Pre-master's of the University of Twente

Are you still craving more knowledge after your (hbo-) Bachelor’s degree? And do you want to increase your job opportunities? Get a Master’s degree!

In order to be admitted to a master’s, you may first have to complete a pre-master’s. This applies to graduates who have completed a degree at a university of applied sciences and those who have a university-level bachelor’s degree in a field that's not directly related to the master’s they want to enrol in.

What is a Pre-Master's?

A pre-master’s is a transfer programme that prepares students with a bachelor’s degree from a university of applied sciences or research university for a master’s programme. This applies to students who are not directly admissible but have obtained a degree that is sufficiently related to their master's of choice. Once you have completed the pre-master’s – when you have obtained all the credits you need – you are ready to start your master’s.

What will you learn in a pre-master's?

There is no such thing as a general pre-master’s. Each master’s has its own pre-master’s programme which allows prospective students to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills. For most pre-master’s, this entails mathematical and methodology courses. For students with a bachelor’s degree from a university of applied sciences, it is important to acquire academic skills.

Tuition fees for Pre-master's students

There is no fixed tuition fee for a pre-master's programme at UT, since the length and study load of a pre-master's may vary per student. Programmes can vary from 15 to 60 EC. To follow a pre-master's you have to pay an amount per EC. The total amount is based on the number of ECs from your pre-master's.

The amount per EC is € 43.35 for the academic year 2025-2026.
The amount per EC is € 44.90 for the academic year 2026-2027.

This regulation applies to all students who only have a pre-master’s enrolment, regardless of nationality. You pay a single, upfront fee for your entire pre-master’s programme. You can choose between two payment methods:
- A bank transfer
- A one-time direct debit authorisation
No right to a refund for pre-master’s programmes
The pre-master’s fee is based on the number of ECTS credits (hereinafter referred to as EC) that your programme comprises, not on the number of months you need to complete your pre-master’s programme. As a result, refunds differ from those for regular programmes. You are not entitled to a refund of the pre-master’s fee if you drop out, unless:
- you submitted a request for de-enrolment via Studielink within the first three months of your pre-master’s programme. In that case, you pay 5 EC per month, up to a maximum of the number of ECs in your programme. Two examples:
  You start a 30 EC pre-master’s programme on 1 September and submit a request for de-enrolment via Studielink on 31 October. You have been working on your pre-master’s for two months. You will have to pay 10 EC (2 months at 5 EC) and will be refunded the fee you paid for the remaining 20 EC.
  You start a 13 EC pre-master’s programme on 1 September and submit a request for de-enrolment on 30 November. You have been working on your pre-master’s programme for three months. In principle, you would have to pay for 15 EC, but your programme was less than 15 EC. You will not receive a refund.
- You have to stop due to personal circumstances. In that case, part of the fee may be refunded. Please, contact your student counsellor and submit a request for deregistration via Studielink.

Two examples (2026-2027)

Your pre-master's is 30 EC: you will pay € 44.90 x 30 EC = € 1.347
Your pre-master's is 45 EC: you will pay € 44.90 x 45 EC = € 2.020,50

European Credit Transfer System

Student workload at Dutch universities is expressed in EC, also named ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), which is widely used throughout the European Union. In the Netherlands, each credit represents 28 hours of work.

Pre-master's as a transfer minor

In some cases, you can choose to follow (part of) the pre-master's during your current bachelor's, as a transfer minor. In that case, you can avoid (part of the) extra costs; you already pay tuition fees for your current bachelor's. Find out more about this option for Dutch HBO- and WO-students.

How long does a pre-master's take?

The length of a pre-master's depends on your previous education and also varies per master's. For HBO students, a pre-master's takes six months to a year on average, for WO students it may be shorter. Visit the website of the master's of your choice to find out more about the specific pre-master's programme.

Reasons to continue with a (pre-)master's

After obtaining your bachelor’s degree, you have a choice to make: will you start looking for a job right away or will you keep studying? Obtaining a university-level master’s degree can be an attractive option.

Gain more in-depth and broader knowledge

In a master’s, you acquire specialist knowledge in a certain field, deepening your understanding and expertise. You engage in your own research under the supervision of leading academics, refining your academic and analytical thinking skills. A master’s does not just offer more depth – it also allows you to broaden your knowledge and skillset (if you did your bachelor’s in a different field, for example).

Future prospects

With a master’s, you improve your prospects on the job market, and your starting salary will most likely be higher. And if you want to stay in academia, you can also continue your career as a researcher!

Make impact with a master's

All of our education and research is aimed to come up with solutions for today's challenges. How can we contribute to a healthier, smarter, and more sustainable world?

At UT, you will learn to look beyond the boundaries of your own discipline and join forces with students and professors from all kinds of disciplines to tackle current issues. With a UT master's degree, you can make a difference!

Curious about your options?

If you are considering taking a master’s at the University of Twente (UT), there are several routes you can take, depending on your individual situation. What kind of programme are you currently enrolled in?

What is a pre-master?