Application and admission
On this page you can find all the information you need to find out if you are eligible for this programme and which steps to take in order to apply.
Entry requirements
Check here whether you are eligible for this programme. Choose the situation that applies to you.
What degree do you have?
If you want to study Economics and Business Economics you need the right diploma. Candidates must meet a set of minimum requirements to be accepted which are outlined below:
- Minimum requirements for secondary school
- English proficiency
English proficiency
A Dutch vwo secondary school diploma with English is required.
Secondary school
A Dutch VWO secondary school diploma with mathematics A or B is required.
University of applied sciences
If you have a first year diploma by a university of applied sciences ('Hogeschool') the entrance requirement is Mathematics A or B on 'VWO'- level. You can do the exam (and follow a course) at www.boswell-beta.nl/examens or at www.ccvx.nl r at OMPT (OMPT-A test, minimum score 75%, maximum 3 attempts allowed).
No valid diploma for admission?
If you do not have the right diploma, you can apply for an entrance exam (colloquium doctum) - Information only in Dutch.
Entry requirements
In the Netherlands, only the Dutch VWO diploma gives direct access to a university education. If you hold a foreign secondary school diploma, International Student Admissions will need to determine whether you can be admitted to the University. In this case, they will verify if your diploma is considered equivalent to a Dutch VWO diploma. You can check whether your diploma meets this requirement in this diploma equivalency list.
Applicants must have an international diploma with an adequate level of Mathematics as required subject, for example:
Diploma | Country | Requirements |
---|---|---|
International Baccalaureate
|
Worldwide
| Mathematics Standard Level (Math Standard). |
| Europe | Mathematics as written exams and at least 3 hours per week in the final 2 years. |
Abitur | Germany |
|
GCE A-Levels
| United Kingdom | Three preferred (International) GCE A-Levels with a minimum score of CCC. At least an A/S-Level Mathematics. For preferred GCE A-Levels see the diploma equivalency list. |
Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs | Belgium | All directions: with Mathematics for at least 4 hours per week in the final 2 years, and English |
| Italy | Mathematics up to and including the final year. |
US High School Diploma | USA |
|
English language requirements
Utrecht University accepts the following exams as proof of proficiency in English:
- IELTS, Academic Module (IELTS Online is not accepted). Minimum score: 6.0 overall band, 5.5 for writing.
- TOEFL, Internet based. Minimum score: 83. Institutional scores are not accepted.
The TOEFL institution code for Utrecht University is 9062. - Cambridge Certificates:
- Cambridge English C1 Advanced (CAE). Minimum score: 169 total, 162 writing.
- Cambridge English C2 Proficiency (CPE). Minimum score: 180 total, 162 writing.
Exceptions
You are considered to be proficient in English and do not need to provide a test score if:
- You obtained your secondary school diploma in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, UK, USA or South Africa,
or - You obtained an International Baccalaureate Diploma (with English A or B as final exam subject at either Standard or Higher Level) or European Baccalaureate Diploma (with English as Language 1 or 2)
or - You had English at the required level in one of the following diploma programmes:
- Aruban VWO-Diploma (final exam subject);
- Austrian Reifeprüfungszeugnis or Reife- und Diplomprüfungszeugnis (up to and including the final year);
- Belgian Getuigschrift Algemeen Secundair Onderwijs (up to and including the final year);
- Curaçao VWO-Diploma (final exam subject);
- Danish Bevis for Højere Hændelseksamen (HHX)/Bevis for Studentereksamen (STX)/Højere Forberedelseksamen (HF) med overbygning /Højere Teknisk Examen (HTX) (at least English B)
- Finnish Ylioppilastutkintotodistus/Studenteksamensbevis/Matriculation Examination Certificate (final exam subject, Basic or Advanced Syllabus);
- French Diplôme du Baccalauréat Général, Option Internationale du Baccalauréat (OIB) (Section américaine or Section britannique only);
- French Diplôme du Baccalauréat Général, Baccalauréat Français International (BFI), Section Anglais (Américaine or Britannique);
- German Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife (Abitur) (at least Grundkursfach);
- Icelandic Studentprof of the Mentaskoli, with the Maladeild/Staerofraedideild profile (up to and including the final year);
- Norwegian Vitnemål videregåonde opplaering (at least ENG1002. From 2022 onwards: at least ENG1007);
- Surinamese VWO-Diploma (final exam subject);
- Swedish Gymnasieexamen/Yrkesexamen (up to and including the final year);
- Swiss Maturitätszeugnis/Diplôme de Maturité/Attestato di Maturitá (up to and including the final year).
