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.
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 the 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
- IELTS, Academic Module (IELTS Online is not accepted). Minimum score 6.5 overall band, at least 6 for writing, speaking, listening and reading.
- TOEFL, iBT. Minimum score 93, at least 24 for reading, 22 for listening, 20 for speaking, 20 for writing. Institutional scores are not accepted. The TOEFL institution code for Utrecht University is 9062.
- Cambridge Certificate
- 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.
- you obtained your secondary school diploma or Bachelor's degree in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, UK, USA or South Africa
- you obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or European Baccalaureate (EB) Diploma.
You can already start your application without having your English test results. Make sure that you include your test date in Osiris Online Application.
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 |
| Application deadline | 1 April* |
*Please note that we are now closed to all applications for the next academic year. We will begin accepting applications after 1 October.
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 (when you have not yet obtained your diploma)
Passport copy
A scan of your official English language test report or certificate.
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, please upload the original syllabi and include a (self-written) clear and comprehensive English summary.
A copy of your Bachelor’s thesis or similar research report. When you have not yet completed your thesis, submit your research design including your research question, short theoretical framework and methods of research.
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) 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) 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.