Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (2024)

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Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Netherlands

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# 221QS World University Rankings

6Undergraduate programs

15Postgraduate programs

6573International students

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About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (‘VU Amsterdam’) is an internationally renowned research university founded in 1880. The university offers over 175 English-taught programmes at Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD level to more than 26,000 students from all over the world. Students and staff of 122 nationalities create a dynamic international academic community.

Quick links

More information about the variousBachelor’s programmes
More information about the variousMaster's programmes
More information about thePhD programmes
Tuition feesfor international programmes
Find out about admission requirements, numerus fixus, premasters, and how to apply atAdmission and application.
Go toscholarshipsto find a list of the scholarship programmes that are most commonly awarded to our Master students.
Curious about student life at VU Amsterdam? Have a lookhere.
Visit our campus virtually here.

VU Amsterdam is located in the vibrant city of Amsterdam, one of the most multicultural cities in the world, with the largest concentration of students in the Netherlands and where English is the second language spoken. The campus is surrounded by one of the most dynamic and fast-growing business districts in the Netherlands hosting over 700 companies.

With more than 26,000 students, of which 4,088 are international, VU Amsterdam conducts cutting-edge research into problems of societal and scientific importance. We distinguish itself in research and education through four interdisciplinary themes: Human Health and Life Sciences, Science for Sustainability, Connected World and Governance for Society. As a student this will help you to look beyond the boundaries of scientific disciplines, and to seek for tangible solutions for a better world. In addition, VU Amsterdam regards diversity, whether in culture, conviction, nationality or prior education, as source of innovation and progress, and hence as special strength.

VU Amsterdam offers English taught Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in different fields of interest, namely:

Art, Culture and History
Behavioural and Social Sciences
Computer Science, Mathematics and Business
Economics, Business and Law
Health and Movement Sciences
Language and Communication
Natural Sciences
Religion and Philosophy

Furthermore, VU Amsterdam provides three- or four-year research intensive PhD programmes, or part time PhD programmes with a duration above four years, organized in graduate schools of nine VU Amsterdam faculties. The doctorates are internationally-oriented, multi and interdisciplinary, curiosity and results driven, creating an impact in science, society and economy.

Upcoming Events

For more information about our (upcoming) open days and webinars please visit https://vu.nl/en/education/more-about/vu-master-s-event

Meet us in your own country

VU Amsterdam is frequently present at international education fairs around the world. It will be a pleasure to meet you at our stand! Please join one of our presentations, take a brochure or flyer and ask our colleagues and alumni about all that you need to know about studying at VU Amsterdam.

A multicultural community
VU Amsterdam is an internationally renowned university located in the vibrant city of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Amsterdam is one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world, boasting 179 different nationalities and English is widely spoken. At VU Amsterdam people of different nationalities work and study closely together, creating an international and dynamic academic community. Diversity, whether in culture, conviction, nationality or prior education, is regarded as source of innovation and progress, and hence as special strength.

International students and staff
With around 4,088 international students and 122 different nationalities on campus, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam represents a wide range of voices. To make the transition to Amsterdam easier, the university helps students find accommodation, apply for scholarships, tackle immigration matters and prepare for international and Dutch labor markets.

Top reasons to study here

VU is located in lively and multicultural Amsterdam, the city with the largest concentration of students in the Netherlands;
VU is a modern campus university with student housing just a five-minute bike ride away;
VU is consistently listed among the world's top universities in various rankings.

About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Quick links

More information about the variousBachelor’s programmes
More information about the variousMaster's programmes
More information about thePhD programmes
Tuition feesfor international programmes
Find out about admission requirements, numerus fixus, premasters, and how to apply atAdmission and application.
Go toscholarshipsto find a list of the scholarship programmes that are most commonly awarded to our Master students.
Curious about student life at VU Amsterdam? Have a lookhere.
Visit our campus virtually here.

VU Amsterdam offers English taught Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in different fields of interest, namely:

Art, Culture and History
Behavioural and Social Sciences
Computer Science, Mathematics and Business
Economics, Business and Law
Health and Movement Sciences
Language and Communication
Natural Sciences
Religion and Philosophy

Upcoming Events

For more information about our (upcoming) open days and webinars please visit https://vu.nl/en/education/more-about/vu-master-s-event

Meet us in your own country

Top reasons to study here

VU is located in lively and multicultural Amsterdam, the city with the largest concentration of students in the Netherlands;
VU is a modern campus university with student housing just a five-minute bike ride away;
VU is consistently listed among the world's top universities in various rankings.

