The University of Amsterdam, also known as UvA, is one of the most popular choices among prospective students, ranking 55th in the QS global university rankings. It has earned its reputation for its wide range of undergraduate programs, from the humanities and social sciences to economics and engineering. At the same time, it offers many opportunities for integration into university life, has partnerships with many employers in the majors it offers, and is located in one of the most attractive cities for students – Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
UvA is also a favorite study destination among Neoversity students. If this university appeals to you too, in this guide you’ll discover everything you need to know about the University of Amsterdam, from the curriculum on offer, the admissions process and tuition costs, to student life, campus opportunities and more.
Admission rate: how hard it is to get into the University of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam is very competitive for non-Dutch applicants, with an admission rate of only 4% for international students. Your chances of admission depend on how strong your application is compared to other applicants.
At Neoversity, more than 90% of students who have applied to UvA have received an offer because they are being mentored by UvA students or alumni who have been through the same process and know the details that can turn an application into a success story. Talk to a mentor and find out how you too can have a success story!
Requirements and criteria for admission to the University of Amsterdam
There are three types of programs you can apply for admission to the University of Amsterdam, and the requirements are slightly different for each:
- Non-selective programs – Such programs have a small number of selection criteria, usually, the application form, CV, and motivational essay, and the number of places in the program is not limited.
- Numerus fixus programs – These programs have a fixed number of places and involve a broader and more developed admissions process. Admission is more competitive and the educational quality is higher. The application for these programs has four elements: your GPA, your CV where you present the activities and projects you participated in in high school, and your UvA admission exam score. If you opt for PPLE, you will also have an interview.
- Selective programs – These programs have no fixed number of places but involve a selection process usually based on the submission of additional material such as essays on specific topics or personal projects based on a theme given by the university.
If you want to apply to UvA, join the Neoversity webinars and find out what you need to do to have a successful admission!
What you can study at the University of Amsterdam
Unlike other universities, UvA offers a wide range of undergraduate programs you could pursue. Here are your options:
- Actuarial Sciences
- Ancient Studies
- Archaeology
- Business Administration
- Business Analytics
- Communication Science
- Computational Communication Science
- Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology
- Econometrics and Data Science
- Econometrics and Business Economics
- English Language and Culture
- European Studies
- Global Arts, Culture, and Politics
- Human geography and Planning
- Liberal Arts and Sciences (AUC)
- Linguistics
- Liberal and Cultural Analysis
- Media and Culture
- Media and Information
- Political Science
- Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics (PPLE)
- Psychology
- Sign Language Linguistics
- Sociology
If you’re still having trouble choosing which major you want to pursue at university, Neoversity mentors can guide you to the program that will best suit both your academic ambitions and your vision of student life. For example, if you want a multi-disciplinary program, your mentor might point you in the direction of PPLE or Global Studies. If you are more interested in working in the communications sector, your mentor could tell you about the Media Studies program.
Contact us and find out how we can help you choose the right specialization for your future career.
How much does it cost to study at the University of Amsterdam: tuition fees and living costs
Unlike other private universities in Europe, whose tuition fees exceed €10,000 a year, the Netherlands offers university education for a much lower fee. Given the unanimity in tuition costs in the country, the University of Amsterdam also offers such a fee. However, student life in Amsterdam can be expensive due to the price of accommodation and daily living costs. Here’s what costs to expect:
Cost | Value |
|---|---|
Tuition fees | € 2.530 (except PPLE which costs
€ 5.060) |
Accommodation costs | € 7.000 – € 10.000 |
Living costs | € 5.000 – € 6.000 |
Scholarships and funding methods to study at the University of Amsterdam
Universities in the Netherlands don’t offer funding opportunities in academia, but the Dutch government gives you the possibility to apply for the DUO scholarship, which can cover some of the costs. With this initiative, you will receive a fixed amount of money each month for as long as you work part-time each month.
Admission timetable
Admission to the University of Amsterdam is divided into several application periods, depending on the selectivity of the program, as follows:
Application steps | Application deadline | Receiving an offer |
|---|---|---|
Numerus fixus programs | January 15 | March – April |
Selective programs | February 1 – March 1 | March – April |
Non-selective programs | May 1st | about a month after application |
What does the application process at the University of Amsterdam entail?
The University of Amsterdam is a competitive institution and the most sought-after programs are highly selective and have more complex admissions processes. To increase your chances of success, it’s very important to start working on your profile and application early to ensure that it will attract the attention of the admissions committee.
