Start by applying via Studielink. If it's your first time applying at a Dutch university, choose "Create a Studielink account without DigiD". Then select your study programme and the upcoming academic year. You can apply even before finishing your exams. Need help with Studielink? Check out their info page. 
You can find all important dates on the deadlines page.

After finishing your application in Studielink, please already collect the following documents. Within a few days you will receive an email from VHL with a link to our application portal SIS where you need to upload:

• A colour copy of your secondary school diploma
• A colour copy of the corresponding list of grades
• A colour copy of your language certificate – Check the admission requirements of the study programme to see which certificates and scores are admissible and if you qualify for any exemptions.
• A colour copy of your passport

Please note that certification and translation of documents is required when they are not in the Dutch, English of German language. You can already submit your application before you’ve got your diploma and/or your language certificate: please upload your latest grades and a signed statement from your school stating your expected diploma and when you'll get it. For the language certificate, you can upload a document stating when you expect to take the test and receive the results. The VHL institutional TOEFL code is: 4478. 

If you are already living in the Netherlands, please also add the following:

• a copy of a valid residence permit (front and back)
• proof of current health insurance 

Once you've sent your complete application through our portal, the admissions department will review it. This process can take several weeks. If you don't meet the requirements, we will let you know and withdraw your application. If you are admissible, you will receive a conditional admission email which means that we've reserved a spot for you at VHL. The email will state what you need to do to complete your file.

To finalise your application, you need to meet all the conditions in your conditional admission email before the deadline. One of the conditions is to pay the required fees. Another condition can be to send in a copy of your school diploma or language certificate once you receive it.

You have to pay the full amount up front via a bank transfer. You will receive the payment details along with your conditional admission.

When your enrolment is final, you will receive a confirmation by e-mail. 

Once you've met all the conditions and paid the fees, we'll send you a link to our visa application portal. Here, you'll need to upload your documents so we can apply for a student visa on your behalf. Remember, don't start the process on your own, as this could slow things down. The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) will review the application and let us know their decision in about three weeks. After we receive the decision of IND, we inform you on the next steps you need to take. Be sure to review this IND folder as it outlines the conditions and rules you need to follow. Once you've got your visa stamp from the Dutch embassy in your home country, you're all set to plan your trip to the Netherlands. Please note that you will be asked to fill in a consent form so we can share your details with the IND.

We will also arrange your health care and liability insurance for you with AON. The policy will be in your name, so you’re responsible for it. It'll cost you around €700 per year. If you already have a private insurance that will cover your medical expenses during your stay, please send us proof of your insurance. We recommend to also take out liability insurance.

A few months before the start of the academic year, you will receive a link to a webpage packed with all the info you need about the introduction week, book list and more. Plus, you'll be invited to a pre-arrival webinar where you can get live answers to your questions.