Degree from a Dutch university of applied sciences (HBO)
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. You will be considered for admission if you hold a sufficient Bachelor’s degree, possess a suitable background, and have strong motivation for research and our program.
Most HBO students will benefit from following deficiency courses or a pre-master programme (see below), or prior to applying, a minor at a research university or an academic preparation track. In particular, HBO students that followed the UU minor Informatica voor hbo-studenten in Semester 1 (September-February) and have followed a course in algorithms and data structures will be considered for admission. You can contact the programme coordinator with questions about your eligibility and potential possibilities for a pre-master or deficiency courses. Please reach out early!
Required Background
This program requires solid knowledge of computer science, with emphasis on fields relevant to the programme. In particular, we expect:
- reasonable experience in the use of several programming languages including object-oriented languages (e.g. C# or Java) and ideally a functional language
- basic knowledge of modern software construction
- basic knowledge of algorithms and data structures, their design and analysis
- the ability to reason formally (based on logic)
- the ability to communicate facts and findings verbally and in writing.
Students interested in the Programming Technology track should additionally possess a background in functional programming languages (ideally Haskell). Students interested in the Algorithm Design and Analysis track or Operations Research track should additionally possess a background in algorithm design (notably the design of dynamic programming algorithms and graph algorithms).
Degree
Bachelor’s degrees from Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO) programmes that most likely meet the requirements are:
- Informatica
- 'Hogere Informatica Opleiding’ (HIO)
- (Technical) Computer Science.
If you do not meet the requirements
If you do not meet the entry requirements you may have to follow deficiency course(s), which replace elective course(s), or you might be considered for a tailored Pre-Master's programme. This is for the Admissions Committee to decide.
You can contact the programme coordinator with questions about your eligibility and potential possibilities for a Pre-Master or deficiency courses. Please reach out early!
Deficiency courses and the Pre-Master’s programme are only available for students that speak Dutch, as this is the language of instruction in our Bachelor programme. Therefore, make sure that it is clear from your application (e.g. in your CV) that you speak Dutch.
Please note: if you are not offered a Pre-Master’s programme or deficiency course(s), you are not admittable to this Master’s programme.
If deficiencies are found which can be remedied with a course load of 30 EC, you may be eligible for a Pre-Master's programme. The Admissions Committee decides if you can do a Pre-Master’s programme and determines which Bachelor’s courses are required in your specific case. This means it is an individual/tailored programme, rather than a fixed set of courses. Note: our Bachelor's courses are formally taught and examined in Dutch.
Costs
Read about the costs of a Pre-Master’s programme (in Dutch).
Application procedure
It is not possible to apply for a Pre-Master's programme. You need to apply for the regular Master's programme. The Admissions Committee can decide to offer you a Pre-Master’s as outcome of your application. In that case you get conditionally admitted for the Master’s programme, under the condition that you first successfully complete the Pre-Master’s programme.
English language requirements
You are exempt from the English language requirement because you obtained your previous degree from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences.
Selection procedure
The Admissions Committee reviews all requests for admission and selects students that meet the entry requirements. In some cases you may be obliged to first complete a Pre-Master’s programme.
You can contact the programme coordinator with questions about your eligibility.
Programme starts in September
| Applications open | 1 October |
|---|---|
| Application deadline for scholarship recipients | 1 February |
| Application deadline for Non-EU passport holders | 1 April |
| Application deadline for EU passport holders | 1 June |
Programme starts in February
| Applications open | 1 July |
|---|---|
| Application deadline for Non-EU passport holders | 1 September |
| Application deadline for EU passport holders | 15 October |
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:
Diploma or certified graduation statement (with graduation date and without any conditions)
Certified transcript (including courses, grades and GPA)
Please make sure the document has a stamp/signature and contact information of the institute.
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. Please check your spam folder too.
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 and, if applicable, enter contact details of your referee(s).
After you upload all documents in OSIRIS, the Graduate School will evaluate them. We strive to inform you of our decision within 20 working days.