Apply between 1 October 2023 and 1 March 2024 (for enrolment in September 2024).

It may take a couple of days to complete all steps of the application procedure, so make sure to start your application well in time. Make sure to fill out Studielink and MyInfo before the application deadline.

Note: you may apply before finishing your Bachelor's programme. However, you must obtain your Bachelor's degree and show us a valid proof of graduation by 31 August 2024.

If you do not meet all the selection requirements for the Master's track, you might qualify for a pre-Master's programme. Applications can be submitted from 1 October to 15 November.

Basic requirements

All Psychology Master's candidates are expected to meet the following basic requirements:

• ≥5 EC Basic knowledge of Psychology
• ≥24 EC Methods and Statistics courses in Psychology or Social Sciences of which ≥21 EC on quantitative research
• ≥9 EC an Empirical research project about which you wrote an individual report (demonstrating your writing & research skills) on a Psychological or related Social Science subject.

Candidates who obtain a Psychology Bachelor’s degree at a Dutch university prior to the start of the Master’s programme automatically meet all basic requirements.

Track-specific requirements

In order to apply for the Master's track Brain and Cognition in Society, you should meet the following track-specific requirements in addition to the basic requirements:

• ≥6 EC Knowledge about: Perception-action cycle, Learning and Memory, Consciousness on level 2/3
• ≥6 EC knowledge about different cognitive domains, such as Attention, Language, Emotions, Higher cognitive functions (level 2/3)
• ≥6 EC Advanced knowledge of and skills in experimental paradigms and methods used in cognitive (neuro)science (level 2/3)
• ≥3EC knowledge of Neuroanatomy on level 1/2/3

Statement of Motivation

In addition to the basic and track-specific requirements, the selection committee also assesses the relevance of your motivation statement. Applications may get rejected in case the motivation does not sufficiently match the content of the programme. See header 6 for more details about the motivation statement.

English language proficiency and academic level

• International candidates who are non-native English speakers are required to submit official English proficiency test scores. 
• International degrees should be equivalent to a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree.

Pre-Master's programme

If you do not meet all the selection requirements for the master's track, you might qualify for a pre-Master's programme.

If you would like to know whether a pre-Master's programme is an option for you, please apply for the master's track of your choice. Be sure to apply early so you can find out quickly about your next steps. The sooner you apply, the sooner you will find out whether you still need to complete any courses.

Applications can be submitted from 1 October to 15 November. Make sure to fill out Studielink and MyInfo before the application deadline. Please note: if you do not meet all the requirements, you will be informed before Christmas – thereby providing the opportunity to take and finish a pre-Master’s during the second semester to qualify for the September admissions round (provided that the missed courses will be given in the second semester).

Selection procedure

The Psychology Master’s is a selective programme. In case the number of candidates exceeds the number of places in the programme, students will be ranked based on their study results and motivation; admission will be decided by drawing lots for equally ranked candidates. Eligible students who are not alloted a place in the programme will be put on a waiting list in case a place becomes available later on.

Information for HBO students

An undergraduate degree programme with an applied emphasis (Dutch: hbo-bachelor) is not equivalent to an academic Bachelor’s degree, and therefore gives no access to the Psychology Master’s nor to the pre-Master’s programmes.

Before you can apply to the UvA, you will need to submit an enrolment application in Studielink. Studielink is the national online system for students who would like to pursue a degree programme at a Dutch university.

Check your DigiD (before starting in Studielink)

A DigiD (Digital Identification) is an online ID (username and password) that provides access to government administration websites.

• Students who do not live in the Netherlands can use Studielink without a DigiD.
• Students who currently live in the Netherlands will need their DigiD to use Studielink. We strongly recommend you to apply for your DigiD at least three weeks before registering in Studielink.

Choose your programme

When submitting your enrolment application, choose 'WO Master' Psychology. You will be able to choose the Master's track of your choice in step 4.

Read the step-by-step guide to Studielink

Before starting your enrolment application in Studielink, read the 'Step-by-step guide to Studielink'. 

The Psychology Master’s tracks have a maximum number of available places. You may apply for a second track, provided that you meet all entry requirements. 

