collageUniversity of Amsterdam Admission Rate Masters: The University of Amsterdam is one of the most prestigious universities in the Netherlands. The university has a relatively low acceptance rate; however, students can boost their chances by pursuing a degree in a related field. Read about university of amsterdam requirements for international students and university of amsterdam admission requirements.
The university has an acceptance rate of just under 50% for all fields except medicine, which has an acceptance rate of just over 90%. This means that an applicant with average credentials would have only a 50% chance of being accepted into the university; however, if they pursue a degree in medicine, their odds will go up significantly.
The University of Amsterdam is a highly selective institution, with a low acceptance rate of around 40%. The university accepts students from all over the world, including the US, Canada, China, India, and Australia. This university offers more than 100 programs in English and Dutch. It has been recognized as one of the top universities in Europe by Times Higher Education.
Brief History of the University of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam is a public research university in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Also, the University of Amsterdam is popularly abbreviated as UvA.
The UvA is one of the two major publicly supported research universities in the city.
The other certainly is the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
However, the University of Amsterdam is the third-oldest university in the Netherlands.
It was founded in 1632 by local authorities and afterward given the name of the city of Amsterdam.
Presently, UvA has about 31,186 students enrolled and 4,794 employees.
The University of Amsterdam is one of the biggest research universities in Europe.
To point out, UvA has about 1,340 Ph.D. students and a €600 million annual budget.
Then again, in terms of enrollment, it is the biggest university in the Netherlands.
Why Choose the University of Amsterdam?
Balanced against many of the world’s top universities, UvA is a top pick for any student.
Consequently, there are lots of reasons to choose the University of Amsterdam.
We have some too, and we’ll lay them out for you.
Firstly, the University of Amsterdam ranks 1st among all universities in the Netherlands.
If that isn’t enough, it also ranks 14th in Europe.
Well, in case you already knew that in 2011 UvA ranked in the top 50 globally in seven programs.
The ranking was by the QS World University Rankings, and the programs were:
- Languages
- Sociology
- Philosophy
- Geography
- Science
- Economics and econometrics, and
- Accounting and finance.
Similarly, the media and communication departments were frequently ranked first worldwide by subject.
In effect, these rankings, both locally and internationally, attest to the quality of education you stand to get.
Markedly, the University of Amsterdam is a leader in international science and an innovation partner.
university of amsterdam requirements for international students
University Of Amsterdam Acceptance Rate Masters
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is home to 38,940 students from over 10% international students belonging to 100 countries across the world. UvA offers a varied range for UG and PG courses through its seven faculties. For academic session 2021-2022, UvA is offering 200+ programs in disciplines of Arts and Humanities, Applied Science, Economics, Business, Law, Medicine, Dentistry, Behavioral and Social Science.
As a globally ranking university, currently ranking #55, the admissions at UvA are competitive. International students have recorded an acceptance rate of 47% at University of Amsterdam in 2019. However, for its top subjects like Sociology, Psychology, Medicine, Computer Science and Information Systems, the recorded acceptance rate is as low as 10% in the last 5 years.
To be considered for admission, international students need to have an IELTS score of 6.5 and 7.0 for UG and PG courses respectively. Other tests required to study in the Netherlands include Dutch language tests. For postgraduate courses, students need to have a GMAT score of at least 550. The test scores not only help international students increase their chances of admission, but also secure UvA scholarships.
UvA Covid-19 Updates
- University of Amsterdam is committed to return to on-campus classes for the next academic session.
- The Dutch government is supporting students financially in the academic year 2021-2022. The Dutch government has halved The tuition fee for the students who haven’t studied before in the Netherlands.
university of amsterdam admission requirements
The University of Amsterdam is a great choice for international students who are looking to study in the Netherlands. The school’s acceptance rate is low, but if you’re accepted, you’ll be in good company with other students from all over the world.
If you’re thinking about applying to the University of Amsterdam, here’s what you need to know:
The University of Amsterdam accepts less than 20% of all applicants. If you’re not accepted, don’t despair—there are plenty of other great universities in the Netherlands at which you can apply.
Students from outside the EU/EEA must meet strict language requirements before they can enroll at UvA. If your English skills aren’t strong enough for your application to be considered, don’t worry! There are many ways for international students to prepare for university life and improve their English skills before arriving on campus.
