Admission requirements
Psychology (Research MSc)
All applicants who wish to enrol in the research master's programme in Psychology must meet a number of basic requirements regarding: Grade average; Academic level and background; Proficiency in English.
On this page:
Grade average
For this master's programme we're aiming at the top 10% students. If you wish to apply for the research master’s programme in Psychology you are expected to have an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least:
- A-/B+/3.5 (American system)
- 2.1 HONS (an upper second class honours degree in the British system)
- B (ECTS stystem), or
- 7.5 (Dutch system)
However, admission will not be granted based on a sufficient grade point average only, our decision is based on academic level and background; motivation, experience in psychological research and grade point average.
Academic level and background
Applicants should have at least a Bachelor's degree (equivalent to at least three years of Dutch academic training) or an equivalent degree in a field relevant to the research master's programme in Psychology. Education systems vary considerably across the world; some bachelor's degrees are valued at three years of a Dutch university education, while others are valued at two years or less.
The minimum entry level for the research master's programme in Psychology is three years of Dutch university education. Students with a bachelor's degree in other disciplines than Psychology can apply for admission to the research master's programme, but they should have at least general knowledge of Psychology and its subdisciplines, as well as knowledge of statistics and methodology. Applicants should also have experience with the topic of specialization in the master's programme.
Experience with setting up, conducting and reporting experimental research is necessary.
Methodological knowledge and statistical knowledge
The Research Master's Psychology programme at the University of Amsterdam is firmly embedded in experimental psychology. Over a two-year period, students complete advanced courses on research methods and statistics. Because these are advanced courses, we expect our students to have basic statistical skills and methodological knowledge.The book that reflects the level of statistical knowledge that is needed is:
Agresti & Franklin, Statistics: The Art and Science of Learning from Data.
You can make this test to find out whether you possess skills and knowledge required to follow our advanced research methods and statistics courses. The 20 questions in this test are based on the book "Statistics: the art and science of learning from data" by Agresti & Franklin (2012).
The results of this test will in no way affect the selection of students for our Research Master. The test is purely designed to give students insight in the skills and knowledge required to successfully follow our advanced methods and statistics courses.
Foreign diplomas
Foreign diplomas are always sent to the Deans of the University of Amsterdam for a credential evaluation first. The deans compare diplomas in terms of equivalence to Dutch academic training. After they have given their advice, our admissions committee looks at the (amount of) psychology courses in the candidate's academic training.
In The Netherlands the Bachelors programmes are mono-disciplinary, i.e. Dutch psychology students get almost only psychology (-related) courses. This system differs somewhat from Atlantic bachelors programmes e.g., which are mostly broader in set-up. The more psychology courses applicants have on their transcript, the more chance there is to be qualified for this programme. Unfortunately our department cannot offer a ‘repair' programme for international applicants at UvA since our bachelor education is entirely in Dutch.
Proficiency in English
All international applicants who are non-native English speakers and who apply for the research master's programme in Psychology are required to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English to enrol in university-level courses. Students must be able to read textbooks, understand lectures, take part in classroom discussions and undertake written work in English.
Applicants must submit one of the following tests. No other tests are accepted. Please note that only international, not institutional tests are accepted. Original test scores should be sent either by the testing institution or by the student to the Admissions Committee.
Please note: applicants who obtained their bachelor's diploma in the Netherlands, or applicants who can prove to have successfully finished an English-taught programme at university level, do not have to take an English language test.
- International
English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Students are required to have a score of at least 7.0 on the academic module,
with a minimum score of 6.0 for the separate components of the test.
- Test of English as a
Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Students are required to have a score of at least 100 (internet based test) with
a minimum score of 20 for the separate components of the test.
-
Cambridge
International Examination.
Students are required to have a minimum score ‘A' for the Certificate in
Advanced English (CAE) or ‘B' for the Certificate of Proficiency in English
(CPE).