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.
Step 1: check your eligibility
Check here whether you are eligible for this programme. Choose the situation that applies to you.
What degree do you have?
Do you have a Dutch diploma? Below you find information about entry requirements. This information is in Dutch.
Welke diploma’s geven toegang?
- Een vwo-diploma met de vakken wiskunde A of B, plus minimaal twee van de vakken: natuurkunde, scheikunde, biologie, economie. Je hebt dus niet per sé aardrijkskunde nodig.
- Een vergelijkbaar internationaal diploma. Bekijk de informatie over toelating met een niet-Nederlands diploma.
- Een propedeuse of einddiploma van een hogeschool en aantoonbare kennis op het niveau van het vwo-eindexamen cf. profielen 2007 van de volgende vakken: Engels, Wiskunde A of B, plus minimaal twee van de vakken: scheikunde, natuurkunde, biologie en economie.
Als je geen geldig diploma hebt kun je eventueel een toelatingsexamen afleggen, een zogeheten Colloquium Doctum.
Bèta is belangrijk
Om Global Sustainability Science met succes te kunnen afronden, heb je voldoende voorkennis op vwo-niveau nodig van tenminste twee bètavakken naast wiskunde. Dit kunnen natuurkunde, scheikunde, biologie en/of economie zijn. De bètavakken van Global Sustainability Science gaan namelijk verder op het niveau waarmee natuurkunde, scheikunde, biologie en/of economie zijn geëindigd in 6 vwo. Heb je deze kennis niet en heb je ook weinig affiniteit met bètavakken, dan is de kans aanwezig dat je al vanaf je eerste jaar vakken niet zult halen.
Wat als ik geen bètavakken in mijn pakket heb?
Mis je een of meerdere bètavakken, dan adviseren wij je om vwo-deelcertificaten te behalen. Je kunt volwassenenonderwijs volgen bij een ROC in jouw omgeving of een (zomer)cursus volgen bij Boswell-Bèta. Examens kun je afleggen bij Boswell-Bèta of De Centrale Commissies Voortentamen (CCVX). Je kunt ook Staatsexamen doen.
Als je onvoldoende bètakennis hebt en je wilt/kunt geen vwo-deelcertificaten halen, denk dan eens na over de opleiding Sociale geografie en planologie. Daar heb je een grotere kans op studiesucces. Binnen die opleiding kun je het studiepad Geografie en duurzaamheid volgen. Dan volg je vakken op het gebied van duurzaamheid en sluit je de opleiding vervolgens af met een bachelorscriptie over dat thema. Je kunt natuurlijk ook kiezen voor een opleiding bij een andere universiteit of hogeschool.
Engelse taalvaardigheidseisen voor Nederlandse aanmelders met een HBO propedeuse of HBO einddiploma
Als je vanaf het HBO instroomt, accepteert de Universiteit Utrecht de volgende bewijzen van taalvaardigheid:
- IELTS, Academic Module:
Minimum score: 6.0 gemiddeld, 5.5 voor schrijfvaardigheid. - TOEFL :
Minimum score: 83. ITP-TOEFL-scores worden niet geaccepteerd.
De TOEFL-code voor de Universiteit Utrecht 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.
Als je van mening bent dat je op een andere wijze aantoonbare kennis op het niveau van het vwo-eindexamen Engels hebt, geef dat dan aan bij je aanmelding. Besluiten hierover worden op individuele basis genomen. Het is mogelijk dat je om extra informatie wordt gevraagd.
Secondary school
Applicants must have:
- a Dutch VWO secondary school diploma with mathematics A or B and at least 2 of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics.
OR - an international equivalent with a comparable level of Mathematics and at least 2 of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics.
What if I am missing one of the above-mentioned courses in my profile?
There are private institutions, e.g Boswell-Bèta or CCVX where you can gain your qualification prior to the start of the programme (note that non-EU students may have an earlier deadline for passing any entry exam).
