Bachelor's before master's rule (Harde knip)

Bachelor's-before-Master's rule (Harde Knip)

When applying for a (pre-)Master's program, you are legally required to have completed a Bachelor’s degree before you can start the (pre-)Master’s program. This is called the ‘Bachelor’s-before Master’s rule’ or 'Harde Knip'.

What is the Bachelor's-before-Master's rule (Harde Knip)?

Every applicant for a (pre-)Master’s program at Tilburg University is legally required to complete at least a Bachelor’s degree before being able to start the (pre-)Master’s program. This means that students are not allowed to start the (pre-)Master’s program before fulfilling all requirements of their Bachelor’s degree. This is known as the ‘Bachelor’s-before-Master’s rule’ or ‘Harde Knip’.

Current pre-Master’s students at Tilburg University will have to fulfill all requirements of the pre-Master’s program before they can start the Master’s program.

The Bachelor’s-before-Master’s rule is applied at all Dutch universities. Therefore, current Bachelor’s students of Tilburg University will have to complete their Bachelor’s program before being able to start a (pre-)Master’s program at any university in the Netherlands. If you are facing study delay as a current Bachelor’s student of Tilburg University, you are advised to discuss your study planning with your education coordinator.