Frequently Asked Questions
Bellow you can find a few of the frequently asked questions about application and admission. If you have other questions about the UU, the application process, financial aid, or anything else, please contact us.
This FAQ is only for students who completed their previous education outside the Netherlands.
Eligibility
You will have to apply through the formal application process for us to be able to give you an answer.
The minimum requirement for all master’s programmes at Utrecht University is an undergraduate degree in the same or a related field. We don’t do prior assessments of information sent by email to see whether you are eligible, unfortunately. Please upload your transcript and other required documents in your application. Your eligibility can only be assessed once a complete application has been submitted.
If you are not sure whether you meet the admission requirements, you can contact the coordinator of the Master’s programme. Their contact details are on the programme webpage. Please note that they cannot decide in advance if you will be admitted, and we cannot give any guarantees outside the normal procedure. However, they can give you more specific advice.
To apply for a Master’s programme at Utrecht University, you need a bachelor’s degree in the same or a related field. Some programmes may also ask for a certain GPA or have other selection criteria. You can find these listed under the entry requirements for each programme on the webpage of your chosen programme under Admission and Application> Non-Dutch university > 1. Read entry requirements.
Conditional admission means you are accepted to the university, but you must meet certain requirements first. These requirements are written in your conditional acceptance letter. For example, you may need to send certified copies of your degree and transcript, or complete extra courses before you can start.
Application process
To start your application, log in to Studielink. If you encounter any difficulties while starting your application, we advise you to check whether your question is answered on the Studielink FAQ page. You can find several step-by-step guides on this page. If you cannot find an answer to your question, you can always contact Student Services.
Please always check the complete application procedure on the page of the specific study programme you are interested in to make sure you have not missed any steps.
After you have completed the first part of the application in Studielink, you will receive an e-mail with login details for OSIRIS Online Application within 24 hours. If this is not the case, please check your spam folder or contact Student Services at studentservice@uu.nl.
Go to OSIRIS Online Application and click on ‘change username/password forgotten?’ If this doesn’t work, please contact Student Services at studentservice@uu.nl.
You can find a list of the scholarships most commonly awarded to international students studying in Utrecht here.
Once you’ve chosen a scholarship, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements. If you do, prepare the required documents and submit your application. Pay close attention to deadlines; they are strict, and late applications aren’t accepted.
Please withdraw your enrolment request in Studielink. Once you do, your application in OSIRIS will be automatically cancelled, and you will not receive any more reminders about it.
You can chat directly with a our current students via the Unibuddies platform on our website.
You can choose a student from your own country, or someone who is attending a course you would like to know more about.
Application fee
All students who completed their previous studies outside the Netherlands have to pay the application fee. Please check the application fee page for more information and possible exemptions.
The application fee payment process is integrated into OSIRIS Online Application. The fee can be paid by VISA, MasterCard or American Express credit cards. You can find more information in the payment portal.
Application fee errors can be resolved. Please do not cancel your application. Email us instead.
Occasionally, an error may occur with the application fee module. If you encounter an error message when attempting to pay, please do not cancel your application. Instead, email Student Services at studentservice@uu.nl
include your student number,
a short explanation of whether the payment was successfully processed or not.
If you applied close to the deadline and experienced this issue, we can verify the exact time you attempted payment. If we confirm that the error was due to an IT issue outside of your control, we will contact you directly and grant you additional time to complete the payment.
Documents: before I apply
First, try to get the missing document if you can. If that’s not possible, as a last resort, you can upload a PDF explaining why you don’t have it. All documents are important for your application, so we can only process complete application files.
If you can’t submit your application in OSIRIS Online Application because you are missing a document, please contact Student Services at studentservice@uu.nl.
We advise students to apply as soon as possible. You can submit an application even if you have not yet obtained your degree. However, in this case we will need written proof that you are indeed in the final stages of your programme and that it is likely that you will graduate soon. You can ask your current university/institution to provide a statement. This statement must contain the following information:
- Your name.
- Your date of birth.
