Independent External Examination (EIT) or National Multisubject Test (NMT) and at least 1 year of credits in academic education obtained at an internationally recognised university.
- Atestat pro zagal’nu serednyu osvitu (up to 2018)+ passing the Independent External Examination (EIT) or National Multisubject Test (NMT) and at least 1 year of credits in academic education obtained at an internationally recognised university.
United Kingdom
Applicants from the United Kingdom can find further information about admission on the information page for UK applicants.
- GCE A-levels: at least 3 GCE A-levels (A2) in general, academic subjects with an A*, A, B or C grade + 3 GCSE’s with grade A*, A, B or C/grade 4-9 in six different subjects (incl. English and mathematics).
Note that AS-levels and BTECS are not considered to be equivalent to the Dutch pre-university diploma. When you apply, upload your GCSE results + predicted A-level grades (official school statement).
Examples of accepted A-level subjects: All Languages*, Ancient History, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Computer Science, Digital Technology, Economics, Environmental Science / Technology, Further Mathematics, Geography, Government and Politics, History, History of Art, Islamic Studies, Latin, Law, Literature, Marine Sciences, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Statistics.
*For non-Humanities programmes a maximum of 1 GCE A-level in languages is accepted.
- Scottish Qualifications Certificate with 2 Advanced Highers (plus 4 Highers)
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Central and South America
Brazil
Certificado de Conclusão do 2° Grau or Certificado de Conclusão de Ensino Médio and at least 1 year of credits in academic education obtained at an internationally recognised university.
Chile
Licencia de Enseñanza Media and at least 1 year of credits in academic education obtained at an internationally recognised university.
Mexico
Bachiller and at least 1 year of credits in academic education obtained at an internationally recognised university.
Suriname
VWO Diploma
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North America
Canada
- High School Diploma (obtained in an English speaking province) + at least 1 year of credits in academic education obtained at an internationally recognised university
- Quebec: Diplôme d’Études Collégiales (DEC) including the Préuniversitaire (2 years)
United States of America
- High School diploma + at least 4 College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exam certificates* with grade 3, 4 or 5.
*AP Seminar, AP Research, AP Capstone and vocational subjects are not accepted - High School diploma and at least 1 year of credits in academic education obtained at an internationally recognised university
- Associate in Arts/Sciences degree (transfer program) with a clear academic curriculum and good GPA (3.0 or higher). These diplomas are evaluated on a case-by-case basis
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Oceania
Australia
An ATAR score higher than 85 in combination with one of the following:
- Higher School Certificate
- South Australian Certificate of Education
- Qualifications Certificate or Tasmanian Certificate of Education
- Victorian Certificate of Education
- Western Australian Certificate of Education
- ACT Year 12 Certificate
- Northern Territory Certificate of Education
An OP score lower than 8 in combination with:
- Queensland Certificate of Education
New Zealand
NCEA Level 3 (with sufficient credits from general level 3 subjects)
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International
International A-levels (Cambridge or Pearson)
3 GCE A-levels in in general, academic subjects with an A*, A, B or C grade.
Note that AS-levels and BTECS are not considered to be equivalent to the Dutch pre-university diploma. When you apply, please also upload your predicted A-level grades (official school statement).
Further information about admission with A-levels can be found on the information page for UK applicants.Examples of accepted A-level subjects: All Languages*, Ancient History, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Computer Science, Digital Technology, Economics, Environmental Science / Technology, Further Mathematics, Geography, Government and Politics, History, History of Art, Islamic Studies, Latin, Law, Literature, Marine Sciences, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Statistics.
*For non-Humanities programmes a maximum of 1 GCE A-level in languages is accepted.
Carribean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE)
Three double units in General/Academic subjects with an overall grade of I-V
European Baccalaureate
European Baccalaureate (Schola Europaea)
International Baccalaureate Diploma
International Baccalaureate Diploma. Only the full diploma is accepted.