Are you a recognised refugee with a higher level of education in your country of origin? You are very welcome to study at the University of Twente (UT).
Before you start your application, please have a good look at the available bachelor’s and master’s programmes and then decide which one is the most suitable for you.
DigiD and BSN
When you receive your residence permit, you have to register in the BRP. After registration, you will receive a citizen service number, the so-called BSN. Everyone with a BSN can apply for DigiD. When you are a recognized refugee, we ask you to log in to Studielink with DigiD. This way, you can see your BSN number and the code of your refugee status. UT is also able to see your refugee status and will be able to act accordingly - the status will grant you some privileges. In Studielink, you can start your application for the UT study programme of your choice.
Application procedure
After you have submitted your application in Studielink, it will be forwarded to OSIRIS, our student registration portal. The Admission Office will then proceed to review your application. If you are over the age of 21, and you are not directly admissible, then colloquium doctum can be a solution. This is an admission test for prospective students who are not directly admissible to the bachelor’s programmes of UT.
If you apply for a bachelor’s programme, you will receive a decision within two weeks after you have completed your application. For a master’s programme the decision takes a little bit longer because the faculty has to decide about it as well. This can take up to six weeks. You will be notified by email.
As a highly skilled refugee with a higher level of education, you have to meet certain deadlines for your application. Please make sure you keep an eye on our deadlines, these are very important.
For bachelor's programmes for which deviating deadlines apply, no exceptions to the registration deadlines will be made for refugees. For those programmes, you simply have to follow the deadlines that apply to non-EEA students (also the deadlines for fully completing OSIRIS registration and remedying deficiencies). Furthermore, the same applies to the Master's in Psychology with a specialisation in Positive Clinical Psychology & Technology.
Tuition fees
Recognised refugee students have the same status as Dutch nationals regarding tuition fees. They pay the same statutory tuition fee for enrolment in a bachelor’s or master’s programme as Dutch students. For tuition fees for the current academic year, please check the tuition fee web pages. This also applies if you are a student who currently holds a waiting document (“W-document”), If you are a Ukrainian student, please check out all the latest information at utwente.nl/ukraine.”
Diplomas
Any diplomas you have been able to take with you from your country of origin will be evaluated to see whether you can start with one of our study programmes. You must at least meet the following requirements:
- Most UT educational programmes are in English, so a sufficient command of English is required. If you are not a native English speaker, you have to submit a valid English language test. Either TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge are accepted – none other. See for the specific scores the bachelor’s and master’s pages.
- Educational programmes in Dutch: you must have passed the State Exam Dutch NT2, level II.
- A diploma evaluation of the IDW is highly recommended. This will help speed up your application and provide you with a clear insight into the level of your education according to Dutch standards.
- In case we require extra tests from you to prove (for instance) your level of Mathematics or Physics, the Boswell institute or CCVX provides courses and exams to help you obtain these. These are recognised institutes and the obtained certificates will be accepted.
Dutch language courses (NT2)
UT only offers optional Dutch language programmes on a higher level. Contact the UT Language Centre for information on these optional B2 programmes and preparation for the state examination. The StudieSuccesCentrum of Saxion offers language programmes on all levels: from beginners (CEF A0 level) to state examination II (CEF B2 level).
Finding a place to live
After you have signed your asylum seeker application with the IND, certain things will be arranged for you through COA. One of them is temporary housing in one of the refugee camps which are scattered around the Netherlands. If the application is favorable and you have been granted the asylum seeker status, you will be appointed housing wherever this is available and where COA believes would be a good match for you to live and work, or possibly study. However, housing has to be available and the municipality has to agree with your stay here. Should you have a letter of acceptance from the university, this could help.