Application and admission

Which diploma's qualify you for admission? 

• An international diploma comparable to the Dutch VWO-diploma (such as an International Baccalaureate (IB) with equivalent exam subject(s) in Mathematics).

English language requirements 

Utrecht University accepts the following exams as proof of proficiency in English:

• IELTS, Academic Module. Minimum score: 7.0 overall band, with at least a 6.0 for each component (writing, reading, speaking, listening).

• TOEFL, Internet based. Minimum score: 100, with at least 23 for writing, and at least 20 for the other sections (reading, speaking, listening). Institutional scores are not accepted.
  The TOEFL institution code for Utrecht University is 9062.

• Cambridge Certificates:

  • Cambridge English C1 Advanced (CAE). Minimum score: 185 total, 169 writing

  • Cambridge English C2 Proficiency (CPE). Minimum score: 185 total, 169 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 Reifezeugnis (Prüfungsfach);
  • 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;
  • 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).

Proof of mathematical knowledge

You can demonstrate a pre-university secondary school level knowledge of Mathematics A or B (wiskunde A of B) in your diploma (see above). But if you cannot, you must demonstrate this knowledge in another way. One way to do this is to take an examination at Boswell-Bèta (in Dutch). We also accept a passing grade on the CCVX exam in Mathematics A or B as well as the OMPT-A Mathematics exam with a minimum score of 75%. If you wish to use any of these options, you will have to pay for the test yourself.

Please note the OMPT-A exam can only be used for admission to the Bachelor’s programmes Philosophy, Politics and Economics & Economics and Business Economics at Utrecht University. It will not be accepted to gain admission to other programmes. The required minimum score is 7,5 (75%). Note that you have a maximum of three attempts to pass this exam.

When to apply

We recommend that you apply as early as possible. The absolute latest date for applications AND application files to be received is 15 January 2024, 23:59 CET. Application starts 1 October 2023.

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 arrange this, 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. You will receive the official admissions decision on your application before the end of April.

Application procedure

The following steps will help you submit a complete application for this programme:

1. Check whether you meet the entry requirements for this Bachelor’s programme.
2. Apply in a timely manner, preferably well before the deadline; see 'When to apply'.
3. Read the application instructions.
4. Register for this programme via Studielink. You can apply as of 1 October.
5. You will receive an email with your login details for OSIRIS Online Application, where you can upload the required documents.
   NOTE: students with a non-Dutch diploma need to apply for two different processes in Osiris Online Application:
   • the Credential Evaluation process
   • the PPE selection process
6. Pay the application fee, if applicable, on time.

If you are conditionally accepted, you will be asked to send certified hard copies of your diploma and transcript (if necessary with official translations) to the Admissions Office by post, so that the authenticity of these documents can be checked.

Required documents

These are the forms and documents you must submit in Osiris Online Application.

For the Credential Evaluation process:

• 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 signed/verified scan of your grade transcript(s) (if necessary with official translations). For IB students: the Admissions Committee will not accept predicted grades, only the grades you achieved
• A scan of your official English language test report or certificate

For the PPE selection process:

For the selection procedure, you will need to upload the following documents in Osiris Online:

• The contact details and function title of a current or former teacher, advisor, or mentor you would like to use as a referee. Please also include the name of the school he or she works at. Please note that it is the candidate’s responsibility  to ensure a timely submission of the reference form of your referee. Please also inform your referee that they will receive automatically generated reminders in their inbox. They should also check their spam folder, as our e-mails are sometimes registered as spam.
• A written motivation (please note, we only accept written motivations in the linked format)
• A curriculum vitae (please note, we only accept curriculum vitae in the linked format)
• A competence profile test (you will receive an invitation link for this by email – please note this invitation will be sent between 16 and 18 January, and the test has to be completed by 22 January 2024, 23:59 CET.) 

After your application

Utrecht University communicates primarily through e-mail. Please check your spam folder often during the application process, as we have noticed our e-mails are sometimes registered as spam.

After admission, you will receive information on how to arrange the necessary practical matters (e.g. housing, a Dutch bank account, health care insurance, payment of your tuition fee, etc.).

Please note you can start the programme when you are admitted (Credential Evaluation process) as well as selected for PPE and once you have met the requirements for both processes.

Questions about the application procedure?

Please contact Admissions Office.