University of Amsterdam
University of Amsterdam
University of Amsterdam overview
The University of Amsterdam, also known as Universiteit van Amsterdam in Dutch, is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the Netherlands and is also internationally renowned. In 1632, it was founded as the Athenaeum Illustre, and in 1877, it was officially recognized as a full-fledged university. The University of Amsterdam has the highest student enrollment in the Netherlands.
The University of Amsterdam offers an extensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields. It is composed of seven faculties: humanities, social and behavioral sciences, economics and business, science, law, medicine (known as Amsterdam UMC in collaboration with VU Medical Center), and dentistry (ACTA in collaboration with VU university). Numerous academic disciplines, including but not limited to Sociology, Development Studies, Anthropology, Communication Science, and Psychology, have earned the university a sterling reputation.
The University of Amsterdam's primary campus is situated in the heart of Amsterdam. The academic environment is quite international, with an abundance of English-taught courses, especially at the graduate level. Research is essential to the mission of the university. Several research institutes outside of the humanities and natural sciences are affiliated with the University of Amsterdam. These institutes provide advanced research programs and host scholars from all over the globe. The University of Amsterdam has a long history and has produced many distinguished alumni and faculty members, including a number of Nobel laureates.
About University of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam, also known as Universiteit van Amsterdam in Dutch, is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the Netherlands and is also internationally renowned. In 1632, it was founded as the Athenaeum Illustre, and in 1877, it was officially recognized as a full-fledged university. The University of Amsterdam has the highest student enrollment in the Netherlands.
The University of Amsterdam offers an extensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields. It is composed of seven faculties: humanities, social and behavioral sciences, economics and business, science, law, medicine (known as Amsterdam UMC in collaboration with VU Medical Center), and dentistry (ACTA in collaboration with VU university). Numerous academic disciplines, including but not limited to Sociology, Development Studies, Anthropology, Communication Science, and Psychology, have earned the university a sterling reputation.
The University of Amsterdam's primary campus is situated in the heart of Amsterdam. The academic environment is quite international, with an abundance of English-taught courses, especially at the graduate level. Research is essential to the mission of the university. Several research institutes outside of the humanities and natural sciences are affiliated with the University of Amsterdam. These institutes provide advanced research programs and host scholars from all over the globe. The University of Amsterdam has a long history and has produced many distinguished alumni and faculty members, including a number of Nobel laureates.
University of Amsterdam faculties and programs
University of Amsterdam scholarships and financial aid
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) seeks to attract the brightest pupils in the world to its global classrooms. As a result, the UvA has established a number of scholarship programs to provide talented and motivated international students with the opportunity to pursue a degree at the university. Further information can be found at the links below.
University of Amsterdam Exam Requirements
Submitting at least one of the exams below with the required score is a prerequisite for application. The score threshold may vary by program.
How to get into University of Amsterdam
Admission Requirements For International Students
Undergraduate
Prospective international students who wish to apply to undergraduate programs offered by University of Amsterdam must meet the admission requirements set out below.
- Successful Completion of 12 Years of Basic Education
- High School Diploma with both high grade point average and at least 4 AP subjects and exams, including the one(s) shown below. All AP exams must have a minimum score of 3. Art and Design: 2-D Art and Design, Art and Design: 3-D Art and Design, Art and Design: Drawing, Music Theory courses are not accepted. The AP exam certificates must be sent directly to the university by the AP College Board.
