Application procedure
for students with a foreign degree
On this page:
Online application
The application procedure will start as soon as you fill in and submit the online application form below.
Please make sure to upload documents in the PDF format, when needed merge scanned documents into one PDF before you upload the file. When you still need to finish your current programme please make sure to add a list of courses you still need to finish before you can request graduation. Applicants who (will) hold more than one academic degree must merge copies of both academic transcripts into one PDF.
As soon as you submit the online form your application will be acknowledged and a decision about admission will be taken as soon as possible. An admission will always be conditional as we must still verify your documents. For this we will request original certified and translated copies of your secondary school certificates and academic records after we finished the online application procedure.
Please note the procedures for MSc Programmes are not always the same. Some programmes might have additional requirements. For more information about additional requirements, check the web pages of the programme.
Results on the English proficiency test may be sent later. Please do note that applicants who still do not have a sufficient English proficiency test result are often not eligible for our scholarship programmes.
Application deadlines
Students starting their programme in September:
- Non-EU/EEA students are advised to apply before February 1
- EU/EEA students are advised to apply before April 1 (if you apply later then May 1, then please first contact the International Office)
Students starting their programme in February.
- Non-EU/EEA students are advised to apply before October 1
- EU/EEA students are advised to apply before 1 December
Please see the attachment below for details as to which programmes start when.
Applications received after these dates will be processed, but the Faculty of Science is not able to guarantee housing and timely visa application. Please don't hesitate to contact the International Office Faculty of Science if you have questions about the deadlines.
For NFP Fellowship candidates the application deadline is December 1st. Because each Dutch Embassy has its own deadline we advise you to contact the Embassy yourself.
NEW: Before May 1st of the year of application the required English test result should be received by the International Office at the Faculty of Science.
Grade point average
Applicants are expected to have an overall grade point average (GPA) equivalant to at least:
- 3.0 (American system)
- 2.1 (a second class upper/division one degree in the British system)
- C (ECTS-system)
Admission, however, will not be granted based on a sufficient grade point average alone.
Please note that higher GPA's are required for the Research MSc in Brain and Cognitive Sciences.
English language requirements
All our international programmes are conducted in English. Non-native English speakers need to submit proof of their proficiency in the English language before enrolling in one of these programmes.
Please note we only accept the TOEFL Test, the test of the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) or a Cambridge Examination Score. The test result should be received by the International Office of the Faculty of Science before May 1st of the year of application.
TOEFL Test
The minimum scores required on the TOEFL Test are:
- Internet-based test (iBT): 92 (98 for Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Information Studies and Software Engineering)
Please note the TOEFL-code for the Faculty of Science of the University of Amsterdam is: 8628.
IELTS Test
- Minimum score 6.5, at least 6.0 on sub-scores (listening/reading/writing/speaking).
Exceptions
- Information Studies + Brain and Cognitive Sciences> minimum score 7.0, sub-scores on writing and speaking at least 7.0, sub-scores on listening and reading at least 6.5
- Software Engineering > minimum score 7.0, at least 6.5 on each sub-score (listening/reading/writing/speaking)
- The UvA offers the IELTS test for free to current UvA students to assess their English language proficiency.
Cambridge Examination Score
A Cambridge Examination Score with a minimum test result of CAE A or B will also be accepted. For the CPE test a minimal score of C is required.
Nuffic Certificate for Chinese students
Chinese applicants are required to take an IELTS test or the TOEFL (Internet-based test only). These are the only two tests accepted by the Nuffic, which provides certificates to all Chinese students who wish to study in the Netherlands.
Please note there are some differences between the TOEFL and IELTS test. Available practice material, test dates, prices and locations differ per country.
Tuition fees
For a complete oversight of tution fees please see the general link below.There are also more details available regarding visa requirements and what the relevant geographical entities are.
Questions?
For further information regarding admission requirements or the application procedure for international students, please contact the International Office of the Faculty of Science via the link below.