Degree from a non-Dutch university
This page outlines the step-by-step process for completing your application to a Master's programme at Utrecht University. Please read this information thoroughly before starting your application.
This is a selective Master's programme. To be considered for admission, you need:
- A sufficient Bachelor's degree from a research university or a University of Applied Science. Our International Students Admission’s office will verify whether a non-Dutch degree is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree at a Dutch research university or a Dutch University of Applied Science. If your degree is assessed as less you are not eligible for admission. All international Bachelor’s degrees are evaluated based on standards set by the NUFFIC. Research university students and students from a University of Applied Science with a completed research Bachelor's programme (or comparable) can apply. Additionally, you have completed at least 7.5 EC (EC = European Credits) courses in statistics, and at least 7.5 EC courses of programming, covering both R and Python. We do not accept online (non-credited) courses as a substitute for university credits.
- Solid knowledge and skills of statistics, including:
- descriptive and inferential statistics;
- being familiar with statistical tests such as analysis of variance, correlation and regression analysis and the ability to apply them;
- the ability to apply and explain concepts from inferential statistics, such as probability, inference and modeling;
- the ability to apply and explain the choice for techniques to investigate data problems;
- the ability to apply and explain the concepts of linearity and non-linearity;
- the ability to interpret and report statistical software output;
- the ability to explain and conceptualize statistical inference and its relation to statistical theory; and
- the different steps in solving regression analysis problems and report on these steps.
- Solid knowledge and skills of programming, including:
- data-analysis and statistical modelling applied in both R and Python;
- data selection, e.g., from structured data, and using SQL and from unstructured data, e.g., using regular expressions; and
- data manipulation, e.g, cleaning data, the logic of manipulation, algorithms for data manipulation.
Finally, you should be able to communicate facts and findings verbally and in writing, also using information and communication technology and audio-visual means. - A strong motivation plus knowledge, skills, and competences as shown through your CV, course grades, motivation statement.
Additionally, a high level of English proficiency is expected (see below).
English language requirements
- IELTS, Academic Module (IELTS Online is not accepted). Minimum score 6.5 overall band, at least 6 for writing, speaking, listening and reading.
- TOEFL, iBT. Minimum score 93, at least 24 for reading, 22 for listening, 20 for speaking, 20 for writing. Institutional scores are not accepted. The TOEFL institution code for Utrecht University is 9062.
- Cambridge Certificate (not available to students from China)
- Cambridge English C1 Advanced (CAE). Minimum score: 176 total, 169 writing
- Cambridge English C2 Proficiency (CPE). Minimum score: 180 total, 169 writing
You are exempt from the English language requirement if:
- you obtained your previous degree from a Dutch Research University.
- you obtained your secondary school diploma or Bachelor's degree in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, UK, USA or South Africa
- you obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or European Baccalaureate (EB) Diploma.
You can already start your application without having your English test results. Make sure that you include your test date in Osiris Online Application.
Selection procedure
The Admissions Committee reviews all requests for admission and selects students that meet the entry requirements, based on an analysis of their academic background, grades and their motivation. The Admissions Committee also assesses whether you will be able to successfully complete the Master’s programme within the set time frame.
You can contact ADS Admissions with questions about your eligibility via admissions.ads@uu.nl.
If you do not meet the entry requirements
International students who are not currently living in the Netherlands and who do not yet meet the master’s programme’s entry requirements, are encouraged to follow deficiency courses at a university in their country of residence. It is necessary that for the course you receive course credits and the course should be of a similar level as the Utrecht University minor Applied Data Science.
Following a winter/summer school course can also be an option for students with small deficiencies (<2 EC). Please note that non-EEA students must complete deficiency courses before the visa deadline in June.
Questions about the application procedure?
Please check our FAQ or contact the International Student Admissions.
Applications open | 1 October |
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Application deadline for scholarship candidates | 1 February |
Application deadline for Non-EU passport holders | 1 April |
Application deadline for EU passport holders | 1 June |
All deadlines expire at 23:59 [CET/CEST] on the specified date. You must complete the application process (including submitting your application documents in OSIRIS Online Application and paying the application fee) by this time.
The following documents must be uploaded before the application deadline:
A scan of your diploma (if necessary with official translations) or Proof of anticipated degree
A scan of your transcript (if necessary with official translations)
A scan of your official English language test report or certificate.
Passport copy
Visit Studielink and complete the registration process. You can find all information on how to use Studielink here. After completing your Studielink application, you will receive login details for OSIRIS Online Application within 2 working days.
Apply via StudielinkAfter submitting your application to Studielink, you will receive an email with login details for OSIRIS Online Application. Here you can upload all required documents, check the status of your application, enter contact details of your referee(s) and pay your application fee.
After you upload all documents in OSIRIS, International Student Admissions will verify them and send them to the Graduate School for evaluation. We strive to inform you of our decision within 20 working days.
Your admission letter will describe the next steps towards enrollment, and you will be asked to accept your offer. In most cases admission is conditional, which means you have to fulfill additional requirements such as sending certified digital copies or completing additional courses. These conditions, as well as the deadline, are clearly stated in your offer letter.
After accepting your offer, our Visa Office will guide you through the visa and/or residence permit process (if applicable).
When preparing your arrival prioritize the search for housing. Finding accommodation in Utrecht can be difficult and is often underestimated. Please note that if you have not found housing before the start of the academic year, we advise you to reconsider your enrolment.