University of Amsterdam

Spui 21, Netherlands

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is a leading international public research university located in the heart of Amsterdam. Renowned for its broad and critical academic culture, it offers a wide range of English-taught programmes across seven faculties, attracting a diverse and highly motivated student body from over 100 countries.
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While Dutch is the national language, the UvA offers over 200 English-taught Master's programmes and 20 English-taught Bachelor's programmes. The university is highly international, and English is widely spoken on campus and in the city.
The University of Amsterdam consistently ranks among the world's top universities, typically placed within the top 65 globally in the QS World University Rankings and the top 20 in Europe. It is particularly renowned for its programmes in Communication Science, Psychology, Sociology, and the Humanities.
Student life in Amsterdam is vibrant and diverse. The UvA has over 50 student associations covering academic, cultural, and social interests. The city itself, with its canals, museums, parks, and cosmopolitan atmosphere, serves as an extended campus, offering a rich cultural and social experience alongside academic studies.
For most English-taught programmes, the general requirement is an IELTS score of 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 6.0 per sub-score) or a TOEFL iBT score of 92 overall (with a minimum of 22 per sub-score). Some programmes may have higher requirements, so always check the specific programme page.
Numerus fixus is a selection procedure for programmes with a limited number of available spots due to high demand. For these programmes, such as Psychology or Medicine, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place. Applicants are ranked based on their credentials and/or a selection test, and places are offered to the top-ranked candidates.
The application deadline for most Bachelor's programmes for international students from outside the EU/EEA is 1 April for the following September start. The deadline for most Master's programmes is 1 March. However, deadlines can vary, especially for numerus fixus programmes, which often have a deadline of 15 January.
All UvA campus buildings have security personnel and require student ID card access outside of regular office hours. The university has emergency procedures, well-lit pathways, and security cameras in public areas. There is also a central contact point for reporting safety and security concerns.
The UvA has a confidential advisor for unacceptable behaviour (such as harassment, aggression, or discrimination) who provides support, advice, and can help you formally report the incident. The university takes all reports seriously and has a clear protocol to handle them with discretion and care.
Amsterdam is generally considered a very safe city. However, as in any major city, it is important to take standard precautions against pickpocketing and bicycle theft. The university provides safety tips during introduction days and advises students to be aware of their surroundings, especially at night.
Yes, the UvA offers flexibility through elective credits (keuze-uren) in most Bachelor's programmes, allowing you to take courses from other faculties. You can also pursue a minor, which is a cohesive set of courses worth 30 ECTS, often in a different field of study to broaden your academic perspective.
The teaching style is a mix of lectures for large groups and smaller, interactive tutorial groups where attendance is often mandatory. The emphasis is on critical thinking, self-directed study, and collaborative work. Students are expected to prepare for tutorials and participate actively in discussions.
The UvA is a research university, focusing on theoretical knowledge and academic research skills, preparing students for independent research roles. Universities of Applied Sciences (Hogescholen) are more practically oriented, focusing on applied arts and sciences and preparing students for specific professions.
The UvA offers several merit-based scholarships for excellent international students, such as the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS) for Master's students and the Amsterdam Science Talent Scholarship (ASTS) for Bachelor's students in the Faculty of Science. Many faculties also have their own specific scholarship programmes.
Generally, only students from the EU/EEA, Switzerland, or Surinam who work at least 56 hours per month in the Netherlands are eligible for Dutch student finance. Most non-EU/EEA students are not eligible and must demonstrate sufficient independent financial resources for their visa and stay.
The UvA's website has a dedicated section on financing your studies which includes a list of reliable external scholarship providers, such as the Holland Scholarship, Grantfinder (NL), and various organizations specific to your home country. It is important to apply for external scholarships well in advance.
The UvA does not guarantee housing but offers a limited number of rooms through its Housing Service, which is primarily intended for first-year international Bachelor's and Master's students from outside the EU/EEA. Rooms are allocated via a lottery system, so applying early when the service opens is crucial.
The UvA has a urban campus integrated into Amsterdam, with four main locations: City Centre (Humanities, Social Sciences, Law), Roeterseiland (Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business), Science Park (Beta Sciences), and the Amsterdam UMC location for Medicine.
The Amsterdam housing market is very competitive and challenging for students. It is strongly recommended to start your search early, use reliable sources, and be prepared for high costs. The UvA Housing Service is the most secure option for international students to find their first room.
After graduating, non-EU/EEA students can apply for the Orientation Year Visa (Zoekjaar). This residence permit allows you to stay in the Netherlands for one year to search for a job or start a business without strict salary requirements during that year.
To be eligible, you must have obtained a degree from a recognized Dutch higher education institution like the UvA. You must apply within three years of graduation. The visa is valid for one year and gives you free access to the Dutch labour market.
If you find a job during your orientation year, your employer must apply for a regular Dutch residence permit for highly skilled migrants. The salary requirement for this permit is lower for you as a recent graduate, making the transition into the Dutch workforce smoother.

University Of University of Amsterdam Application Statistics

32000
5000
2400
13
£ 12600
£ 9000
£ 2060
3.2
36
80 %
7
550
299
149
150

Learn About -

* All cost are in GBP

University Of University of Amsterdam Application Statistics

32000
5000
2400
13
£ 12600
£ 9000
£ 2060
3.2
36
80 %
7
550
299
149
150

Learn About -

* All cost are in GBP

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