Applications for enrolment in September (the start of the new academic year) must be submitted between 1 October  and 1 March (23:59 CET, Amsterdam time).

The application process can take several days to complete, so we strongly recommend starting early. To meet the deadline, you must complete both:

• Your application in Studielink
• Your application in our online application system (SiS)

Important: You may apply before completing your Bachelor's degree. However, you must obtain your degree and provide valid proof of graduation no later than 31 August .

All Psychology Research Master's applicants are expected to meet the following requirements:

Academic level

• International degrees should be equivalent to a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree, in Psychology or a closely related field.
• Applicants must have a grade average of (or equivalent to) 7.5 or higher in the Dutch system

In order to apply, you should have an academic Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or another closely related field. International degrees should be equivalent to the Dutch UvA Psychology academic Bachelor’s degree. Preferably this is a Bachelor of Science degree or an honours degree. An undergraduate degree programme with an applied emphasis is not equivalent to an academic Bachelor’s degree.

If you wish to apply for the Research Master’s programme in Psychology you are expected to have an overall grade point average (GPA) and an average GPA per selection requirement of at least:

• A-/B+/3.5 (American system)
• 2.1 HONS (an upper second class honours degree in the British system)
• B (ECTS system), or
• 7.5 (Dutch system)

Across the different groups of courses (i.e. basic knowledge, methods & statistics, and advanced knowledge) as well as for the empirical research project a GPA of 7.5 is also required.

However, admission will not be granted based on a sufficient grade point average only, our decision is based on academic level and background (ensuring that applicants have an adequate background in psychology, methods and statistics and advanced knowledge in their chosen major), motivation, experience in empirical quantitative psychological research, level of scientific writing skills and grade point average.

Knowledge and skills requirements

In addition, candidates are expected to meet the following requirements:

The book that reflects the level of statistical knowledge that is needed is: Statistics: The Art and Science of Learning from Data by Agresti & Franklin (2012).

To find out whether you possess the skills and knowledge required to follow the advanced research methods and statistics courses, we offer you this test:

Methods and Statistics self-diagnostic test 

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 test is purely self-diagnostic and designed to give you insight in the skills and knowledge required to successfully follow our advanced methods and statistics courses. The results of this test are not revealed to us and will in no way affect the selection of candidates for the Research Master ’s programme.

English language proficiency

International applicants who are non-native English speakers must submit official proof of English language proficiency test scores.

You do not need to submit an English test if you:

• Have completed a Dutch university-level Bachelor’s degree, or
• Are a native English speaker and completed secondary education in Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, or Completed secondary or tertiary education in one of the following countries: Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America.

Accepted English language tests

Only the tests listed below are accepted. No other tests are allowed.

Your test results must be no older than 2 years at the start date of your programme.

Requirements regarding English language level are: 

Not accepted: TOEFL ITP, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, MyBest scores, IELTS One Skill Retake, IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator and IELTS Online

Deadline

You must submit your English language certificate before 1 March.

Your application is not complete without a valid English language certificate (if required for your situation). Make sure to book your test early.

European Credits and Levels:

60 European Credits (ECs) are the equivalent of a full year of study or work. Please note that in The Netherlands, 1 EC represents 28 hours of work.

European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is designed to make it easier for students to move between countries and to have their academic qualifications and study periods abroad recognised.

Levels

• Level 1: comparable to UvA bachelor year 1, basic, introductory courses in the field.
• Level 2: comparable to UvA bachelor year 2, comprehensive, intermediate courses.
• Level 3: comparable to UvA bachelor year 2/3, advanced, more specialised courses.

Level 3 of the UvA bachelor refers to level 6 of the European Qualifications Framework. 

All You Need to Know about the European Credit System ECTS

Statement of motivation

In addition to the academic requirements, the selection committee assesses the relevance and quality of your motivation statement. Applications may get rejected in case the motivation does not sufficiently match the content of the programme. The motivation statement consists of answers to four specific questions about the programme, which can be found in the Proof of Qualifactions form (see step 6).

Clinical route / health care requirements

Applicants who would like to apply for the special study track ‘Clinical route / health care requirements’, need to fulfil more requirements. You can find here if you are eligible for the clinical route and how this should be demonstrated.

No pre-Master's programme

The Research Master in Psychology does not offer a pre-Master’s programme.