Application procedure
Read here how you can apply for this programme.
I want to apply with a:
Application deadline
Registration for the 2024-2025 academic year opens on 1 October 2023. The application deadline is 1 May 2024.
Step-by-step application
- Read the application instructions.
- Go to Studielink.
- Click Log in with DigiD.
If you don’t have a DigiD yet, you can apply for one on the DigiD website. You will receive your activation code through the post within five days.
If you do not live in the Netherlands, you are ineligible for a DigiD account. In that case, click Create Studielink-account without DigiD. - You will receive an email with your login details for OSIRIS Online Application, where you can proceed with your application.
After application
After you apply in Studielink, you will receive messages describing what else needs to happen to complete your registration. You should also monitor your spam folder.
Among other things, you will receive information about how to pay your tuition.
When to apply?
We recommend that you apply as early as possible. Deadlines:
- non-EU students: the latest date by which we can receive and process your application is 1 April. This deadline also applies to non-EU students who currently hold a residence permit for study purposes at another Dutch institution.
- EU students: the latest date by which we can receive and process your application is 1 May.
Complete your application in time!
When applying online, you are asked to upload a number of documents. Please submit your application and all required documents well before the latest date of application. If you submit your documents shortly before the deadline, and it turns out that they are incomplete or do not meet our requirements, we will not be able to consider your application.
It also takes time to prepare for any possible additional exams you may need to take, so the sooner you know, the better!
When can you expect a decision?
After you submit your application, the Admissions Office will check whether you have sent in all the documentation required and your application is indeed complete. If so, we will check whether your diploma is equivalent to a Dutch VWO diploma, and whether you meet the subject requirements. Within 3 weeks after we have received your complete application, you will receive the official admissions decision.
Application procedure
The following steps will help you submit a complete application for this programme:
- Check whether you meet the entry requirements for this Bachelor’s programme.
- Apply in a timely manner, preferably well before the deadline; see When to apply.
- Read the application instructions.
- Submit an enrolment application for this programme in Studielink.
- You will receive an email with your login details for OSIRIS Online Application, where you can upload the required documents and pay the application fee, if applicable.
Required documents
These are the forms and documents you must submit:
- A scan of your passport
- If applicable: a scan of your Dutch residence permit
- A scan of your diploma(s) or diploma statement (if necessary with official translations)
- A scan of your transcript(s) (if necessary with official translations)
- A scan of your official English language test report or certificate
After your application
After you apply in Studielink, you will receive messages describing what else needs to happen to complete your registration. You should also monitor your spam folder.
Among other things, you will receive information about how to pay your tuition.
Matching
Utrecht University believes it is important that you choose a study programme that suits you. That is why we offer a matching-programme. This way you and the programme can find out if you are a good match. During a matching day, you will experience what it is like to be a Economics and Business Economics student. The matching is not binding; ultimately, you decide whether you want to start the study programme or not. For Dutch students the matching is an obligatory part of their enrolment, international students are welcome to participate but it is not compulsory.
If you live abroad or on Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, St. Eustatius or St. Maarten, participation in matching is not compulsory. Please contact us if you do want to participate in matching. You are very welcome to do so.
What does our matching look like?
Matching form
You will receive a matching form within two weeks after your application in Studielink. On this form you will fill in information about your previous education, but you will also be asked to motivate your choice for Economics and Business Economics. You can also indicate your preferred date for of one of the matching days.
Matching day
During a matching day, you go through the entire process of studying: you attend a lecture, participate in a tutorial, study literature and complete an assignment. You will also get to know students, lecturers and the study association.
You can participate in one of the matching days on:
- Thursday, April 18, 2024
- Thursday, June 6, 2024
- Thursday, June 27, 2024
Please note! There is a maximum capacity for June 6 and June 27. When this is reached for one of these days, the option to match on that day will no longer be possible. So please fill in the matching form as soon as possible. No later than two weeks in advance you will receive an invitation for the matching day of your choice and access to the study material.
Feedback
Based on your experiences and the feedback you receive during the matching process, you can decide whether to start the programme or not.
Want to apply?
Are you interested in the Bachelor's programme Economics and Business Economics? Then first apply for enrolment via Studielink.
Apply via Studielink