Ingangseisen

Ingangseisen, or admissievoorwaarden, are the requirements a person must meet to be eligible for entry to a program, course, or professional training. They specify the prerequisites related to prior education, specific subjects, and sometimes age or work experience. In addition, language proficiency requirements and, in some cases, results from entrance tests or assessments may be part of the ingangsseisen. These criteria are published by institutions in prospectuses, study guides, and on official websites.

The exact ingangsseisen vary by level and discipline. For higher education in the Netherlands, a bachelor’s program usually requires a relevant diploma (for example a VWO-diploma or an equivalent qualification) and may impose subject-specific requirements or minimum grades. Some programs also require a portfolio, a selection interview, or an entrance examination. International students often need proof of language proficiency, such as Dutch NT2 for Dutch-taught programs or English tests (IELTS, TOEFL) for English-taught programs. For professional training and vocational courses, requirements can range from documented qualifications to relevant work experience or even applications with a selection procedure. Some programs operate with limited places (numerus fixus) and use additional selection criteria.

Bridging or preparatory courses are sometimes available for applicants who do not yet meet all ingangsseisen. Because ingangsseisen differ between institutions and programs, applicants should consult the specific program page or prospectus for precise criteria and any recent changes.