An Overview Of University Of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam, founded in 1632, is a public university. It was founded by the city’s municipal authorities under the name Athenaeum Illustre. Between 1917 and 1931, the number of students increased from 1100 to 2500. Following WWII, the UvA quickly grew to become the largest university in the Netherlands, with 7100 students in the academic year 1950-1951. It is currently ranked among the greatest research universities worldwide. It is also a member of prestigious organizations such as the EUA, UNICA, Universitas 21, and LERU.
The university is located in Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, and operates four campuses for teaching and research. The main campus is located in the heart of Amsterdam and includes the central library as well as academic buildings for the humanities faculty. The university library contains over four million books that are used for learning and teaching. The second campus is located in Science Park in east Amsterdam. This campus is home to some of the best research institutes, a science faculty, a University College, and more than 120 businesses. The UMC campus in Bijlmermeer is home to a research hospital, a medical faculty, and an academic medical center. The Roeterseiland Campus houses the CREA block as well as academic buildings from three faculties.
Other university facilities include religious, medical, and sports centers, restaurants, and gathering halls. The university has partnered with several non-profit organizations to provide students with apartment-style housing. The majority of the residential properties are about an hour’s drive from campus.
The university has a long list of notable alumni who have made significant contributions and won awards in the fields of mathematics, science, politics, writing, media, art, and sports. Alec Jeffreys, a great geneticist best known for inventing DNA fingerprinting, is a university alumnus. Jacobus vant Hoff (Great Theoretical Chemist), Pieter Zeeman (Popular Dutch Physicist), Boudewijn Sirks (Academic Lawyer), Max Euwe (Author, Mathematician, and Popular Chess Player), and Charles Michel are also UvA alumni (Present Prime Minister of Belgium).
What Is It Like To Study At University Of Amsterdam?
There are numerous reasons why you should study at the University of Amsterdam (UVA), some of which have nothing to do with the University itself!
University
Studying at the UVA is not a mistake; the UVA is ranked as one of the top universities in Europe. It is also one of the top 61 universities in the world, according to the World University Rankings.
They provide a diverse range of degree and master’s programs, so keep an open mind when looking for courses; the UVA will persuade you! If not, try to attend a UVA opening day; if you are unable to travel, they also hold virtual opening days.
Course and living costs are low and affordable.
When compared to other Western European countries, the Netherlands offers low-cost living options for students. According to my experience as a UVA student, you will need less than €500 (on average) per month for rent. You will fund this by working part-time jobs in addition to receiving a student loan.
You can also apply for free public transportation passes, which will give you more money per week to spend on your student housing! The Dutch also provide scholarships that can completely cover your course tuition!
Methods of Instruction
The Dutch educational methods are known for their high quality and are recognized globally. They place a strong emphasis on teamwork, making it much easier for international students. The Dutch are well known for their students’ relationships with their tutors.
They emphasize practical methods over theoretical methods.
Speaking English
To make things easier, the degrees offered here are taught in the English language. Because it is a common international university, most courses are taught in English, which has a cultural benefit.
The Netherlands is known for being the first non-native English speaking country to have universities that offer English language courses. If you are from a country where English is not a first language, you will need to take IELTS, TOEFL, or similar English language tests. The Netherlands is strict when it comes to speaking a language, which disadvantages those who do not speak English natively.
Culture
Amsterdam’s culture combines Dutch elements with international cultures and languages to create an internationally multicultural capital.
Multicultural Setting
Amsterdam is a heavily internationalized city. In 2015, international students came from over 150 different countries, with the majority coming from Italy, China, and Germany. The University of Virginia has associations to assist international students throughout their studies.
Country
Many international city capitals are usually extremely populated and crowded; however, it is not as crowded as Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The population of Amsterdam in 2019 was 860,000, which may seem excessive when compared to other countries’ capitals, such as the UK, which has a population of 9,000,000.
Famous Locations
You will most likely not run out of entertainment and leisure activities to do while you are a student. It has many well-known cafes, bars, canals, and, most importantly, an active art scene.
When you’ve had enough of constantly getting drunk and going to bars with your friends, the famous canals and art museums are worth exploring in their own right. The canals provide picturesque scenery as you go for a morning jog or a night walk.
University of Amsterdam Rankings
- In 2022, it is ranked #58 in the QS Global World Ranking.
- THE ranked it #65 on its list of World University Rankings in 2022.
- Impact Rankings 2022, ranked #101-200.
- In 2022, U.S. News and World Report ranks it 38th.
UoA’s academic structure is divided into seven faculties, which offer over 200 degree programs. It grants degrees in the arts and humanities, applied sciences, economics, business, law, medicine, dentistry, behavioral and social sciences, and other fields. It also has collaborations with foreign institutions, which allows for student and staff exchange programs for improved learning.
What Is The Acceptance Rate of University of Amsterdam?
The acceptance rate at the University of Amsterdam is 4.3 percent, making the admissions process extremely competitive. Applicants to UvA courses must have a strong academic profile, with a GPA of at least 3.2. The institution recommends a GMAT score of 650 for in-demand courses such as MBA and Executive MBA. The University of Amsterdam has only moderate tuition fees. Tuition fees for Indian students will range between 20 and 25 lakh INR per year.
Dentistry, economics and business, humanities, law, medicine, science, and social and behavioral sciences are among the seven academic divisions at the University of Amsterdam. Although the University of Amsterdam offers several English-taught programs, the majority of the programs are taught in Dutch.
In 7 academic faculties, UvA offers over 20 UG programs and 200+ PG programs. Aside from that, UvA offers a variety of winter, summer, and exchange courses.
How Do I Apply To The University Of Amsterdam As An International Student?
The following are the steps to apply for admission to the University of Amsterdam:
- Students should ensure that they meet all of the necessary eligibility requirements.