International Degree Holders
- Application deadlines
- Application procedure for international degree holdersThe following procedure applies if you are applying on the basis of a non-Dutch university degree. You can start your application for a September 2023 enrollment from October 2022 onwards.Take a look at the step-by-step application video to find out how you can apply for our English-taught programmes with an international diploma and read the information below.Step 1: Create an enrollment application in Studielink (the Dutch national education application system)Go to Studielink and create an application for the study programme you wish to apply for. In Studielink you can apply for a maximum of 4 courses in total in the Netherlands.
Do you currently live in the Netherlands? Then you will need to log in with your DigiD.
If you do not yet live in the Netherlands you can choose “Log in without DigiD”. When you create your Studielink account via this option you will need a scan or photo of your valid passport or European ID card.Important when creating an enrollment application:- When using login details for creating an enrollment application in Studielink, please select Create Studielink account without DigiD .Make sure that the e-mail address you fill in in Studielink (My details) is correct: you will receive important notices concerning your enrollment via this address.Please enter your prior education (on the basis of which your application will be assessed) correctly.Select the study programme of choice with (WO Master) at the end from the list in Studielink (note: specialisations can be selected in your personal dashboard).Enter your payment details so that the correct tuition fee can be calculated. This does not generate an automatic payment. The deadline for payment is 31 August 2023.Please be aware that your enrollment must be fully completed on 31 August 2023 in order to start your study programme on 1 September 2023. If your enrollment is not complete on this date, you will have to postpone your study programme until the following academic year.
- Step-by-step guide for completing your application in your VU dashboardLog in to your personal dashboard on vu.nl
- Required documents
- After you’ve applied for the programme of your choice via Studielink, you will receive your login details for your personal dashboard, where you can upload the required documents. Below you can find a description of the documents that may be asked for.
- Every study programme may have a different set of required documents that you need to upload. For the Master of Law, for example, only a CV, your transcripts and a copy of your passport are needed. You may thus not need to upload all of the documents listed here below. For this reason, you will need to check the application form template to find out which documents you need to prepare. You can find the template under the ‘Application with an international degree’ tab on each programme page (Under tab Admissions → Application procedure with an international degree).
- Copy of your valid passport or ID (ID = only for EU residents)
A clear scan of the pages in your passport that contain your personal data. It needs to be valid up to at least 1 September of the year in which you’re planning to start your programme (or 1 February if your programme offers this starting date). A copy of a passport (or ID) that is no longer valid cannot be accepted. - Curriculum Vitae
A curriculum vitae that includes your personal details and lists your previous education and relevant work experience. A Europass CV template could be used, however other formats will be accepted too. - Letter(s) of recommendation (only required for a few programmes!)
Letters written by members of the academic staff at the educational institute where you have studied (or are currently studying). Digital copies, uploaded in your dashboard are preferred. If referees prefer providing their references directly to the university, please let them email your your contact person in the international office. Please ask your referees to include your VU student number (7 digit number) in the email.
Most programmes do not require recommendation letters, some require one and some require two – you can check this on the programme’s page (https://vu.nl/en/education/master/programmes) under the tab ‘Admissions’. - Statement of Intent (Letter of Motivation, may be directed to the Admission Board)
A 1-2 page letter stating your reasons for applying to the programme. Also, if applicable, please specify in this letter, the name of the specialization you are applying for. - Diploma(s)*
A copy of the original Bachelor’s degree or certificate.
Diploma requirements: Upload a scan of your diploma English, German, Dutch, French or Spanish. If your diploma is in another language, you must also submit an English translation by a sworn translator.
Please note: Before we can unconditionally accept you, we will need you to supply us with a certified copy of your diploma certificate. See for further details the section on ‘what happens after admission’. Deadline for supplying: 31 August 2023. - Transcript of records
A transcript in English* of the grades obtained during your previous higher education (Bachelor’s or Master’s programme). In case you went on exchange during your programme (and the courses and grades are not mentioned on your main transcript), then please add the transcript from your exchange university as well.
If you did not graduate yet, please submit a temporary transcript listing the grades you obtained so far. In case you will still complete relevant courses before your graduation, then please make sure to include these courses in your course description document (see below).
