All Levels
VU Fellowship Programme
Master Merit-based, check official site
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Amsterdam, Netherlands
"The 'Free University', a research university in Amsterdam's Zuidas district"
At a Glance
Accept Rate
—
Avg Salary/Yr
—
Ranking
#185 (QS)
PSW VISA
1 year (orientation year)
About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) was founded in 1880 by the theologian and former prime minister Abraham Kuyper as the first Dutch university independent of church and state. It has received government funding on a par with public universities since 1970. It has been on a single campus in the Buitenveldert area of Amsterdam since 1968, next to the Zuidas business district, and had 31,548 registered students in June 2026, with 122 nationalities among students and staff. VU Amsterdam is #185 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from #194.
Rankings & Recognition
#185
Ranked #185 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (#194 in QS 2026), one of few Dutch universities to rise.
Accreditations & Memberships
QS 2026 Performance Breakdown
Score out of 100 across each QS evaluation pillar, with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's global standing for that metric.
Academic Reputation
#
Employer Reputation
#
Faculty Student Ratio
#
Citations per Faculty
#
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Key Facts
1880
Founded
#185
QS 2027 Rank
Public university
Type
Amsterdam
Location
31,548 (June 2026)
Students
122
Nationalities
Popular Programs
Business Analytics
Economics and Business Economics
Artificial Intelligence
Psychology
Biology
Law
Application Details
Application Route
Studielink + university portal
Standardized Test Requirements
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
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IELTS
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TOEFL iBT
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PTE Academic
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Duolingo English Test
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Study Abroad & Visa Details
Visa Approval Rate
96%
I-20 Processing
Study permit (MVV + residence permit)
Post-Study Work
1 year (orientation year)
Green Card Pathway
Highly skilled migrant permit
Financials
Application Fee
N/A
Avg Scholarship
VU Fellowship Programme
Career Outcomes
56%
Placement Ratio
1 year (orientation year)
Post-Study Work
16 hrs/week
Work While Study
Where Graduates Land
Faculty & Alumni
Academic Staff —
Student-Staff Ratio —
—
Notable Alumni
Campus & Location
VU Amsterdam has an urban campus at De Boelelaan 1105 in the south of Amsterdam, next to the Zuidas business district. The campus also includes the Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc) university hospital and the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA).
Campus Details
VU
campus
De
Boelelaan
Amsterdam
Zuid (Zuidas)
Campus Forecast
Amsterdam
Student Life & Housing
Housing
University housing partners and private rooms
Dining
Campus canteens and nearby cafes
Health & Wellness
Dutch health insurance is mandatory
Activities & Clubs
Student associations
Sports
Cultural events
Diversity & Demographics
Total Students
31,548 (June 2026)
International Students
approx. 21%
Nationalities
122
Cost Deep-Dive
Annual Tuition
€12,900 / year
Intakes & Deadlines
VU Amsterdam admits international students in September, and some master programmes also in February. Check each programme page for the deadline.
Scholarships at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
1 scholarship available
These are general eligibility guidelines. Always confirm exact requirements with the university's admissions office or your Sukhada counsellor.
Academic Requirements
Undergraduate
Secondary school diploma accepted as equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma, plus the entry requirements of each programme.
Postgraduate
Relevant bachelor's degree, English proficiency and the entry requirements of each programme.
English Proficiency
IELTS
TOEFL iBT
PTE Academic
Required Documents
Passport copy
Application form (Studielink + university portal)
Diploma and academic transcripts
English proof (IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo)
Motivation letter
CV / resume
Recommendation letters (master)
Proof of financial means
Photo
Application Process
1
Choose programme
Check the programme, language of instruction and entry rules on the VU Amsterdam website.
2
Apply online
Register in Studielink and complete the application in the university portal before the programme deadline.
3
Upload documents
Upload your diploma, transcripts, English proof, motivation letter and CV; some programmes add a test or interview.
4
Admission decision
The university assesses your file and sends an admission decision.
5
Accept & pay
Accept the offer and pay the tuition fee instalment or deposit; the university applies for your MVV and residence permit with the IND.
6
Visa & arrive
Collect the MVV at the Dutch embassy if needed, travel, collect your residence permit card and register with the municipality.
Campus & Location
VU Amsterdam has an urban campus at De Boelelaan 1105 in the south of Amsterdam, next to the Zuidas business district. The campus also includes the Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc) university hospital and the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA).
Bachelor's
3
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
📍 Amsterdam
Bachelor's
Economics and Business Economics
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
📍 Amsterdam
Bachelor's
Psychology
Master's
5
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
📍 Amsterdam
Master's
Finance
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
📍 Amsterdam
Master's
Business Analytics
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
📍 Amsterdam
Master's
Artificial Intelligence
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
📍 Amsterdam
Master's
Computer Science
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
📍 Amsterdam
Master's
Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
Enquire Now
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