Dutch Universities That Accept the SAT: Admission Requirements and Score Guide
The Netherlands is one of Europe’s most internationally oriented higher education systems. It offers dozens of English-taught bachelor’s programs and draws its student body from across the world.
This guide covers programs in just a few universities or colleges in the Netherlands including the University of Amsterdam PPLE program, Amsterdam University College, Erasmus University College, Leiden University College The Hague. For any Dutch university not covered here, contacting the admissions office directly is the most reliable way to confirm whether the SAT will be considered as part of your application.
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How Does the SAT Help Your Application to a Dutch University?
The SAT helps a Dutch university application in two concrete ways. First, it can satisfy a mathematics proficiency requirement when your diploma does not directly meet it. Second, at programs with holistic admissions, it can strengthen an application where grades fall slightly below the required average.
Students from Spain, Italy, Germany, and the US will all have very different grades, grading scales, and curricula. The SAT cuts through that variation. In other words, it provides objective evidence of academic readiness. Admissions committees can evaluate it fairly regardless of where a student studied. At selective honors colleges, a strong SAT score can set one application apart. Indeed, this matters most at programs where applicant pools come from dozens of countries.
The SAT complements rather than replaces the primary admissions credential.
If you are ready to start your SAT preparation and are targeting a university in the Netherlands, see our SAT courses and get in touch with our team.
Which Dutch Universities Accept the SAT?
Several Dutch universities and honors colleges accept the SAT, including examples like the University of Amsterdam PPLE program, Amsterdam University College, Erasmus University College, and Leiden University College The Hague. Each has a different admissions model — some reference a published minimum score, while others accept the SAT as one of several qualifying options within a holistic review. For a clear explanation of the difference between test-required, test-optional, and supplementary SAT policies, read our guide to SAT mandatory, test-optional, and test-blind admissions
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University of Amsterdam — PPLE Program
The University of Amsterdam is one of Europe’s leading research universities, ranked #53 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Its most competitive undergraduate offering is PPLE — Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics — a selective interdisciplinary program with approximately 150 places per year and an applicant pool drawn from over 60 countries. UvA ranks #1 in the world for Communication and Media Studies and maintains a strong international reputation across social sciences and law.
Does the University of Amsterdam Accept the SAT?
PPLE accepts the SAT as an alternative mathematics proficiency test. The official PPLE mathematics requirements page confirms a minimum score of 600 in SAT Math. This option applies when a student’s diploma does not directly meet the mathematics requirement. PPLE admissions are holistic and highly competitive — the program receives far more applications than it has places. The process includes a written application, a personal statement, an entrance exam, and an interview. A strong SAT Math score strengthens the academic component of the file and signals the quantitative readiness that PPLE’s interdisciplinary curriculum demands. For a full picture of what SAT score to target and how scoring works, read our guide to the SAT score.
SAT policy: Accepted — minimum 600 in SAT Math
Program: BA Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics
Amsterdam University College — Liberal Arts and Sciences in Amsterdam
Amsterdam University College (AUC) is a selective honors college jointly established by the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, located on the Amsterdam Science Park campus. It offers a three-year Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students choose from majors across the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. AUC enrolls approximately 900 students from over 50 countries and admits around 300 new students per year, targeting applicants within the top 30% of their grade distribution.
Does Amsterdam University College Accept the SAT?
AUC accepts the SAT as a way to demonstrate mathematics proficiency specifically for applicants to the Humanities major. The official AUC mathematics requirements page confirms a minimum score of 600 in SAT Math (AUC College Board code: 6700) as a qualifying option for Humanities applicants whose secondary school diploma does not directly meet the mathematics requirement. Applicants to Sciences or Social Sciences majors who have a mathematics deficiency must instead take the relevant OMPT exam. Admissions at AUC are holistic — the committee evaluates the full application including academic record, grades, English proficiency, and motivation.
SAT policy: Accepted — minimum 600 in SAT Math
Program: BA/BSc Liberal Arts and Sciences Application fee: Free
Erasmus University College — Liberal Arts and Sciences in Rotterdam
Erasmus University College (EUC) is the selective liberal arts and sciences honors college of Erasmus University Rotterdam, one of the Netherlands’ most internationally recognized research universities. EUC enrolls a diverse student body from over 50 countries and evaluates applicants holistically, focusing on academic track record, motivation, and genuine commitment to a liberal arts and sciences education.
Does Erasmus University College Accept the SAT?
EUC explicitly accepts the SAT as part of its holistic admissions process. The official EUC admissions page states that students can submit an SAT score if they do not meet the average grade requirement for their diploma type — a minimum total score of 1170 is required. The SAT cannot compensate for the minimum diploma requirements of Erasmus University Rotterdam. Admissions decisions take the full application into account, and a qualifying SAT score does not automatically guarantee admission. Non-native English speakers must also demonstrate English proficiency — EPIC Prep offers preparation for TOEFL and IELTS, both accepted by EUC.
SAT policy: Accepted as part of holistic admissions — can compensate for grade shortfall
Program: Liberal Arts and Sciences (BA/BSc)
Leiden University College The Hague — Global Challenges in the City of Peace and Justice
Leiden University College The Hague (LUC) is the selective honors college of Leiden University, the oldest university in the Netherlands, founded in 1575 and ranked #141 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Located in The Hague, LUC offers a single program: a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Global Challenges. It is a small, highly selective college with approximately 200 students per year from over 50 countries. Keuzegids has consistently ranked LUC among the top bachelor’s programs in the Netherlands.
