Applying for the BSc Global Responsibility & Leadership

You need a diploma that gives access to a Dutch research university (WO):

• Dutch VWO diploma, or

• An international equivalent to Dutch VWO*, or

• A Dutch HBO propedeuse, or

• Admission via colloquium doctum

If you are applying with a non-Dutch diploma and you have not graduated yet, you must upload a Statement of Enrolment together with your other documents (signed by your school).

*If you don’t see your diploma / country listed, you are still welcome to apply, as applications are assessed on an individual basis, and new qualifications may be added to the list.

GRL is fully taught and assessed in English, so you need to demonstrate strong English skills.

In some cases you are exempt from submitting an additional English test. In all other cases you must complete an approved English language test.

Below you can find:

• the situations in which you are exempt from submitting a test (English test: exemptions), and

• the accepted English tests and minimum scores (English test: accepted tests & grades).

You are exempt from submitting an English test if you:

• Native speaker + secondary education
  Are a native speaker of English and completed your entire secondary education in one of the following countries: USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia or Canada.

• Bachelor’s degree in these countries
  Have already completed an entire Bachelor’s degree programme in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia or Canada (taught and assessed in English).

• Dutch VWO
  Have a Dutch VWO diploma with a final grade of at least 7 for English.

• HBO-P
  Have obtained a Dutch HBO propaedeutic diploma that is fully taught and assessed in English.

• International Baccalaureate (IB)
  Have obtained (or will obtain) an International Baccalaureate diploma with English as the medium of instruction.

• European Baccalaureate (EB)
  Have obtained (or will obtain) a European Baccalaureate diploma from a European School or Accredited European School with English as final exam subject at L1 or L2.

• German Abitur
  Have obtained the German Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife with a grade of 10 for English eA, LK or LF.

• GCE A-levels
  Have obtained (or will obtain) at least three GCE A2-level certificates from an accredited examination board.

• French OIB
  Have obtained (or will obtain) the French Option Internationale du Baccalauréat (OIB), section Britannique / Anglais.

• South African NSC + IEB AP English
  Have obtained (or will obtain) the South African National Senior Certificate with IEB Advanced Programme English and a result of 55% or higher.

If you do not fall under one of the exemptions above, you must complete an approved English language test (see English test: accepted tests & grades).

If you have not taken a test yet, indicate this in your online application. If a test is required, you will be informed in your decision letter.

Validity of tests
IELTS, LanguageCert, Pearson PTE and TOEFL certificates are valid for two years. Cambridge certificates do not have limited validity.

* TOEFL MyBest Scores are not considered in the Admissions procedure.
** We do not accept IELTS Online certificates.

Studielink is the system used in the Netherlands to enroll students in higher education programmes. Both the University and the Dutch government obtain their information from Studielink.

• Log in / create an account in Studielink

  • Dutch previous education: log in with your DigiD

  • International previous education: create account in Studielink

Search and select Data Science & Society WO Bachelor

After you have applied for the GRL programme via Studielink:

Once all required documents have been submitted and your file is complete, it is sent to the Admissions Board. If you are admissible, you move on to the selection procedure.

Selection Procedure
To take part in the selection, you are asked to upload:

• Motivation letter or video (in English)

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) (in English)

Read our guidelines and criteria for preparing the above mentioned: Criteria for selection procedure documents.
If the Admissions Board considers you a promising candidate, you will be informed by email.

If you are offered a place in the programme, you will first receive a (conditional) offer by email. If the Admissions Board selects you, you will receive a final acceptance message: congratulations, you’re in!

You will then be invited to (online) sessions for accepted students. Please save the date for the Introduction Week in the last week of August 2026.

To finalise your admission, you must meet all conditions in your offer (for example obtaining your diploma or proof of English proficiency) and send certified copies of your diploma and transcript (with official translations, if applicable) to the Admissions Office.