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Navigating Master's Admissions: Insights from Marijke

Date:18 January 2024
Author:Erika Compatangelo
Marijke Huisman, Master's Admissions Officer
Marijke Huisman, Master's Admissions Officer

Are you in the process of applying for one of our master's and want to ensure that everything runs smoothly? Keep reading to gather practical insights into the admission procedure with Marijke, Master's Admissions Officer at Campus Fryslân.

Marijke, thank you for sharing insights with us today! Could you provide more details about your role as the Master's Admissions Officer at Campus Fryslân?

I joined the Faculty in 2019, initially working at the Student Service Desk. Since October 2021, I've been handling Master's Admissions. In this role, I review application documents and offer recommendations to the admission board, which ultimately decides on admissions. I then communicate the decision to the applicant. The whole process usually takes around 4-6 weeks.

In addition to admissions, I organize webinars, including those aimed at assisting students who have started but not completed their applications. We also host pre-departure webinars tailored to those who have been accepted. Occasionally, we customize sessions based on the nationality of their bachelor's diploma, where Maria (Bachelor's Admissions Officer) and I take the lead. This is done along with the webinars organized by the central admission offices where different topics are covered, one of which is immigration.

Once students submit their applications, what is the typical timeline they can expect for feedback or the next steps?

For candidates with a Dutch diploma, the processing time starts when I receive their applications through the step-by-step guide (formdesk) in my inbox. For those with non-Dutch diplomas, their applications first undergo a review by the central administration of the University before reaching me, taking a maximum of 6 weeks.

Are there specific criteria or key elements that you prioritize or look for when reviewing master's applications at Campus Fryslân?

Certainly, the criteria vary by programme. For the Sustainable Entrepreneurship programme, I particularly consider whether the student has taken courses in research and business & economics. In the case of Cultural Geography, we review statistics and geography courses. Concerning Speech Technology, our focus is on linguistics and computer science, although they are not strict requirements. The primary criterion is that applicant students are highly motivated.

What are some common mistakes or oversights that applicants should avoid when submitting their master's application?

For applicants, one common mistake is omitting a course list. Fortunately, the Progress tracking system enforces strict adherence to the application steps, making it difficult to overlook any necessary components.

For students aiming to transition smoothly into the master's programme, are there any preparatory steps or recommendations you would suggest they undertake before submitting their applications?

If you are coming from an applied sciences background and want to join the Sustainable Entrepreneurship master's programme, we recommend starting with our pre-master programme, which usually begins in February. For Speech Technology, professors suggest improving your knowledge and skills by checking out various online courses on programming, for example Python for everybody (MOOC). If you are interested in Sustainable Tourism & Society or Climate Adaptation Governance in cultural geography, and you are from an applied sciences background, it's a good idea to consider a pre-master in Cultural Geography. These steps will help you get ready for a successful application.

Do you have inquiries regartding one of our master's programme and the application process? Feel free to reach out to Marijke at:

  • cf-cg@rug.nl (Climate Adaptation Governance and/or Sustainable Tourism & Society)
  • cf-se@rug.nl (Sustainable Entrepreneurship)
  • cf-st@rug.nl (Speech Technology)

About the author

Erika Compatangelo
Erika Compatangelo

Ciao! My name is Erika and I am the Content & Data Management Specialist of Campus Fryslân. I was born and raised in Italy and have recently graduated from the MSc in Climate Adaptation Governance. I have been in charge of the blog and all its content since October 2023. My aim is to make this virtual space serve as a logbook for the Campus Fryslân community and as a welcoming introduction for all newcomers. Here, you will find stories from the people of Campus Fryslân to get a taste of what studying here is like and the exciting opportunities it comes with!