In order to attend a tertiary education intstitution in the Netherlands, you must meet certain academic requirements. Such as a voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs – VWO (pre-academic education) qualification or a foundation programme for hoger beroepsonderwijs – HBO (higher vocational education). You can receive an exemption from these academic admission requirements. This allows you to take a university or college programme without meeting the academic admission requirements.
Last updated on 15 August 2022
Conditions for exemption from academic admission requirements for tertiary (higher) education
In certain situations, you can receive an exemption from the admission requirements for colleges and universities (in Dutch). For instance, if an admission examination shows that you have sufficient knowledge to take the programme.
Request exemption from academic admission requirements for tertiary (higher) education
You can request the exemption from the university or college where you want to take the programme.
Laws and regulations (in Dutch)
Wet op het hoger onderwijs en wetenschappelijk onderzoek (vooropleidingseisen en toelatingseisen)