3.1 Apply for a first-choice Master’s track

Before applying to the UvA, you must first submit an enrolment application through Studielink, the national application system for Dutch universities.

Check your DigiD (before starting in Studielink)

• A DigiD is a secure digital identification (username and password) used to access Dutch government and education systems.
• Students who do not live in the Netherlands can use Studielink without a DigiD.
• Students who do live in the Netherlands must use a DigiD to access Studielink.
• If you need a DigiD, we strongly recommend applying for it 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.

Step-by-step guide to Studielink

3.2 Apply for a second-choice Master’s track (optional)

Master’s tracks in Psychology have a limited number of places. Therefore, it is recommended to have a second choice. You may apply for a second track if you meet the admission requirements.

How to apply for two tracks

• First choice (Studielink): The track you select in Studielink is your first choice. This cannot be changed after submission, so choose carefully.
• Second choice (via SiS): You can indicate your second choice here.

You will receive a maximum of one offer. Your second-choice track will only be considered if you are not admitted to your first-choice (pre-)Master’s track.

3.3 Apply for a consecutive second track in a new academic year (optional)

If you completed a different track in the previous academic year and wish to apply for another track within the same Master’s programme, you cannot follow the standard application procedure.

Instead, you must email the Admissions Office at admissions-psy@uva.nl with:

• Your name and student number
• The track you started in the previous year
• Your most recent transcript
• A completed Proof of Qualifications document for the specific requirements of the second track.

If you are admitted to a second track in the following academic year, you must arrange your own re-enrolment 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 programme in Psychology with an international Bachelor’s diploma are required to pay a non-refundable €100 application fee*. Only after you have paid this fee the UvA can start to process your application. You can do so via the application portal SIS, as the final step. Submitting your form without paying the application fee is not possible.

You can pay your €100 application fee by credit card (Mastercard, Visacard), 
GooglePay, ApplePay, Paypal, Bancontact or iDEAL.

Please note: Registration of the payment fee takes up to 24 hours. Make sure you pay well in time. 

You do not have to pay the application fee if:

• you have or will obtain a bachelor’s degree from a Dutch university or graduate school.
• you have already applied and have paid the application fee for another Master’s programme at the UvA for the same academic year.
• you are applying through the Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF)

* Please note that the application fee is non-refundable. You are not entitled to a refund even if you do not submit your application form, if you submit an application form after the deadline (which will not be taken into consideration), or if you submit an incomplete application.

Make sure your complete application is submitted before the deadline.

After registering in Studielink, you will receive an email from the UvA Central Student Administration with a link to SIS (the online application system). Through SIS, you complete your application for the Master’s programme and upload the required documents.

Please note: completing your application takes time. We strongly recommend that you start your application well before the deadline to ensure you have enough time to gather the required information and complete alle documents carefully.

During your application, you will be asked to upload the following documents:

• Completed Proof of Qualifications
• Course descriptions from your university’s course catalogue
• Transcript of records
• Grading scheme
• CV
• English language proficiency test score
• Copy of your diploma or graduation statement (if already obtained)
• If case you apply for a second mastertrack: please also upload the Proof of Qualification and course descriptions for that track.

Proof of Qualifications

Please complete this form carefully and in full, and read all instructions thoroughly before submitting it. The Proof of Qualification is an essential part of your application and is used to assess whether you meet the admission requirements for this Master's programme.

For each admission requirement, clearly indicate which course(s) from your previous education meet the requirement. Each credit (EC) may only be used once to meet an admission requirement. Enter course titles exactly as they appear on your official transcript.

Only complete applications, including a fully completed Proof of Qualification and all required documents, can be assessed. Make sure to submit your complete application by the deadline. Please start your application well in advance. It may take several days to complete all required steps, and you may need to locate or request certain documents from your educational institution.

Only credits (ECs) obtained as part of an accredited higher education programme can be used to demonstrate that you meet the admission requirements. Courses, research projects, work experience, professional training, or other activities completed outside an accredited degree programme cannot be taken into account during the assessment of your application.

Course descriptions

You must upload the official university course descriptions for every course listed in your Proof of Qualification, including the literature covered. Please combine all course descriptions into one single PDF file (This is not required for courses completed at the University of Amsterdam (UvA)).

Transcript of records

Official transcripts of all university courses and examinations that you have taken, including the credits and grades you have obtained. Transcripts in any other language than English or Dutch should be translated into English by a sworn translator.