Access Brochures

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Available programs

BachelorUG
MasterPG

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers bachelor’s degrees in English and Dutch in a range of different fields.

Relocate to the Netherlands

The Dutch university Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam tends to upstage its rivals in the rankings and ratings. The overall quality of Dutch higher education is among the best in the world. The Dutch higher education system has been ranked 7th in the world by Universitas 21, a global network of research universities. In the Academic Ranking of the World Universities 2017 and 18 (Shanghai Ranking) VU Amsterdam holds a position of 104. QS Ranking places Vrije Universiteit 236 in the world, which means the VU belongs to the top 20% in the International QS World University Ranking 2021.

At VU Amsterdam, the teaching style can be described as student-centred: we encourage students to develop their own opinions through independent and creative thinking. This means that teaching is mainly conducted in small tutorials, where interactivity is the norm rather than the exception. At every opportunity, students are encouraged to engage in constructive dialogue with their professors.

Study in English

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers 24 bachelor’s degrees taught in English:

Ancient studies
Archaeology
Artificial Intelligence (Lifestyle Informatics)
Business Analytics
Communication Science
Communication and Information Studies: Language and Media
Communication and Information Studies: Language Learning and Language Teaching
Computer Science
Cultural Anthropology and Developmental Sociology
Econometrics and Operations Research
Econometrics and Operations Research: Econometrics and Data Science
Economics and Business Economics
History and International Studies
International Business Administration
Law in Society
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Literature and Society
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Philosophy
Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
Political Science: Global Politics
Psychology
Theology and Religious Studies

Discover amazing undergraduate courses here:

Competitive programs

Each program has its own set of entry requirements. Generally, in order to be eligible to pursue a bachelor’s degree, you would need a high school diploma (VWO) and, for non-native English speakers, to submit an English proficiency test with your application. All programmes start in September.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Students from the EU or EEA pay the same tuition fees as Dutch students. The tuition fees for most programmes are set by the Dutch government on an annual basis and vary per programme. When you apply for a programma at VU Amsterdam you need to pay an application fee of €100.

To International undergraduate students, scholarship options are limited. However, Dutch higher education is subsidised and tuition fees are relatively low.

Business and Management(5)

Business Analytics

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Engineering and Technology(5)

Creative Technology

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Natural Sciences(5)

Mathematics

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Others(5)

Biomedical Sciences

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History and International Studies

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Social Sciences and Management(5)

Bachelor Econometrics and Operations Research

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Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers master’s degrees as well as PhDs in English and Dutch in a range of different fields.

Choose from a comprehensive range of subject areas

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers over 150 master’s degrees in English within different fields of interest, namely:

Art, Culture and History
Behavioural and Social Sciences
Computer Science, Mathematics and Business
Economics, Business and Law
Health and Movement Sciences
Language and Communication
Natural Sciences
Religion and Philosophy

Competitive cohorts

All programs have their own specific admission requirements. As a rule of thumb, you would need a relevant bachelor’s degree and proof of proficiency in English.

Scholarships and fees

Students from the EU or EEA pay the same tuition fees as Dutch students. The tuition fees for most programmes are set by the Dutch government on an annual basis and vary per programme. Fortunately, there are scholarships available, including:

VU Fellowship Program (VUFP)
The Holland Scholarship Program (HSP)
Orange Tulip Scholarship (OTS)
OTS scholarship
Fulbright scholarship

Business and Management(4)

Business Analytics

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Business Data Science (Research Master)

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Life Sciences and Medicine(4)

Biomedical Technology and Physics

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Biomolecular Sciences

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Clinical and Developmental Psychopathology (Research)

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Genes in Behaviour and Health (Research Master)

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Global Health (Research Master)

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Health Sciences

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Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Sciences

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Natural Sciences(4)

Earth Sciences

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Ecology and Evolution

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Environment and Resource Management

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Hydrology

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Social Sciences and Management(4)

Human Movement Sciences (Research)

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Societal Sciences for a Digital Society (Research Master)

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University information

Admission

Total students

31,254

UG students

61%

PG students

39%

International students

6,573

UG students

57%

PG students

43%

Total faculty staff

2,648

Domestic staff

74%

Int'l staff

26%

Tuition fee and scholarships

Scholarships

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.