Applying for two specialisations
You apply to the Master’s programme via Studielink. After this you specify in your VU Dashboard which specialisation(s) you wish to pursue. You can also apply for a second specialisation at a later date.
The Admissons Board checks if you meet the admission requirements, such as language requirements. For IBL you will be asked to submit a motivation for both specialisations, or the second specialisation if you apply at a later date.
For more information on specifying or altering your choice see Specialisation during your Master’s programme.
Curricular requirements
For the second specialisation you must meet the curricular requirements as specified in the article Combining two specialisations of the Teaching and Examination Regulations (OER) of the programme.
When a subject is compulsory for both specialisations and there is no other subject which can be chosen in its place, then the subject can be included for both specialisations and need only be completed once. For example a methodology subject. In all other cases a subject can usually not be included for both specialisations. If an alternative subject can be chosen, in most cases you will have to choose a different subject for each specialisation. In the OER you can read what is the case for your programme.
Please note: previously completed subjects can only be included for the curricular requirements if the results obtained are still valid. After 4 years a result may become (partially) invalid if the skills and knowledge obtained are demonstrably outdated (article 8.2 OER). If you have obtained a result more than 4 years ago, you can send a request to the Examination Board to check the validity of your results.
Combined graduation
When you graduate with two specialisations you receive only one diploma, with both specialisations listed in the diploma supplement.
Please note that when you meet the requirements for graduation for one of the specialisations, the VU is legally obliged to issue a degree certificate.
If you have almost completed the requirements for the second specialisation, you can submit a request for deferral of graduation. However, conditions apply. More information is available in the Regulations for issuing degree certificates.
If you do not meet the conditions for deferral of graduation, you can still complete the second specialisation, but as an extra specialisation after graduation (see below).
Extra specialisation after graduation
Besides a combined graduation you can also pursue or complete a second specialisation after graduation.
It is by law not permitted to issue more than one degree for the same Master’s programme. This means that if you complete the second specialisation after having already received a degree certificate (diploma) for the first specialisation, you will not receive a second diploma. Instead, you will receive an official, signed certificate as supplement to your diploma, specifying which second specialisation you have completed and which subjects you have (additionally) completed for the specialisation.
Please be aware that completing a second specialisation after graduation may affect the tuition fee. More information is available on the Tuition fee rates page. For questions you can contact the VU Student Desk.
Examples Master’s in Law programme
For the Master’s in Law programme, only one integration subject needs to be completed if the integration subject is listed as an integration subject for the curricular requirements of both specialisations. For all other components the standard requirements apply.
Example I: A compulsory subject of specialisation 1 is also a restricted elective for specialisation 2. Choose a different restricted elective for specialisation 2.
Example II: An integration subject of specialisation 1 is also a restricted elective for specialisation 2. You can choose A: a different integration subject for specialisation 1 or B: a different restricted elective for specialisation 2.
Example III: An integration subject of specialisation 1 is also an integration subject for specialisation 2. The integration subject can be included for both specialisations, you need only complete one integration subject.