Application procedure
for students with a foreign degree
On this page:
Preliminary registration form
Before you receive an official application form, you need to fill in and submit the preliminary registration form.
A complete application comprises an official application form and additional documents, including certified copies of diplomas and transcripts. Please make sure that your records are up-to-date. The complete application package should be sent to the MSc Programme Officer at the Faculty of Science. Your application will be acknowledged and a decision about admission will be taken as soon as possible. Please note that only complete applications will be taken into consideration.
Before you receive an official application form, you will need to complete and submit the preliminary registration form (refer to the link 'Preliminary Registration Form' below).
On the basis of a completed questionnaire, the Coordinator will evaluate the candidate's academic background. If the background is relevant, the Programme Coordinator will inform the International Office and an official application form and personal code will be sent to the candidate by means of e-mail.
When you make use of this web form please make sure you submit a fully completed form, i.e. including a list of all relevant courses and the grades/marks obtained.
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)
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.
The minimum scores required on the TOEFL Test are:
- Internet-based test (iBT): 90
- Computer-based test (CBT): 235
- Paper-based test (PBT): 580
Please note the TOEFL-code for the Faculty of Science of the Universiteit van Amsterdam is: 8628.
Minimum score IELTS-test: 6.5, at least 6 on each sub-score (listening/reading/writing/speaking).
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 B is required.
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 NESO, 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 tuition 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.