If you want to apply for this Master’s programme, you need to hold an academic Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Economics or have taken economics as a major subject.

You are expected to have taken all courses at intermediate level in:

• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Econometrics and/or quantitative research methods

Additionally, you are expected to have a solid background in mathematics and statistics. Relevant course work will be evaluated after your online application has been submitted.

You are also eligible to apply if you have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a quantitative field, such as Mathematics, Statistics and Physics but only if courses in microeconomics and macroeconomics at the intermediate level are included in the programme. 

Educational systems differ around the world. International degrees are evaluated based on the guidelines provided by the NUFFIC. Are you unsure whether your academic background is considered equivalent to a Dutch Bachelor's degree?

• Visit the Nuffic diploma recognition page for more information. 
• Specific requirements may apply depending on where you obtained your degree. Find a list of equivalent degrees here.

If your previous education does not fulfill this programme’s requirements:

• Students with previous EU academic education and an EU/EEA nationality will be taken into consideration for a pre-Master’s programme.
• Students with previous non-EU education and a non-EU nationality may wish to consider applying for a Master’s-qualifying programme at the Cambridge Education Group.

Please note that a Bachelor's degree from a University of applied sciences is not eligible for this programme.

To be eligible for this programme, you have to verify your English proficiency. You can do this by providing 1 of the following English proficiency test scores:

• TOEFL IBT: a minimum of 92 points overall and a minimum of 22 points for each sub-score (TOEFL institution code: 9011). 
• IELTS (Academic test): a minimum of 6.5 overall and a minimum of 6.0 for each sub-score. The IELTS indicator test is not allowed.
• Cambridge Assessment English
  • Certificate in Advanced English: 180 points overall and in each skill or
  • Certificate of Proficiency in English: 180 points overall and in each skill.

Test scores must also conform to the following guidelines:

• Make sure you schedule your English proficiency test before the application deadline. 
• Test scores received after the application deadline are accepted, as long as your English proficiency test was taken before the application deadline.
• Your English proficiency test score cannot be more than 2 years old before the start date of your programme. For example, if you are applying for the September 2023 intake we do not accept English proficiency tests taken before September 2021.

Be sure to plan your test on time; test dates fill quickly and it can take several weeks for you to receive your results. Applications without a sufficient score or with a test date after the application deadline, will not be accepted.

Exemptions

You may be exempted from an English proficiency test if you have obtained your Bachelor's degree in one of the following countries: The Netherlands, Australia, Canada (except for Quebec), Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America.

We are looking for students who have shown potential to keep up with the high level and workload of the programme. Therefore, one of the criteria on which your application will be assessed is the Grade Point Average (GPA).  

We do not require a specific minimum GPA for this programme, but we will compare and assess the performance on all selection criteria to make an informed decision regarding placement into the programme.  

If you want to be considered for this Master’s programme, you need to provide a GRE score report as part of your application. This means that you need to take the test and receive your results before the deadline. Keep in mind that receiving these results can take up to two weeks. Test scores received after the application deadline will not be taken into consideration.

You are expected to score at least 158 on the Quantitative Reasoning section. If you do not achieve the expected score your application will still be considered. However, a minimum score of 155 on the Quantitative Reasoning section is required. Applicants who submit a GRE below this minimum score will not be accepted into this programme. Please note that completion of all sections of the exam is required.

GRE registration

For registration and more detailed information please refer to the GRE website. The institution code for GRE 7878 U Amsterdam School of Economics. The GRE at home test is allowed for the September 2023 intake. 

Based on mutual agreements with certain universities, students might be exempted from the GRE requirement. Check the list of universities to see whether this applies to you.  You are required to have an overall GPA of 7.0. If your GPA is lower than 7.0, we will take your application into account, but you will need excellent grades in microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics/ quantitative research methods, all on intermediate level.  

GMAT test scores

Instead of a GRE, a GMAT test score may be accepted in the following cases:

• You have already obtained a GMAT score.
• It is difficult to take the GRE test on short notice in your country.

You need to take the test and receive your results before the deadline. Keep in mind that receiving these results can take up to two weeks (please check the GMAT website for more detailed information). An overall score of 640 and 48 points in the Quantitative Reasoning section is expected if you apply for this programme. If you do not achieve the expected scores your application will still be considered. However, a minimum overall score of 620 with 45 points in the Quantitative Reasoning section is required. Applicants who submit a GMAT below this minimum score will not be accepted into this programme. Please note that completion of all sections of the exam is required.

For your GMAT registration, please refer to the GMAT website. The institution code for GMAT is 0500, Amsterdam Business School, MSc in Business Administration. The GMAT Online Exam is allowed for the September 2023 intake

Your motivation letter (max. one A4) can contribute to your admission if your academic results are in the lower regions of the requested entry requirements. It allows you to explain why you would be a good fit for the Master’s programme.