Admission
Applicants with an academic Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB), Criminology, Social Sciences, Political Science or Psychology or any other related subject can apply.
If you do not meet the abovementioned requirement you may still apply, your application will be assessed on:
- talent and motivation
- proficiency in research methods and techniques.
If you have a degree from a University of Applied Sciences, you need a completed relevant premaster to apply. The faculty does not offer a pre-master for this master.
We use the UK Naric comparison system and the Nuffic comparison and validation programmes to assess your application. Especially students from non-EEA countries should factor in the possibility that a relevant Bachelor’s degree may not be sufficient for acceptance to this Master of Science programme.
Proof of sufficient proficiency in English
VU Amsterdam requires all international applicants to take an English test and to submit their score as part of the application. Exceptions are made for students who have completed their secondary or academic education in the Netherlands, UK, Ireland, Canada, USA, New Zealand or Australia or who have obtained an international Baccalaureate or European Baccalaureate diploma or have earned a Bachelor's or Master's degree in an accredited English-taught programme in the EU.
You must have passed the test no longer than two years before you start the ICC programme, the following minimum scores apply for this master:
- IELTS: minimum total score ≥ 7.0, minimum score per test section: 6.5
- TOEFL iBT: minimum total score ≥ 100, minimum score per test section: 22
- TOEFL Paper-delivered Test: minimum total score 68, minimum score per test section: 22
- C1 Advanced (CAE): minimum score B
- C2 Proficiency (CPE): minimum score C
The proof of English proficiency can be submitted after the application deadline, but must have been received by the faculty before the start of the programme. Without an English proficiency test score which meets the specifications mentioned above, or a waiver, you cannot start the programme.
Application
First check whether you meet the admission requirements.
You can apply from 1 October. The application deadlines are:
1 February for international students applying for one of the VU scholarships
1 April for degree holders from non-EU/EEA countries
1 June for degree holders from EU/EAA countries
International students applying for university accommodation are strongly advised to apply before 1 April.
Use this procedure for international degrees.
For this Master’s programme you must upload the following documents (PDF) in VUnet:
- letter of motivation, explaining why you wish to join the programme (maximum 1500 words)
- essay as proof of academic writing in English: introduce and answer the following research question (maximum 1000 words including references):
What are the differences between international crimes and (transnational) organized crime?
- curriculum vitae
- certified copy of academic degree or if not yet graduated: declaration from your home university with an expected graduation date
- certified transcript of grades obtained so far
- 2 letters of recommendation from academic referees (if possible including the ranking position of the applicant); we prefer digital copies uploaded in VUnet, but referees may also mail their references directly to masters.law@vu.nl
- copy of passport and copy of residence permit (if applicable)
Only complete dossiers will be considered. We may ask for additional information on your academic record if this is deemed necessary to come to a decision.
If applicable to you: send your English language test score to masters.law@vu.nl, this may be sent at a later stage, but must have been received before the start of the programme.
Decision schedule
The Admissions Board starts reviewing applications and accepting students starting in January.
| Application dossier complete by 31 December | decision in 3rd week of January |
| Application dossier complete by 31 January | decision in 3rd week of February |
| Application dossier complete by 28 February | decision in 3rd week of March |
| Application dossier complete by 1 April | decision in 3rd week of April |
| Application dossier complete by 1 May (EU/EEA only) | decision in 3rd week of May |
| Application dossier complete by 1 June (EU/EEA only) | decision in 3rd week of June |
