Application and admission for University College Tilburg: Liberal Arts and Sciences

Diploma requirements

To be eligible for admission to a research university such as Tilburg University, you must have a high school diploma equal to the highest level of secondary education in the Netherlands (the Dutch vwo diploma).

You can review a list of most commonly accepted diplomas on our website.

• If your diploma is not on the list, this does not necessarily mean that your diploma cannot be accepted. We advise you to submit your application via our online application system so that we can assess your eligibility.
• Haven’t obtained your diploma yet? You are welcome to apply if you are in the final year of your secondary education, but only if you will graduate before the start of your program at Tilburg University (i.e., by the end of August).

English language requirements

As this Bachelor’s program is taught entirely in English, you must prove your English language proficiency. 

Tilburg University accepts one of the following tests, which must not be older than two years at the time of application:

• Academic IELTS  with a minimum overall score of 6.0 and a minimum score of 5.5 for each section.
• TOEFL with a minimum score of 80 for the internet-based test; we do not accept the revised paper-based test. The TOEFL institutional code for Tilburg University is 9860.
• Cambridge English test results: C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) or C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE). For both C1 and C2, we accept a score of A, B, or C.

Please note: We do not accept a combination of test results on different test dates, e.g., TOEFL's 'My Best Scores'. 

For a full overview and list of exemptions, please check out our English language requirements.

Student profile

As a student of Liberal Arts and Sciences, you will all contribute to the quality of your own - and each other’s - learning experience. Our admission process ensures you will be studying alongside other interesting, motivated, engaged, ambitious, and globally-minded students.

For Liberal Arts and Sciences we seek candidates who display:

• Motivation and a broad range of interests.
• Ambition and the desire for intellectual challenge and personal development.
• An international mindset, and who can adapt to a truly multicultural classroom.
• A high level of self-motivation and self-discipline.
• An interest in participating in small-scale, interactive classes as well as lectures.
• A passion for discussion and debate.
• An interest in developing their ability to think critically and analytically.

During the application process, you must upload the following documents in pdf format only.

A. Documents to verify your educational background and motivation

1. Your diploma(s) in the language in which it/they are issued, OR the Statement of Educational Institution.
   • If you have not yet obtained your secondary school diploma, please upload the Statement of Educational Institution. This Statement helps us assess your eligibility for admission correctly. Please ask your School Counselor or another representative of your school to complete the form as requested, sign it, and stamp it.
   • If you are selected for the program, you must send in a certified copy of your diploma once you get it, and before you start your studies at Tilburg University.
2. Your grade list(s). If you have not obtained your diploma yet, please enclose your most recent grade list(s) and/or predicted grades.
   • Please note that we only accept official grade lists which have been issued by your school and/or academic advisor. A screenshot of your school’s digital environment where you can review your academic progress is not accepted.
3. A legalized translation of all documents: grade lists and diplomas if these are not already in Dutch, English, French, or German.
4. The results of an English language test if you are not exempted.
   • The test results must not be older than two years at the time of application.
   • If you do not have your test results at the time of application, please provide an indication of your test date in your application.
5. Your application form. Please use our template to create your application form.
   • This form combines questions related to your motivation to apply for this program, with a short essay.
   • This form will be used as the basis for the matching interview.
6. Chinese nationals are advised to apply for a Nuffic Certificate as soon as possible to avoid any delays in the immigration procedure. For more information, please go to the Nuffic website.

B. Documents to verify your identity

Non-EEA nationals

1. We only accept your passport to confirm your identity.
   • Please upload a scan of all pages in your passport which have a stamp or sticker on them, as well as the page with your personal details and the issue and expiry date of your passport.
   • Your passport must be valid until at least September 1, 2022.
2. Are you already living inside the EEA? In addition to your passport, please upload a scan of the front AND back of your EEA/Dutch residence permit.

EEA nationals

We accept either your passport or national identification card to confirm your identity:

• Passport: upload the page with your personal details and the issue and expiry date of your passport.
• National identification card: upload a scan of both the front AND back of your national identification card.

Please note

• Please make sure that all information in the documents requested is clear and do not cover any information in the scans of the documents you upload.  It is important for verification purposes that information including the photo, your personal details and the computer coding at the bottom of the document are visible to us.

Sending documents via regular mail

It is not necessary to send us certified copies of your documents right away. You can apply via the online application system, and upload your documents there. Submitting certified copies of your documents is necessary for enrollment. If you are conditionally accepted to the program, you will be prompted to send us certified copies of your documents.

Register in Studielink

You must register in Studielink, the Dutch national registration system for higher education, including the information below. Please do so correctly or we will not be able to process your application.

