If you want to apply for this Master’s programme, you should hold an academic Bachelor’s or Master’s in:

• Finance
• Business Economics, Economics or Business Administration, with a specialisation in Finance or Real Estate Finance

Your degree must include all of the following:

• at least 15 ECTS of coursework in Finance.
• an intermediate-level course in Investments (covering topics such as portfolio optimisation and diversification, CAPM, and factor-based pricing models). 
• an intermediate-level course in Corporate Finance, covering topics such as capital structure theory and payout policy. 
• an intermediate-level course in Econometrics, which must cover multivariate linear regression, omitted variable bias, and non-linear Logit/Probit models 
• some coursework on derivatives or risk management (this can be covered as part of a broader course on Investments or Corporate Finance) 

You must upload a course description of each of these courses in your online application. 

Recommended background

Additional to your Bachelor’s degree it is recommendable to have strong knowledge of economics, maths and statistics as you will have a better understanding of the Master’s programme. Therefore, it can be helpful to have additional coursework in microeconomics, macroeconomics, accounting, mathematics and statistics at foundation-year level. 

Not sure if your degree qualifies? 

Are you unsure whether your academic background is considered equivalent to a Dutch Bachelor's degree? Find a list of equivalent degrees here.

Please note that a Bachelor's degree from a University of applied sciences will not be taken into consideration. 

This Master’s programme is taught in English, so strong language skills are essential. To help you succeed in class, we ask you to show your English proficiency through one of the approved tests listed below: 

• TOEFL iBT Test: minimum total score of 92 with a minimum of 22 per subscore. You can use the institution code 9011 to have your score report sent to us. 
• IELTS Academic: overall band score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 per subscore. Please note that the IELTS Indicator test is not allowed. 
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: overall score of 180 and a minimum of 180 per skill. 

Other test versions or modules are not accepted. Examples of this include but are not limited to: IELTS Indicator, IELTS One Skill Retake, TOEFL Home Edition, TOEFL MyBest Scores, etc.

Test validity 

Test scores may not be older than 2 years, counting back from the start of the programme. So for the September 2026 intake, we only accept tests taken on or after 1 September 2024.  

Waiting for your score? 

We accept scores submitted after the application deadline, as long as you took the test before that deadline.

Exemptions   

• You obtained your previous education in one of the following countries: the Netherlands, Australia, Canada (except for Quebec), Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. This only applies to these countries, no other exemptions are made.  
• You have an English proficiency test older than 2 years and you have attended an exchange programme of at least 6 months in one of the above mentioned countries. 
• You have an English proficiency test older than 2 years, and you have obtained an academic degree that was completely in English. You need submit a proof of the language of instruction of your academic degree. If the language of instruction is not mentioned on the transcript or diploma, submit a certified letter from your higher education institute, stating that the curriculum is completely taught in English.

Why does the UvA ask for English proficiency tests?

We are looking for students who have shown academic potential to keep up with the high level and workload of the programme. Therefore, one of the criteria on which your application will be assessed is the Grade Point Average (GPA). 

You must have an average GPA of 7.0 or higher in:

• Finance-related core courses (e.g. Corporate Finance, Investment, Derivatives)
• Econometrics

This means that you are not automatically admitted when you have a 7.0 GPA, but that you will be considered for the selection round where places are offered to the applicants with the highest GPA until all places are filled. Please note that applications with a lower GPA can still be submitted and will be assessed.

Not sure how your grades compare?

Submitting your GPA

Send your GPA calculation along with your application, you do not have to update your GPA calculation after the application deadline.

Strong analytical writing and quantitative reasoning skills are essential for this Master’s. To ensure this, you need to provide a sufficient Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score. In some cases a Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test result is accepted.

GMAT test and required score

GMAT Focus Edition: Minimum score: 585 and preferably 595 

GMAT test (old edition): Minimum score: 620 and preferably 640 

• Please note that completion of all sections of the exam is required. 
• You can use the institution code 0500 to have your score report sent to us. 

• The GMAT (Focus) Online Exam is allowed for the  September 2026 intake. 

GRE test and required score

Instead of a GMAT, a GRE test score may be accepted if you have already obtained a GRE score or if it is difficult to take the GMAT test on short notice in your country.  

• Minimum score: 155 and preferably 158 in the Quantitative Reasoning section
• Please note that completion of all sections of the exam is required. 
• You can use the institution code 7878 U Amsterdam School of Economics to have your score report sent to us. 
• The GRE at home test is allowed for the September 2026 intake.  

Deadline of handing in test scores 

Your test scores should be submitted before your application deadline. Please keep in mind that receiving these results can take up to two weeks. 

Exemptions 

Based on mutual agreements with certain universities, you might be exempted from taking a GMAT or GRE test. Check the list of universities to see whether this applies to you.

One of the selection criteria is the motivation letter. The Master's Finance is an academically challenging programme with a strong emphasis on research methods. Applicants are expected to have a high level of intrinsic motivation for academic study in general, and finance and economics in particular. 

Your motivational letter should clearly state why you are interested in studying finance and pursuing a career in this field. It should also explain why your academic profile is a good fit for the programme.

Furthermore, use the motivation letter to highlight any important aspects of your profile that are not documented elsewhere in your application, as well as extenuating circumstances that you have experienced. (Max.1 A4)

A letter of recommendation is expected from a previous or current supervisor, professor, co-worker, or peer who can describe the knowledge, skills, or aptitudes that you possess. In your application form you will find the details on how you can provide the recommendation letter.