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.
Eligible are students with:
- A BSc of a research university in Economics or Economics and Business Economics preferably with some degree of specialisation in Financial Management.
The Admissions Office assesses all international credentials according to the credential evaluation criteria of the Nuffic (the Netherlands Organisation for international cooperation in Higher Education). 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; - A good command of English. Check the specific English proficiency requirements below;
- You must have solid and demonstrable knowledge in the following fields:
We specifically encourage applications from students with a background in the Natural Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics. Other degrees (e.g. Liberal Arts and Sciences) are also welcome to apply provided they have a substantial quantitative element. In all cases students are expected to have knowledge of the fields listed above.
The Admissions Committee assesses your application and decides whether it believes you have demonstrated enough skills and knowledge to successfully complete the Master’s programme within the nominal duration of 1 year.
The committee takes into account:
- The level of the required knowledge and academic skills*;
- Mastery of research methods and techniques*;
- Your motivation and talent;
- Your command of the English language.
*Including your academic research and reporting skills (as shown in an undergraduate thesis or significant research project). Our guidance during the Master’s programme is based on the assumption that you have acquired substantial research experience in your previous education. Applicants without this experience may be eligible, but possibly need to engage in extracurricular work on their own initiative during the Master's programme.
The admissions Committee bases its assessment and decision on the documents you submit. In some cases we might ask you for extra information such as course descriptions, or invite you to an (online) interview.
English language requirements
Utrecht University uses the EMI (English Medium of Instruction) system to assess applicants’ English language skills, which distinguishes three proficiency levels: EMI-ready, EMI-experienced and EMI-advanced.
The required English level for admission to this Master’s programme is EMI-experienced.
Please visit our EMI-experienced page for Master's degree programmes to find the accepted tests, required scores and exemptions for EMI-experienced programmes.
A pre-Master's Programme is only available for graduated HBO (University of Applied Science) students with a relevant Dutch educational background who do not need housing, and who do not have or require a residence permit for study purposes. When in doubt about your residence permit, you can send an email to Utrecht University's Admissions Office, including a copy of both sides of the permit. Do not forget to state clearly that you are referring to a pre-Master’s programme.
Please note that we do not offer a pre-Master for WO students. If you are studying at a Dutch research university and you do not have the required courses to be admitted, we advise you to follow these courses (for example as a minor) during your Bachelor’s programme. For questions please contact the Graduate School of Economics by email.
| 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
Questions about the application procedure?
Please check our FAQ or contact the International Student Admissions. You can submit your application before taking the English test. Please note that we will need to have received your official results by 15 June if you need a visa; or by 1 September if you do not need a visa.
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.