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.
Please note: 60 credits equals one year full-time study load (European Credit Transfer System, ECTS).
Competencies
This is a selective Master's. You will be considered for admission to the Master’s programme in Applied Ethics if you can demonstrate the following knowledge, insight, and skills:
- You have a strong interest in applied ethics as a discipline that takes its starting point on moral problems, practices, and policies and aims to make an effective contribution to pressing contemporary ethical issues by drawing from moral and political philosophy as well as empirical research. Its interdisciplinary nature and focus on the interplay between theory and practice is what appeals you. Your motivation can be demonstrated by the selection of undergraduate courses, the topic of your Bachelor’s thesis, extracurricular activities, and/or volunteer work.
- You have adequate knowledge of the most important and currently debated theories in the field of philosophical and applied ethics, and you have the related philosophical skills (esp. writing skills), as demonstrated by:
- a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, or
- a Bachelor’s degree in a different discipline combined with a major in Ethics or Philosophy, or
- a Bachelor’s degree combined with a suitable minor in Ethics and Political Philosophy of at least 30 EC. This minor should contain courses at both the introductory and advanced undergraduate levels. An example of a suitable minor is the Minor in Ethics in Modern Society, offered by Utrecht University.
- You are able to meet academic standards consistently and on time, as demonstrated by completing the undergraduate programme on time and with good grades (typically an average of at least 7/10 or B-, please explain any delays in your motivation letter).
- You have a strong motivation to follow your Master at our Ethics Institute. Your motivation letter should make clear why you think the Ethics Institute and the Philosophy Department of Utrecht University is in line with your interests. For example, you may be particularly interested in one of the branches of Applied Ethics (such as sustainability/environmental ethics, ethics of economics, or bioethics) or in Political Ethics.
- Inasmuch as the Master of Applied Ethics students have different disciplinary and national backgrounds and individual as well as group assignments are part of the programme, you must possess cooperative skills and be interested in working closely in an interdisciplinary team.
- Finally, because all your coursework – and your Master’s thesis – will be in English, it is crucial that you have a high level of reading, listening, speaking, and writing proficiency in English, as demonstrated by your writing sample and letter of motivation.
Selection procedure
The Admissions Committee will decide on your application. The committee will make an assessment as to whether you will be able to successfully complete the Master’s programme within the nominal duration. The committee takes into account:
- Motivation and talent.
- Level of required knowledge and the mastery of methods and techniques used in the subject area.
- General high level of professional and intellectual ability.
- Command of the English language.
An interview may be part of the selection procedure. Alternatively, if you live outside the Netherlands, the Admissions Committee may ask for additional written material or for an interview via Skype.
Previous education
The following Bachelor’s programmes are a good preparation for this Master’s programme:
- Philosophy
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
- Any relevant Bachelor’s programme with a minor of 30 EC in Ethics or Political Philosophy, such as the Minor in Ethics in Modern Society
If you are currently enrolled in a different Bachelor’s programme and thinking about applying for this Master’s programme, please contact the Programme Coordinator for more information. By planning your studies carefully and taking the appropriate courses, you may be admissible.
Pre-Master's programme
With a non-Dutch degree you are not eligible for a Pre-Master's programme.
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
- 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.
Not sure if you are eligible?
You can contact the Programme Coordinator with questions about your eligibility.
| Applications open | 1 October |
|---|---|
| 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
Contact details of two referees Please ensure your referees fill in the required form prior to the application deadline.
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.