Examples of equivalent diploma's and levels of Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Economics are:
| Diploma | Country | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| International Baccalaureate Diploma | Worldwide | Mathematics Standard Level - New curriculum as of 2019: Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches Standard Level (SL) or Applications & Interpretation Higher Level (HL) And at least 2 of the following subjects: Biology Higher Level, Chemistry Higher Level, Physics Standard Level, Economics Standard Level. Economics Standard Level may be replaced with Environmental Systems and Societies Standard Level. |
| European Baccalaureate Diploma | Europe | Mathematics (3 periods) and at least 2 of the following subjects: Biology (4 periods), Chemistry, Physics, Economics (4 periods), all as written exams. |
| Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife (Abitur) | Germany | Mathematics (Grundkurs) and at least 2 of the following subjects: Biology (Leistungsfach), Chemistry (AbiturPrüfungsfach), Physics (Grundkurs), Economics (Grundkurs). To meet the English proficiency requirement: English (Grundkurs). |
| GCE A-Levels | United Kingdom | 3 preferred (international) GCE A-levels with a minimum score of CCC, among which an A- or AS-Level Mathematics and at least 2 of the following subjects: A-Level Biology, A-Level Chemistry, AS-Level Physics, AS-Level Economics. |
| Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs | Belgium | All tracks with Mathematics for a minimum of 4 hrs p/week in the final 2 years and at least 2 of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics (all for a minimum of 2 hrs p/week in the final 2 years). To meet the English proficiency requirement: English (until final year). |
| US High School Diploma | USA | In addition to the completed High School Diploma, we require students to obtain at least 4 Advanced Placements (AP's) of the US College Board, all with a score of -3- or higher, among which at least an AP Calculus AB and at least 2 of the following AP’s: AP Physics 1, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Micro/Macroeconomics. For the mandatory AP’s you must score a -3- or higher. |
If you want advice regarding your situation, please contact International Student Admissions at admissionsoffice@uu.nl.
English language requirements
Utrecht University uses the EMI (English Medium of Instruction) system to assess applicants’ English language skills, which distinguishes three proficiency levels: EMI-ready, EMI-experienced and EMI-advanced.
The required English level for admission to this Bachelor’s programme is EMI-ready.
Visit our EMI-ready page for Bachelor's degree programmes to find the accepted tests and required scores. Here, you can also see which diplomas qualify for an exemption from this requirement.
Step 2: complete the application procedure
Read here how you can apply for this programme.
I want to apply with a:
Do you have a Dutch diploma? Below you find information about the application procedure. This information is in Dutch.
Wanneer aanmelden?
Inschrijven voor studiejaar 2025-2026 is mogelijk vanaf 1 oktober 2024. De deadline voor inschrijving is 1 mei 2025.
Stappenplan inschrijving
- Download de handleiding.
- Ga naar Studielink.
- Log in met je DigiD. Als je nog geen DigiD hebt kan je dat aanvragen op de site van DigiD. De activeringscode ontvang je binnen 5 dagen via de post. Als je niet in Nederland woont, kun je geen DigiD aanvragen. Klik dan op Studielink-account aanmaken zonder DigiD.
- Na je inschrijfverzoek in Studielink krijg je een e-mail met inloggegevens voor OSIRIS Online Application. In OSIRIS Online Application vervolg je je verzoek tot inschrijving.
Na je inschrijving
De Universiteit Utrecht communiceert vooral via e-mail. Controleer ook regelmatig je spam-map.
Je krijgt onder andere bericht over de betaling van het collegegeld.
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: take part in a matching day
At Utrecht University we find it important that you choose a study that fits you. This is when the matching procedure comes in. The matching procedure is part of the application process for Global Sustainability Science. After applying through Studielink, it is obligatory to take part in the matching procedure. The matching procedure consists of filling out the matching form and taking part of the matching activity.
When you live abroad or specifically on Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint-Eustatius or Sint-Maarten taking part of the matching procedure is not compulsory.
What does our matching look like?
Matching form
You will receive the digital matching form within 2 weeks after you have signed up through Studielink. Amongst other things, we ask you why you choose to study Global Sustainability Science. There are no wrong anwers, we just want to make sure this programme suits you.
Around two weeks before the start of the matching activity date you choose to receive an invitation including practical information and homework.
Programme matching activity
- Lecture about a sustainability theme you prepared at home.
- Matching talk in groups guided by a teacher and a current student.
- Seminar concerning computer lab System Analysis.
- Explanation about the educational programme e.g. what to expect of Global Sustainability Science.
- Discussion of homework.
- Discussion about the lecture, seminar and homework.
After matching
After the matching activity, you will have gained a good insight in the study Global Sustainability Science. With the impression you received, you can make a conscious decision whether to start or not with the bachelor of Global Sustainability Science. If you decided this study is not suited for you and you want to focus on another study you have plenty time to do so.
Questions?
Please go to our website to read answers to frequently asked questions. Still have additional questions? Please contact matching.geo@uu.nl.
When does the matching take place?
- Thursday 10 April
- Thursday 19 June
Want to apply?
Are you interested in the Bachelor's programme Global Sustainability Science? Then first apply for enrolment via Studielink.
Apply via Studielink