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).
Ambitions
Depending on what your ambitions are, you pick a track:
- Multilingual
- German
- English
- French
- Italian
- Dutch
- Spanish
Competences: General
This is a selective Master's. You can be admitted to the Master's programme in Intercultural Communication if you have a Bachelor's degree from a Dutch university (or an international equivalent) and have the following competences:
- You are able to recognise and implement interdisciplinary approaches in the field of intercultural communication. This is demonstrated by at least 15 EC language and communication science courses at an advanced Bachelor's level and 15 EC culture studies courses at an advanced Bachelor's level.
- Basic knowledge of and insight into the field of administration, management and organisation. This is shown by 7.5 EC in this field.
- Knowledge of and insight into the field of methods and techniques used in interdisciplinary research on intercultural communication. This is shown by 7.5 EC in this field.
- Research skills in the field of intercultural communication. You are - under supervision - able to design, execute, analyse and report on a small intercultural survey. Elaborate this point in your letter of motivation. Your eligibility for this programme increase if you’ve written your Bachelor’s thesis on a topic within the field of international communication.
- Communication skills. You can communicate in a clear and effective manner, tuned to your conversation partner(s) and the specific setting/situation and you are able to reflect on your own communicative actions in multilingual and/or intercultural settings. You are able to give or draw up adequate reports. This is evident from relevant components in your finished Bachelor's programme.
Competences: Language
All students have to take non-language specific courses, regardless of what track you choose. For these courses we have the following requirements:
- The lectures are in English. Therefore the required language proficiency in English is B2-C1.
- The seminars of these courses are either in English or in Dutch. For English the requirement is C1. For the tutorials in Dutch the requirement is also C1.
In order to show your capacity in one of these languages, you need write the first part of your motivation letter either in Dutch or English.
All students take language specific courses. Depending on the track you are following different admission requirements apply.
Admission requirements for a language-specific track
- You have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the language and culture in question.
- You are fluent in the language of the language specific track (C1 level) and also have sufficient knowledge of a second language (B1 level). You can make a stronger case for your application for the multilingual track by submitting official documents that substantiate your language skills. Check the summary for all language requirements (PDF).
Admission requirements for the multilingual track
- You have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in one of the languages and cultures of our programme, or in, for example, Language and Cultural Studies, Communication and Information Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences or Media and Culture.
- You are proficient (B2 or C1 level) in one language (German, English, French, Italian, Dutch or Spanish) and have a sufficient knowledge (B1 level) of a second language. You can make a stronger case for your application for the multilingual track by submitting official documents that substantiate your language skills. Check the summary for all language requirements (PDF).
Selection procedure
The Admissions Committee decides on your application. On the basis of the documents submitted by you, the committee will assess whether you will be able to successfully complete the Master’s programme within the nominal duration. The committee also takes into account:
- Motivation and talent.
- Level of relevant knowledge and command of the methods and techniques used in the discipline.
- General academic professional and intellectual ability.
- Command of the language(s) relevant to the programme.
- International education and work experience.
The programme is open for a maximum of 60 students per year. If the applications exceed the places available, the Admissions Committee will select the most suitable candidates. In doing so the committee will take motivation and study results into account and aims for an equal distribution of students between the different tracks within the programme.
Entry test
If you do not possess a university Bachelor's degree with at least a B+ average, you may be asked to provide additional evidence of your academic reading and writing skills. The admissions committee may also ask for certificates with which you can substantiate your language skills in the languages you have chosen (see Competences: Language).
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.
Visit our EMI-experienced page for Master’s degree programmes to find the accepted tests and required scores. Here, you can also see which diplomas qualify for an exemption from this requirement.
Please note: the application deadline for scholarship candidates is 1 February, not 1 December.
| 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 April |
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)
- Curriculum vitae / resume
- 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.
- Courses yet to be completed
- Motivation letter
- Preliminary idea for a research project (max 200 words). Formulate a concise research question relevant to the field of study and indicate the research methods you would use to answer it.
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 30 working days after the application deadline.
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.