When applying for two tracks, select your first choice in Studielink. Please note that you cannot change your track preference after you have registered in Studielink, so choose carefully. 

You will be able to select your second track choice in MyInfo. Please note that you can only be admitted to max. one track per admissions round. This means that, if you apply to two tracks and are eligible for both, you only get max. one placement offer. 

The second preference will be taken into consideration if you cannot be admitted to the (pre)master of their first choice.

Students who were already admitted to another track of the Psychology Master’s programme, and who wish to enroll for a second track in the consecutive academic year, are not able to enroll according to the instructions mentioned above. These students should send an email to the admissions office (admissions-psy@uva.nl) with the following information:

• name and student number
• name of track they started in the previous year
• filled out Proof of Qualifications document for the track-specific requirements of the second track
• motivation statement for second track according to our format
• most recent grade list

In case students get admitted to a second track in the consecutive year, they should not forget to re-enrol in Studielink.

After submitting your enrolment application in Studielink, you will receive an email with your UvAnetID. Follow the instructions in the email to activate your ID as you will need it to complete your UvA application.

All students applying for a Master’s degree programme with an international bachelor’s diploma are required to pay a non-refundable €100 application fee in SIS by credit card (Master or Visacard) or iDEAL. Only after you have paid this fee the UvA can start to process your application in MyInfo. It is not possible to start an application without paying the application fee. 

Note: that it can take up to 24 hours for your fee payment to be registered in SIS. Make sure to pay your application fee in time and at least 24 hours before the application deadline of your programme.

Applying for programmes at multiple Graduate Schools?
You only have to pay the fee once. So, you can apply to multiple programmes.

You don't have to pay the application fee:

• If you have of will obtain a bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university or university of applied sciences (HBO).
• If you have already applied and have paid the application fee for another master’s programme at the UvA for the academic year 2024-2025.
• If you are an exchange student.
• If you are applying through the Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF)

After you have registered in Studielink, you will receive an email (within a few days) from the Central Student Administration with a link to our online application system: MyInfo. This is where you will submit your application to the University of Amsterdam. During your application via MyInfo you will be asked to upload documents, see 6 ‘upload required documents’.

Please note: you will find the updated documents here

In MyInfo you will be asked to upload certain documents, including your academic transcripts, grading scheme, copies of your academic diplomas, cv, copy of your passport, English language proficiency test score and course descriptions from the course catalogue provided by your university. 

Proof of Qualification

In order to demonstrate your knowledge of the basic and track-specific requirements, you need to fill out and upload your proofs of qualification (PoQ) for both the basic and the track-specific requirements. Refer to section 2: Entry requirements and list your corresponding courses in the PoQ templates.

Statement of Motivation

Please use our template to fill out your statement of motivation. No other formats are accepted. Make sure you substantiate your motivation for the particular track you’re applying for (avoid generalities).

All applications are evaluated after the application deadline. The outcome of timely submitted applications will be announced around mid-May (by email through MyInfo). 

Should you get admitted to the programme, you will be asked to accept or decline the offer before a certain deadline. It is important to inform us about your decision so we can approach waitlisted candidates.

If you have been (conditionally) admitted to our Master's programme, we need to verify your previous education. This means that we have to check whether you have successfully completed your Bachelor’s programme. 

Please send us certified copies of your transcripts and degree certificates, so we can check them. Ask your university to email these documents to admissions-psy@uva.nl. We do not accept digital documents that you mail to us yourself.

If you are an international student, you will be informed about housing opportunities and visa/residence permit procedures (if applicable), after you have been admitted.
Please click on the links to read information about visa or residence permit, insurance and housing.

There will be several introduction events during the second half of August. The Graduate School of Psychology will organize an introduction event on the last Thursday of August. Admitted students will receive more information in due time.

A student ID card is a personal card which serves as proof of identity for examinations or borrowing library books. You will receive instructions on how to request your student ID card.

You will need to pay the tuition fee in order to complete your enrolment for a degree programme at the UvA. Find out more about how to pay the tuition fees.