- The official and full name of the degree you will be obtaining.
- The official duration of the study programme.
- If applicable: the remaining courses (course name and if possible the number of ECTS).
- The name and position of the person signing the statement.
- Expected graduation date.
The statement must be signed and stamped by an official at your university.
Download the UU statement of Proof of Anticipated Degree (pdf, 48 kB).
In this case you can upload the same document under degree and transcript.
If your university does not wish to provide an expected graduation date, instead of a proof of anticipated degree form we can accept a document which states the official study duration of your programme and the year in which you began your studies. Please make sure the document has an official stamp and signature from your university.
During the application process, you can upload plain, uncertified copies of your documents. Make sure these copies are stamped by your university to confirm their authenticity. If you are admitted, you will be asked to provide certified copies of your documents.
You do not need to send translations if the diploma and transcript is in Dutch, English, Spanish, French, Latin or German. If your documents were issued in another language, then you must send official translations into Dutch or English. These translations must be made by a sworn or certified translator.
However, because you are applying for an English-taught programme, your other application documents (for example, your motivation letter and CV) must be written in English.
Some programmes require official course descriptions (also called syllabi) from the university you are currently attending or have attended. A course description shows what the course covered and how it was assessed. It usually includes:
Topics covered
Learning outcomes
Number of credits (ECTS)
Teaching methods
Required literature
Examination methods
Please upload official course descriptions of all relevant courses you have completed. Make sure they include the details listed above, if available.
If you have questions about what to include you can get in touch with the master’s programme directly. You can find the contact details on the website of the programme under ‘contact’.
If you haven’t taken the required courses, it would be wise to contact the programme to check if you’re eligible. You can find their contact details on the programme’s website under ‘Contact’. Keep in mind that we can only check eligibility when your application file is complete. It is best to send the full application so we can review your previous education correctly.
Yes! We will review your application to make sure all the required documents are included, and we will let you know if anything is missing.
It is not common to make adjustments to applications after submitting them but we understand that mistakes can happen. These situations are assessed on a case by case basis. Please email Student Services and:
Attach the document you want to add to your application,
Give and explanation for the edit.
Documents: after conditional admission
Certified documents are required for unconditional admission, as scans or plain copies are not sufficient. They must be submitted using the official methods outlined by the university.
A certified document is a copy of a student’s degree certificate, academic transcript, or other graduation document, the content and authenticity of which can be securely and reliably verified.
Although we are able to check whether you're eligible based on scans of your documents we will need to receive certified documents once you are conditionally accepted. We need to receive certified copies to verify their authenticity. Therefore, a scan and/or plain copy is insufficient for unconditional admission.
Please note that only the methods described on the following website are accepted for submitting certified documents.
We can accept documents as either:
Certified digital documents. These are defined as electronic copies of academic documents, the content and authenticity of which can be verified online. To check if this applies to you, please see here. Certified digital documents should be uploaded to OSIRIS Online Application. If you need to submit translations, they must also be digitally certified.
Digital files sent by your university registrar. Please ask your institution to submit your documents on your behalf via admissiondocuments@uu.nl. The files must be sent from an official university email address. Translations can also be submitted this way, but they need to be sent separately and directly from the translator, using their professional e-mail address.
Certified hardcopies. You can check here for a visual definition. We can only accept certified hardcopies produced by your university or a public notary. Translations need to be sent as original documents, carrying an official stamp and signature from the translator. Please check our website for address details.
A certified copy is a photocopy of your original degree certificate or transcript that carries an official wet ink stamp and signature from the university that issued the original document.
Certified hard copies are physical copies of your degree certificate, transcript, or other graduation documents with an official stamp and ink signature from your university or a public notary.
Documents from lawyers or attorneys are not accepted. You can check here for a visual example.
We only accept certified hard copies issued by your university or a public notary. Translations must also be original documents, with an official stamp and signature from the translator.
