Pre-Master in the Netherlands: A Bridge into a Dutch Master's for International Graduates

TL;DR: A pre-master in the Netherlands is a bridging programme of up to 60 credits that closes the gap between your bachelor's and a Dutch master's. International students usually cannot apply for one directly: you apply for the master's, and the admissions committee may offer a pre-master's instead. Fees range from about €45 per credit at Twente and Radboud to several thousand euros at others, and your student residence permit can cover it.

Many international graduates are told their degree is close, but not close enough, for the Dutch master's they want. A pre-master's is the route the Dutch system uses for exactly that gap. Used well, it turns a rejection into a one-semester or one-year bridge.

Not sure whether your degree fits a Dutch master's directly or needs a bridge? Check your eligibility with Prosper.

What a pre-master's programme is

A pre-master's, called a schakelprogramma in Dutch, is a set of bachelor-level courses that brings you up to the entry level of one specific master's. The University of Twente says its pre-master's programmes run from 15 to 60 EC (European credits). At the University of Groningen's Faculty of Economics and Business they are 30, 45 or 60 EC, taking six to twelve months.

Three points matter most:

• You usually do not apply for it. Twente and Radboud both say that with a non-Dutch degree you apply for the master's, and the admissions committee decides whether to offer a pre-master's.
• It leads to one master's. Tilburg University says its pre-master's only gives access to the corresponding master's.
• It is not always a guarantee. Radboud and Twente give direct entry to the master's once you pass. At Rotterdam School of Management, passing gives proof of eligibility, not a guaranteed place.

Want an honest view of whether your degree would get direct entry or a pre-master's offer?

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Pre-master Netherlands options for international students

Not every pre-master's is open to every graduate. Rotterdam School of Management's English pre-master's, for example, takes applied-sciences graduates from named European countries, and other university graduates from outside the Netherlands need a GMAT score of at least 565. Always check the eligibility line before you plan around a programme. Our guide to research universities and universities of applied sciences explains why your degree type matters.

Your residence permit during a pre-master's

The IND, the Dutch immigration service, says the student residence permit also covers a preparatory period, which usually lasts one year and can include a pre-master's. The preparatory period counts as part of your study. At the end, the university decides whether you meet the master's entry requirements, and if you do not, it deregisters you with the IND.

Two practical rules follow. First, plan to finish within one academic year: Rotterdam School of Management states the IND requires this. Second, you must earn at least half of your credits each year to stay in good standing. Our guide to the Netherlands student residence permit explains how your university applies for you.

How to approach it

1. Apply for the master's you want. Use Studielink and the university portal as normal.
2. Send full transcripts and course descriptions. The committee compares your modules with what the master's expects, so detail helps.
3. Read the offer carefully. Note the credits, the fee, the start date and whether passing guarantees the master's.
4. Budget for both years. Add the pre-master's fee and living costs to the master's tuition. Our guide to Netherlands tuition fees for non-EU students covers the master's side.

Applying from Sri Lanka

If your bachelor's from a Sri Lankan university or institute is in a different field from the master's, or lacks the methods or statistics modules it expects, a pre-master's offer is a common outcome. Ask your university for an official transcript with module descriptions in English before you apply, because the Dutch committee will judge the gap from those documents.

FAQ

What is a pre-master in the Netherlands?

A bridging programme of bachelor-level courses, usually 15 to 60 credits, that prepares you for one specific Dutch master's when your bachelor's does not fully match.

Can international students do a pre-master's in the Netherlands?

Yes, at many universities, but usually only when the master's admissions committee offers it. Some programmes limit who can join, so check eligibility for each one.

How much does a pre-master's cost for non-EU students?

It varies widely. Twente and Radboud charge about €45 per credit for 2026-27, while Groningen's economics and business pre-MSc costs €7,000 to €16,000 for 30 credits for non-EU students.

Do I need a residence permit for a pre-master's?

Yes, if you are a non-EU student. The IND's student residence permit covers a preparatory period such as a pre-master's, usually for up to one year.

Does passing a pre-master's guarantee a place on the master's?

At Radboud and Twente, yes. At Rotterdam School of Management, it gives proof of eligibility rather than a guaranteed place.

PS: A pre-master's offer is not a rejection. It is the Dutch system telling you exactly what to fill in before your master's. If you want help judging whether your degree needs that bridge, check your eligibility with Prosper.

Check your eligibility ›