University of Amsterdam
Universiteit van Amsterdam
A city university woven into central Amsterdam, and world number one in Communication Science for nine years running.
- Students
- 44,000
- International
- 39%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 12.6:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- €13,900
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1632
About UvA
The University of Amsterdam traces its origins to the Athenaeum Illustre, founded by the city in 1632, and became a university in 1877. With more than 44,000 students it is one of the largest broad-based research universities in Europe, and its four campuses are woven into the city: historic buildings in the old centre such as the Oudemanhuispoort and the Binnengasthuis, the Roeterseiland campus for economics, business, social sciences and law, Amsterdam Science Park for the Faculty of Science, and the Amsterdam UMC site for Medicine.
UvA is organised into seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Science, Law, Medicine and Dentistry. It is particularly strong in the social sciences: QS has ranked it first in the world for Communication and Media Studies nine years running, and it is in the QS top 20 for Geography, Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology. It is a member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU).
UvA suits independent students who want to live in a major European capital rather than on a closed campus. 14 of its 62 Bachelor's programmes and 53 of its 72 Master's programmes are taught in English, including the English tracks of Business Administration, Economics and Business Economics and Political Science, and the small-scale honours programmes Amsterdam University College (Liberal Arts and Sciences) and PPLE. Over 100 nationalities are represented, and THE's data puts the international share of students at 39 percent.
Why students choose UvA
World number one in Communication and Media Studies in the QS subject rankings for nine consecutive years.
EU/EEA students pay the Dutch statutory fee of 2,694 euro a year (2026-27) for most programmes.
English-taught Bachelor's options include the English tracks of Business Administration, Economics and Business Economics and Political Science, plus PPLE and Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Two selective honours-style colleges, Amsterdam University College and PPLE (Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics), offer small-group teaching.
Admissions
Entry in September 2027
Selectivity
Most UvA Bachelor's programmes admit every applicant who holds a qualifying diploma (Dutch VWO or an equivalent) and meets subject and English requirements. Four programmes have a fixed quota (numerus fixus) with a selection procedure: Psychology and the English tracks of Business Administration, Economics and Business Economics, and Political Science. Amsterdam University College and PPLE run their own selective admissions.
Typical entry requirements
| Dutch VWO | VWO diploma (or HBO propaedeuse), with programme-specific subject requirements |
|---|---|
| International diplomas | A diploma equivalent to VWO; UvA's diploma finder lists requirements by country, and A-level applicants must check the list of accepted A-level subjects |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 92 For 2027-28: IELTS Academic 6.5 with at least 6 in each section; TOEFL iBT 92 with at least 22 per section; Cambridge C1 Advanced 175. PPLE and Liberal Arts and Sciences set their own requirements. |
Deadlines
- Numerus fixus programmes (Psychology; English tracks of Business Administration, Economics and Business Economics, Political Science) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months15 January 2027
Studielink registration opens 1 October. Selection runs from 15 January to 15 April; Studielink issues ranking numbers on 15 April and offers must be confirmed within two weeks.
- Selective programmes (Liberal Arts and Sciences at AUC, PPLE) Non-binding In ~4 months1 February 2027
See the programme websites for selection details.
- Advisory deadline for applicants with international prior education Non-binding In ~6 months1 April 2027
Strongly recommended if you need a visa or housing through the UvA.
- Final deadline (other Bachelor's programmes) Non-binding In ~7 months1 May 2027
Later applications only in exceptional circumstances.
Deadlines are those UvA publishes for September entry; the page lists day and month without a year and is set up for the 2027-28 intake (its English requirements are labelled 2027-2028).
How to apply
Submit an enrolment request in Studielink (at least one week before the deadline), then complete the UvA online application with diplomas and transcripts, an English test certificate if required, and a CV, and pay the non-refundable 100 euro application fee required of applicants with an international diploma (some exemptions apply). Fixed-quota programmes also require taking part in the selection procedure.
What admissions looks for
- A secondary diploma equivalent to the Dutch VWO, with the subject requirements of the chosen programme.
- Sufficient English to read textbooks, follow lectures and write academic work, proven by an approved test for most international applicants.
- For numerus fixus programmes, performance in the programme's own selection procedure, which determines your ranking number.
- A complete application file submitted on time, including diplomas, transcripts and a CV.
Tips for applying to UvA
- 1 For Psychology or the English tracks of Business Administration, Economics and Political Science, register in Studielink by 15 January 2027; you cannot join the selection later.