• Make sure that you register for the correct program. The name of this Bachelor's program in Studielink is B Liberal Arts and Sciences.
• Add your personal details (including your full name) as stated in your passport.
• Enter an e-mail address that you use regularly. Tilburg University will send you important information via this e-mail address, so please check it regularly.
• For step-by-step instructions on how to register via Studielink, please refer to the Tilburg University Studielink Manual. 

Register in Studielink

Please note: you must follow the application procedure in step 3 to be considered for admission. Registration in Studielink only is not sufficient. Both processes must be completed by the deadline stated above. 

After you have registered in Studielink, you need to continue your application in OSIRIS Aanmeld, our online application system.

Within 48 hours of your registration in Studielink, you will receive an e-mail confirming your login details to OSIRIS Aanmeld. 

• You can prepare for this e-mail by confirming noreply@tilburguniversity.edu as a safe sender in your e-mail system. You should also check your spam/junk inbox. 
• If you have not received this e-mail within 48 hours of your registration in Studielink, please contact your International Admissions Coordinator via Admissions@tilburguniversity.edu.

Log in to OSIRIS Aanmeld using your login details as stated in the confirmation e-mail. Follow the instructions to complete your application.

• We recommend that you use Chrome as your web browser.
• Please upload the documents detailed above.  If you do not upload the correct documents, we will not be able to process your application.
• If you want to upload a document with more than one page, scan each page of the document into one PDF.
• In order to assess your application, we only require the documents listed above.
• You do not have to complete your application in one go.  You can save your application and return to it later.

You will also receive an e-mail with login details for Tilburg University's computer network

In addition to the e-mail with login details for OSIRIS Aanmeld, you will also receive an e-mail with login details for Tilburg University's computer network. This e-mail has, among other information, your student number and Tilburg University e-mail address.

You will not need these details for your application, but please save them carefully, as you will need them after your admission to complete your enrollment.

Submit your application before the deadline as stated above

When you have completed your application, you can submit it. If you submit your application either close to or on the deadline, but have not uploaded the correct documents, Tilburg University reserves the right not to process your application.

After submitting your application

Our International Admissions Coordinator will check that your application is complete, according to the requirements above.

If your documents are not complete, you will be asked to submit any missing or replace any illegible document(s). Your International Admissions Coordinator may request additional information from you during the assessment process.  Please check your e-mail regularly (including your spam folder) to avoid a delay in the processing of your application.

You can check your application status anytime you log in to your account in OSIRIS Aanmeld.

Phase 1: Assessment whether your academic background meets our admission requirements

When your application is complete, your application will be assessed within four to six weeks to determine whether your academic background meets our admission requirements, based on your application documents.

If your application does not meet our admission criteria, you will receive a letter via e-mail informing you that your application does not meet our requirements, and that you cannot be admitted to the program. The application process for you will not go further.

If your application meets our admissions criteria, you will move to the next phase of the process.

Phase 2: Interview

Two of our staff members will hold an interview with you, either in person or online.

• During this interview, you will be asked about your academic ambitions, background, personal interests and motivation.
• Your application form, that includes your motivation and essay, will also serve as input for the interview.
• The interview will be held in English and will last approximately 45 minutes.

Phase 3: Outcome of the admission process

You will be informed about the decision of the Admissions Committee via e-mail. You will receive either a positive or a negative admission decision.

• A positive decision means that we believe that this program will be a good match for you.
• A negative decision means that we do not feel that this program is a good match for you and that you will not be admitted into the program.

Your admission will remain conditional until you have met all the conditions stated in your conditional admission letter

• The conditional admission letter will state what you need to do to turn your conditional admission into unconditional admission.
• Examples of conditions of admission may include providing  the results of your English proficiency test, and/or a certified copy of your diploma, and/or a final list of grades.

After you have met all the conditions of admission, you will receive your unconditional admission letter via e-mail.

Admitted? Congratulations! We hope you are exited to start your studies at Tilburg University.

Complete your enrollment at Tilburg University

After your conditional admission, you must turn your conditional admission into unconditional admission and complete your enrollment.

• You can check your enrollment status and/or see any 'To do' items that are still pending in OSIRIS Student. You can use your login details for Tilburg University’s computer network to access OSIRIS Student.

Practical matters

Before you can start your studies in Tilburg, you must arrange some important things, such as your visa (non-EEA nationals only), housing, payment of your tuition fees, and more.

• To help you, we have created a Pre-departure Guide (with checklist) specifically for our international students. This guide will take you through your final preparations before you come to Tilburg.
• We will also send you regular e-mails about this before your arrival.

Participate in the introduction activities

• All Tilburg University students are encouraged to arrive in Tilburg during our Registration Days, which will take place in mid-August.
• After that, you can take part in the Tilburg Orientation Program (TOP Week) – a great way to get to know your fellow students and the city of Tilburg. It is the best way to start your studies in Tilburg!