As the Netherlands has a binary higher educational system, there are two different kinds of bachelor’s degrees. If you complete the first year completely and successfully (obtain the 60ECTS) of a bachelor’s degree at a University of Applied Sciences, you will get the so-called HBO-Propedeuse (HBO-P) certificate. With this certificate you can apply for a bachelor’s degree at the University of Twente. Please note that the HBO-P programme must be accredited and recognised by the Dutch NVAO.
The University of Twente closely reviews all applications individually due to their distinctive nature. Therefore, the only way to determine admissibility is by submitting an official application for enrolment via Studielink and providing all required documents in Osiris. After you have done so, you will be informed about your admissibility via email.
It is possible to switch to the University of Twente from another institution in the Netherlands or abroad when you meet the admission requirements. However, in all cases, you will start in the first year of the bachelor’s programme.
These admission requirements are valid for the September 2027 intake.
The admission requirements can change per intake moment. The requirements are announced in October for the following September intake moment. The University of Twente therefore cannot provide any information regarding admission requirements for future intake moments that are not yet open for applications. Please check the current admission requirements for advice, until the new admission requirements for the specific intake have been announced.
Note: the admission office reserves the right to make the final decision regarding the admissibility of your application. The admission requirements mentioned are for your information only.
If you do not have the required grade, subject, or subject level, you might be eligible to resolve your deficiency by taking an additional test if your overall level is equivalent to the Dutch VWO level. The University of Twente accepts certificates for Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry from CCVX, James Boswell-Bèta (both online and physical tests from James Boswell-Bèta are accepted; please contact them about the online possibilities), or the Dutch 'Staatsexamen'. The OMPT and Korteweg-de Vries tests are not accepted by the University of Twente.
If you have a deficiency in English or Dutch, you may be able to complete the required language test. Please do this as soon as possible before the final deficiency deadline. The applicable language test and deadline depend on the admission requirements of your programme. Read more about the language requirements for bachelor's programmes.
Additional subject tests must be passed with a positive result and should be taken before the deficiency deadline. Please submit your application to the University of Twente before making a reservation for one of the tests, to prevent potentially unnecessary costs. The University of Twente assesses on an individual basis whether you are eligible for an additional test and will inform you by email after you have submitted your application. If you are unsure whether you meet the additional admission requirements, you can continue your application by answering ‘No, I still have to complete a *subject* test’. After submitting your application, you will be informed by email.
The Netherlands has different Mathematics subjects. For the social sciences bachelor's programmes, VWO Mathematics A is required. For the technical bachelor's programmes, VWO Mathematics B is required. For the subjects Physics, Chemistry and/or Biology, you have to take the VWO level; there are no sublevels like Mathematics.
If you have already obtained your HBO-P, it means you hold two diplomas/degrees. Within the application questionnaire, you will first be asked to upload your secondary school documents. After that, a new question will appear where you can indicate that you also hold an HBO-P qualification.
Please upload the following documents:
If the original documents are not in English, Dutch or German, please upload an official translation into English or Dutch as well.
If you are currently working towards obtaining your HBO-P, this means that, upon completion, you will hold two diplomas/degrees. Within the application questionnaire, you will first be asked to upload your secondary school documents. After that, a new question will appear where you can indicate that you are currently pursuing an HBO-P qualification.
If the original documents are not in English, Dutch, or German, please upload an official translation into English or Dutch as well.
When applying with an HBO-P certificate, the English language requirements depend, among other factors, on your secondary school diploma. Possession of a Dutch HBO-P certificate alone does not exempt you from the English language requirement. Your secondary education diploma is always considered when determining whether an English language test is necessary.
HAVO or VWO diploma physically obtained in the Netherlands
You are exempt from providing an additional English language test.
Other Dutch diplomas (not HAVO or VWO), for example MBO
English proficiency will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, an additional English language test might be required.
International or foreign secondary school diploma
Please consult our country list to check if your secondary school diploma is exempt. If you are not exempt, an additional English language test may be required.
You are not directly admissible with an HBO-P certificate to a bachelor's programme of the University of Twente. Additional tests may be required, a minimum required CGPA may be required, and the HBO-P programme should be relevant to the chosen bachelor’s programme. Since there are a lot of different HBO-P programmes every application will be individually reviewed if it is relevant to the chosen bachelor’s programme.
You may apply while still completing your HBO-P; however, you must have successfully graduated in the academic year preceding the September intake.
Non-EEA nationals are required to submit official proof of graduation by 1 July at the latest, in accordance with IND visa regulations.
Dutch HBO-P in an engineering field with a CGPA of 7.5 on a 10-point scale or higher with VWO Mathematics B.
VWO English is also required, this will be reviewed on individual bases as it is depending on the high school followed before the HBO-P certificate.
Additional tests in:
Dutch HBO-P in an engineering field with a VWO Mathematics B certificate is required.
VWO English is also necessary, and this will be reviewed on an individual basis, as it depends on the high school attended before obtaining the HBO-P certificate.