University of Amsterdam: Key Facts Students Should Know
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is a public research university located in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, and it traces its origins back to 1632. It is a broad-ranging university which offers a variety of subjects including the arts, the humanities, the natural sciences, the social sciences, medicine and other academic disciplines. At present the university has more than 44,000 students, 6,200 staff members and 3,000 PhD researchers.
The University of Amsterdam functions via seven faculties and provides a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes. It currently offers 62 undergraduate programmes, 72 postgraduate programmes, and 17 research postgraduate programmes, most of which are taught in English.
University of Amsterdam Quick Glance
| Particular | Details |
| University Name | University of Amsterdam |
| Abbreviation | UvA |
| Location | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Established | 1632 |
| University Type | Public Research University |
| Faculties | 7 |
| Students | 44,000+ |
| Employees | 6,200+ |
| PhD Researchers | 3,000 |
| Bachelor’s Programmes | 62 |
| Master’s Programmes | 72 |
| Research Master’s | 17 |
| Campuses | Multiple locations across Amsterdam |
Academic Fields and Degree Options at UvA
The University of Amsterdam provides courses in a wide variety of subjects rather than concentrating on a single professional field; students have the choice of studying in the areas of the humanities, economics, law, science, the social sciences, medicine, and also in interdisciplinary programmes.
Major Study Areas
| Field | Examples of Study Options |
| Economics & Business | Economics, Business Administration, Business Analytics, Econometrics and Finance |
| Computer & Data Science | Computer Science, Information Studies, Data Science and related programmes |
| Social Sciences | Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Communication Science |
| Law | Law, International and European Law, Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics |
| Humanities | History, Philosophy, Languages, Media, Culture and Arts |
| Science | Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biological Sciences, Computational Science |
| Medicine | Medicine, Medical Informatics |
| Dentistry | Dentistry |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | PPLE, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Computational Social Science |
| Media & Communication | Communication Science, Media and Culture, Journalism-related study areas |
The University of Amsterdam currently offers 14 bachelor's programmes and 53 master's programmes taught in English, as well as programmes taught in Dutch and joint-degree programmes.
University of Amsterdam Tuition Fees 2026–27
The tuition fees at UvA are primarily determined by the student's nationality, the programme they are studying in, and whether or not they are eligible for the statutory tuition rate. Most students who satisfy the legal requirements pay the statutory fee, whereas a large number of non-EEA students pay the higher institutional fee.
Statutory Tuition Fee
| Study Type | 2026–27 Fee |
| Full-time | €2,694 per year |
| Part-time | €2,296 per year |
| Dual programme | €2,694 per year |
| Amsterdam University College | €5,580 per year |
| PPLE | €5,659 per year |
Institutional Tuition Fees for Non-EEA Students
The amount of the institutional fee differs greatly depending on the faculty and programme.
| Faculty / Programme Area | Bachelor’s | Master’s |
| Humanities | €17,500 | €25,900* |
| Economics & Business | €13,900 | €21,800–€24,050* |
| Law | €17,500 | €25,900* |
| Social & Behavioural Sciences | €16,670 | €23,455* |
| Science | €21,800 | €24,150–€34,300* |
| Medicine | €34,700 | €25,900–€37,400* |
| Dentistry | €34,700 | €37,400 |
The cost of Master’s programmes will depend on the length of the programme and the particular course.
Students must check the exact programme fee when applying since UvA has different institutional tuition rates for various faculties and individual programmes.
Admission Requirements for International Students
The admission requirements at the University of Amsterdam vary from programme to programme. When applying for a Bachelor's degree, students who have obtained international qualifications must hold a diploma that is considered equivalent to the necessary Dutch entry level; the UvA has a diploma finder which can be used to evaluate qualifications from different countries.