You can send documents by post to:
International Student Admissions
Graduate Admission, Administration Building
Winthontlaan 30C, 3526 KV Utrecht, Netherlands
Tip: Send early, international mail can be slow. Or, if you’re in the Netherlands, you can bring your originals to Student Services, and we’ll make certified copies for you free of charge. Check their website for address information and opening times.
A verifiable digital signature is a special feature in a PDF. It shows that the document is real and has not been changed after being signed. This can be checked on a PDF reader.
A verifiable digital signature is a type of electronic signature embedded within the PDF document itself. When you open such a file using a standard PDF reader (such as Adobe Acrobat Reader), you can clearly see the signature details, including:
The name of the person or institution who signed the document
The date and time the document was signed
A notification that the signature is valid and that the document has not been altered since it was signed
This kind of signature is typically issued using a digital certificate and allows us to confirm both the authenticity and integrity of the document.
If your document contains such a signature but it does not display these details in a PDF reader, it may not be recognized as verifiable by our system. In that case, we kindly ask that your university either:
Reissue the document with a verifiable digital signature, or
Send us a certified hard copy by post or email the transcript from an official institutional email address (e.g. registrar’s office or student affairs), as described on our website
Utrecht University does not reach out to other universities directly to request certified documents. It is the student's responsibility to arrange this with their institution. Furthermore, Utrecht University does not use paid services to verify credentials on the student's behalf.
Yes! Please ask your university to send your documents directly to admissiondocuments@uu.nl. Make sure they use an official university email address of the registrar, examinations office or student affairs listed on the university’s website.
If your documents need translations, these should also be sent directly from the translator, from their professional email which would be listed on their official website, as separate files.
Keep in mind: Utrecht University won’t contact your previous university to check documents, and we don’t use paid services to verify credentials. It’s your responsibility to make sure everything is submitted correctly.
Once your certified digital documents have been submitted, they are usually processed within 5 working days. Please note, however, that if your documents are submitted close to the deadline, processing may take up to 10 working days.
For applicants starting in September who sent their documents after 1 April:
Priority is given to students who require a visa, as their deadline is 15 June.
We kindly ask for your patience while we complete these checks. You can also check if your documents were received by calling or emailing Student Services.
If your courier confirms delivery, your documents are on their way, but processing at Utrecht University can take several weeks. You will be notified once everything is complete, so please send documents as soon as possible to allow time for the process.
If you have used a track-and-trace service and the courier shows your documents as delivered, you can assume they are on their way to us.
Please note that once your documents arrive at Utrecht University, they are first handled by our central postal office before being sent to our department. This process can take several days, so we are unfortunately not able to confirm their arrival right away.
Once we get your documents, we check them within a few working days. If everything is correct, we inform your Graduate School. Then they can send you your unconditional acceptance letter, usually within 10 working days.
In total, this entire process can take up to several weeks. We kindly ask for your patience and recommend sending certified documents as early as possible. You will hear from us as soon as your documents have been processed.
It might be possible to defer your offer. The Graduate school that admitted you has to decide this.
If you wish to defer your offer, please contact your Graduate School directly. They will inform you whether deferral is possible and explain the procedure. You can find their contact details in your conditional admission letter.
If your deferral is approved:
You may withdraw your current application in Studielink.
You will need to submit a new application in the next application period.
You will not need to pay the application fee again or re-upload your documents.
Once you have fulfilled the conditions stated in your current conditional admission letter, your enrollment can be finalized.
English requirements
No. We accept the following English tests: IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT (including the Home Edition), Cambridge C1 Advanced, and Cambridge C2 Proficiency. The IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT (including the Home Edition) results must be less than two years old. We do not accept IELTS Online, IELTS One Skill Retake, or any other English test not listed above.
Please note that it is not necessary to have passed an English test at the time of your application. The results can be submitted later. Please inform us of the test you will take and the date you will take the test in OSIRIS Online Application.
Each Master’s programme has its own English level requirement. You can find this on the programme’s admission page. We can only check if you are exempt after you apply formally, so please send your full application and look at the English level needed on our website linked below.