- Program-Specific AP Course Requirements
- Actuarial Science
- Calculus BC with a total score of 4 or higher
- Calculus BC with a total score of 3 or higher + a mandatory UvA mathematics B test after applying
- Calculus AB with a total score of preferably 5 but at least 3 + a mandatory UvA mathematics B test after applying
- Statistics with a total score of preferably 5 but at least 3 + a mandatory UvA mathematics B test after applying
- Business Administration
- Calculus AB/BC or Statistics with a total score of 3 or higher
- Business Analytics
- Calculus BC with a total score of 4 or higher
- Calculus BC with a total score of 3 + a mandatory UvA mathematics B test after applying
- Calculus AB with a total score of preferably 5 but at least 3 + a mandatory UvA mathematics B test after applying
- Statistics with a total score of preferably 5 but at least 3 + a mandatory UvA mathematics B test after applying
- Communication Science
- Calculus AB/BC or Statistics with a total score of 3 or higher is highly recommended
- Computational Social Science
- Calculus AB/BC or Statistics with a total score of 3 or higher
- Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology
- Calculus AB/BC or Statistics with a total score of 3 or higher is highly recommended
- Econometrics
- Calculus BC with a total score of 4 or higher
- Calculus BC with a total score of 3 or higher + a mandatory UvA mathematics B test after applying
- Calculus AB with a total score of preferably 5 but at least 3 + a mandatory UvA mathematics B test after applying
- Statistics with a total score of preferably 5 but at least 3 + a mandatory UvA mathematics B test after applying
- Economics and Business Economics
- Calculus AB/BC or Statistics with a total score of 3 or higher
- Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Humanities major: a score of 600 or higher in SAT Subject Test Mathematics Level 1 or SAT Reasoning Test - Mathematics Section
- Social Sciences major: College Board AP exam in Statistics with a total score of 3 or higher
- Sciences major: College Board AP exam in Calculus AB with a total score of 3 or higher
- Political Science
- Calculus AB/BC or Statistics with a total score of 3 or higher is highly recommended
- PPLE
- GPA: B+/3.33 | Math: total score of 3 or higher in College Board AP exam Calculus AB/BC or Statistics | English: native*)* If (and only if) you have obtained your English-taught secondary school diploma in the USA
- Psychology
- Calculus AB/BC or Statistics with a total score of 3 or higher
- Sociology
- Calculus AB/BC or Statistics with a total score of 3 or higher is highly recommended
- Actuarial Science
or
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
- DP courses obtained without fulfilling all graduation requirements for the IB diploma will not be accepted.
- Program-Specific International Baccalaureate DP Course Requirements
- Actuarial Science
- Mathematics HL or
- Analysis and Approaches HL
- A minimum of 4 points is expected. A grade of at least 5 is highly recommended.
- Business Administration
- Mathematics SL or
- Analysis and Approaches SL or
- Applications and Interpretation HL
- A minimum of 4 points is highly recommended.
- Business Analytics
- Mathematics HL or
- Analysis and Approaches HL
- A minimum of 4 points is expected. A grade of at least 5 is highly recommended.
- Computational Social Science
- Mathematics SL or
- Analysis and Approaches SL or
- Analysis and Approaches HL or
- Applications and Interpretation HL
- A minimum of 4 points is highly recommended.
- Econometrics
- Mathematics HL or
- Analysis and Approaches HL
- A minimum of 4 points is expected.
- A grade of at least 5 is highly recommended.
- Economics and Business Economics
- Mathematics SL
- Analysis and Approaches SL or
- Analysis and Approaches HL or
- Applications and Interpretation HL
- A minimum of 4 points is highly recommended.
- Liberal Arts and Sciences
- English SL with a minimum of 5 points.
- Mathematics depending on major
- Humanities: Mathematical Studies or Applications and Interpretation SL with a minimum of 7 points
- Social Sciences: Mathematics SL, Analysis and Approaches SL or Applications and Interpretation HL with a minimum of 6 points
- Sciences: Mathematics SL, Analysis and Approaches SL or Applications and Interpretation HL with a minimum of 6 points; or Mathematics HL or Analysis and Approaches HL with a minimum of 5 points
- PPLE
- 34 pts total based on 6 subjects - excluding TOK and Extended Essay | A minimum grade 4 for Mathematics SL, Analysis and Approaches SL or Applications and Interpretation HL | A minimum grade 5 for Group 1 English A or Group 2 English B
- Actuarial Science
or
- IGCSE/International AS & A-Levels
- 3 (I)GCSEs with grade C/4 or higher and 3 GCE A-levels in accepted* subjects with grade C or higher for a total of 6 different subjects
- Program-Specific IGCSE, AS & A-Level Course Requirements
- Actuarial Science
- GCE A-level in Mathematics or Physics with strongly recommended grade A or A*, required minimum grade of C and
- A UvA mathematics B test may be required after applying. For more information see our website: uva.nl/eb-math-actuarialscience.