- After that, students should activate DigiD and submit their enrollment request through Studielink.
- After that, students should activate their UvAnetID.
- The application will then be submitted.
- Wait for the university’s admission decision.
Documentation Support:
- Academic transcript equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma or the HBO propedeuse certificate
- Inspirational letter
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Student visa for the Netherlands
- Passport photocopy
- IELTS Exam Score
- Recommendation letter
- Working Knowledge
- Interview
- Identity Documentation
UvA Application Deadlines
The University of Amsterdam offers a variety of programmes, each with its own set of deadlines:
- PPLE (UG), Liberal Arts & Sciences- 15 January
- 1 February – Business Administration and Psychology
- Non-EU/EEA residents (Other Programs) – 1 April
Admission Requirements At University Of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam has seven academic departments: economics and business, science, medicine, humanities, law, behavioral and social sciences. Although it teaches other programs in English, the program’s language mode is Dutch. The following are the admission requirements for the University of Amsterdam.
| Programs | Requirement |
| MSc Computer Science | GRE 298 |
| MSc Psychology | GRE 298 |
| BSc Business Administration | TOEFL iBT 100 |
| BSc Psychology | TOEFL iBT 100 |
| Master of Business Administration | GMAT 655 |
| MSc Business Administration | GMAT 560 |
English language requirements
This requirement must be met in the English proficiency test in order to gain admission to the University of Amsterdam.
| Test | Requirement |
| IELTS | 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 92 |
| CAE | 170 in CPE or CAE |
Life Of International Students At University Of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) has 38,940 students, with over 10% of them being international students from over 100 countries. Through its seven faculties, UvA offers a diverse range of UG and PG courses. UvA offers over 200 programs in the Arts and Humanities, Applied Science, Economics, Business, Law, Medicine, Dentistry, Behavioral and Social Science for the academic year 2022.
Students at the UvA can choose from a variety of student organizations, athletic activities, and student services. The ASVA Student Union, the CREA Cultural Center, the newly built University Sports Center, and the Agora and Atrium student restaurants are among them. In addition, religious services, career counselling, the International Student Network (ISN), counselling, disability services, and student health services are available at the university. Students are represented in the various faculty student councils as well as the central student council.
The University Sports Center (USC) provides UvA students and staff with discounts on over 50 sports activities such as ice skating, tennis, rowing, aerobics, swimming, dancing, golf, and even skiing.
The CREA Cultural Center organizes drama, music, dance, photography, film, and visual arts courses, working groups, and projects. There is also a bar and a theatre.
Students’ primary mode of transportation is bicycle. Students can also take advantage of various public transportation options in Amsterdam. The Metro, trams, night buses, and ferries are examples of public transportation.
Campus for International Students
Quarter Campus, Science Park, Amsterdam Medical Centre, and Roeterseiland Campus are the four open city campuses of the University of Amsterdam.
- One of Europe’s largest science campuses. With major research institutions, 120 companies and spin-offs, the University Sports Center, and the Amsterdam University College, it is a hub for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
- The Roeterseiland Campus is home to three faculties: Economics and Business, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Law. The student cultural organization CREA is also present.
- University Quarter is the city’s intellectual heart and home to the Humanities Faculty, which offers a diverse range of disciplines. It also houses the University Library, a fantastic place to study and work on projects.
- Amsterdam UMC is made up of teaching hospitals affiliated with the UvA (AMC) and the VU University (VUmc). At the AMC location in Amsterdam’s south-east, UvA medical students learn the profession by working alongside doctors, nurses, and patients.
What Is The Fee To Study In University Of Amsterdam?
All programs require a 300 EUR registration fee and a 2,200 EUR deposit, which is applied to the previous term’s fees. The following is a rough estimate of the cost of attending UvA, including tuition and living expenses while studying in the Netherlands:
| Faculties | Bachelors fees | Masters Fees |
| Faculty of Humanities | € 9.130 | € 16.060 |
| Faculty of Medicine | € 22.770 | € 25.080 |
| Faculty of Economics and business | € 9.650 | € 16.060 |
| Faculty of Law | € 13.300 | € 16.500 |
| Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences | € 12.540 | € 16.900 |
| Faculty of Dentistry | €22,770 | €25,080 |
| Faculty of Science | € 12.510 | € 22.880 |
Scholarships at the University of Amsterdam
International students with a strong academic background, expertise, ambition, and a strong interest in the program of study are eligible for a number of scholarships at the University of Amsterdam. Some scholarships cover the entire tuition fee, while others offer a fixed amount. Graduate school admissions offices accept student applications.
- The Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship is intended for outstanding international students enrolled at UvA. The award is worth 25000 EUR and is valid for a maximum of two years.
- Amsterdam Merit Scholarship: This scholarship is available to international students enrolled in various departments at the University of Amsterdam. The scholarship amount is equal to the tuition fee plus an additional allowance of €5,000.
- The Amsterdam University Fund is available to UvA students and scientists to help them with their studies.
International students are also eligible to apply for faculty-specific scholarships. This includes awards such as the
- The Amsterdam Science Talent Scholarship awards a total of 15000 EUR to outstanding MSc applicants.
- The Orange Tulip Scholarship, as well as the
- Scholarship from the Julia Henrietta Jaarsma-Adolfs Fund.
Students planning to study at the University of Amsterdam should budget between €925 (INR 77,800) and €1,500 (INR 1 lakh) per month for living expenses in addition to tuition.
The following is a breakdown of the expenses:
- € 210 for a visa/residence permit (one-time fee)
- Accommodation: €350 – €800 per month
- General living expenses: €400 – €500 per month
- Insurance: €35 – €100 per month
- Books: €50 – €100 per month
- Public transport (optional): €40 – €100
