International students are required to take a proficiency examination in Dutch before they are admitted to a study programme taught in Dutch. This goes for all bachelor's and master's study programmes except the master's programmes in modern European Languages (French, German, Italian, Romanian, Scandinavian, Spanish).

Dutch courses are offered at the Institute for Dutch as a Second Language (INTT) of the UvA. Students will be admitted to this course only if the evaluation of their diploma or diplomas shows that preparatory education is sufficient for admission to the university.

Duration of the course

The course starts four times a year. If you are an absolute beginner though it is wise to start the Dutch course in September because it will take you approximately one year before you have a sufficient command of the Dutch language to pass the required State examination 'Dutch as a second language (NT2)', programme II.

There is a special summer course for German students. Experience has shown that most German students are able to learn Dutch within two months. The summer course is a six week course. Approximately 75 percent of students pass the State examination after this course.

Hbo-students

Students who have completed an English language hbo propedeuse (first year of the study programme) or hbo-study programme can follow an intensive Dutch language course at the Institute for Dutch as a Second Language (INTT) of the UvA in order to prepare for the NT2-II exam.

Please write to the Admission Office and include:

Preparing abroad

Please contact the Informatie Beheer Groep for more information about the NT2-II exam if you wish to prepare for the proficiency examination elsewhere than in the Netherlands. 

Proof of Dutch proficiency (other than NT2-II exam)

The following documents are accepted as proof of sufficient command of the Dutch language, and therefore exempt you from taking the proficiency examination:

• Belgium:
• Flemmish Community: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs
• Germany:
• Abitur with Niederländisch as Prüfungsfach or Leistungsfach
• University Zwischenprüfung Niederländisch
• Surinam:
• VWO diploma from Surinam
• Propedeuse diploma (Anton de Kom Universiteit)
• The Netherlands:
• mbo or hbo diploma
• Dutch school career: primary school and 3 years in secondary school in the Netherlands
• Certificate Dutch as a Foreign Language (CNaVT); Profiel Academische Taalvaardigheid (PAT) and Profiel Taalvaardigheid Hoger Onderwijs (PTHO)
• The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba:
• VWO diploma
• Any diploma from hoger onderwijs
• United Kingdom:
• British General Certificate of Education (GCE) with an advanced level (A-level) in Dutch 
• International GSCE with First Language Dutch
• Other diplomas:
• European Baccalaureate with Dutch as first or second language
• International Baccalaureate with Dutch A at Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL)
• International Baccalaureate with Dutch B at Higher Level (HL) 
• Certificate of exemption given by the director of the Institute of Dutch as a Second Language (INTT) of the Universiteit van Amsterdam

If you do not possess any of the documents above you have to take the state examination Dutch as Second Language (NT2-II).

Applicants for regular study programmes taught in Dutch have to meet other requirements as well. Please read all information below carefully.