Degree from a non-Dutch university
OSIRIS Online Application is offline due to the impact of a data center fire. This means that it is currently not possible to start or edit your application to a bachelor or master programme. For students who have already completed their application: it will take longer for you to receive notification of your admission. We apologise for the inconvenience and will keep you updated on our live blog.
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.
To be accepted to this Master’s programme you need:
- An academic Bachelor’s degree. 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 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.
- Specific academic knowledge and skills required to participate in this programme. You can find these requirements in this document. In order to meet these requirements your Bachelor’s degree has to be in one of the social sciences (such as Interdisciplinary Social Science, Sociology, Psychology, Cultural Anthropology or Political Sciences), that fulfils the requirements in terms of level, orientation and scope. This will be assessed by the Admissions Committee. Also, an online assessment can be a mandatory part of the evaluation of the methods and statistics criterion. For more information please consult the document above for the specified criteria .
- Sufficient command of the English language (see below).
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.
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.
Unfortunately, this Master's programme does not offer a pre-Master's programme to students with a non-Dutch degree who do not meet the entry requirements.
However, in some cases you may be able to acquire missing knowledge via a Summer School course, an (online) course, or self-study assignment. This is for the Admissions Committee to decide.
Please always apply for the Master’s programme first. If the Admissions Committee determines that you do not meet all entry requirements, they will decide if you are eligible for one of the options above. Participation in a course or passing a course or assignment will be a condition for admission.
| Applications open | 1 October |
|---|---|
| Deadline for scholarship applicants | 1 February |
| Main application deadline | 1 April |
| Extended application deadline EU/EEA and Swiss passport holders | 1 June* |
*Please note that this only applies to students who do not need a visa/residence permit.
Complete your application in time
All deadlines expire at 23:59 [CET/CEST] on the specified date. Your application is complete when you have (1) fully submitted your Studielink ánd OSIRIS application, (2) uploaded all required documents in Osiris Online Application and (3) paid the application fee (if applicable). 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 official translations
- 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 official translations
- Certified copies of your diploma and transcript (after admission).
- An overview of courses yet to be completed (if you have not yet obtained your diploma)
- Motivation statement
- Curriculum vitae / resume
- Passport copy
- A scan of your official English language test report or certificate. This can also be submitted after you have been admitted to the Master's programme. The deadline for the English language test report is 15 June for non-EU students and 1 September for EU-students.
- Checklist Entry Requirements 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, submit the original syllabi and include a (self-written) clear and comprehensive English summary. Please ensure you include full course syllabi (course manuals) and NOT just course descriptions.
- A copy of your Bachelor’s thesis or similar research report. If you have not yet completed your thesis, submit your research design including your research question, short theoretical framework and methods of research. If your thesis is written in another language than Dutch or English, submit the thesis in the original language and a summary in English.
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, enter contact details of your referee(s), if applicable, 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.
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, enter contact details of your referee(s), if applicable, 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.