Entry requirements

Economics and Business

1. Student profile

Applicants should have a strong interest in economics, business and excellent quantitative (mathematical and statistical) skills. You are suited for this programme if you would like to bring an international dimension into your life and have the ambition to pursue an international career. The College of Economics and Business is looking for excellent students who will finish their BSc degree with good results within three years.

2. Previous education

Applicants holding a Dutch VWO diploma are eligible to apply to the programme. Studying with a foreign diploma at the University of Amsterdam means that a student's preparatory education must be equal to the Dutch VWO diploma or equivalent, with mathematics and English included in the final examination. Applicants with a relevant HBO first-year degree are also eligible to apply to the programme, and should have Mathematics at VWO-level.

The starting level of a regular study programme at Dutch universities is comparable to that of other Western European countries, which is usually one or two years higher than in most countries outside Western Europe. A student's diploma or certificate from previous education will be compared with the list of country qualifications which has been drawn up by the Netherlands Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

Please note that all students are required to start in the first year of the programme. It is not possible to start in the second or the third year of the programme. No credits from previous educations can be transferred to the Economics and Business programme. 

3. English language proficiency

All non-native speakers of English are required to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English. All students must be able to read textbooks, understand lectures, take part in classroom discussions and undertake written work in English. Students who are considered as native English speakers are those who have obtained their diploma in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America. All non-native speakers of English are required to submit a valid English test score which is not older than 2 years.

• TOEFL test: minimum score 92, at least 20 on each sub-score (237 computer-based/580 paper-based test, reporting number 0398)
• IELTS test: minimum score 6.5, at least 6 on each sub-score
• Cambridge International Examinations: minimum scores A (FCE), B (CAE), B (CPE)

Exemptions

Applicants who took English at the Dutch pre-university secondary education (VWO) level or at the German secondary education (Abitur) level with the course English included in their final examination, applicants with an IB-diploma and applicants with 3 GCE O-levels and 3 GCSE A-levels are exempt from the English language requirement. Students with an EB (European Baccalaureat) diploma are not exempt from the English language requirement. Dutch or European students with a HBO propedeuse are also exempt. Non-European students with a HBO propedeuse are NOT exempt from the English language requirement.  

Taking the test 

Students are strongly encouraged to make early preparations for the test. Please note that you need to have taken the test before the application deadline, we don't accept tests planned after the deadline. Refer to the contact details of test centres below. In case of insufficient scores, applicants can do a resit as long as deadlines are respected. 

4. Entrance examination in mathematics

If your application passes the first evaluation we will invite you for our entrance examination in mathematics.

• Applicants residing in the Netherlands need to take the test at our department. Available dates are: 11 February, 10 March and 21 April 2015. You need to choose a date in the online application form;
• International applicants need to do this test abroad under supervision of one of their teachers. We will ask you for the contact details of a supervisor by e-mail. The test can be taken each Tuesday. The last possible date to take the test is Tuesday 12 May;
• The mininum score to pass the test is 6 out of 10. It is not allowed to use a calculator.
• The exam can only be taken once.

Test samples 

The Mathematics Entrance Test will put emphasis on Calculus (Wiskunde B) topics mainly:

Correctly apply algebra techniques in:

- Simplifying mathematical expressions with fractions, roots, powers.

- Factoring expressions

- Solving different types of equations and inequalities

- Working with exponential and logarithmic functions

 Function analysis:

- Apply rules and techniques of differentiation (finding the derivative)

- Determine equations for tangents

- Determine domain and range of a function

- Determine stationary points and classification regarding extreme values (maximum/minimum) and/or inflection points. 

You are advised to examine the test samples below. If you are unable to get a good result for the example test we advise you not to apply for the programme. If you would like to further prepare yourself, we advise you to study 'Essential Mathematics for Economic Analysis', by Sydsaeter and Hammond, 4th edition (chapters 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8.6).

5. Interview

An interview may be part of the selection procedure if the admissions office feels this is necessary. During this interview we will ask you about your motivation for and expectations of the programme. The interview will be conducted by a member of the admission committee and will last approximately half an hour. Dutch students will be invited at our department, whereas international students will be contacted by telephone.

6. UvA Matching (Dutch Students only)

Undergraduate foundation programme

Non EU/EEA applicants that don't meet one of the entry requirements can refer to the undergraduate foundation programme.

Published by  Economics and Business

29 April 2015