Here’s what to prepare:
- English language exam – You will need to take an English language proficiency exam – IELTS or TOEFL, and achieve the minimum score required by the program you are applying for. For IELTS you need an IELTS score of at least 6.5, with no scores below 6.0, and for TOEFL iBT a score of at least 92. If you attend an English-taught school, you will not have to take the exam.
- Transcript – As part of the application, you will need to submit your high school transcript, showing your grade average between grades 9 and 11.
- CV – Most programs will ask for an updated CV, reflecting any projects or activities you have been involved in, as well as your academic performance, language skills, or hobbies. We recommend that you pursue multiple extracurricular activities in high school. Most should be related to what you want to study. We also recommend pursuing a work experience program, as it demonstrates dedication to career advancement.
- Admission exam – Some programs require an additional admission exam to test both your knowledge of your field of study and your ability to assimilate new and advanced information. These tests take place online and have no fixed time limit. The university will let you know two weeks before you take the exam and will also send you specific material to study to prepare.
- Interview – If you apply to the Politics, Psychology, Law, and Economics (PPLE) program and pass the admission test, you will have to take an interview. This interview assesses your motivation as well as your communication and thinking skills.
- UvA Matching – Once admitted, you must go through the UvA Matching process. This is an online test that checks if the program you have chosen matches your expectations and aptitudes. The result will not influence your subsequent admission, as the test is designed only to confirm your match with the program and to be able to offer guidance recommendations.
How to apply, step by step
Here’s a brief overview of the application steps at the University of Amsterdam:
- Choose the program you want to apply to – Check if it has a fixed number of places (numerus fixus) or not. At the University of Amsterdam, if you want to apply for two programs, you are obliged to choose one from each category or two non-selectives.
- Get a mentor – Once you decide to study abroad, it’s a good idea to get a mentor like Neoversity. They have been through admissions processes like the one you’ll go through at UvA, so they can help you prepare for admission, complete your application, and navigate application platforms.
- Take the English language exam.
- Sign up on Studielink – Studielink is the national platform for higher education enrollment. You register for admission and attach the necessary documents to confirm your identity. Also on this platform, you will be informed about the status of your application, the offer you received, or changes to your application. You will be able to accept the offer after receiving the reply and enter your tuition payment details.
- Create your account on the UvA platform – This step is mandatory in order to continue the admission process. Here you will answer specific questions from the admission process, take the admission exam and have your student data.
- Upload required documents – You need to obtain your school documents from your high school to upload them into the app. They must be translated, notarized, and scanned.
- Participate in the selection process – If you’re applying to a program that requires an admission exam or interview, start preparing for these early.
- Receive your offer and confirm your enrolment – If you have been admitted, you will receive your study offer by email, but you will also find it on the Studielink platform and on the university’s platform. You have 14 days to accept the offer.
- Send a copy of your Baccalaureat diploma – You will upload it on the university’s platform.
Student life at the University of Amsterdam
Once admitted, the University of Amsterdam will offer you a vibrant student experience with extracurricular and professional opportunities.
- You can join a student association – UvA hosts numerous university clubs covering a wide range of interests, from academic to cultural and entertainment. They give you the opportunity to expand your circle of friends and network. That’s why, before the start of the academic year, you’ll take part in the integration week. This is a program where you will discover the university community and the opportunities it offers.
- You can look for work experience – UvA has many partnerships that facilitate access to internships. The careers department supports you in searching for work experience and going through the application process.
- You can work as a teacher assistant – so you can get first work experience and extra financial support!
Prepare your application to the University of Amsterdam with Neoversity mentors
The University of Amsterdam is one of the top universities in Europe, so more and more students are choosing it as their study destination. So the number of applicants is growing every year and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to stand out from the crowd. And the admissions process can be complex. To make it easier for you and make your profile as competitive as possible, don’t hesitate to seek the help of a mentor like those from Neoversity.
At Neoversity you receive a personalized preparation plan to become the ideal candidate sought by UvA. You’ll have 1-on-1 meetings with a mentor who has been through the steps you’ll go through to apply to the program you want, so you’ll receive concrete advice, information, and resources that will maximize your chances of success. He or she will be with you every step of the admissions process, from choosing the right program and extracurricular activities for you to studying for the required exams, writing the necessary paperwork for your admissions file, and more.
Contact us and take the first step towards your academic dream at the University of Amsterdam!