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Admission requirements

Criteria for being admissible to AUC

To be eligible for admission to AUC, you will need to meet certain requirements. These include your educational background (secondary school diploma), level of English and maths. The level and type of maths is the only admission requirement that varies based on the major you apply for.
Admission requirements
  • 1. Secondary school diploma equivalent to the Dutch VWO

    Check if your diploma meets our requirements

    You can use the Diploma Calculator to check if your secondary school diploma meets our admissions requirement of being equivalent to the Dutch VWO. To use the diploma calculator: 

    1. Type in your country or name of your diploma (for example "France" or "International Baccalaureate")
    2. Check under the section "Diploma Requirements" 
    3. You will then see a list of diploma equivalencies and requirements for various University of Amsterdam programmes. Please only focus on the section under "Diploma Requirements". 

    Please note that AUC has separate English and maths requirements that you must meet to be admissible. These requirements are listed in the sections below. Also note that predicted grades (as in the International Baccalaureate system) are not accepted.

    Check the Diploma Calculator on the UvA website
  • 2. English language requirements
    English language requirements
  • 3. Mathematics requirements (varies per major)

    Required maths varies per major 

    The required level of maths depends on whether you are applying as a Sciences, Social Sciences or Humanities major. You must have taken maths as an examination subject at secondary school and achieved a good grade in the appropriate level of maths and in general, the higher your level of maths, the wider your range of options in terms of major. 

    Deficiency in maths? Take the OMPT before applying

    Please note that applications are likely to be rejected if you are not following the required mathematics programme for your intended major or have a significant deficiency in meeting the mathematics requirements. In such cases, we strongly recommend completing the appropriate OMPT (Online Mathematics Proficiency Test) before applying to AUC.

    Maths requirements More information on filling deficiencies and the OMPT tests

Average GPA (Grade Point Average)

AUC students have on average a secondary school GPA of 7.0 or above in the Dutch system. It’s good to keep in mind that this is only an average based on applicants from previous years. It also means that students with a GPA lower than 7.0 (or the equivalent in their grading system) have applied and have been accepted to AUC. Your GPA is only one indicator used when assessing an application alongside equally important elements such as individual motivation, a clear affinity for studying a liberal arts and sciences programme, and your personal interests and talents. We are also attentive to explanations of why your grades may not necessarily reflect your academic ability or other contextual factors that might have influenced your secondary school results. If you have a slightly lower GPA but meet our mathematics and English proficiency requirements, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Characteristics of AUC students:

The AUC Admissions Committee looks for students with the following characteristics:

  • academic ability to meet the demands of the AUC programme
  • motivation and ambition to study an intensive and broad programme
  • commitment to contribute to the AUC community

All offers are conditional

Any initial offer of a place at AUC will be on a conditional basis. The conditions will be specified in the letter offering you a place. You will have to meet those conditions before you can be formally admitted. If you're still in the process of completing your secondary school education, we will assess the likelihood of meeting the entry requirements on the basis of your most recent academic performance as indicated in your most recent transcripts or grade lists.