- Business Administration
- GCE A-level in Mathematics or Physics with grade C or higher
- Business Analytics
- GCE A-level in Mathematics or Physics with strongly recommended grade A or A*, required minimum grade of C and
- A UvA mathematics B test may be required after applying. For more information see our website: uva.nl/eb-math-businessanalytics.
- Communication Science
- GCE AS-level in Mathematics or A-level in Mathematics with grade C or higher is highly recommended
- Computational Social Science
- GCE A-level in Mathematics with grade C or higher
- Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology
- GCE AS-level in Mathematics or A-level in Mathematics with grade C or higher is highly recommended
- Econometrics
- GCE A-level in Mathematics or Physics with strongly recommended grade A or A*, required minimum grade of C and
- A UvA mathematics B test may be required after applying. For more information see our website: uva.nl/eb-math-econometrics.
- Economics and Business Economics
- GCE A-level in Mathematics or Physics with grade C or higher
- Liberal Arts and Sciences
- English: (I)GCSE English Language with grade B/6 or higher
- Mathematics: depending on major:
- Humanities: (I)GCSE in Mathematics with grade A/7 or higher
- Social Sciences: AS-level in Mathematics with grade A or A-level in Mathematics with grade C or higher
- Sciences: A-level in Mathematics with grade B or higher
- Political Science
- GCE AS-level in Mathematics or A-level in Mathematics with grade C or higher is highly recommended
- PPLE
- GPA: ABB | Math: GCE A-level Mathematics C | English: native speaker
- Psychology
- GCE A-level in Mathematics or Psychology with grade C or higher, or alternatively: a score of at least 70% for the OMPT-A test or a passing grade for the James Boswell VWO Mathematics A, B or C exam
- Sociology
- GCE AS-level in Mathematics or A-level in Mathematics with grade C or higher is highly recommended
- Actuarial Science
- Certificate in English Proficiency for programs taught in English
- Academic IELTS with a minimum overall score of 6.5
- TOEFL iBT with a minimum score of 90
- Cambridge English test results: C1 advanced (formerly CAE) or C2 proficiency (formerly CPE).
- Certificate in Dutch Proficiency for programs taught in Dutch
- CNaVT is an international Dutch proficiency exam that can be taken worldwide
- Official transcripts of the courses taken by the applicant in throughout high school education
Graduate
Prospective international students who wish to apply for graduate programs offered by University of Amsterdam must meet the admission requirements outlined below.
- Bachelor's Degree Diploma
- High Grade Point Average
- Official transcripts of the courses taken by the applicant during college/university education
- Work experience may be required for certain programs
- Certificate in English Proficiency for programs taught in English
- IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge English Tests (C1 advanced or C2 proficiency)
- Certificate in Dutch Proficiency for programs taught in Dutch
- CNaVT is an international Dutch proficiency exam that can be taken worldwide
- GRE/GMAT exam score may be required in accordance with the specific admission requirements of certain programs.
Application Deadlines
* These dates are subject to change. Get in touch with our Dream Uni advisors to learn the up-to-date deadlines and all the details about the University of Amsterdam application process.
