Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam ('VU Amsterdam') is an internationally renowned research university founded in 1880. The university offers over 190 English-taught programmes at Bachelor's, Master's and PhD level to more than 24,000 students from all over the world. Students and staff of 84 nationalities create a dynamic international academic community.
Bachelor's programmes
Social Sciences (16)
- B.A. Archaeology
- B.Sc. Communication Science
- B.Sc. Psychology
Humanities (12)
- B.A. Ancient Studies
- B.A. Archaeology
- Bachelor Creative Technology
- B.A. Philosophy
Natural Sciences & Mathematics (5)
Computer Science & IT (4)
Business & Management (3)
Engineering & Technology (3)
- B.Sc. Biomedical Sciences
- Bachelor Creative Technology
- B.Eng. Mechanical Engineering
Journalism & Media (3)
Education & Training (2)
Medicine & Health (2)
- B.Sc. Biomedical Sciences
- B.Sc. Psychology
Arts, Design & Architecture (1)
Law (1)
- L.L.B. Law in Society
About
History
VU stands for Vrije Universiteit, which translates literally as Free University. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam was the first university in the Netherlands established in 1880 by Abraham Kuyper, with no interference from the church or the state. This heritage is still very much part of who they are.
Education
- On-demand Bachelor’s day
Did you miss the Online Bachelor's Day on February 6? With a My Study Choice account, you can get access to the open day platform from February and view the various study programme videos!
VU Bachelor’s Day 5 & 6 November
Join the Bachelor’s day to get to know VU Amsterdam and its bachelor programmes. Sign up here.
Vu Master’s Event 7 December
Join the Master’s Event to get more information about the master of your choice! Sign up here.
Research
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is consistently listed among the world’s top universities in various rankings;is located in one of the most dynamic and fastgrowing business districts in the Netherlands; is a modern campus university with student housing just a five-minute bike ride away; helps you with housing, visas and the administrative side of studying in the Netherlands;offers an international environment. A quarter of the students in our English-taught programmes come from abroad;provides high-quality education in small and highly interactive classes.
Career
The overview of vacancies gives you a list of current vacancies at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. This list is continually updated so you can always see what is currently available. They therefore advise you to visit the website regularly to see whether a suitable vacancy has been posted for which you may submit an application. If no vacancies are available, you may send an open application to the faculty or department you are interested in, enclosing your profile. An application for a specific vacancy is however preferable.
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2021
GSSA 2021
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2021. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 8 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
University Ranking
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2023
82 2
2022
84 -4
2021
80
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2023
121 -6
2022
115 1
2021
116
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2022
151 -50
2021
101
2020
101
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2023
214 -5
2022
209 27
2021
236
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
Services
Student services
An International Student Advisor (ISA) assigned to the faculty you are interested in will help you with the application procedure and any other information you may need. Once you have been admitted to the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdams programme, the Services-teams at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam International Office can help you find accommodation and apply for a visa and residence permit (if applicable). The International Office offers orientation periods for international students in August, consisting of social events, sports activities and a cultural programme.
Housing services
Accommodation consists of furnished (single) rooms with private or shared facilities. Some rooms can be reserved in one of the student dorms with shared shower and toilet. Students usually have their own bedroom. In most cases, bathroom, kitchen and living room must be shared with other students. It is common that men and women live together in the same student house. Given the shortage of good accommodation, you may find the room you get is rather small and not of the standard you had expected. Accommodation in Amsterdam is not only limited, but can also be more expensive than at home. Thinking about these things in advance could help avoid unpleasant surprises later.
Library services
VU Amsterdam Bibliotheek [university library] offers resources for study and research by providing a collection of scientific information to meet the demand of the questions posed.Approximately 90% of the collections accessible by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Bibliotheek are available digitally and, therefore, available to members of staff and students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
ICT services
Free WIFI is available for all students and employees on campus. There are several computer rooms, a notebook study room and internet work spaces to study comfortably and quietly. All faculties have their own study and computer rooms, often combined.The buildings are generally opened from 7AM to 11PM on weekdays and from 8AM to 6PM during the weekend.
Medical services
The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Medical Center has a general practice serving the local community. As part of the teaching hospital, it provides training and experience to medical students and conducts scientific research. VU students who live in Amsterdam (except Amsterdam Noord) or Amstelveen can register as patients.
Student Life
Campus life
Almost all of our students, staff and programmes are located on campus: a single building complex in the business district of Amsterdam.
The Main Building has a permanent exhibition space, which showcases work of beginning and established artists. All over the campus you can view the universitys art collection, including an art route through the public areas.
The campus has its own bike repair shop, which also sells reasonably priced second hand bikes.
Sports facilities
Sports Center with good facilities, many types of classes and a gym. Provides cheap entrance for students and the possibility to subscribe for a short period of time.A basketball field, multiple beach volleyball fields and tennis tables are located on the campus ground, free to use for students any time of day.
Student clubs
There are several types of student bodies at the university, mostly linked to a field of study. ESN Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is an organization for all international and Dutch students at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. It brings together students from around the world to introduce them to the university, to Amsterdam and to make them feel at home. ESN Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam organizes a host of activities, including cocktail parties, weekly get-togethers (borrels), weekend trips and social gatherings every two weeks.
Accreditation
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is fully recognised by the Dutch Ministry of Education as a research university. All degree programmes at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam are either accredited by or in the process of being accredited by NVAO, the Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders.
Student Reviews
Good university and fun/diverse courses
Anonymous rated 4 out of 5 stars
It is well organised, the lectures are intereseting and there is a lot of interaction. Your opinion is important to the professors
strict university!
Anonymous rated 3 out of 5 stars
till now and within a short period of time a lot of assignments !!! it means we must read and read and read!no time to do a part-time job really!
Pharmacoepidemiology
Anonymous rated 5 out of 5 stars
It is a nice and high qualified university with very nice professors and study environments. I found the place so friendly. So many facilities to help and provide study and research.
Other programmes from this organisation
Improve page content