Application and admission

Applications will be carefully evaluated by the admissions committee. The committee determines whether or not all entry requirements as specified below are met and assesses the quality of each application compared to the other applications received.

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree
The MSc Programme in International Relations seeks students with an academic bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in international relations or in another closely related discipline, such as political science and history.

International diplomas are evaluated on the basis of advice from professional diploma evaluators. The minimum level of the diploma should be equivalent to three years of Dutch university education.

International relations
All applicants are expected to have a solid basis in the field of international relations of at least (an equivalent of) 30 EC earned during previous study. Promising candidates with a related bachelor's degree, but with less than 30 EC obtained in the field of international relations or in a field relevant to the programme (including political science, social sciences and history) may be admitted provided they complete a preparatory semester in international relations first.

Grade average
Study results obtained in previous education should demonstrate that a student is able to attain and maintain a good to excellent level, especially in the field of international relations. Undergraduate studies should be completed with an overall grade average of at least a B/3.0 (American system), second class, lower division Honours degree (British system), C (ECTS system), 7.0 (Dutch system) or equivalent.

Research methodology
Applicants should have sufficient knowledge of social sciences research methodology of at least (an equivalent of) 20 EC. Promising candidates with less than 20 EC of social science research methodology may be admitted provided they complete an intensive  research methodology module first.

English language proficiency
All non-native speakers of English (including Dutch students) applying to one of the English-taught programmes offered by the Graduate School of Social Sciences, are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. All students must be able to read textbooks, understand lectures, take part in classroom discussions and undertake written work in English.

Applicants who are nationals of countries other than the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland or New Zealand are required to submit an English test score that meets specific requirements. Inability to do so will prevent enrollment. For more information, please follow the link below.

Graduates from universities of applied sciences (HBO)

  Applicants with a higher professional bachelor's degree obtained at a university of applied sciences (HBO) will first need to complete a relevant academic bachelor's degree or complete a Dutch-taught preparatory year, especially designed for HBO graduates, before applying to the master's programme. Completion of a relevant bachelor's degree or preparatory year however, does not automatically lead to admission. Selection tends to be highly competitive reflecting the number and quality of applications received for each selection round.

Limited capacity and selection

The number of available places is limited to 30 students per year (including the preparatory programme). If more qualified students apply than there are places available, candidates with the most convincing academic standing are selected. This is based on:

• previous study results
• the relevance of their previous studies
• previous knowledge of social sciences research methodology
• motivation
• job experience
• previously written academic work.

Application procedure and forms

For more information on the application procedure and required application forms for one of the English-taught (research) master's programmes offered by the Graduate School of Social Sciences, please follow the link below.

Deadlines for application for the English-taught (research) master's programmes vary per programme and the academic qualifications of a student. Below you can download a document in which these deadlines are specified.

Questions

Consult the frequently asked questions if you have questions regarding application and admission. If you have questions that are left unanswered, please contact the Admissions and Registrar's Office at apply-gsss@uva.nl.