*For the initial application, this does not need to be done by a sworn translator although it is preferred. - Thesis (or alternative piece of academic writing; upload at least 2-5 pages, not counting the bibliography)
Please upload your thesis or an alternative writing sample such as an academic paper or essay (written in English).If you have not written anything in English during your studies, then please select one of your own academic writing samples and add a 2-5 page summary in English before the text in the original language. Always include your literature references, but do not count the bibliography in meeting the required length of 2-5 pages. Please be aware that for some programmes you need to upload a specific essay as mentioned on that programme’s webpage (for example the MSc International Crimes, Conflict and Criminology or the LLM Law and Politics of International Security)
Please note, we will always check application documents for plagiarism. - A description of the relevant courses followed and literature used during your previous higher education
Please describe the courses you have taken during your previous higher education that are relevant to the Master’s programme you are applying for (the admission requirements can be found on the specific programme pages). You can either copy this from a study guide or type a 5-10 line description for each relevant course if a study guide is not readily available. Don’t forget to mention the main literature used for the courses you took and the number of credits/class hours.
Please use this format. - English language test (can also be provided after conditional admission)*
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam requires all applicants to provide us with an English language test score that meets the required minimum set for the programme of choice. If you cannot yet provide us with a positive score yet, please register for a recognized English language test. All faculties will accept IELTS tests, Cambridge tests, and TOEFL tests.
Please note: Acceptable minimum scores may vary per faculty/programme.
Exemptions to the above:
– Students who have completed their education in USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia or Canada (English-speaking provinces);
– Students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree fully taught in English within the EU/EEA. - Nuffic Certificate (only for Chinese students)
Chinese students who wish to enroll in an English-taught programme at a Dutch higher education institution are required to apply for a Nuffic Certificate (former Neso Certificate). Nuffic will send the certificate directly to us, once it has been issued. - Valid residence permit
If you already live in the Netherlands, a copy (front and reverse side) of your valid residence permit (if available). If your residence permit is no longer valid, please submit a copy of the expired card and an official statement from the immigration authorities (IND) acknowledging that you have applied for an extension. - * Although complete applications are preferred, both the certified copy of the diploma certificate and the English test result, can be supplied to us after you’ve submitted the rest of your application. For EU students, the latest deadline for supplying us with these documents is set to the 31 August 2023, for non-EU students, the English test result needs to be supplied before 1 June 2023 (due to it being a requirement for the visa/residence application procedure). Course registrations are not possible until all documents have been provided.
Language Proficiency Requirements
If you are applying for one of our English-taught Master’s degree programmes you will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency.
All applicants are asked for an English language test, unless you qualify for an exemption of this requirement as specified below. You can submit your application and provide test results later. In case you are conditionally admitted to the programme you will have until the below-mentioned deadlines to submit your English test results.
Standard English requirements
In general, the minimum English language proficiency requirements for admission to most (not all) Master’s programme at VU Amsterdam are:
- IELTS: 6.5 – please note that candidates must take the Academic test and not the General one! Most programmes do not accept partial scores dropping below 6.0.
- TOEFL Internet-based test: 92.
- TOEFL paper-based test: 580.
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): A, B, C
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): A, B, C
If you have completed a Cambridge test in Advanced English, or Proficiency in English, you can share your results digitally through the Cambridge system. You can find more information on how to share your results with this step by step guide. - VU-test English-language proficiency: TOEFL ITP: 580. This test is offered by the VU Taalloket and takes place at the University. The test costs EUR 100 and is only valid for admission to VU Amsterdam. The TOEFL ITP is not accepted for students who require a study visa/residence permit to study at VU Amsterdam. We do not accept the TOEFL ITP Digital test.
Master’s programmes with higher language proficiency requirements.
Please click here for an overview of Master’s programmes with higher language proficiency requirements.
Exemptions
Exceptions to the English Language Proficiency requirement are made if you have completed your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Canada (English-speaking provinces), USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand or Australia or if you have completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree fully taught in English within the EU/EEA.
Test validity
TOEFL and IELTS tests must have been completed no more than two years before 1 September of the year in which your course starts. Note that MyBestScore is not accepted.
How to share your English test results
- For IELTS or TOEFL test results, please upload your results in your VU dashboard while applying.
- For verification of the TOEFL iBT special home edition please add our institution code before sending the report: 7947 and also upload your results in your VU dashboard.
- For an online verification of your Cambridge test result please share your results with us through the Candidate Results Online website and also upload your results in your VU dashboard.
In general, we do not need to receive the hard copy test results via postal mail if you share your results digitally.
Deadlines
Deadline for submission:
- 1 June – for students who require a study visa/residence permit
- 31 August – final deadline for students with the EU/EEA nationality and other students who do not require a study visa/residence permit
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