Grading scheme

If the local grading and credit system deviates from the Dutch system, you need to upload a grading scheme supplied by your university. In this overview the grading and credit system at your university should be described. The selection committee needs this to interpret your transcript.

Copies of all academic degree certificates (diplomas)

Certified copies of all academic degree certificates. Degree certificates in any other language than English, German, French, Spanish or Dutch should be translated into English by a sworn translator. Please note: should you apply to this Master's programme without having finished your current programme, please indicate when you will receive your degree.

Curriculum vitae / resume including research experience

Please include in your CV a paragraph with an overview of your research experiences other than theoretical (e.g., lab training, research assistant, publications, etc.). Also, if you have attended more than one university, please enclose a chronological overview of your studies on your CV.

Possible addition: extenuating circumstances

Is there evidence of extenuating circumstances affecting your performance during your education? If yes, give a brief summary (think of management, top sports, dual programmes, illness, care, etc.) (Max. 250 words).

The Research Master’s in Psychology is a selective programme. In case the number of candidates exceeds the number of places in the programme, students will be ranked in groups based on their study results; admission will be decided by drawing lots for equally ranked candidates. Eligible students who are not allotted a place in the programme will be put on a waiting list in case a place becomes available later on. Placement from the waiting list can still happen until mid-August.

When will I know if I've been admitted?

All applications are assessed individually to determine whether applicants meet the admission requirements. Admission decisions are communicated only after all applications have been assessed. Applicants who submit a complete application on time can normally expect to receive the outcome of their application around mid-May.

Please note: Your application must be completed and submitted before the deadline in both Studielink and the UvA application system (SIS). Please make sure to check your UvA email (including your spam folder) regularly throughout the admissions process and until you have received your admission decision, as we may contact you with important updates or requests for additional information. If you do not respond within the specified timeframe, your application may be closed.

Should you be admitted to the programme, you will receive an email with the official offer. This email will include the deadline by which you must accept or decline the offer: within two weeks.

Please ensure that you respond before this deadline, as failure to respond in time will result in your application being automatically closed.

If you have accepted your offer but later decide not to start the programme, please withdraw your application in Studielink as soon as possible. This allows us to offer your place to a candidate on the waiting list.

Ask your university to send official documents directly by email to: admissions-psy@uva.nl.

Required documents

• Transcripts
• Degree certificate
• Graduation statement

The graduation statement must confirm that you have met all graduation requirements and have graduated from the Bachelor’s or Master’s programme. It must also state the exact graduation date.

Your graduation date may be no later than 31 August. 

What is an official document?

An official document is a copy of the original document, issued by:

• your educational institution, or
• a notary.

Please note:

• A photo or scan you make yourself of an official document does not count as an official document.
• Documents must be in Dutch, English, German or French.
• Documents in other languages must be submitted in the original language together with an official translation by a sworn translator.
• We do not accept documents that you email yourself.

Did you obtain your degree at the UvA?

Then you do not need to submit any documents yourself. The Admissions Office will manually check whether you have graduated in August.

Once your graduation has been confirmed, your conditional admission will be converted into final admission. You must have graduated by 31 August. 

What happens after we have received your documents?

After receiving your official documents, we aim to verify them within 3 to 4 weeks.

After successful verification, you will receive an email confirming your final admission. The status of your Enrolment checklist will also be updated to ‘Completed’. In the Enrolment checklist you can see which steps you still need to complete, such as paying your tuition fees.

You will receive information about course registration by email. You will then be able to register for the courses that are part of your Master’s programme and that you are required or expected to take.

Please note: always check whether you need to enroll separately for any courses. Deadlines for course enrolment may fall before 1 September or 1 February.

If you are an international student, you will need to arrange a variety of practical matters before starting your studies. This includes your visa or residence permit, insurance and housing. You will receive an email with more information about this after you have been admitted.

Please get more information about visa or residence permit, insurance and housing, practical matters for international students.

You will need to pay the tuition fee in order to complete your enrolment for a degree programme at the UvA. 

You are only officially enrolled once:

• you have been admitted to the programme
• you have met all enrolment requirements
• your tuition fees have been paid

Only after your enrolment has been completed, you can:

• make use of the University's educational and student facilities
• take exams

In addition to tuition fees, there are other costs to consider, such as books, a laptop and study materials.
 

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.

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 in August. If you’re admitted, you will receive more information in due time.