For bachelor's programmes taught in English, applicants usually have to show that they have achieved an English proficiency level of CEFR C1, although they may be exempt from this requirement if their earlier education entitles them to such an exemption.
| Requirement | What Students Need |
| Academic Qualification | Equivalent secondary-school qualification |
| Academic Subjects | Depends on the selected programme |
| English Proficiency | C1 level or accepted exemption for applicable programmes |
| Academic Transcripts | Required |
| Passport/ID | Required for international applicants |
| Application Documents | Diploma, transcripts and other programme-specific documents |
| Programme-Specific Conditions | May include mathematics, selection or additional requirements |
For applicants from India and other countries, UvA recommends checking the country-specific diploma requirements rather than relying on a single general percentage requirement.
How to Apply to the University of Amsterdam
International students applying for a bachelor's degree usually start their application on Studielink and then go on to fill in the UvA online application form. The university asks applicants to send over their academic documents and, in relevant cases, their results from an English language test.
Application Process
- Select the Bachelor’s programme.
- Look at the requirements specified for each programme.
- You can check your international diploma using the UvA diploma finder.
- Review the application deadline.
- Register through Studielink.
- Fill in the UvA online application.
- Upload your diploma, transcripts, and any required documents.
- English-language proof should be submitted if it is required.
- You must pay a non-refundable application fee of €100 for applications for the Bachelor’s degree with an international diploma, unless an exemption applies.
- Fill in any UvA Matching or other programme-specific requirements that apply.
- Take until you receive the admission decision.
- Once admission has been obtained, carry out the process of full enrolment and handle the immigration and housing procedures if they are required.
UvA Application Deadlines for International Bachelor’s Students
The deadlines vary depending on the programme; in the case of some Bachelor’s programmes there are fixed quotas or selection procedures, and as a result they have earlier deadlines.
| Applicant / Programme Type | 2026 Entry Deadline |
| Business Administration – English track | 15 January |
| Economics & Business Economics – English track | 15 January |
| Political Science – English track | 15 January |
| Psychology | 15 January |
| Liberal Arts & Sciences | 1 February |
| PPLE | 1 February |
| Other Bachelor’s programmes – international applicants | Advisory deadline: 1 April |
| Final deadline for applicants | 1 May |
The UvA recommends that students who require a visa or university-supported housing should apply by 1 April since those who submit their applications after that date may not have enough time to go through the immigration and housing procedures.
Living Costs for University of Amsterdam Students
Tuition is only a portion of the cost of studying in Amsterdam, and the UvA suggests that students should plan to spend about €975 to €1,500 each month on living costs, covering accommodation but not including tuition.
| Expense | Approximate Cost |
| Accommodation | €650–€1,200/month |
| General Living Expenses | €400–€500/month |
| Health/Other Insurance | €35–€100/month |
| Books | €50–€100/month |
| Public Transport | €40–€100/month |
| Visa/Residence Permit | €254 one-time, where applicable |
| Application Fee | €100 one-time, where applicable |
The figures given here are those of UvA, actual spending; however, varying depending on accommodation, lifestyle, and personal expenses.
Accommodation Options for UvA Students
Since there is a big lack of student and general housing in Amsterdam, it is necessary to start planning when looking for accommodation, and the UvA does not guarantee rooms for incoming students.
The UvA Student Housing Office collaborates with external providers such as DUWO, De Key, and Student Experience in order to provide international students with furnished accommodation. Allocation of rooms is generally carried out by means of a lottery system, and the housing is typically given for a fixed term of one or two semesters.
| Housing Point | Details |
| University-Owned Housing | UvA does not own the available student rooms |
| Housing Partners | DUWO, De Key, Student Experience and others |
| Allocation | Randomised lottery for eligible UvA housing applicants |
| Typical Contract | Usually 1 or 2 semesters |
| Accommodation Cost | Around €650–€1,200/month as part of overall UvA estimates |
| Availability | Limited; early application recommended |
It is advisable for students to secure their accommodation as early as possible rather than suppose that admission means that they will automatically be given housing.
