Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
A comprehensive Amsterdam university on a compact campus in the Zuidas business district, founded in 1880.
- Students
- 31,548
- 19,304 undergraduates
- Tuition
- €5,020
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1880
- QS World Ranking
- #185
- 2027 edition
About VU Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) was founded in 1880 by the Reformed Protestant leader Abraham Kuyper. Today it is a comprehensive public university with faculties in the humanities, sciences, social sciences, law, business and economics, medicine and dentistry, centred on a compact campus in Amsterdam's Zuidas knowledge district. It has 31,548 students (19,304 bachelor's and 12,224 master's), 146 programmes and 5,855 employees.
VU describes its identity as 'A Broader Mind': students are meant to develop socially and personally as well as academically. Its research focuses on three domains: health and well-being, climate and environment, and justice and resilience. VU says it offers more than 20 English-taught bachelor's programmes. Fully English-taught ones include Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, Computer Science, Communication Science, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Econometrics and Operations Research, Economics and Business Economics, International Business Administration, Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering, while Psychology, Philosophy, Archaeology and Ancient Studies run in Dutch and English. Selective options include Philosophy, Politics and Economics and Law in Society, and VU runs the Liberal Arts and Sciences degree at Amsterdam University College jointly with the University of Amsterdam.
Most programmes are open to anyone who meets the requirements, with a compulsory Study Choice Check. Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology and Criminology have a numerus fixus with a 15 January deadline. VU suits students who want a broad, research-intensive university in Amsterdam with a single, walkable campus.
Auxilium nostrum in nomine Domini
“Our help is in the name of the Lord” — university motto
Why students choose VU Amsterdam
A compact campus in Amsterdam's Zuidas knowledge district hosts a comprehensive range of faculties, from law and business to medicine and science.
Selective options include Philosophy, Politics and Economics and Law in Society, alongside a joint Liberal Arts and Sciences degree at Amsterdam University College.
VU's International Office offers first-year rooms to international degree students (not guaranteed; first paid, first served), with rents averaging 750 euros a month.
Its 'A Broader Mind' approach aims to develop students socially and personally as well as academically.
Admissions
2027-28 entry (applications open 1 October 2026)
Selectivity
VU does not publish an overall admission rate. Most bachelor's programmes are non-selective and include a mandatory Study Choice Check. Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology and Criminology have a numerus fixus (limited places). Philosophy, Politics and Economics and Law in Society are selective programmes without a numerus fixus. Liberal Arts and Sciences is run through Amsterdam University College.
Typical entry requirements
| Dutch VWO | VWO diploma with the subjects required by the programme |
|---|---|
| International diplomas | Requirements are set per programme under its 'Admissions' tab; VU's Student Self-Check tool gives an early indication of eligibility for many programmes |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 92 For English-taught bachelor's programmes (excluding PPE and Law in Society, which set their own higher requirements): IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, TOEFL iBT 92 for tests before 21 January 2026 or 4.5 on the new scale. IELTS Online and TOEFL Home Edition are not accepted. Secondary education in English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the US exempts you. |
Deadlines
- 21+ entrance exam application Non-binding Next deadline · In ~2 months15 December 2026
For applicants aged 21 or over without a qualifying diploma.
- Numerus fixus programmes (Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology, Criminology) Non-binding In ~3 months15 January 2027
Tuition payment deadline for numerus fixus programmes is 15 July.
- Non-EU/EEA applicants Non-binding In ~6 months1 April 2027
Studielink application plus a complete application in the VU dashboard, including the application fee.
- EU/EEA applicants and those not needing a visa through VU Non-binding In ~7 months1 May 2027
Strict 1 May deadline for Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health and Life Sciences, Law in Society and Pedagogical Sciences; Human Movement Sciences has an extended deadline of 15 May and PPE of 15 June, both only for Dutch and EU students and valid permit holders.
Dates are from VU's page for academic year 2027-2028. Admitted students have until 31 August to complete enrolment by paying tuition (15 July for numerus fixus programmes). Amsterdam University College has its own procedure.
How to apply
Apply in Studielink (up to four programmes in the Netherlands), then complete your application in the VU dashboard: the Study Choice Check questionnaire, your documents, and the non-refundable 100 euro application fee if your diploma is from outside the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Admitted students then pay tuition to complete enrolment.
What admissions looks for
- A diploma that meets the programme-specific admission requirements listed under each programme's 'Admissions' tab.
- English at IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) for English-taught programmes, with higher requirements for PPE and Law in Society.
- Completion of the mandatory Study Choice Check for non-selective programmes.
- For numerus fixus and selective programmes, success in the programme's own selection procedure.
Tips for applying to VU Amsterdam
- 1 Non-EU students: your deadline is 1 April, a month earlier than for EU students, and the application fee must be paid before VU starts assessing your file.
- 2 Use VU's Student Self-Check tool before applying to see how your diploma matches the requirements.
- 3 Apply for first-year housing through VU early; it only covers your first year, so plan for the private market after that.