- 2 Submit your Studielink enrolment at least a week before any deadline, or UvA may not process your application.
- 3 If you need a visa or UvA housing, apply by 1 April even though the final deadline is 1 May.
- 4 Online test versions such as IELTS Online or TOEFL Home Edition are not accepted, so book an in-person test in time.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
EU/EEA students pay the statutory fee and may qualify for Dutch student finance through DUO if they meet its conditions. International students can apply for UvA-wide and faculty-specific Bachelor's scholarships, which may have earlier deadlines than admission.
- 17,500 euro
- Non-EEA fee, Humanities Bachelor's (2026-27)
- 21,800 euro
- Non-EEA fee, Science Bachelor's (2026-27)
- 19,100 euro
- Non-EEA fee, PPLE (2026-27)
Academics
Communication Science
UvA has been first in the world for Communication and Media Studies in the QS subject rankings for nine years in a row, and first for Communication in ARWU's 2026 subject rankings.
Psychology
A fixed-quota programme in a field where UvA ranks in the QS top 20 and 8th in ARWU's 2026 subject rankings.
Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics (PPLE)
A selective, interdisciplinary English-taught honours Bachelor's.
Liberal Arts and Sciences (Amsterdam University College)
A three-year honours Bachelor's founded jointly by UvA and VU Amsterdam in 2008.
Dentistry
The joint UvA-VU programme at ACTA is ranked 3rd in the world by QS.
Research
- Nearly 3,000 researchers work at UvA, and strategic themes include climate solutions, fair societies, health and responsible digital transformation.
- Professors and alumni include six Nobel Prize winners, among them Johannes Diderik van der Waals and Pieter Zeeman.
- Amsterdam Science Park is a 70-hectare campus for the Faculty of Science.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
- Faculty of Economics and Business
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Medicine (AMC)
- Faculty of Dentistry (ACTA)
- Amsterdam University College (with VU Amsterdam)
Student life
There is no enclosed campus: UvA's buildings are spread through central Amsterdam, from the 18th-century Oudemanhuispoort to the modern Roeterseiland and Science Park campuses, and students cycle between classes, libraries and the city. Student life runs through study associations, student sports at the University Sports Centre at Science Park, and the city's cafes and cultural scene. Housing is the biggest challenge, so international students should arrange it early. Over 100 nationalities are represented among students and staff.
- Historic city-centre buildings include the Oudemanhuispoort, the Binnengasthuis and the Agnietenkapel, where the Athenaeum Illustre began.
- The University Sports Centre is at Amsterdam Science Park.
- Over 100 nationalities study and work at UvA.
- Study associations, student sport and Amsterdam's museums and cafes fill life outside class.
Housing. UvA can help some international students with housing, and advises applying by 1 April if you need it.
Location
Amsterdam is the Dutch capital, a compact, cycle-friendly city of canals, museums and international companies. UvA's buildings sit right in the historic centre and in nearby districts, so you live in the city rather than next to it. Rents are high and rooms are scarce, which is the main downside.
Nearest airport: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Notable alumni
- JD Joop den UylFormer Prime Minister of the Netherlands
- CM Charles MichelFormer Prime Minister of Belgium and President of the European Council
- WD Wim DuisenbergFirst President of the European Central Bank
- JL Joseph LunsFormer Secretary General of NATO
- EB Els BorstFormer Dutch Minister of Health
- WF Willem Frederik HermansNovelist
- SV Simon VestdijkNovelist and poet
Frequently asked questions
What is the University of Amsterdam's QS ranking for 2027?
UvA is 60th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, one of two Dutch universities in the QS top 100.
Which UvA Bachelor's programmes are numerus fixus?
Psychology and the English-language tracks of Business Administration, Economics and Business Economics, and Political Science. You must register in Studielink by 15 January 2027 and take part in the selection procedure.
How much does UvA cost?
In 2026-27 EU/EEA students pay the statutory fee of 2,694 euro a year. Non-EEA students pay an institutional fee of 13,900 to 34,700 euro a year for Bachelor's programmes depending on the faculty.
What IELTS score does UvA require?
For 2027-28 entry, IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with at least 6 in each section, or TOEFL iBT 92 with at least 22 per section. PPLE and AUC set their own requirements.
What is the application deadline for UvA?
15 January 2027 for numerus fixus programmes, 1 February for AUC and PPLE, and 1 May for other Bachelor's programmes, with an advisory deadline of 1 April for international applicants who need a visa or housing.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to UvA in the QS World University Rankings 2027.