Entry requirements
Research Master's programmes - Amsterdam Law School
The Research Master's programmes of the Amsterdam Law School are selective, specialised Master's programmes open to a limited number of motivated, ambitious students. Admission is not automatically open to all students who have obtained a relevant bachelor’s degree. Instead, a selection procedure applies whereby students with the most competitive applications will be admitted to the programme.
Students with the following qualifications are encouraged to apply:
- You have a Bachelor's degree in law (LLB) from a Dutch university, or an equivalent degree from a foreign university, with a grade-point average of at least 7.5 (on a scale of 1-10).
- You completed your Bachelor's programme at a pace that suggests you will be able to successfully complete the Research Master's programme within two years.
- You are sufficiently proficient in the English language (see English language proficiency below).
Assessment by the Admissions Board
Applicants will be selected on the basis of study results and motivation by an Admission Board. Selection criteria include:
- prior study results,
- analytic and writing skills (as demonstrated in an essay or paper submitted by the applicant),
- motivation and stamina for pursuing a career in research,
- curiosity, creativity and an independent mind-set,
- communications and foreign languages skills (particularly English, German and French).
Qualified candidates will be invited for an interview with the members of the Board. The Board will then decide on admission. Applicants will be notified in writing about the admissions decision.
English language proficiency
In an international environment, a sufficient mastery of the English language is critical for academic success. Students must take an English language proficiency test to demonstrate their ability.
The Amsterdam Law School accepts the following tests and results:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) - The minimum required TOEFL score is 100 iBT, with a minimum score of 26 for writing on the TOEFL and its equivalent in the IELTS.
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) - The minimum required overall IELTS score is 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.0 for each single component.
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English. The minimum required grade is C.
The Amsterdam Law School only accepts English language proficiency test results that are no more than two years old at the time of application.
Applicants may request a waiver from the English language proficiency test requirement, if the applicant is either a native English speaker or has successfully completed an English-taught Bachelor's programme. In either case, the requested waiver will not be automatically granted, but will be assessed on its merits.
Please note:
- Before choosing a specific test, please consult the Dutch immigration authorities in your country for a confirmation concerning the validity of the English language proficiency test. In the case of China, for example, only the IELTS test is valid for immigration purposes.
- The UvA offers a free IELTS test for full-time UvA students, but demand is high and the number of participants is limited – apply early!