Questions about Studielink

Frequently asked questions

• What is Studielink?

  Studielink is a national Dutch system for higher education, which ensures that your enrolment details are automatically passed on to the institution and the Dutch Education Executive Agency (DUO). You can use Studielink to carry out a number of administrative actions, such as enrolling, terminating your enrolment and changing your address and email address.

• Where can I find the status of my application?

  You can view the general status of your application in Studielink. Detailed information about your application can be found in your status overview on your personal dashboard on VU.nl. 

• Tuition fees can be paid from May onwards. When will I know whether I have been admitted and need to pay?

  You will receive the decision on your admission approximately 4 to 6 weeks after you have completed your application in your dashboard on VU.nl. For a Bachelor's degree programme with VU Study Choice Check, the fee must be received by us by 31 August at the latest. For a Bachelor's degree programme that uses a selection procedure, the fee must be received by us by 15 July at the latest. 

• Have I paid once I have entered my payment details in Studielink?

  No. Once you have entered your payment details in Studielink, a calculation will be carried out to set the amount of your tuition fees. This will be done within 24 hours and you will be notified once the amount due is known. The payment will only be set in motion at that time. 

  If you are going to pay with a direct debit authorisation in Studielink, then you must confirm the authorisation by no later than 31 August. This confirmation of the direct debit constitutes the definitive payment. Please note that a direct debit authorisation for degree programmes that use a selection procedure must be confirmed by no later than 15 July. 

• I have a non-Dutch previous education. Can I apply through Studielink?

  Yes. As a prospective student you apply through Studielink, even if you have a non-Dutch previous education, live abroad or both. Studielink will then inform you that your diploma cannot be verified automatically and request you to send a certified copy of your diploma to VU Amsterdam. VU Amsterdam will verify your diploma. 

• Studielink offers the option of enrolling for a higher year. When is this applicable?

  All students must apply for the first year of a study programme.

  Are you applying for a non-selective degree programme and wish to enrol in a higher year because you have already completed your first year subjects elsewhere? Then please still select 'yes' at the question whether you want to start in the first year. 

  Once you are fully enrolled, you can submit a request to the faculty's Examination Board for exemptions from courses already taken at another institution. Check the Teaching and Examination Regulations (TER) of your degree programme in the Study guide to see whether you are entitled to exemptions.

• I have been notified that I lack a number of prerequisites, whilst I meet the admission requirements. Why is that?

  If you have applied with a non-Dutch diploma, your International Student Advisor can tell you more about why you might not be directly admissible for the programme.

  If you have a Dutch previous education at an institution of higher professional education (HBO), it is recommended that you enter only this diploma under previous education in Studielink. The notifications from Studielink will indicate how the verification procedure will be conducted in that case.

• I wish to edit my details I entered through Studielink. How do I do this?

  You can edit your details in Studielink under the headings 'My details' or 'My enrolment’. The changes will be passed on to VU Amsterdam and DUO. Do you have any questions about editing your details in Studielink? You are welcome to contact the Student Desk.