Universiteit van Amsterdam
Amsterdam, Netherlands • Founded 1632 • World Rank #31
Updated May 2026
Overview
Established in 1632, the Universiteit van Amsterdam (University of Amsterdam) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Amsterdam (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants), North Holland.
Officially recognized by the Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, Nederland (Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands), Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) is a large-sized coeducational Dutch higher education institution. Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 392-year-old Dutch higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
UvA also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Looking to reach Universiteit van Amsterdam? Address, contact details, and online links below. For finance and tuition payment queries, the bursar or finance office is typically a separate contact point.
Academic Details
A snapshot of Universiteit van Amsterdam's academic profile — enrolment, staffing, and the bodies recognising its work. Useful as a benchmark when comparing against peer institutions or national leaders.
Academic Structures
Universiteit van Amsterdam delivers teaching through the academic units below — useful for orienting yourself before reading individual programmes. Each unit operates with a degree of academic autonomy.
Unit 7 items
- Faculty of Dentistry
- Faculty of Economics and Business
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Degrees
Degrees offered at Universiteit van Amsterdam, organised by academic level for easy browsing. Levels generally follow international qualification frameworks and inform how credits transfer to other systems.
Bachelor's 6 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Arts and Humanities
- Business Administration
- European Studies
- Media Studies
- Political Sciences
- Social Sciences
Master's 6 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Arts and Humanities
- Business Administration
- Communication Studies
- Natural Sciences
- Political Sciences
- Social Sciences
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, Nederland.
Dentistry (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Dentistry
Common Career Paths
- Dentist
- Oral Surgeon
- Dental Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Economics and Business (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
- Econometrics
- Economics
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Humanities (Faculty) 28 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arabic
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Arts and Humanities
- Cultural Studies
- Dutch
- English
- European Studies
- French
- Greek
- Greek (Classical)
- Hebrew
- History
- Italian
- Latin
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Mass Communication
- Media Studies
- Modern Languages
- Philosophy
- Religious Studies
- Romanian
- Scandinavian Languages
- Slavic Languages
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Theatre
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Editor
- Cultural Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Faculty) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Criminal Law
- Law
- Private Law
- Public Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Medicine (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Medicine
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science (Faculty) 11 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Artificial Intelligence
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Information Sciences
- Mathematics
- Natural Sciences
- Physics
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social and Behavioural Sciences (Faculty) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Behavioural Sciences
- Child Care and Development
- Communication Studies
- Geography (Human)
- Mass Communication
- Political Sciences
- Preschool Education
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Academic Center for Dentistry in Amsterdam (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Dentistry
Common Career Paths
- Dentist
- Oral Surgeon
- Dental Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Academic Medical Center (Research Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Medical Technology
- Medicine
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Clinical Researcher
- Healthcare Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Tinbergen Institute (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
Programs Offered
Every programme Universiteit van Amsterdam currently runs, grouped by degree level and searchable. Status and intake details vary by programme — verify with the institution before committing to applications.
140 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Netherlands
Bachelor's Degree 19 programmes
Showing 10 of 19.
Master's Degree 121 programmes
Showing 10 of 121.
How to apply to Universiteit van Amsterdam
A practical five-step guide to applying to Universiteit van Amsterdam, from programme research through submission and follow-up.
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1
Browse the programme catalogue
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Universiteit van Amsterdam runs 140 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
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2
Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Before applying to Universiteit van Amsterdam, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for Netherlands.
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3
Get your documents ready
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Universiteit van Amsterdam's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
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4
Apply through the official channel
Lodge your application through the official website (www.uva.nl). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
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5
Reach out and track your application
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +31 (20) 525 9111. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Universiteit van Amsterdam
Below are the key facts most prospective students ask about Universiteit van Amsterdam, drawn directly from institutional records.
How old is Universiteit van Amsterdam?
The institution opened in 1632 (approximately 394 years ago).
In which city is Universiteit van Amsterdam?
Universiteit van Amsterdam is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Is Universiteit van Amsterdam public or private?
Universiteit van Amsterdam operates as a public institution.
How many students study at Universiteit van Amsterdam?
Universiteit van Amsterdam has approximately 25,000-29,999 students.
How is Universiteit van Amsterdam ranked?
It ranks #31 globally and #1 in Netherlands.
What degrees does Universiteit van Amsterdam offer?
Universiteit van Amsterdam offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
What is Universiteit van Amsterdam's academic structure?
Universiteit van Amsterdam is organised into 7 academic units across its disciplines.
Is Universiteit van Amsterdam officially recognised?
Universiteit van Amsterdam is accredited by Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatie Organisatie (NVAO).
How do I find Universiteit van Amsterdam online?
The institution's website is www.uva.nl.
Members of European University Association (EUA)
European University Association (EUA)-affiliated universities form a network of comparable institutions — Universiteit van Amsterdam sits among them. Network membership often signals shared values around academic quality and student support.
Faculties at nearby universities
If you're weighing Universiteit van Amsterdam against other institutions in the area, these neighbouring universities offer overlapping faculties and similar admissions cycles. They are useful for shortlisting based on travel distance or campus environment.
Where Else to Study Humanities & Cultural Studies
Industry partnership exclusives on Humanities & Cultural Studies programmes vary — some the Netherlands institutions hold sponsored chairs, others run rotating industry guest-teaching arrangements.
Universities Compared with Universiteit van Amsterdam
Joint research consortia among universities at Universiteit van Amsterdam's level — shared grants, co-supervision arrangements — make peer institutions natural collaborators rather than just competitors.
Studying in Netherlands: guides and resources
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