21+ entrance examination

On this page:

• Terms and conditions
• Which exams do I have to take?
• How to sign up
• Costs
• Exam schedule
• Extra preparation: courses and exam training
• Extra facilities functional impairment
• Results
• Exam reviews
• Can I take a resit?
• I do not agree with the exam outcome
• Statement of Admissibility
• Can I be exempted from taking tests?
• Can I already be admissible?

Terms and conditions

If you wish to start with a degree programme at AUAS per september you are eligible to join the 21+ entrance examination when you are 21 years old on 1 October. Do you wish to start a degree programme at AUAS in February? Then you can join the 21+ entrance examination when you are 21 years old on 1 February.

Which exams do I have to take?

Click the button below to find out which exams you have to take and how to prepare for them. You can be admitted to the programme when you received a passing grade for all exams. 

The 21+ entrance examination usually consists of two components: a subject test and a language test. Does your degree programme require you to take subject test(s) and language test(s)? Then you will:

1. Make the subject test(s) first
2. Make the language test(s) subsequently

Thus, it is required to pass the subject test(s) before taking the language test(s).

Exception

Did you fail the subject test(s) and are you enrolling in a preparatory subject course (if possible)? Then you are allowed to take the language test(s) before receiving a passing grade on the subject test(s).

If your degree programme only lists language test(s) in its admission requirements you will receive an invitation for the language test(s) which apply to you. Refer to the flowcharts for the test dates.

Even if you only need to take language tests or a language test, you must register for one of the entry moments. The organization of the 21+ admission examination will then direct you to the next available language test moment.

Do I have to take all exams?

In some situations it is possible to be exempted for (a part of) the 21+ entrance examination. Read more below the subheader ‘Can I be exempted from exams?'.

How to sign up

When you sign up, you may choose one of the entry moments. On the chosen date you will (if applicable) make the subject test(s) first. Make sure to thoroughly read the information on this page beforehand.

Click here to read everything about changing or cancelling test dates.

Costs

Exam schedule

There are three moments of entry for the 21+ entrance examination. The subject tests are all on the same date. You always register for one of the three entry moments. Also when you do not have to take a subject test. You will receive the exact exam schedule no later than 5 working days ahead of the exam date on your private email address. If you dit not receive an email by that time, please contact toelatingstoets@hva.nl. 

Subject test dates (= entry moment)

Language test dates

Please note: if you wish to attend the inspection, you must send an email to toelatingstoets@hva.nl. You are not automatically registered. Please include the following in your email:

• First name and last name
• Student number
• The course you want to take
• The test(s) you would like to view

Extra preparation: courses and exam training

You have the option to prepare for you exam with an exam training or course (page in Dutch).

Extra facilities functional impairment

Do you have a functional impairment? Then you may be eligible for extended test time. To apply, please upload a copy of a statement from a certified professional with your online registration form. The statement must indicate that you qualify for extra time during exams. You will receive a response to your request in the confirmation email after you register.

The statement must meet the following criteria:

• It includes your full name and date of birth.
• It includes the date the statement was issued.
• It clearly states that there is a functional impairment.
• The diagnosis is based on a diagnostic assessment.
• The statement is signed by a qualified healthcare psychologist, educational psychologist, or child and youth psychologist. Exceptions are statements from IWAL and OBD, which are also valid if unsigned.

If approved, you will receive 25% extra time, up to a maximum of 30 minutes. It is not possible to arrange extra time on the test day itself.

The statement must be submitted at least two weeks before your scheduled test date. If we receive it later, we will not be able to process your request for the upcoming test.

Toilet use during the test

Toilet use is not allowed during the test. If you have a medical condition that requires an exception, you may request one through a student counsellor. Want to apply? Please email toelatingstoets@hva.nl - we’re happy to help.

Results

You can view your results in the Student Information System (SIS) no later than ten working days after the test. You will be able to see whether you have passed the test(s) or if you need to retake one or more of them.

Subject and language tests passed with a score of 5.5 or higher are valid for the academic year in which they were passed and the immediately following academic year. For example: if you pass your subject and/or language test(s) in the 2025–2026 academic year, your result will remain valid until the end of 2026–2027.

If ten working days have passed and you do not see your results appear in SIS, send an email to toelatingstoets@hva.nl.

Exam reviews

After each test you have one exam review opportunity. Please send an email to toelatingstoets@hva.nl to inform us of your attendance.

Can I take a resit?

Usually, yes. If you register for one of the first two entry dates, you are allowed one resit per test, which can only be taken at the next scheduled subject or language test date. You will automatically receive an invitation by email. There are no additional costs for a resit.
 

Didn’t pass the resit?

Then you may still register for the next available entry date (if available). However, you will need to pay the full fee of €150, regardless of how many tests you need to take. If there are no more upcoming entry dates, your current 21+ entrance exam process will be closed.

I do not agree with the exam outcome

Send a message to: toelatingstoets@hva.nl.

If you still have grounds for objection after that, you may submit a notice of objection. Do this within six weeks after the results of the 21+ entrance exam have been announced. You can find more information about the criteria for submitting an objection on theAppeals, Objections, and Complaints Office webpage.

Statement of Admissibility

Have you passed all the tests? You will receive your certificate of admissibility via your personal email address. The 21+ entrance exam team will inform the student administration of the degree program you wish to enter that you are admissible. You do not need to do this yourself.

A certificate of admissibility is valid for the two academic years following the one in which it was obtained. If you receive your certificate in 2024–2025, it will be valid until the end of the 2026–2027 academic year.

For February 2025 entry, if applicable, the certificate is valid for:

• Academic year 2025–2026
• Academic year 2026–2027
• Academic year 2027–2028

Can I be exempted from taking tests?

You can be exempted from certain tests if you hold a general secondary education (HAVO) or pre-university education (VWO) partial/modular certificate for one of the relevant components (subject or language tests). In addition, exemptions are possible in the following cases:

For the Dutch language test

You may be exempted with one of the following certificates:

• A Staatsexamen NT2 Program II certificate (all four components);
• A Dutch as a Foreign Language (CNaVT) certificate, level B2.

For the English language test

You may be exempted with one of the following certificates:

• IELTS: overall score of 6.0 or higher (no subscore lower than 5.5);
• TOEFL: iBT score of 80 (no subscore lower than 20) / paper-based score of at least 550;
• TOEIC: Listening & Reading 670+, Speaking & Writing 290+;
• Cambridge: ESOL CAE-C: Cambridge (FCE) score B (173–175) or C (169–172).

For the subject tests in Mathematics A, Mathematics B, or Physics

A certificate from Wismon, Boswell-Bèta, or CCVX at at least havo level (general secondary education) is accepted.

If you want to be exempted from one or more components of the 21+ entrance exam, you must upload your certificate(s) when filling in the online application form (found under “How to sign up”).

Can I already be admissible?

You can apply for a (new) certificate of admissibility or be fully admissible if you hold:

• General secondary education (HAVO) or pre-university education (VWO) partial/modular certificates, and/or
• Other types of certificates (such as IELTS, Cambridge, NT2, CCVX, Wismon), and/or
• A previously obtained certificate of admissibility, and/or
• Partial results from a 21+ entrance exam of the previous year.

You may combine all of the above to apply for a (new) certificate. A €50 administrative fee applies.

Important: all certificates, previous results, and/or statements must still be valid and you must meet the age requirement. The Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences does not accept 21+ certificates or test results issued by other universities of applied sciences. 

Please note: if you apply for a new certificate with exactly the same components as a previously obtained one, the validity period will not be extended.