Every Master’s programme determines which EMI-level is needed for admission to the programme. You can find the required EMI-level of your Master's programme on the programme’s page, under ‘Application and admission’.
Unfortunately we cannot give you a binding decision regarding your exemption for the English language requirement upfront. We encourage you to proceed with the formal application process, during which your academic credentials will be assessed in full. For all exemptions to the English language requirements, please review the webpage for the required EMI-level for the programme of your interest here: Master | English language requirements
References
If there is no other option you can also submit professional references that focus on skills that are applicable in the academic context.
We have the following requirements for referees:
The person who fills out the reference form should not be related to you (as a friend, member of your family, etc.);
The form must be written in English or Dutch;
At least one referee should be an academic who is able to comment on your performance as a student;
If you cannot meet the reference requirement due to exceptional circumstances, you may provide two professional references instead. Please note that it is up to the Graduate School admissions committee to decide if this is good enough. We recommend emailing the Graduate School to inform them of your situation and seek further guidance. To find their contact details please go to the website of your chosen program > Contact. Additionally, your professional references should strongly emphasize skills or experiences relevant to your chosen programme and your capacity for academic success.
Issues with referee invitations can occur for several reasons:
Spam/junk folder – Ask your referee to check their spam/junk folder, as the invitation email may have been filtered there.
Re-send invitation – If the email cannot be found, you can cancel the old invitation by clicking the red "x" button and then re-send a new invitation yourself in OSIRIS Online Application. Please note that you can invite up to two referees in total.
Institutional email addresses – Sometimes invitations to institutional email addresses (e.g. university or company domains) are blocked by the recipient’s security settings. If this happens, the invitation may bounce or be denied automatically. In this case, please re-send the invitation using your referee’s personal/non-institutional email address instead.
If the problem persists after trying the above steps, please contact us at admissionsoffice@uu.nl
"Busy" means that the referee has opened the invitation link but has not clicked "submit" on the reference. We recommend you to urge your referee again to submit the reference as they have either not fished filling the reference in just yet or they might have simply forgotten to click "submit".
Please know that if references are part of your requirements they need to be submitted in time before the deadline along with your other documents.
Your referees can refuse their invitations. If your referee has refused the reference invitation please invite a new referee through the Osiris Online Application system.
You can log into the Osiris Online Application environment and remove the invitation by clicking the red "x" button.
You can log into the Osiris Online Application environment and remove the invitation by clicking the red "x" button. Then invite a new referee.
No, once submitted, the reference can no longer be edited.
Visa application
The cost of a visa/residence permit application is €286. Please note that you will have to transfer this to Utrecht University together with the tuition fee for the first academic year. You will receive the invoice by e-mail in May or November, depending on the start date of your programme.
One of the conditions for your visa application set by the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) is that students must have sufficient funds to live and study in the Netherlands. In more specific terms, students must have sufficient funds to pay for their study and living expenses without needing to work. This is generally about €11,000 plus the tuition fee for the whole academic year. More details will be provided by e-mail when it is time to start the application.
Visa/residence permit applications for study at Utrecht University are submitted by Utrecht University. Your point of contact will always be Utrecht University and not the IND. The visa department will notify you by e-mail when it is time to start the application.
Start at UU
Once you have successfully submitted an enrolment request in Studielink for one of our programmes, you will receive an e-mail from Utrecht University containing your student number (which is the same as your Solid-ID). Please state your student number when contacting Utrecht University.
A Solis-ID is a username that, together with a password, gives you access to Utrecht University services. You will be given access to this student account once you have been fully enrolled. Your Solis-ID account number will usually be the same as your student number. New students will receive their Solis-ID and password in two separate e-mails to their private e-mail address.
As a student registered at Utrecht University, you will receive a digital student card stating the degree programme in which you are enrolled and the period of enrolment. You will find your student card in the MyUU app once you are fully enrolled. You can log in to the app with your Solis-ID. If you prefer a paper version or cannot use the app, you can print your Declaration of Enrolment in OSIRIS.