Top-level athletes and other talent

More about Top Performance status

• Applications Top Performance status

  The Top Performance status is maximum for the duration of 1 academic year and will have to be reapplied each academic year.
  
  Application form facilities top sports performance academic year 2025-2026
  
  Application form facilities cultural top performance academic year 2025-2026

  Take into account a response time of 30 days.
  When you first apply for Top Performance status, you can schedule an intake interview via the online calendar.

• Intake Top Performance

  When you apply for Top Performance status for the first time, you can schedule an appointment for an intake via the online agenda. During the intake, top performance status will be explained. The possibilities and potential bottlenecks and how to tackle the combination of study and Top Performance will also be discussed.

  During the intake, we will focus on both the short term (your first year of study) and the longer term where we will put your sporting or cultural career alongside your study career. For example, we will look at whether there may be developments in the future that could have a major impact on your study career.

• Facilities you can make use of

  Once you have received Top Performance status from VU Amsterdam, you can make use of the facilities scheme and the financial scheme.

  Facilities mbt bottlenecks between Top Performance and study

  As a top student, you often need extra facilities in addition to your studies. That is why we have the Student Facilities Scheme. 

  If you experience bottlenecks between your studies and your top performance activities, you can make use of certain facilities.  These facilities may differ per programme and subject. Some examples are: placement in a study group that coincides as little as possible with activities related to your Top Performance; relaxation of the attendance requirement; an adjusted study schedule; or the possibility to request facilities around exams and deadlines.

  To make use of facilities, it is important to stay in touch with your Academic Advisor throughout your studies. 

• Financial compensation

  Besides bottlenecks in your study planning, VU Amsterdam also considers it important that studying remains financially feasible if you combine your studies with a top performance in sport or culture. As a top performance student, you can appeal to the Student Support Regulation if you incur study delays as a result of combining top performance and study. Read the conditions carefully.

• Certificate Top Performance and Study

  If you have successfully completed your education (bachelor's or master's) and combined this with top-level sport for at least one year in which you held an NOC*NSF status, you can apply for a Top-level Sport and Study certificate. This certificate is offered jointly by the NOC*NSF and the VU.

  Send a message to initiate the application.

• Contact

  Before the start of your studies

  If you are a prospective student and have questions about studying at VU combined with a Top Performance in sport or culture, schedule an orientation meeting via the online agenda. When booking the appointment, you can choose between an appointment on the VU campus or online.

  Intake

  If you are applying for Top Performance status for the first time, you can schedule an appointment for an intake via the online agenda. During the intake, the Top Performance status will be explained. The possibilities and potential bottlenecks and how to tackle the combination of study and Top Performance will be discussed.

  The intake will focus on both the short term (your first year of study) and the longer term where we will put your sporting or cultural career alongside your study career.  For example, we will look at whether there are any future developments that could affect your study career

  During your studies

  If you have VU's top residency status and you encounter bottlenecks during your studies, please contact your Academic Advisor. If you have general questions about the combination Top Performance and study, please contact us.

• Committee for Top-level sports/cultural activities

  The Committee convenes on:
  
  3 February
  19 March
  21 April
  26 May
  2 July

More information