Exams You Need to Take to Study In the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a popular destination for higher education around the world. The country's rich education system offers a variety of opportunities for international students. However, there are some requirements for admission to universities in the Netherlands. Some of these requirements include specific exams. The exams and procedures required to study at a university in the Netherlands can be a bit complicated for international students. We prepared this blog post for you to outline the correct information and make it easier to follow the necessary steps. In addition to this blog post, we recommend that you carefully review the university's website and official resources before applying and make sure you meet the requirements.

Admission Requirements at Dutch Universities

Admission Requirements - Academic (Bachelor’s Degree)

• European Baccalaureate (EB) (for direct admission application)
  or
• International Baccalaureate (IB) (for direct admission application)
  or
• ABITUR (for direct admission application)
  or
• Certificate of Secondary Education
  • Please note that a certificate of secondary education awarded by an institution in a non-EU/EEA country requires an equivalency review by the relevant authorities in the Netherlands.

Please bear in mind that international students who are going to apply to programs that are directly or indirectly related to the fields of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, civil engineering, industrial engineering, bioengineering, mathematics, physics and pharmaceutics are required to apply and take the relevant exams administered by the government of the Netherlands.

Admission Requirements - Academic (Master’s Degree)

• Bachelor’s Degree (of a 3 or 4-year undergraduate program)
• High Grade Point Average
• To have accumulated at least 180 ECTS course credit during your university studies

Please note that you may be asked to submit GRE or GMAT test scores depending on the admission requirements specific to the program you are applying to.

Admission Requirements - Language

• Certificate of Proficiency in English (for programs taught in English)
  • You will be asked to submit the scores of at least one of the internationally recognized proficiency tests like IELTS , TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CAE, CPE, etc.
• Certificate of Proficiency in Dutch (for programs taught in Dutch)
  • You will either be asked to submit the scores of a Dutch proficiency test or to take proficiency tests like ITNA or STRT administered by language centers and institutes of Dutch universities.

Exams Required to Study at University in the Netherlands

The exams and programs required to study at a university in the Netherlands are listed below:

• Advanced Placement Program
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Program
• A Level Program
• IELTS
• TOEFL

Some of these exams count as greater admission criteria than others. However, in general, the exams and requirements of the admission process are divided into 3.

The first one is the exams where the language level is evaluated. International students wishing to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level in the Netherlands usually need to demonstrate English language proficiency. Students generally prefer taking the TOEFL  or IELTS .The minimum score requirements for these exams may vary between universities, so it is important to carefully review the requirements of the program you are applying to.

The second is the exams where the students prove their academic level. In some cases, universities may require additional exams to evaluate students' academic proficiency. Some students, especially those applying to graduate programs, may have to take exams such as GRE or GMAT. The requirements for these exams may vary depending on the program and university, so it is important to check the requirements and take the required exams before your application.

The third is the education the student received during his/her pre-university education and the special programs he/she attended. Before applying to university in the Netherlands, international students may need to have their prior education evaluated by the Dutch education system. Particularly for undergraduate programs, some universities may ask international students to have their educational background recognized. This helps determine whether international students' educational backgrounds meet Dutch standards.

Dutch Universities Application Process

Application deadlines and processes of universities in the Netherlands that international students can apply to also vary depending on the university and the study program the students want to apply for. However, most universities' application deadline for the September semester is May 1st. There are some universities that accept admission in February and the application deadline is October 1st. Applications to most universities in the Netherlands are made through the Studielink platform, the Netherlands' online application portal for higher education. In addition to the Studielink platform, some universities operate their own online application platforms.

For application:

• An account is created on the Studielink application platform.
• The student selects the educational program(s) of the relevant university.

The student then uploads these necessary documents to the application portal:

• High school diploma (original and certified translation)
• High school course transcripts (originals and certified translations received from the school)
• Reference letters the student will receive from their teachers
• Student's CV

• Student's Academic Qualifications and Scores ( A-Levels, International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, Advanced Placement Program, etc.)
• English proficiency exam scores and documents obtained by the student through exams such as IELTS , TOEFL Exam

• Student's letter of intent
• Extracurricular activities in which the student participates and their certificates and documents

• The application fee is paid and the application process is completed.

During the application, different demands may be made, depending on the requirements of the universities. Depending on the application platform, the order may change.