- 4 If you are interested in liberal arts, remember that Amsterdam University College (joint with the University of Amsterdam) runs its own application procedure.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in EUR
EU/EEA students may be eligible for Dutch government student finance. Non-EEA students pay institutional fees set per programme. VU's bachelor-level scholarships are limited; check its scholarship pages and external schemes before applying.
- 100 euros, non-refundable
- Application fee (non-Dutch diploma)
- 560 to 1,300 euros per month; average about 750 euros
- VU first-year housing
Academics
Philosophy, Politics and Economics (BSc)
A selective programme with its own English requirements and a statutory fee of 5,310 euros for EU students.
Law in Society (bachelor's)
A selective programme with its own English requirements and a strict 1 May deadline.
Liberal Arts and Sciences (Amsterdam University College)
A joint degree with the University of Amsterdam, run through AUC's own admissions process.
Medicine
A numerus fixus programme with a 15 January deadline and a non-EEA fee of 36,890 euros (2027-28).
Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (BSc)
Science programmes at VU, where Amazon CTO Werner Vogels and MIT professor Frans Kaashoek earned their PhDs.
Research
- Research is organised around three domains: health and well-being, climate and environment, and justice and resilience.
- VU runs interdisciplinary research institutes and reported 525 PhD defences.
- VU says its campus development is strengthening its leading role in health.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (Schools of Humanities, Religion and Theology, and Social Sciences)
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Medicine
- School of Business and Economics
- Faculty of Dentistry (ACTA)
- Amsterdam University College (with the University of Amsterdam)
Student life
VU's campus is compact and sits in Amsterdam's Zuidas knowledge district, bringing students from many disciplines together. VU's 'A Broader Mind' approach encourages students to develop socially and personally, not only academically. International degree students can get help from VU's international office in arranging housing: rooms via VU cost 560 to 1,300 euros a month (average about 750 euros), but only for the first year, after which students find their own accommodation in a tight Amsterdam market.
- Compact campus in Amsterdam's Zuidas knowledge district.
- 'A Broader Mind' programme for personal and social development.
- First-year housing support for international degree students (limited places, first paid, first served).
- Joint Liberal Arts and Sciences college, Amsterdam University College, with the University of Amsterdam.
Housing. VU offers rooms to international degree students for their first year only, first paid, first served and not guaranteed, at 560 to 1,300 euros a month (average about 750 euros); after that students arrange their own accommodation.
Location
VU's campus is in the Zuidas knowledge district of Amsterdam. Students have the Dutch capital on their doorstep but should expect high rents: even university-arranged rooms average about 750 euros a month, and cheap rooms with shared facilities are limited. VU only offers housing for the first year, so students must find their own accommodation after their first year.
Nearest airport: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Notable alumni
- JP Jan Peter BalkenendePrime Minister of the Netherlands (2002-2010); law and history degrees and PhD from VU
- WV Werner VogelsChief Technology Officer of Amazon; PhD in computer science from VU
- FK Frans KaashoekComputer scientist and MIT professor; MA and PhD from VU
- GZ Gerrit ZalmDutch Minister of Finance and later CEO of ABN AMRO; studied economics at VU
- EV Ellen van DijkWorld champion road cyclist; bachelor's in Human Movement Sciences from VU
- FG Frits GoldschmedingFounder of the staffing company Randstad; studied economics at VU
Frequently asked questions
What is the application deadline for VU Amsterdam in 2027?
15 January 2027 for numerus fixus programmes (Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology, Criminology), 1 April 2027 for non-EU/EEA applicants and 1 May 2027 for EU/EEA applicants and those who do not need a visa through VU.
How much does VU Amsterdam cost for international students?
For 2027-28, non-EEA bachelor's students pay 14,800 euros for most law, business, social science and humanities programmes, 20,330 euros for most science programmes and PPE, and up to 36,890 euros for Medicine (the joint Theology degree is an exception at 5,020 euros). EU/EEA students pay the statutory 2,771 euros (5,310 euros for PPE).
What IELTS score does VU Amsterdam require?
IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (or TOEFL iBT 92 / 4.5 on the new scale) for English-taught bachelor's programmes; PPE and Law in Society set higher requirements.
Does VU Amsterdam guarantee housing?
No. VU's International Office offers rooms to non-Dutch students in English-taught degree programmes, but only for the first year and not for everyone: rooms go on a first paid, first served basis, at 560 to 1,300 euros a month (average about 750 euros). After the first year you must find your own accommodation.
Is there an application fee at VU Amsterdam?
Yes: applicants with a diploma from outside the Kingdom of the Netherlands pay a non-refundable 100 euro fee before their file is assessed.
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.
- VU Amsterdam: About VU (VU Amsterdam in numbers)
- VU Amsterdam: How do I apply for a Bachelor's programme?
- VU Amsterdam: Tuition fee rates Bachelor's programmes
- VU Amsterdam: Institutional tuition fees Bachelor's programmes 2027-2028 (PDF)
- VU Amsterdam: Language proficiency requirements
- VU Amsterdam: FAQ for international applicants
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