Scholarships Available at the University of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam provides scholarships for certain international students, but eligibility and availability depend on the programme and faculty. It explicitly names the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS) for exceptionally talented Bachelor’s students coming from outside Europe, as well as scholarship opportunities that are specific to each faculty. The scholarships available vary from programme to programme, so it is necessary for students to look at the scholarships page of the faculty they have chosen.
| Scholarship / Support | Applicable Students |
| Amsterdam Merit Scholarship | Selected talented international students |
| Faculty Scholarships | Depends on faculty and programme |
| Dutch Student Grants | Eligible Dutch/EU students under applicable rules |
| Other External Funding | Depends on student’s nationality and funding body |
Research, Libraries and Student Facilities
The University of Amsterdam offers academic resources at its various locations in Amsterdam; its seven faculties cover a wide range of subjects and deliver teaching through Colleges for Bachelor's programmes and Graduate Schools for Master's and PhD work. Students can use the university libraries, study areas, digital academic materials, research facilities and equipment that is specific to individual faculties. Research is part of the university's academic structure and involves thousands of PhD researchers and research centres operating in a variety of disciplines.
Career Scope After Studying at UvA
The career prospects available to people who graduate from the University of Amsterdam will vary according to the programme they choose, the level of degree they obtain, the internships they have done, the skills they possess, and their professional experience.
| Study Area | Possible Career Areas |
| Business & Economics | Finance, consulting, business analysis, marketing, banking |
| Data & Computer Science | Software, data analytics, AI, technology and research |
| Psychology & Social Sciences | Research, HR, social research, policy and behavioural services |
| Law | Legal services, compliance, policy, corporate and public-sector roles |
| Science | Research, laboratories, technology, data and scientific organisations |
| Media & Communication | Communications, media, content, research and public relations |
| Humanities | Publishing, cultural organisations, education, research and communications |
| Medicine | Medical and healthcare-related professional pathways subject to applicable licensing requirements |
The UvA also provides alumni and career services which link students and graduates with professional opportunities.
Why Students Choose the University of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam offers a wide range of academic programmes together with a large research environment and an international programme. At present it has 62 Bachelor’s and 72 Master’s programmes, and the ones taught in English cover fields such as business, economics, psychology, communication, computer science and other subjects.
For international students, the main practical considerations are the programme-specific admission requirements, the tuition category, the application deadlines, evidence of English proficiency, the cost of living, and the availability of housing. Indeed, housing needs to be planned since the UvA cannot guarantee accommodation.
Frequently Asked Questions About the University of Amsterdam
1.Is the University of Amsterdam a public university?
Yes, the University of Amsterdam is a public research university located in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and its institutional history goes back to 1632.
2.What is the tuition fee at the University of Amsterdam?
The statutory full-time tuition fee for 2026–27 is €2,694 each year for those who satisfy the applicable conditions, while non-EEA students who pay the institutional tuition fees may have to pay a great deal more, the amount varying according to their faculty and programme.
3.Does the UvA take in students from abroad?
Yes, the UvA does accept people who have international educational qualifications, provided that they satisfy the particular academic and language requirements of the programme they have chosen.
4.What is the amount of the application fee for applicants who are applying for a Bachelor’s degree on an international basis?
Applicants for the International-diploma Bachelor’s programme usually pay an application fee of €100, provided they fall within the exemptions listed by UvA.
5.Does the University of Amsterdam offer accommodation?
The UvA assists eligible international students in obtaining furnished accommodation from external housing providers, but since housing is limited, it cannot be guaranteed.
6.How much do students have to spend on living costs in Amsterdam?
UvA estimates student living costs at approximately €975–€1,500 per month, including rent but excluding tuition.
7.What is the deadline for University of Amsterdam Bachelor’s admission?
The deadline depends on the programme. For many international applicants, 1 April is the advisory deadline and 1 May is the final deadline, while fixed-quota and selective programmes can have January or February deadlines.
