University access

Access to university education

Generally, access to university education requires a university preparatory education (VWO) diploma or its international equivalent. Some study programmes (in arts, for example) may require additional qualifications for admission. For study programmes in English, students need to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of English by passing an English language test, most commonly TOEFL or IELTS. In popular fields of study, there are a limited number of places available, the so-called numerus fixus. This is the case, for example, in medicine and dentistry. Where such quotas are in place, universities may give up to 50% of places to students of their choice (based on their secondary education grades, entry exams and the like). The remaining places are allocated on the national level by way of casting lots.

Access to Master's programmes
Access to a Master’s degree programme generally requires a Bachelor’s diploma. Access to Master's programmes is restricted and selection takes place. An exception are the so-called doorstroommasters for students who received a Bachelor's degree from the same university. According to a new initiative, the "clear cut" (harde knip), students need to have completed their Bachelor degree before being allowed to proceed to a Master's programme. This measure is intended to make the choice for a Master's programme a conscious choice and to increase student mobility nationally as well as internationally.

Equitable access

The Dutch research universities are committed to equal opportunities and access to higher education. The VSNU is a signatory of the statement "Equitable access, success and quality in higher education" by the International Association of Universities.

Ethnic minorities in higher education

Between 2003 and 2007, the percentage of ethnic minority (immigrant) students rose to almost 30% of the total student population (see key figures by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science). A majority of these are of Western origin. Among the non-Western ethnic minority students, students originating from Asia form the largest group, followed by Surinam and Africa.

The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) runs a subsidy programme, the Mosaic programme, which awards PhD grants to ethnic minority students. The programme is geared towards increasing the number of ethnic minority academics.