Admission and application
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?
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:
- 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 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 /Højere Forberedelseksamen (HF)/Højere Teknisk Examen (HTX) (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);
- 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
The application deadline for the 2023-2024 academic year is 1 May 2023.
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.
- For applicants from China only: apply for a Nuffic Certificate.
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 matching is an obligatory part of your enrolment. 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 Linguistics student. For example, you attend lectures, read a number of articles and carry out an assignment (in groups). The day is also a great way to get to know lecturers, students and your future fellow students. The matching is not binding; ultimately, you decide whether you want to start the study programme or not.
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?
If you are a resident in the Netherlands, the Matching procedure is compulsory in order to start the Linguistics programme.
1. Form and letter of motivation
Once you have registered for the Linguistics programme via Studielink and your application has been approved by the admissions office, you receive an invitation for the Matching procedure. You fill out the matching form, which includes a letter of motivation, emphasising why you want to study Linguistics at Utrecht University, what your expectations are, and refer to strengths and weaknesses.
2. Matching meeting for Dutch residents
After submitting your form you will be invited to participate in the Matching meeting that takes place on Tuesday 4 April or Wednesday 7 June 2023. It is prefarable to match early, in April. If Linguistics turns out not to be the right choice for you, you still have time to visit the matching day of another bachelor's programme.
Based on your experience during the Matching meeting and the feedback you received from the teacher, you can make your deliberated final decision about starting the Linguistics programme at Utrecht University. Please note that you will also need to meet the programme’s entry requirements. If, on the other hand, you come to the conclusion that Linguistics is not the right course for you, we kindly ask you to withdraw your registration via Studielink.
For prospective Linguistics students who live abroad, participation in the Matching meeting at Utrecht is not obligatory, but certainly possible. If you would like to attend one of these meetings, please send an email to matching.gw@uu.nl.
Questions?
If you have any further questions regarding the Linguistics programme’s Matching procedure, please send an email to matching.gw@uu.nl. There is also a page with general information about matching.
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 Linguistics 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. Once you have submitted this form, you get access to our online learning environment, Blackboard. There you will find instructions as to how to prepare for the online meeting and information about the exact date and time.
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 Linguistics programme. Please note that you will also need to meet the programme’s entry requirements.
If, on the other hand, you reach the conclusion that Linguistics is not the right course for you, we kindly ask you to withdraw your registration via Studielink.
Questions?
If you have any further questions regarding the Linguistics programme’s Matching procedure, please send an email to matching.gw@uu.nl. There is also a page with general information about matching.
Want to apply?
Are you interested in the Bachelor's programme Linguistics? Then first apply for enrolment via Studielink.
Apply via Studielink