Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Amsterdam, Netherlands • Founded 1880 • QS 2027 #185 =
Updated May 2026
Overview
Established in 1880, the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU University Amsterdam) is a non-profit private 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), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) is a large-sized coeducational Dutch higher education institution. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) 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 144-year-old Dutch higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
VU Amsterdam also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Need to mail, call, or visit Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam? Address, phone, and digital contact options below. Religious and cultural accommodation queries route through specific student services.
Academic Details
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's student-to-faculty composition and recognition standing are listed below. Student support staff (advisers, counsellors) are typically separate from academic staff and often uncounted here.
Academic Structures
How Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam structures its academic side — by faculty, school, and unit — is detailed below. The structure affects everything from credit transfer to cross-faculty modules.
Unit 9 items
- Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences
- Faculty of Dentistry
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Religion and Theology
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- School of Business and Economics
- VUmc School of Medical Sciences
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, Nederland.
Arts (Faculty) 21 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Ancient Civilizations
- Applied Linguistics
- Arabic
- Archaeology
- Art Education
- Art History
- Arts and Humanities
- Comparative Literature
- Dutch
- English
- French
- German
- Greek (Classical)
- Hebrew
- History
- Islamic Studies
- Jewish Studies
- Latin
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Terminology
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.
Earth and Life Sciences (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biology
- Biomedicine
- Earth Sciences
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Geology
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Economics and Business Administration (Faculty) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business Administration
- Econometrics
- Economics
- Finance
- Marketing
Common Career Paths
- Economist
- Policy Analyst
- Financial Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Human Movement Sciences (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Demography and Population
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- 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.
Philosophy (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Philosophy
Psychology and Education (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Education
- Psychology
Common Career Paths
- Psychologist
- Counsellor
- Clinical Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Environmental Studies
- Mathematics
- Pharmacology
- Physics
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social Sciences (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Cultural Studies
- Gerontology
- Political Sciences
- Public Administration
- Social Studies
- Sociology
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Theology (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Theology
Common Career Paths
- Religious Educator
- Pastoral Counsellor
- Faith Community Leader
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Neurosciences (Graduate School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Neurosciences
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Oncology (Graduate School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Oncology
Programs Offered
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's degree-level programme breakdown, with search. Industry-sponsored programmes often have bonded service or employment commitments — read the terms before accepting any sponsored place.
178 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Netherlands
Bachelor's Degree 22 programmes
Showing 10 of 22.
Master's Degree 119 programmes
Showing 10 of 119.
Other Programs 37 programmes
Showing 10 of 37.
How to apply to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
A practical five-step guide to applying to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, from programme research through submission and follow-up.
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1
Find a programme that fits your goals
Use the programme finder to browse Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's 178 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
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2
Confirm you meet the requirements
Programme-level requirements at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
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3
Assemble your application package
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
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4
Submit your application
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam processes applications through vu.nl. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
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5
Contact admissions and follow up
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +31 (20) 598 5000. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
The questions below summarise Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's vital institutional details — useful as a quick reference before drilling into specific sections.
In what year was Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam established?
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam was founded in 1880 (approximately 146 years ago).
What city is Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in?
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam operates from Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Is Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam a public or private institution?
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam operates as a private institution.
How big is Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's student body?
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam serves approximately 25,000-29,999 students.
How is Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam ranked?
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam holds rank QS 2027 #185 =.
What qualification levels does Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offer?
Programmes at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam cover bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
How is Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam organised academically?
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is organised into 9 academic units across its disciplines.
Who recognises Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam?
Yes, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is recognised by Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO).
What is Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's official website?
You can find Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam online at vu.nl.
Top-Ranked Universities in the Netherlands
Time-trend in rankings matters: rising universities in the Netherlands may overtake Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam or its peers over your study horizon. Year-on-year movement signals institutional momentum.
Members of European University Association (EUA)
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the universities below are both members of European University Association (EUA).
Faculties at nearby universities
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Where Else to Study Humanities & Cultural Studies
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Universities Compared with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Comparable universities to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam are listed below.
Studying in Netherlands: guides and resources
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