Does Leiden University College The Hague Accept the SAT?
LUC accepts the SAT as part of its admissions process. For applicants with a US high school diploma, the official LUC diploma requirements document for 2026-2027 references an SAT Mathematics score of 650 as mathematics advice — a recommended level to demonstrate quantitative readiness for the program. This figure also appears for certain other diploma types. The admissions committee reviews the full application holistically, without focusing on any single component. For current entry requirements and to confirm how the SAT applies to your specific diploma visit the LUC admissions page.
SAT policy: Accepted — SAT Math 650 referenced for specific diploma types
Program: BA/BSc Liberal Arts and Sciences: Global Challenges Location: The Hague
For a structured approach to reaching these score targets, read our guide on how to improve your SAT score.
What SAT Score Should You Target for Dutch Universities?
A total score of 1,200 or above is a practical target for most programs covered in this guide, giving you a buffer above the published minimums and a competitive position across institutions. The specific thresholds vary by program: Erasmus University College publishes a minimum total score of 1,170; PPLE at UvA and AUC’s Humanities major both require a minimum of 600 in SAT Math; and Leiden University College references 650 in SAT Math as guidance for certain diploma types. For PPLE and AUC in particular, both programs are highly competitive — a stronger overall score supports the rest of your application well beyond the minimum.
How Long Does It Take to Prepare for the SAT for Dutch University Admission?
Most students need between 10 and 15 weeks of structured preparation to reach a competitive score. Students starting from a lower baseline and targeting 1,200-1300 should plan for the full 10 to 15 weeks. EPIC Prep has also worked with students on tighter timelines — as short as 4 to 5 weeks — when application deadlines require it. A closer deadline requires more intensive and focused work. The most important first step is a diagnostic test. It gives you a clear baseline and a realistic picture of how much preparation time you need. Read our full guide on SAT registration to understand exam dates and plan your timeline around your Dutch university applications.
How Does EPIC Prep Help Students Prepare for Dutch University Admissions?
EPIC Prep helps students targeting Dutch universities through a structured process that starts with a full diagnostic test, builds a personalized study plan around each student’s target program and timeline, and combines expert tutoring with independent practice using proprietary software. The Epic Prep team has been preparing European students for the SAT since 2010, with offices in Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, and Zürich. Every diagnostic test establishes a baseline score and identifies where improvement will have the most impact — giving students and tutors a clear roadmap from day one.
Students work with expert tutors in one-to-one or small group sessions. Between sessions, they practice independently using Boost Your Prep — a proprietary SAT preparation software with over 3,000 exercises and a personalized performance dashboard. For the Math section, Jaclyn Caruana’s Desmos SAT Hacks book teaches students to use the built-in Desmos graphing calculator — one of the most powerful and underused tools on the digital SAT. For a full overview of the current digital format, read our guide to the new Digital SAT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Dutch Universities Accept the SAT?
Several Dutch programs formally accept the SAT, including the University of Amsterdam for its PPLE program, Erasmus University College, Webster University The Netherlands, and Leiden University College The Hague. TU Delft and VU Amsterdam do not accept the SAT for bachelor’s admissions. For institutions not on this list, contacting the admissions office directly is the most reliable approach.
Is the SAT Required to Study in the Netherlands?
The SAT is not a requirement across the Dutch university system. A specific group of programs and institutions accepts it as a supplementary credential. Most Dutch universities base admission primarily on VWO-equivalent diplomas and English proficiency tests. If you are weighing up whether the SAT makes sense for your situation, read our article on whether it is worth taking the SAT if you study in Europe.
What Is the Minimum SAT Score for Dutch Universities?
The published minimums vary by institution: Erasmus University College requires a minimum total score of 1,170; PPLE at UvA and AUC’s Humanities major both require a minimum of 600 in SAT Math; and Leiden University College references 650 in SAT Math as guidance for certain diploma types. A total score of 1,200 or above is a practical starting target that gives you a buffer above all published minimums for the programs covered in this guide.
Does TU Delft Accept the SAT?
TU Delft does not accept the SAT for bachelor’s admissions. Applicants with certain international diplomas must present at least four College Board AP exams in subjects relevant to their chosen program. Submitting an SAT score will not strengthen a TU Delft bachelor’s application.
Does VU Amsterdam Accept the SAT?
VU Amsterdam does not reference the SAT in any of its official bachelor’s admissions materials. Entry is based on VWO-equivalent diplomas and English proficiency tests.
Can I Apply to Dutch Universities with Only an SAT Score?
No. The SAT supplements a student’s academic diploma — it does not replace it. Institutions that accept the SAT require an academic qualification equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma as the foundation of the application. For a full breakdown of how universities treat the SAT in their admissions process, read our guide to SAT mandatory, test-optional, and test-blind admissions.
Does the Digital SAT Count for Dutch University Admissions?
Yes. Institutions in the Netherlands accept the current Digital SAT format, which replaced the paper-based version for international students in March 2023. The scoring scale remains 400 to 1600. Read our full guide to the new Digital SAT for everything you need to know about the current format.
We hope this article has answered your questions. If you have any questions about your preparation, please contact us and we will be happy to explain how EPIC Prep can help you achieve your goals.
