The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.
3.8 out of 5 (178 ratings / 147 reviews) Amsterdam, Netherlands
Master's Programmes
Social Sciences (64)
- Master Archaeology
- M.Sc. Business Economics
- M.Sc. Communication Science
- M.Sc. Communication Science
- M.Sc. Economics
- M.Sc. Environmental Geography
- M.Sc. Human Geography
- M.Sc. Psychology
Business & Management (33)
- M.Sc. Accountancy and Control
- M.B.A. Business Administration
- M.Sc. Business Administration
- M.Sc. Business Economics
- M.Sc. Entrepreneurship
- M.Sc. Finance
- M.Sc. International Finance
- M.Sc. Management Studies
- M.Sc. Mathematics
Natural Sciences & Mathematics (20)
- M.Sc. Mathematics
Humanities (18)
- M.A. Linguistics
- M.A. Literary Studies
- M.Sc. Logic
- M.A. Philosophy
Arts, Design & Architecture (12)
- M.Sc. Urban Studies
Computer Science & IT (10)
- M.Sc. Artificial Intelligence
- M.Sc. Computational Sciences
- M.Sc. Medical Informatics
- M.Sc. Software Engineering
Law (9)
- LL.M. European Private Law
- LL.M. Information Law
- LL.M. International Tax Law
- LL.M. Public International Law
Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences (7)
- M.Sc. Earth Sciences
- M.Sc. Environmental Geography
Journalism & Media (6)
Engineering & Technology (5)
Medicine & Health (5)
Applied Sciences & Professions (4)
Education & Training (2)
Agriculture & Forestry (1)
About
History
On 8 January 1632, Gerardus Vossius opened the Athenaeum Illustre, the predecessor of the University of Amsterdam, with his inaugural lecture ‘De historiae utilitate’ (On the usefulness of history). The next day, Caspar Barlaeus gave his famous lecture on the wise merchant, ‘Mercator Sapiens’.
Education
University of Amsterdam main goals:
- increase in successful completion of Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes;
- emphasis on academic development;
- integration of education and research during the Bachelor’s and Master’s phases;
- a more ambitious academic culture;
- room for both differentiation and specialisation.
Research
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is a leading international research institution that values, promotes and rewards excellent research.
The UvA enables researchers to perform groundbreaking research and combines a broad research palette with quality by investing selectively in research priority areas.
Career
The UvA Student Careers Centre organises several events for Bachelor's and Master's students from all disciplines. Workshops, labour market trends, inspiring speakers, CV check, contact with employers, having a professional LinkedIn photo taken and learning to apply.
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2019
GSSA 2019
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2019. By rating institutions on a scale from 1 to 5, on multiple studies-related questions, we found the top educators in the world.
Learn more about the Global Student Satisfaction AwardsUniversity Ranking
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2020
40 11
2019
51 4
2018
55
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2020
62
2019
62 -3
2018
59
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2020
64 -7
2019
57 1
2018
58
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2019
101
2018
101
2017
101
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
Services
Student services
The student assessor takes part in deliberations on centrally executed policy at the UvA, with a focus on teaching and student-related matters. The student assessor attends meetings of the Executive Board and advises the Executive Board, and contributes points for discussion to the administrative agenda.
The student assessor liaises closely with students inside and outside of the representative advisory bodies, acting as a link between management and the student community.
Library services
The University Library is located in a number of buildings all over Amsterdam. Apart from the central University Library (UB) on the Singel there are individual faculty libraries, and together they hold around four million volumes and a large collection of manuscripts.
ICT services
- In the study centres and libraries, there is wireless internet (WiFi) for students and staff with a UvAnetID.
- At the information desks of UB Singel, Science Park Library, Library Learning Centre Roeterseiland and P.C. Hoofthuis Library, UvA students can borrow a Chromebook for one day (on presenting your student ID card). The Chromebook must be returned before closing time.
Student Life
Campus life
The UvA has four campuses located across Amsterdam. Some classes are in quaint old buildings overlooking the canals, others in high-tech laboratories.
Roeterseiland Campus
- Three faculties are housed at the Roeterseiland Campus: Economics and Business, Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Law. CREA, the student cultural organisation, is also located here.
Campus development
- The UvA is working to consolidate its teaching and research activities within four campuses. At one time, we had about 85 different buildings scattered across Amsterdam. Many buildings didn't meet modern-day standards for teaching and research, and there weren't enough common areas to facilitate collaboration between disciplines.
Sports facilities
Fitness, speed skating, tennis, aerobics, swimming, dancing, golf, and even parachuting: the USC offers more than 70 sports and activities at discount rates for UvA students and staff.
The USC's main building, the Universum, located in the Amsterdam Science Park, is open seven days a week and boasts a large gym, several halls, a climbing hall, squash courts, a dojo, a sauna and the sports bar.
Do you want to experience the USC? Come for a free trial!
There are 5 USC annexes:
- PCH Fitness in the city centre
- USC Tennis in Amsterdam Oost (East)
- ASC in the AMC hospital
- ClubWest in Amsterdam Nieuw-West (New West)
- Amstelcampus near the Wibautstraat
Student clubs
Amsterdam has a thriving student community with various student associations. There are plenty of associations and activities for students to participate in alongside their studies.
A student association is a great way to meet other students, including those from different programmes. Take a look at the links below to find out what kinds of student associations you can join.
- Student life
- Sports
- International
- Ethnic/cultural
- Religious/spiritual
- Gender/sexuality
- Creative arts/media
- Academic/social engagement
Student Reviews
MY BEST UNIVERSITY
Anonymous rated 5 out of 5 stars
I currently study at Airlangga University in Indonesia. Airlangga University is one of the best University in Indonesia. Also, Psychology Program (my program) of Airlangga University is in the 3rd rank in Indonesia. There are two programs offered by the faculty for Bachelor degree: Reguler Program and Double-Degree program (partnership with QUT, Australia) / International...
Lovely place but improvement is needed
Anonymous rated 4 out of 5 stars
University of Amsterdam is a university rich in education resources and proud of its diversity, It is situated in the capital of Netherland where you can find bunch of opportunities. It has a good service and care of students, provides its best materials and facilities. However, more study places are needed since there are too many students who need library. Also, some of...
We’re all in this together
Anonymous rated 5 out of 5 stars
I will love studying at the University of Amsterdam and have been accepted but I need financial assistance due to losing work during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Other programmes from this university
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