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.
The Admissions Committee strives to admit around 20 suitable applicants per year. This Master’s programme has the following entry requirements:
- An academic Bachelor's degree in Social or Behavioural Sciences. Students with another academic Bachelor's degree with a demonstrable interest in sociocultural transformations can also be admitted to the programme. This is up to the Admissions Committee to decide.
Our International Students Admission’s office will verify whether a non-Dutch academic degree is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree at a Dutch research university. All international Bachelor’s degrees are evaluated based on standards set by the NUFFIC. If your degree is assessed as less than equivalent to a 3-year Dutch research University degree, or as a bachelor from a university of applied sciences, you are most likely not eligible for admission.
- Your undergraduate degree must have included approximately 20 EC anthropology courses and you need to have training in or experience with qualitative research methods.
- A minimum average grade of 7.5 in the Dutch system or an international equivalent. Students with an average grade between 7.0 and 7.5 will also be considered for admission, if they can compensate for this lower average with other capacities they possess. It is for the Admissions Committee to decide if this compensation will suffice.
- English writing sample: applicants are required to submit an English academic writing sample in the form of a term paper, thesis or published article, preferably on a topic related to the programme. The quality of the writing sample may also be considered when assessing your application file.
- Sufficient command of the English language (see below).
- Motivation that fits the aim of this programme.
English language requirements
- IELTS, Academic Module. Minimum score: 6.5 overall band, at least 6 for writing, speaking, listening and reading.
- TOEFL, iBT. Minimum score 93 with at least a score of 24 reading, 22 listening, 20 speaking, 20 writing (internet-based test), institutional scores are not accepted.
- 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
or - You obtained your secondary school diploma or Bachelor's degree in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, UK, USA or South Africa
or - You obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or European Baccalaureate (EB) Diploma.
Unsure if you qualify for admission?
In order to properly assess whether you qualify for admission, it is important that we have the right information. It is therefore necessary that you apply through the regular admission procedure and submit the required documents. The Admissions Committee will look into your qualifications for admission and you will receive notification in the form of a letter of (non-, conditional or unconditional) acceptance.
Note: you may need to pay an application fee (of 100 euro), otherwise the application will not be considered. Check the information on our Application Fee page.
This Master's programme is selective and does not offer a pre-Master's programme to students who do not meet the entry requirements.
| Applications open | 1 October |
|---|---|
| Deadline for scholarship applicants | 1 February |
| Main application deadline | 1 April* |
*Please note that the application deadline for students with an EU/EEA or Swiss nationality may be extended to 1 June. This extension is by no means guaranteed; therefore, we advise all students to finish their application before 1 April. Any new information regarding the application deadline will be published on this website no later than 2 April.
Complete your application in time
Your application is complete when you have (1) fully submitted your Studielink ánd OSIRIS application, (2) uploaded all required documents in Osiris Online Application. After the deadline has passed, incomplete applications will be cancelled.
The following documents must be uploaded before the deadline:
A scan of your diploma or Proof of anticipated degree in English, Dutch, French, German or Spanish. If your documents are in another language, you also need to arrange a translation by a sworn translator.
Transcripts of Records (including courses taken, grades obtained and GPA) in English, Dutch, French, German or Spanish. If your documents are in another language, you also need to arrange a translation by a sworn translator.
Certified copies of your diploma and transcript (after admission)
An overview of courses yet to be completed (when you have not yet obtained your diploma)
A scan of your official English language test report or certificate
Passport copy
Nuffic certificate (Chinese students only)
Checklist Castor and syllabi of all the courses you list on this Checklist. These syllabi must be written in English or Dutch. If they are not available in one of these languages, please upload the original syllabi and include a (self-written) clear and comprehensive English summary.
An example of English academic writing, in the form of an essay, thesis or published article, preferably on a topic related to the master.
Visit Studielink and complete the online enrolment application.
Afterward, you will receive login details for OSIRIS online application, where you can upload the required documents. You can find all information on how to use Studielink here.
After 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 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.
If you are admitted, your admission letter will describe the next steps towards enrollment. In most cases your admission is conditional, which means you will have to submit certified digital documents.