Application

References for Dutch Universities

Not every Dutch programme requires references. But when they do, knowing who to ask, what they should write and how the submission works makes the difference between a formality and a strength.

ScholarshipUnion Editorial 2 min read Updated Oct 5, 2026

Do I Need References?

It depends on your programme type.

Programme type	References?	Why
Research master’s	Likely yes	Research master’s commonly require 1–2 academic references.
Taught master’s	Usually no	Most taught master’s admit on documents alone. “Optional” means strongly recommended.
Numerus fixus	Sometimes	Used as a tiebreaker in competitive selection.
HBO (applied)	Rarely	HBO uses document-based admission.
NL Scholarship	Check your university	Some require references for the NL Scholarship even if the programme does not.
Standard bachelor’s	Almost never	Standard bachelor’s admit all qualified applicants without references.

Strong vs Weak References

This works:

“She wrote the strongest thesis I supervised in 2024, on stormwater modelling in coastal regions. Her analytical skills and independent problem-solving place her in the top 10% of students I have taught in the last five years.”

A specific project, a comparative ranking and concrete qualities.

This fails: “She was in my class of 200 students and received an A. She is an excellent student and I recommend her for your programme.” No specifics — it could describe any student, and there is no comparative context.

Reference Request Timeline

1
6–8 weeks before
First contact
Ask if they are willing. Give them an easy way to say no.
2
4–5 weeks before
Send briefing materials
Your CV, motivation letter, the programme link and suggested talking points.
3
2–3 weeks before
Trigger the portal invitation
Warn them the email is coming and share the subject line.
4
1 week before
Gentle reminder
A polite follow-up. Professors genuinely forget.
5
Deadline day
Verify the submission in the portal
Contact admissions if it is still pending.