Take a closer look at University of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) has several campuses located throughout Amsterdam, each with its own distinct characteristics and purpose. The humanities faculty are housed in the City Centre Campus, which is located in the historic core of Amsterdam. The architecture here is historically significant, with some structures reaching back to the 17th century. The University Library and the Oudemanhuispoort building are two notable structures. The Faculty of Science is housed in Science Park, which is located in the city's eastern outskirts. It is a contemporary, purpose-built campus that also serves as a significant research and enterprise hub, hosting a variety of high-tech enterprises and institutes as well as the Amsterdam University College.
The Roeterseiland Campus is located in the city center, between the city's cultural center and the famed Artis Zoo. It is a multidisciplinary campus that is home to the Faculties of Economics and Business, Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Law. In recent years, the campus has undergone major renovation and development, transforming it into a modern educational precinct. The University of Amsterdam and VU University Medical Center collaborate to run Amsterdam UMC. The Faculty of Medicine, also known as Amsterdam UMC, is housed there. The Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS/HvA) is principally located on the Amstel Campus. Although AUAS/HvA is an independent organization, it collaborates closely with UvA.
Each campus has its own facilities, such as libraries, study rooms, and cafeterias. Throughout the city, there are also several university-owned and private housing alternatives. Furthermore, due to the city's rich history, diversified population, and lively arts scene, student life in Amsterdam provides a plethora of options for cultural, social, and sporting activities.
Student life at the University of Amsterdam offers a diverse range of academic and cultural opportunities. The institution is located in the center of Amsterdam, allowing students to enjoy a rich cultural and social life. The university is spread out across the city. Some are historic structures, such as the 17th-century Oost-Indisch Huis (East India House), while others are modern, such as the Science Park. The architecture frequently combines the old and the contemporary.
The University of Amsterdam features a number of student organizations, including study associations and student unions. These organizations frequently host events, lectures, social meetings, and provide services such as book discounts. Being in Amsterdam gives students access to a diverse cultural scene. The city is home to numerous museums, art galleries, concert halls, theaters, and historic places. Many students take advantage of the opportunity to learn about Amsterdam's culture and history.
The University Sports Center (USC) provides a variety of sports activities, including fitness and dance classes, team sports, and private instruction. It can be difficult to find lodging in Amsterdam due to high demand and limited supply. Many students wind up finding housing on the private market, despite the fact that the university provides some housing resources.
With students from all over the globe, the University of Amsterdam offers a highly international atmosphere. Numerous courses are taught in English, and there are numerous opportunities to interact with students from diverse cultural origins. Moreover, Amsterdam is a bustling metropolis with a thriving nightlife, a vast selection of restaurants and cafes, extensive bike paths, gorgeous canals, and markets. The city's connectivity to the rest of the Netherlands and Europe makes it an excellent travel hub.
University of Amsterdam has produced many notable alumni in various fields. Some of the most well-known and accomplished alumni of University of Amsterdam include:
- Charles Miche
- Ien Ang
- J. Slauerhoff
- Joop den Uyl
- Menno ter Braak
- Pieter Cort van der Linden
- Princess Viktória de Bourbon de Parme
- Simon Vestdijk
- Sophia Antoniadis
- Willem Frederik Hermans
- Wim Duisenberg
University of Amsterdam cost of living
University of Amsterdam awards and achievements
- 1 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
- 1 Nobel Medicine Prize Laureate
- 1 Nobel Chemistry Prize Laureate
- 3 Nobel Physics Prize Laureates
- 7 Spinoza Priza Winners
- 5 Prime Ministers of the Netherlands
University of Amsterdam Frequently Asked Questions
University of Amsterdam Location
Amsterdam
University of Amsterdam Contact
University of Amsterdam
Take a Closer Look
How to Get Into University of Amsterdam
In your first meeting with a Dream Uni advisor, your academic background, goals, and expectations are analyzed in detail.
By assessing your English level and academic grades, your eligibility for the universities and colleges Dream Uni partners with is determined.
The application process is managed meticulously by our professional team, and your acceptance letter is delivered to you.
Why University of Amsterdam?
Get in touch with us
Fill out the form and a Dream Uni advisor will reach out to schedule your consultation.