Application procedure

Take a look at Utrecht University’s course catalogue to find a programme you are interested in. Are you unable to decide between two Bachelor’s programmes? Compare them using our online tool!

In order to study in a Bachelor’s programme at Utrecht University, you need to have the right diploma and meet the entry requirements of your chosen programme. You can find more information on our diploma equivalency page and on the Entry Requirements page of your Bachelor’s programme. If you are unsure about your eligibility, feel free to get in touch with our International Student Admissions by sending an email to admissionsoffice@uu.nl.

Make sure to also take note of whether your chosen programme is a limited enrolment or selective programme. In order to enroll in these programmes, you not only have to meet the entry requirements but also be selected by the programme.

Every programme has its own application deadline, which you can find on the Application Procedure page of your programme. The deadline depends on whether you are applying for a limited enrolment or selective programme, and whether you need to have a student visa and/or residence permit to study in the Netherlands. Always make sure to check which deadline applies to you.

All deadlines expire at 23:59 (midnight) Central European Time on the date stated. You have to complete the whole application process (including submitting your application documents in OSIRIS Online Application and paying the application fee) by this date.

We advise you to apply as early as possible. The earlier you apply, the more time there is for us to help you in case your application file is not yet complete, and the earlier you receive an admissions decision.

Keep in mind that you may need to apply even earlier than the regular application deadline, if you also want to be considered for a UU scholarship or need an early admissions decision for a scholarship application in your home country. You can find more details about the specific application procedures on our Grants and Scholarship page.

The list of required application documents vary per programme, but will always include the following.

• Scan of your passport or EU national ID card valid at the start of the programme
• Evidence of current and/or previous education (such as a diploma certificate, list of grades) that show that you (will) meet the entry requirements of your chosen programme
• Proof of Dutch and/or English language proficiency (depending on the language of instruction of your chosen programme).

Check the website of your programme for any additional documents you need to submit (for example a motivation letter). If the website does not mention such a document, none is required.

We can process your application and determine your eligibility based on scans and/or digital documents.

If your diploma certificates and transcripts are not in English, Dutch, French, German or Spanish, you also need to arrange a translation made by a sworn or certified translator. All other application documents (if required) must be submitted in English or Dutch, unless the instructions on the website of the Bachelor’s programme indicate otherwise.

You can already apply even if you have not obtained your diploma yet. In this case, we will need written proof that you will graduate before the start of the Bachelor’s programme. You can ask your school to issue a formal statement or they can use our standard Diploma Statement form. Download the Diploma Statement (pdf, 111 kB) for guidelines and our standard form for this statement. 

If you do not yet have proof of your English language proficiency, you can indicate this in the application form in OSIRIS Online Application. Should you be found eligible for your chosen programme, your offer of admission will remain conditional until you provide us test results with sufficient scores.

If you are a Chinese national (People's Republic of China), you will also have to get a Nuffic Certificate to be eligible for a Dutch entry visa and enrol in an English-taught study programme. Make sure that you start your application for the Nuffic Certificate at the same time as you start preparing your application documents. You can find more information about the Nuffic Certificate and how to apply on the website of Nuffic Study Holland.

Do you have a question about the application documents? Check our Admission & Application FAQ!

Studielink is the national website created for students to arrange their enrolment (and re-enrolment) at Dutch universities and other institutions of higher education. In order to apply to Utrecht University, you have to start an enrolment request in Studielink first.

• If you live in the Netherlands, use your DigiD to log into Studielink.
• Do you live in the Netherlands but do not have a DigiD? Visit the website of DigiD and request one before applying!
• If you live outside the Netherlands, you will need to create a Studielink account in order to apply. Click on 'Create Studielink-account without DigiD’ under the button ‘Log in without DigiD’ to create a Studielink account. Make sure to fill in all personal details correctly and as they appear on your official identification documents (such as passport or national ID card).

Once you logged in to Studielink, you will be asked to add information about your previous education. Please include all secondary and higher education degrees you obtained or are in the process of obtaining.

If you completed some of your previous education in the Netherlands, the relevant information will be automatically entered into Studielink for you by DUO (the executive agency of the Dutch Ministry of Education). You may still have to enter education you completed outside the Netherlands manually.

After adding the details of your educational background, you can immediately start an application for your chosen programme. You can submit a total of four active enrolment applications per academic year in Studielink. Additional restrictions may apply when you are applying for one or more limited enrolment programmes.

Once you have submitted your enrolment request to Utrecht University, you will receive a confirmation email which includes your student number. Make sure to always mention this number in your communication with Utrecht University.

If you live in the Netherlands and submit an enrolment application for a programme without limited enrolment, you will also receive an invitation to the ‘matching’ procedure of your chosen programme. Matching is a way to familiarise yourself with your chosen programme before you actually enroll, and is a compulsory part of the enrolment process for prospective students living in the Netherlands. You can find more information on our Matching webpage.

Do you have a question about Studielink? Take a look at the Studielink FAQ.

After submitting your enrolment request in Studielink, you will receive an email with login details and further instructions for OSIRIS Online Application.

You will have to fill out our application form and upload your documents. The documents you upload need to be in PDF format and maximum 2 MB in file size. It is possible to upload multiple files for the same question.

After uploading your documents, you will be asked to either pay the application fee of 100 euros or request an exemption from the fee. We can only grant an exemption in very specific cases. Visit our Application fee page to see if an exemption applies to you, as well as the possible payment methods. Be aware that you will not be able to submit your application without first paying the application fee or being granted exemption.

You can save and return to your application as many times as you like before submitting. We will only be able to look at and process your application after you clicked ‘Submit’ on the last page of the application form.

Do you have a question about OSIRIS Online Application? Take a look at our Admission & Application FAQ.