University of Amsterdam Admission Requirements 2027 for International Students

The University of Amsterdam is a large public research university with programmes across the humanities, sciences, social sciences, economics, law and medicine. Non-EU bachelor's tuition ranges from about EUR 13,900 to EUR 34,700 a year depending on faculty, and several popular bachelor's programmes use a selection procedure with an earlier deadline than the general one.

Requirements

Bachelor

Applicants need a secondary school qualification recognised as giving access to university-level study in its home country, meeting any subject-specific prerequisites of the chosen programme. English-taught programmes require IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (6.0 per section) or TOEFL iBT 92 overall (22 per section), unless exempt. Selective and numerus fixus programmes add a motivation letter, grades and sometimes a test or interview as part of ranking.

Master

Applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree, normally with a minimum grade average set by the programme, plus English proficiency at the same level as for bachelor's admission unless the programme sets a higher bar.

Documents

Diploma and full transcript of secondary (and, where relevant, higher) education, certified translation if not in Dutch or English, a passport-style photo, a copy of the passport identity page, an English test certificate unless exempt, and for selective and numerus fixus programmes a curriculum vitae and motivation letter. Master's applicants also submit their bachelor's degree certificate or a transcript showing progress if not yet completed.

How to apply

Check the programme page for its exact deadline (1 February selective, 15 January numerus fixus, or 1 April/1 May general).
Register in Studielink and choose the programme.
Complete the UvA-specific application and pay the EUR 100 application fee if you hold an international diploma.
Upload your diploma, transcript and English test certificate before the deadline; numerus fixus and selective programmes also require a motivation letter.
If selected, accept your place in Studielink and, if you are a non-EU/EEA national, apply for a residence permit for study through the university as your recognised sponsor.
Arrange housing and, once your permit is issued, register with the municipality after arrival.

English test waiver

Cambridge C1 Advanced (score 180 or above) is accepted in place of IELTS or TOEFL. The university also waives the test for applicants with a prior degree taught fully in English; check the programme page for the exact rule.