Application and admission
On this page you can find all the information you need to find out if you are eligible for the programme English Language and Culture and which steps to take in order to apply.
Applying in 3 steps
Step 1: Check if you are eligible
Check here whether you are eligible for this programme. Choose the situation that applies to you.
What degree do you have?
Which diplomas qualify you for admission?
- A VWO diploma
- A propaedeutic or final diploma from a university accredited under the Higher education and Research Act (WHW)
- A propaedeutic or final diploma from a college accredited under the Higher education and Research Act (WHW).
No qualifying diploma?
If you do not have a diploma that qualifies you for admission, it may be possible for you to take a special entrance examination (called a Colloquium Doctum).
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.
English language requirements
- IELTS, Academic Module (IELTS Online is not accepted).
- Minimum score: 6.5 overall band, 5.5 for writing.
- TOEFL, Internet based.
Institutional scores are not accepted. The TOEFL institution code for Utrecht University is 9062.- Minimum score: 83 with 24 reading, 22 listening, 20 speaking, 17 writing
- Cambridge Certificates:
- Cambridge English C1 Advanced (CAE). Minimum score: 176 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 up to and including the final year);
- 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).
Step 2: Follow the 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.
Step 3: Participate in a matching day
You undoubtedly want to choose a study that suits you. That's why matching is a mandatory part of your enrollment. Prior to your matching day, you will complete an assignment, and during the matching process, you will attend a lecture, read several articles, and work (in groups) on a small project. Additionally, the day is the perfect opportunity to get to know lecturers, students, and future classmates. Based on your experiences and the feedback you receive during the matching process, you can decide whether to start the programme.
What does our matching process look like?
The matching process may vary depending on the programme. Below, you can find details about how the matching process for this programme is structured.
Apply in Studielink | Before May 1 |
Start filling out the matching form | Within 8 days after registration, you will receive a matching form. In this form, you will explain why you have chosen this programme and what you expect from it. Completing and returning the matching form is a mandatory part of the enrollment process. Note: if you want to participate in the matching day in April, please submit your matching form no later than March 15th. |
Deadline completion matching form | The final deadline for returning the matching form is May 15. You will only be admitted to the programme if you have submitted the matching form on time. |
Join a matching day | You will find the available data on this page. |
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.
If you are not a resident in the Netherlands, Matching is voluntary though highly recommended. Not taking part in the Matching procedure will have no consequences for your registration or eligibility to start the English Language and Culture programme. If you decide to participate, please send an email to matching.gw@uu.nl. You will then receive a Matching form that you need to fill out, which includes a letter of motivation.
Based on your experience during the online Matching and the feedback you received from the teacher, you can make your deliberated final decision about starting the English Language and Culture programme. Please note that you will also need to meet the programme’s entry requirements.
When does the matching take place?
For English Language and Culture, the matching takes place on:
- April 19
- June 14
Do you still have questions about the matching process?
Do you have questions about the matching process? Check out our frequently asked questions below. If your question is not listed, you can always contact us at matching.gw@uu.nl.
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about matching at Utrecht University are shown below. If you have any other questions or you would like to know more, ask the Study Information Desk.
Legislation mandates that prospective students who apply before 1 May are entitled to activities to help them select the right bachelor’s programme. It is very important to Utrecht University that you make a conscious decision. As such, we require you to take part in a ‘study check’, which is known as matching at UU. We know from experience that students who have selected their programme consciously and on time have a greater chance of getting off to a good start and completing their first year.
In a few exceptional cases, you can also apply after 1 May (see Question 3). In this case, Utrecht University still requires you to participate in matching.
This is only possible in exceptional cases. Utrecht University will only accept your enrolment request after 1 May if one of the circumstances described below applies. You can participate in the matching activity if this is the case.
Special circumstances (exception categories)
1. I will have earned 45 credits (ECTS) from another bachelor’s programme at Utrecht University by 31 July 2024 at the latest and would like to switch to another programme.
If you have earned at least 45 ECTS from another bachelor’s programme at Utrecht University no later than 31 July and would like to switch programmes, you will need to submit an enrolment request in Studielink no later than 31 Jult. You will also need to indicate that you qualify for one of the exception categories on the online exceptions form no later than 31 July. You will receive a link to this form by e-mail. If you expect to receive a negative binding study advice, do not wait till you receive the official notification of this advice. Begin looking for an alternative programme yourself in advance. You can submit the supporting documents proving your negative binding study advice at a later date.
2. I found out too late that I had received negative binding study advice for another bachelor’s programme.
If you have found out too late that you have received negative binding study advice (in accordance with article 7.8b of the Higher Education Act) from another bachelor’s programme, you will need to submit an enrolment request in Studielink no later than 31 July. You will also need to indicate that you qualify for one of the exception categories on the online exceptions form no later than 31 July. You will receive a link to this form by e-mail. This only applies if a definitive binding study advice has been issued to you in writing.
3. I have submitted an enrolment request for another bachelor’s programme before 1 May.
If you submitted an enrolment request for another bachelor’s programme before 1 May, you must submit an enrolment request in Studielink no later than 31 July. Please note that this applies to enrolments for the coming academic year, not the current academic year. If you do not meet the deadlines, your enrolment request will be denied and you will not be able to start the programme.
Enrolling with a first-year diploma from higher professional education
If you are working to complete the first year of a degree programme at a university of applied sciences and you are not yet certain that you will pass, you do not qualify for any exception category. You must therefore ensure that you submit an enrolment request to Utrecht University no later than 1 May.
Non-Dutch qualification
If you have a non-Dutch qualification and wish to submit an enrolment request after 1 May based on negative binding study advice (Exception 2), you must submit your application file to International Student Admissions no later than 30 June.
