VU University Amsterdam is a public institution that was founded in 1880. The Dutch university is located in the Zuidas district of Amsterdam, and it enrolled around 23,000 students in a recent year. Tuition costs are higher for non-European Union and non-European Economic Area students. Furnished and unfurnished university accommodations are available for international degree-seeking and exchange students.
The university has 10 main academic divisions: dentistry, economics and business administration, earth and life sciences, behavioral and movement sciences, humanities, law, medicine, sciences, social sciences and theology. In a recent year, the university offered more than 50 bachelor's programs and 160 master's programs. Several English-taught international bachelor's degree programs – including programs in business analytics, computer science and psychology – are available, but the majority of undergrad programs are taught in Dutch. Both Dutch- and English-speaking students have a variety of master's programs to choose from at the university. Around a quarter of the students enrolled in English-taught programs at VU University Amsterdam are international. The school follows a semester-based academic calendar.
The four main teaching and research themes at the university are governance for society, human health and life sciences, connected world and science for sustainability. Some of the university's research centers are the Amsterdam Center for Career Research, the Amsterdam Center for Entrepreneurship and the Institute for Cardiovascular Research. The university is also affiliated with the VU University Medical Center, a teaching hospital.
Ever since it was founded in 1880, VU University of Amsterdam (VUA) has been known for its distinctive approach to knowledge. VU University of Amsterdam is an open organisation, strongly linked to people and society. What matters is not just the acquisition of a greater depth of knowledge, but also a wider one. We ask and expect our students, researchers, PhD candidates and employees to look further – to look further than their own interests and their own field, and further than what is familiar and further than the here and now.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as PhDs in English and Dutch in a range of different fields. Students of the university are taught and mentored by top researchers in their academic areas and encouraged at every opportunity to further their potential.
Trailblazing research with a purpose
A mere 30 minutes from De Jordaan, Amsterdam’s bustling student district, and its charming labyrinth of tightly packed streets, boutiques, narrow houses and canals, you’ll find Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. It’s a humanist research university, fully invested in life sciences, sustainability, connectivity and governance.
Every day, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam carries out innovative projects to further humanity in a range of different areas, including mental health, the relationships humans have with virtual worlds and neurosecretion. Explore Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam’s research.
A high caliber learning environment
Just a stone’s throw from one of the most thriving business districts in the Netherlands, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers a challenging learning environment and a home to some of the world’s brightest minds. The University distinguishes itself in research and education through four interdispciplinary themes: Human Health and Life Sciences, Science for Sustainability, Connected World and Governance for Society.
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 (Shanghai Ranking) VU Amsterdam holds a position between 101 and 150.
International students and staff
With over 3,300 students and 80 nationalities represented on campus, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam represents a wide range of voices. To make the transition to a new country easier, the university helps students find accommodation, apply for scholarships, attend to immigration matters and prepare for international and Dutch labor markets.
