Requesting dispensation from study progress monitoring

The University of Amsterdam is required to inform Dutch immigration service (IND) about the study progress of non-EU students.

One of the criteria for retaining your student residence permit is study progress: you must obtain at least 50% of the required ECTS credits in each academic year. This means that:

• If you started your academic year in September and were enrolled for the whole academic year, you’ll need to obtain at least 30 ECTS before 31 August, as each year has a total study load of 60 ECTS.
• If you started your programme in February, you must obtain at least 15 ECTS by 31 August.
• If you are enrolled in a preparatory programme, you must complete the programme within one academic year.
• In case you receive enough credits to graduate this academic year, you will fulfill the requirements and do not have to request dispensation.

Students from outside the EU must complete at least 50% of the study load each year. If you could not pass 30 ECTS due to your personal situation, you can hand in a request for dispensation from study progress monitoring.

To find out if this rule applies to you, refer to the page on study progress monitoringExternal link.

Apply for dispensation

You must submit a request for dispensation from study progress monitoring if you haven’t been able to pass the required amount of credits. The deadline for filling in the application form was 31 July 2024, 23:59 CEST. It is no longer possible to submit a dispensation request. Next possibility for an application will be summer 2025.

What happens next?

• The study progress committee will decide whether you have a valid reason for not obtaining sufficient ECTS and might invite you for a hearing to discuss your situation.
• You will receive an official response before 1 September.
• If your dispensation request is granted, the Dutch immigration service (IND) will not be informed about the study delay.
• If your dispensation is refused, the IND will be informed, and you will lose your residence permit or will not be able to renew the permit.  The UvA Immigration office will send you an email notifying you when they will inform the IND.

If you disagree with the decision 

If you haven't been granted dispensation from study progress monitoring, and you disagree with this decision, you can file an objection. How to file an objection is explained in the email you'll receive in response to your request for dispensation.