Social Research
By 31 May
1a: pre-registration on Studielink
If you are planning to study at the Faculty of Social Sciences at VU University Amsterdam, then you must register or pre-register with www.vu.studielink.nl by 31 May.
Pre-registration does not oblige you to take a particular programme but it is a necessary step. Please do not wait until you have received a response to your admission request in order to pre-register. You are free to remove your pre-registration at any time, but it is not possible to begin on 1 September without having submitted your initial application in Studielink.
You will need your DigiD in order to apply via Studielink. You have probably already used your DigiD to log in to the Mijn IB-Groep. You will now be able to do the same for Studielink. If you do not yet have a DigiD, please remember that it can take up to 5 working days to obtain one.
More information on registration and admission (in Dutch).
Please note: VU University Amsterdam will keep you informed using the e-mail address that you enter in Studielink. Make sure you enter an e-mail address that you use regularly to ensure that you receive all of the necessary details about your registration in good time. Deadline: May 31.
1b: Admission requirements and application
To qualify for admission to the Master’s in Social Research, students must hold a Bachelor’s degree in degree or equivalent in anthropology, communication science, organization science, political science, sociology, or a related discipline. The Examination Board evaluates all applications on an individual basis.
You also need an excellent working knowledge of English:
- IELTS score with a minimum of 7.0
- TOEFL score paper based test: 600
- TOEFL score computer based test: 250
- TOEFL score internet based test: 100
Possibility: VU TOEFL-ITP, a shortened version of the TOEFL test. The result only counts within the VU. Costs are 60 euro. More information about possible exemptions.
Before entering the (pre)Master’s programme and for registration, every prospective student must submit an application for admission to the Faculty of Social Sciences in order to obtain a declaration of acceptance (verklaring tot toelating).
The Examination Board evaluates each application on the basis of individual achievement. The application deadline is May 31.
You can submit a an application for admission to the examination board:
Faculty of Social Sciences
attn. Examination Board for the Master’s in Social Research
De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam
Applicants with another Dutch university Bachelor’s degree should enclose:
- A completed application form (dowload application form here).
- A certified copy of your Bachelor’s degree and/or pre-Master's course certificate.
- A original transcript of courses taken and results obtained, with an honours GPA (7.5 or above, A’s).
- A certificate to verify your proficiency in English (TOEFL score 600 for paper exam, 100 Internet based exam or 250 computer exam; IELTS score 7.0).
- A letter in which you explain your reasons for applying for this programme.
- Two letters of recommendation by individuals who are in a position to comment on your academic skills and motivation.
- A detailed résumé/CV in English.
- A sample of academic writing (no more than 5 pages, preferably an excerpt from a graded academic paper in English).
