Documents

• Identity document – passport or national ID card. Ideally, it should be valid for at least 2 more years.
• Secondary school leaving certificate – if you have already finished school. Still in your final year? Apply now and send the certificate later – as soon as you receive it.
• Transcript of records – if you have not finished school yet. It shows the subjects you have taken in the last three school years. It also shows your year-end grades from the previous school year and your first-semester grades from your final year. If you apply to Denmark, you also fill in a statement of hours for each subject.
• Motivation letter – not every university requires it. See the motivation letter page to find out which universities need it and how to write it.
• Proof of English proficiency – the requirement depends on the university: some accept a school-leaving exam in English, others ask for IELTS, TOEFL or another test. You will find all the options on the English language requirements page.
• Additional documents (optional) – proof of achievements directly related to your chosen study program: a competition you won, courses you completed, and so on.

• Identity document – passport or national ID card. Ideally, it should be valid for at least 2 more years.
• Bachelor's diploma with diploma supplement – if you have already graduated. The diploma needs an English translation. The supplement needs no translation if it is issued in two languages, including English.
• Transcript of ECTS credits – if you have not graduated yet. It lists the descriptions, grades and ECTS credits of the courses you have completed. If the transcript is not in English, you need an official translation. Once you receive your diploma, you send it too.
• Motivation letter – tips on how to write it are on the motivation letter page.
• Two letters of recommendation – one must come from someone who knows your academic work, such as a lecturer. The other can come from an employer. Each letter must include the contact details of the person who wrote it.
• Curriculum vitae (CV) – always in English.
• English test certificate – proof that you have passed IELTS, TOEFL or another accepted English test.
• Additional documents (optional) – proof of achievements directly related to your chosen study program.

The transcript of records is an official document that shows your education so far, before you receive your secondary school leaving certificate. If you apply for bachelor's studies while you are still in school, you fill it in.

• The transcript must carry your school's stamp and the signature of an authorized staff member.
• There is one Kastu template for all five countries. If you apply to Denmark, you also fill in a statement of hours for each subject.
• If your school prefers to use its own form, it can issue a transcript in English with the same information.

You will find the templates and detailed instructions on the transcript of records page.

The motivation letter is the university's first impression of you: in it, you show your motivation, your interest in the chosen field and your strengths.

• Not every university requires it. The motivation letter page lists every university that asks for one.
• Some universities have their own rules – for example, Business Academy Aarhus asks you to present your motivation as a video.
• Register on kastu.eu and you will get detailed writing instructions with examples by e-mail.

Tips on what to write and what to avoid are on the motivation letter page.

A letter of recommendation is not always required – it helps the university see what other people think of you.

• For bachelor's studies, it is optional in all five countries – the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Finland.
• For master's studies, it is required: you need to submit two letters of recommendation.
• A teacher, lecturer or employer must write the letter – not a friend or a family member. It must be in English and include the contact details of the person who wrote it.

You will find more tips on the letter of recommendation page.

The easiest way is to fill in the Kastu application form. The system then shows which documents to fill in and upload for your chosen country, university and study program. If you have questions, ask KastuGPT.

No. You can start the application process in your final year of school. Then you submit a transcript of records instead of the secondary school leaving certificate, and send the certificate later, as soon as you receive it. The same applies to master's studies: until you have your bachelor's diploma, a transcript of ECTS credits is enough.

Yes – you submit every document in English. If a document was issued in another language, you need an official translation. But not everything needs translating: for example, a bachelor's diploma supplement is often already issued in two languages, including English. You can order the translation from any certified translator.

It depends on the university – some don't ask for a motivation letter. The exact list of universities that need one is on the motivation letter page. There you will also find tips on how to write a memorable letter.

It depends on the university. Some Kastu partner universities in the Netherlands and Belgium accept a school-leaving exam in English instead of an international test. The exact rule depends on your country and the university. Others ask for IELTS, TOEFL or another accepted test. You will find all the ways to prove your English on the English language requirements page.

Before your documents go to the universities, the Kastu team reviews them. If something is missing or needs to be corrected, the Kastu team lets you know by e-mail. Your part is simple: submit clearly readable documents and don't wait until the last minute.