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.
You are welcome to apply for the Sustainable Development Master’s programme. Please take into account that this is a selective Master's degree. You will be considered for admission to the programme if you hold a university Bachelor's degree and can demonstrate a high level of knowledge, motivation and command of methods and skills in the field.
With regard to the educational requirements you should possess knowledge on:
- Sustainability issues (drivers, pressures, impacts, responses)
- Mathematics (basic algebra, functions, powers and roots)
- Natural processes (earth system processes in soil, water, atmosphere, ecosystems)
- Academic and research skills
- Statistics (means, variance, probability tests (T-test), correlation)
Next to the educational requirements we consider:
- Motivation and talent (also on the basis of average grade, past performance in relevant coursework and studies progress)
- Subject of your Bachelor’s thesis
- Experience with sustainability outside your Bachelor’s programme
- Command of the English language (see below)
If you are missing one of the educational requirements the admissions committee might propose an extra test before the start of your programme in order to prove your knowledge on the subject.
Selection procedure
The Admissions Committee reviews all requests for admission and selects students that meet the entry requirements. The Admissions Committee also assesses whether you will be able to successfully complete the Master’s programme within the set time frame. This means the decision on your application is based on a thorough, case-by-case analysis. If you are admitted you will be notified if you still have to fulfil certain conditions, such as a Pre-Master’s 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.
The Pre-Master’s programme is not available for applicants with a degree from a non-Dutch university.
| 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 |
Your application is complete when you have (1) fully submitted your OSIRIS application, (2) uploaded all required documents 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 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
You are strongly encouraged to also use your Motivation Statement and/or your CV to explicitly address the extent to which you fulfill the programme’s entry requirements. You could do that by referring to your course work and/or extracurricular activities. Also, if applicable, do mention the topic or title of you undergraduate thesis. In case of a partial deficiency regarding the entry requirements for the programme, you may be offered the opportunity to compensate by means of one or several (online) admission tests.
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.