21+ entrance examination
The 21+ entrance exam is for students who are aged 21 or older and don't have a senior general secondary (HAVO), pre-university (VWO) or level-4 senior secondary vocational (MBO) education diploma. The exam makes sure you're ready to begin studies in your chosen subject at AUAS, and that your level of Dutch or English is good enough to follow classes and submit assignments in that language. Which exams you have to take depends on the degree programme you wish to apply for.
We are currently working on a better version of the 21+ web page. Therefore, some information may be missing, links may not work properly or information may be doubled. We will be finished updating this site-section before 1 September.
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:
- Make the subject test(s) first
- 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
Entry moment | Costs |
---|---|
29 November 2025 | €210,- |
14 March 2026 | €210,- |
9 May 2026 | €150,- (no resit options) |
Take note! You have to apply for the degree programme through Studielink and for the 21+ entrance examination. Check the degree programme website for the application deadline and procedure. When you apply for a degree programme, the 21+ entrance examination team will not automatically be alerted that you need to take part in the 21+ entrance examination. You have to register for the 21+ entrance examination yourself. You can take part in the 21+ entrance examination for one degree programme at a time. Even if you have not yet passed the 21+ admission examination, you can register for the programme through Studielink. If you do not register with Studielink before the deadline and you pass the 21+ admission examination after this deadline, you will not be able to start the programme.
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)
Date | Registration deadline | Which dates should i take into account? |
---|---|---|
Saturday 29 November 2026 | Sunday, November 16, 2025 | View flowchart entry moment (opens in new window)1 |
Saturday 14 March 2026 | Sunday 1 March 2026 | View flowchart entry moment 2(opens in new window) |
Saturday 9 May 2025 | Sunday 26 April 2026 | View flowchart entry moment 3(opens in new window) |
subject test moments | Exam review | Registration deadline exam review | Reaction deadline exam review |
Saturday, November 29, 2025 | Thursday, December 18, 2025 | Sunday, December 14, 2025 | Sunday, December 21, 2025 |
Saturday, March 14, 2026 | Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | Friday, March 27, 2026 | Monday, April 6, 2026 |
Saturday, May 9, 2026 | Friday, May 29, 2026 | Sunday, May 24, 2026 | Sunday, May 31, 2026 |
Language test dates
Language test dates | Exam review | Registration deadline exam review | Reaction deadline exam review |
January 22 and 23, 2026 | Woensdag 11 februari 2026 | Sunday, February 8, 2026 | Sunday, February 15, 2026 |
June 18 and 19, 2026 | Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | Thursday, July 2, 2026 | Sunday, July 12, 2026 |
July 16 and 17, 2026 | Tuesday, August 4, 2026 | Sunday, August 2, 2026 | Sunday, August 9, 2026 |
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
Language assessment dates per entry period | |
Entry date: November 29, 2025 | January 22 and/or 23, 2026 with a possible second chance on June 18 and/or 19, 2026 |
Entry date: March 14, 2026 | June 18 and/or 19, 2026 with a possible second chance on July 16 and/or 17, 2026 |
Entry date: May 9, 2026 | July 16 and/or 17, 2026. A second chance is not possible at this entry point. |
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.
Test | You will pass if: |
---|---|
Subject test | you score 5.5 out of 10 or higher. |
Dutch language test | you score 5.5 or higher for Reading and 5.5 or higher for Writing (both components are considered separate tests). |
English language test | your average grade is a 5.5 or higher. The average of both tests will be taken: the reading skills test makes up 60% of your final grade, and writing skills makes up 40%. |
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.
Test dates | Exam review | Registration deadline exam review | Reaction deadline exam review | Time exam review |
---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday 29 March 2025 | Wednesday 16 April 12 2025 | Sunday 13 April 2025 | Sunday 20 April 2025 | From 12AM until 2PM |
Saturday 17 May 2025 | Wednesday 4 June 2025 | Sunday 1 June 2025 | Friday 6 June 2025, before 12AM | From 12AM until 2PM |
Thursday 26 and Friday 27 June 2025 | Friday 11 July 2025 | Sunday 6 July 2025 | Sunday 13 July 2025 | From 12AM until 2PM |
Thursday 24 and Friday 25 July 2025 | Friday 8 August 2025 | Sunday 3 August 2025 | Sunday 10 August 2025 | From 12AM until 2PM |
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.
Please note! If you register for the entry moment of November 29, 2025 or March 14, 2025, you may retake each test once, exclusively at the next available subject test or language test moment. If you register for the entry moment of May 9, 2026, retaking tests is not possible.
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.
Contact
Questions about the 21+- entrance examination, the preparatory courses or the 21+- exams?
- +31628533546(opens in new window)
- Business days, 10AM - 4.30PM (not for phone calls and text messages)