Slim Academy

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Teaching form

Erasmus University works with problem-based education (PBL). PBL is a form of education in which students actively acquire knowledge in small groups. Students learn to assume different roles and learn how to have an active discussion. In each lesson, a discussion leader and note-taker are chosen. The discussion leader ensures that the group discussion takes place in the right direction. The tutor monitors the group process and serves as a content expert, when necessary. The tutor is therefore not responsible for one-sided information transfer, as is the case at many universities.

During the tutorial groups, different cases are presented to the students. The students have to discuss these cases with each other. Based on these cases and the discussion, problems are defined and students set learning objectives for themselves. After each class, students have to independently gather relevant information outside the teaching groups. The gained knowledge is then discussed during a following tutorial group.

Information days

To get a better idea of studies, it is useful to attend an information day. The university website is a useful tool to find out which programmes you like, but it does not provide all the information that is useful in making the final decision. An information day offers you the chance to come to campus or walk through the education programme. To participate in the information days, you need to register via the website.

Below is a list of the dates of information days:

• Online Meeloopdag Psychology: Monday 19 Dec 2022, 10:00 – 11:00
• Group Campus Tour Psychology: Wednesday 21 Dec 2022, 13:00 – 14:00
• Group Campus Tour Psychology: Thursday 12 Jan 2023, 13:00 – 14:00
• Bachelor Open Day: Saturday 11 Feb 2023, 09:00 – 17:00

Please note: The open day on 11 February will take place after the application deadline for the bachelor of psychology.

Admission requirements

There are a number of admission requirements you must meet to be admitted to the bachelor’s programme. You can apply with:
• A Colloquium Doctum (21+ test)
• A hbo propedeuse (all disciplines)
• A vwo diploma (all profiles)
• Foreign diploma

If you are applying with a non-Dutch diploma, you can check in this overview whether your diploma is sufficient. Have you not obtained a diploma yet, because you are still taking your final exams, for example? Then you can upload a diploma statement during your application. In this statement, you can show evidence that you are still busy obtaining a diploma.

Furthermore, it is important that you have a good command of English at an academic level. The university can ask you to prove your proficiency depending on what type of diploma you have. You can find more information on the website about the language requirements and what to do if you do not meet them.

Important dates

The application period for the Bachelor of Psychology runs from 1 October to 15 January. You can apply via Studielink with a DigiD account. If you do not yet have a DigiD account, make sure to create one on time. It may take several days before you can activate your account. The application deadline for Psychology is 15 January, 23:59 CET. After this day, it is no longer possible to apply, so be on time! Also note that all required documents must be uploaded before then.

You will receive instructions for the online selection assessment by e-mail on 1 February 2023. The e-mail will contain a link to OSIRIS, the platform on which the assessment takes place. You have one month to take the assessment. You must submit the assessment no later than 1 March 23:59 CET.

Your rank number can be found in Studielink on 15 April 2023. If your rank number falls within the available places, you will receive an e-mail from Studielink and you will have two weeks to accept your place. If you do not do this in time, your place will be cancelled, and you will no longer be admitted to the programme for this academic year. So keep a close eye on your e-mail address and check your spam box regularly!

Preparation

The assessment consists of two parts: a knowledge test based on literature and lectures (will be sent to you) and questions about your motivation and attitude. The result of the test counts for 75% in the final decision. The grade average counts for 25%.
Keep in mind that the preparation and assessment will take about 4 – 8 hours of your time. Therefore, it is important to start on time and prepare well. How much time you will need depends partly on your previous knowledge. Someone with previous knowledge of biology or psychology will master the information faster than someone with no previous knowledge. We recommend that you start more than two weeks in advance. The best way to absorb all the information is to read everything carefully, write down the important information, and repeat a lot.

Tips that will help you remember everything better:
• Make mind maps of the most important topics and concepts.
• Make practice questions and test yourself.
• Devise examples and mnemonics for concepts and theories.

For the motivation part, you can expect questions such as “Why do you want to study psychology?”. Think in advance about what drives you to study psychology, and write down for yourself what characteristics make you a suitable candidate.

Try not to postpone the selection procedure to the last day, as unforeseen (technical) problems may arise. If you postpone the assessment until the last day, there is a chance that you will not be able to solve these problems in time. We advise you to complete the assessment in the third week of February so that you can contact the university in time if something goes wrong.

Please note: After the assessment has been submitted, there is no possibility of changing or resubmitting it.

The number of selection attempts

Since the Bachelor of Psychology is a numerus fixus programme, there is a limited number of selection attempts you can make. At Erasmus University, the maximum number of attempts is 3. This means that someone who has been rejected from the programme three times can never apply for this bachelor’s programme again. In Studielink you will find an overview of all selection attempts.

Registration explained in steps

1. Check whether you meet the admission requirements. Do you not meet the (language) requirements? Then register for one of the accepted proficiency tests.
2. Apply before 15 January. From 1 October, it is possible to apply for the bachelor’s degree. To do so, go to Studielink and select the bachelor’s in psychology at Erasmus University.
3. Upload all relevant documents and personal details. You should also submit these before 15 January, 23:59 CET.
4. Start preparing on time. On 1 February, the university will send an e-mail with all the information about the selection procedure and a link to the test preparation material. Keep in mind that the deadline is 1 March, 23:59 CET.
5. Check your rank number on Studielink. The rankings will be released on Studielink on 15 April 2023.
6. Accept your spot. Does your rank number fall within the number of available places? Then you have two weeks to accept your spot via Studielink.

Grade number

Only 600 spots are available each year for psychology students. The rank numbers will be published on 15 April. If you log in to Studielink, you can find your rank number under the application for the programme. You will also receive an e-mail mentioning your rank number.

A rank number between 1 and 600 means you have been admitted. Congratulations! You have two weeks to accept your place. If you do not, your registration will expire, and you will not be able to start your studies. Your place will then be offered to the next student on the ranking list.

A rank number higher than 600 means you will be placed on the waiting list. If a student with a lower rank number does not accept his or her place, it will be offered to the next student. There are a lot of students who have a rank number of 600 or lower, but do not accept their place. This is because, for example, they have applied for several courses and end up choosing another one. It is also common for students to withdraw their enrolment because they failed their final exams or decide to take a gap year after all. So do not grieve if your rank number does not fall within the number of places available. It varies from year to year how many places are cancelled, but in some years students with a rank number of 800 or even higher have been admitted. You can be offered a place until mid-August.

The final steps

Once the place is accepted, the university will ask for any further documents to be submitted. For example, a diploma may be requested if it could not be provided during the selection procedure. The university will let you know in good time which documents are required. You will also receive instructions from Studielink on how to submit payment details for tuition fees. At many educational institutions, this will be possible from 1 May. Once all details have been submitted, you will receive a ‘proof of enrolment’ from the university. Once you have received this, you are officially admitted to the bachelor’s programme in psychology!

During your studies

Did you know that we can also help you during your studies? Many students starting on the bachelor’s degree in psychology find the pace high and struggle to keep up with the material. At Slim Academy, we make sure you can take your exams with confidence. Every block, we provide the best summaries containing all relevant exam material. Do you want to be part of our community and receive great discount codes? Then sign up by scanning the QR code.