Admission Requirements
Secondary School Diploma
A secondary school diploma considered equivalent to the Dutch pre-university ‘VWO’ diploma. In addition, for specific BSc programmes certain final examinations subjects are required.
Please see below for the type of diploma’s and final examination subjects that are required.
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You can only apply if you have a valid Dutch residence permit.
Most refugees have a secondary school diploma that is not considered equivalent to the Dutch pre-university ‘VWO’ diploma. They must pass the "Boswell Beta Foundation (schakel) programma" or one of the following Dutch University Science Foundation programs (TU Delft itself does not offer a foundation programme):
- VASVU (Field: (Bio)medicine and hard sciences)
- Leiden University (Profiel: Natuur – Techniek – Gezondheid)
- Erasmus University (including the required science subjects)
- Tilburg University with VWO Physics (if applicable)
We do not recognize the foundation years of Holland ICS, On Campus (UvA) and Education First.
Applicants who passed the VASVU Foundation programme and apply for a Dutch taught BSc programme have fulfilled the Dutch language requirement of TU Delft. Applicants who passed one of the other Foundation programmes and apply for a Dutch taught BSc programme need to fulfil the Dutch Vaktaal module from ITAV. Please note that the Vaktaal module is not required for the BSc programmes in Architecture and Electrical Engineering.
TU Delft does not accept separate Dutch language, English language and VWO certificates.
Please note that you will have to follow the same application procedure as other prospective students with a Non-Dutch secondary school diploma.
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There are additional conditions for this diploma. Click here for more information.
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There are additional conditions for this diploma. Click here for more information.
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There are additional conditions for this diploma. Click here for more information.
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For an overview of the specific countries, click here.
Is your diploma not in the list above? In order to assess your eligibility you should submit a complete application through Studielink and osiaan.
Required Secondary School Examination Subjects
| Required examinations subject | For BSc |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | All BSc programmes |
| Physics | All BSc programmes except Computer Science and Engineering, and Applied Mathematics |
| Chemistry | BSc Applied Earth Sciences BSc Clinical Technology BSc Life Science & Technology BSc Molecular Science & Technology BSc Nanobiology |
| Biology | BSc Nanobiology BSc Clinical Technology |
Language Requirements
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Proficiency in Dutch
There are no requirements for proficiency in Dutch.Proficiency in English*
Important: if Test centres are temporarily closed or it is impossible for students to travel (for example in the case of lockdowns) TU Delft will accept the TOEFL iBT Home Edition Test for the 2023 intake, provided that you meet the above mentioned test scores. The IELTS Indicator test however cannot be accepted as it does not compare to the IELTS Academic test.
- A TOEFL iBT with an overall band score of at least 90. TU Delft does not accept TOEFL MyBest scores; the required scores should be obtained in one single test.
- IELTS (academic version) with an overall band score of at least 6.5
- Cambridge Assessment English: at least a C1 Advanced (Certificate of Advanced English; there are no requirements regarding the scores).
Note: We advise you to register for the test of your choice well in advance. Depending on your location, registering for a test could take several months.
Certificates that are older than two years on the day you have uploaded the document and completed your application, are not accepted.
The following applicants are exempted from the English test requirement:
- Nationals from the USA, U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada
- Applicants who obtained a secondary school diploma in one of the aforementioned countries
- Applicants with an International Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate, British A levels or an International USA High School diploma
- Applicants with a European secondary school diploma considered equivalent to the Dutch pre-university ‘VWO’ diploma with a pass for English as a final examination subject.
- Applicants with a Surinam VWO diploma with a pass for English as a final examination subject
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Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Clinical Technology, Computer Science and Engineering Bilingual (Dutch-English) track, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering, Life Science & Technology, Marine Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Policy Analysis & Management.
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A good command of the Dutch language is required for the Dutch taught Bachelor programmes. You have to meet our Dutch language proficiency requirement before the start of your study programme. Please see which scenario applies to you.
Passed Dutch exam
If you have passed Dutch at the following level or in the following programme, you meet the Dutch language requirement:- GCE A Level
- Algemeen Secundari Onderwijs (ASO)
- European Baccalaureat (EB)
- Suriname VWO
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Dutch A
- Baccalaureat Serie S
- CNaVT profiel educatief startbekwaam of educatief professioneel
Limited knowledge of Dutch*
If you do not meet the above mentioned Dutch language requirement but do have a limited knowledge of Dutch, you must take a language placement test at TU Delft’s Centre for Languages and Academic Skills to test your proficiency. The result will indicate which Dutch language courses you need to take if any.Note: You can only take a placement test after you have received an admission letter from TU Delft stating that you are (conditionally) admitted.
If you are in the possession of a NT2 Dutch language certificate, you are required to pass the scientific language courses “vaktaal Nederlands” at the TU Delft’s Centre for Languages and Academic Skills to meet TU Delft’s Dutch language requirement. Only applicants for the Dutch BSc programmes Architecture and Electrical Engineering are exempted from taking the scientific language course.
No knowledge of Dutch*
If you have no previous knowledge of Dutch, you have to pass the Dutch language course offered by TU Delft's Centre for Languages and Academic Skills.Note: you can only start the Dutch language course if you received a TU Delft admission letter stating that you are (conditionally) admitted.
Note: you can start this course only in August or September (in the year before the start of your Bachelor of Science programme). You need to apply for this course before 1 June.
*Are you applying for a BSc in Clinical Technology or the Bilingual (Dutch-English) track of the BSc Computer Science and Engineering? Then you must be proficient in Dutch before participating in the selection process. Therefore you are not eligible to participate in the TU Delft language year. You must meet our Dutch language requirement at the time of applying.
Are you applying for a Bsc in Industrial Design Engineering you are allowed to fulfill the Dutch language requirement before 1 September. You are not eligible to participate in the TU Delft language year.
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Important: if Test centres are temporarily closed or it is impossible for students to travel (for example in the case of lockdowns) TU Delft will accept the TOEFL iBT Home Edition Test for the 2023 intake, provided that you meet the above mentioned test scores. The IELTS Indicator test however cannot be accepted as it does not compare to the IELTS Academic test.
- A TOEFL iBT with an overall band score of at least 70. TU Delft does not accept TOEFL MyBest scores; the required scores should be obtained in one single test.
- IELTS (academic version) with an overall band score of at least 5.5
- Cambridge Assessment English: at least a B2 First (formerly known as Cambridge English - FCE; there are no requirements regarding the scores).
Note: We advise you to register for the test of your choice well in advance. Depending on your location, registering for a test could take several months.
* Certificates that are older than two years on the day you have uploaded the document and completed your application, are not accepted.
The following applicants are exempted from the English test requirement:
- Nationals from the USA, U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada
- Applicants who obtained a secondary school diploma in one of the aforementioned countries
- Applicants with an International Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate, British A levels or an International USA High School diploma
- Applicants with Surinam VWO with a pass for English as a final examination subject, or a European secondary school diploma considered equivalent to the Dutch pre-university ‘VWO’ diploma with a pass for English as a final examination subject.