Matching is always linked to a single degree programme. If you apply to more than one degree programme at Utrecht University, you will need to complete separate matching forms for each of these programmes. If you are considering two programmes and are unsure which to choose, you can visit our Online Open Days to get a better idea of each programme!
Always apply for the bachelor’s programme of your choice before 1 May. If you are still uncertain after that, you will still be able to apply to another bachelor’s programme at Utrecht University after 1 May. This means that you do not have to apply to two programmes right away.
If your programme offers additional online matching activities, we recommend that you participate in these. However, you are not obliged to participate. By returning the matching form on time, you will have fulfilled the obligation to take part in matching. Please inform the course that you are not participating and return your matching form no later than 15 May.
If your prior education took place in the Netherlands, filling in and submitting the matching form on time is mandatory to be admitted to the course. You must submit the matching form by 15 May at the latest.
Once you have applied to enrol in a bachelor’s programme in Studielink, you will automatically receive an e-mail with login details for OSIRIS Online Application. You can complete the matching form in OSIRIS Online Application. You may also be asked to fill in details in OSIRIS Online Application for other parts of the matching or enrolment process.
If you have not received login details for OSIRIS Online Application or you do not see the matching form there, first check your e-mail spam folder and then check whether your e-mail address is correctly registered with Studielink. If this is not the problem, get in touch with Student Services.
No, although you will receive feedback about your expectations, motivations and how you did with regard to the academic aspects. This should provide clarity about whether your approach during the matching activities is the right one or should be changed. It should also help you gain a better understanding of what the programme is like, which will allow you to form a clearer opinion about whether it suits you. If you wish to speak with a lecturer or study advisor attached to the bachelor’s programme one-to-one after this feedback and experience, there are opportunities to do so.
Utrecht University uses this data for the interviews and discussions during the matching activities and to provide guidance during the first year. Lecturers from your bachelor’s programme who are involved in matching and providing guidance have access to the information on the forms. We also use the anonymised data for research into factors that determine academic success.
If the matching leads you to the conclusion that the bachelor’s programme does not suit you after all, you can select another programme. We recommend that you do so as early as possible.
If you have applied to enrol in a bachelor’s programme with an intake restriction, you will be given a ranking number on 15 April in Studielink. This will allow you to judge your chances of being admitted for enrolment. In any case, we advise you to apply for enrolment in another degree programme no later than 1 May just to be sure if you have not yet received official confirmation of admission (Bewijs van Toelating).
If you do not apply for enrolment before 1 May, you will still be able to apply for an alternative bachelor’s programme later and participate in matching in June. You should however realise that, if you apply for enrolment as soon as possible, you will still have time to switch again if you decide the programme does not suit you.
Read more about the admission process for degree programmes with limited enrolment.
If there is a chance that you will receive negative binding study advice, do not wait till you have officially received this advice. Look into an alternative bachelor’s programme on time and apply to enrol in a new programme no later than 1 May so that you can participate in the matching activities on time. You can submit the supporting documents proving your negative binding study advice at a later date.
If you receive negative binding study advice after 1 May, you must submit an enrolment request to Studielink and subsequently submit the completed exceptions form no later than 31 July 2023. You will receive a link to this form by e-mail. Be sure to do this no later than 31 July, since you will no longer be able to participate in matching after that date and thus will not be admitted to the programme.
Even if you are not yet certain that you will receive negative binding study advice (but are aware that this is a realistic possibility), you are expected to apply for matching on time. Do not wait until the very last minute.
Participation in matching remains valid for a year. If you did not manage to graduate from secondary school or did not begin a bachelor’s programme in September after your matching activity for any other reason, you will not need to participate in matching for the same programme again the following year. However, you will have to participate in matching if you choose another bachelor’s programme. You may still receive an invitation for matching even if you apply to enrol in the same degree programme as the first time. If this is the case, get in touch with the Study Information Desk.
The rules for matching for the upcoming academic year can be found in the Regulations for enrolment and tuition fees 2024-2025 (pdf, 808 kB).
If you disagree with a decision (for example if you are informed that you do not meet the matching requirements), you can submit a notice of objection to the Executive Board of Utrecht University within six weeks of the date of the decision being sent. The e-mail containing the decision will also include instructions for how to submit an appeal. If you no longer have the decision, please contact the faculty student desk. See the summary of faculty student desks. The deadlines are as follows:
- If you have been rejected and are not covered by one of the exception categories, you have six weeks to submit an objection. You will receive a link to this form by e-mail.
- If you have been rejected and are covered by one of the exception categories, you must submit an exception request as soon as possible and no later than 1 August 2022. You will receive a link to this form by e-mail.
Please send evidence with your request.
Here are all the steps you need to have taken:
- You must have submitted an enrolment request in Studielink as soon as possible and no later than 1 May.
- You must have completed and submitted a matching form on time.
- You must be eligible for admission to the bachelor’s programme based on your prior education.
- You must have authorised Utrecht University to debit your tuition fee (further information on this will follow in May).
No, participation in matching is free of charge.
If you need access to certain IT services for reasons related to matching (e.g. Blackboard), you will receive a temporary account. We call this a ‘Sunrise account’. To use these IT services, you need to set up your Solis password and often your two-factor authentication as well. To do this, follow the instructions you received in the e-mail about your Solis-ID. Receiving a Solis-ID does not guarantee the status of your registration.
Your Sunrise account will be converted into a student account once you have registered. You will then have access to all IT facilities for students. If you do not enrol in a study programme, the Sunrise account will automatically expire.
More information
If you have any questions about your login details or IT services, please check out the IT facilities and IT manuals, or contact the IT Service Desk.
Information about your study programme and practical matters for students can be found at students.uu.nl.
If you have any questions about your enrolment at the university, please contact Student Services.
