🚲University of Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands

QS World 2026 · #58

A broad research university in the Netherlands' largest city.

About UvA

UvA sits in central Amsterdam and offers a genuinely broad range of subjects, though — unlike TU Delft — not every Bachelor's programme is English-taught, so it's worth checking the specific course. Its Liberal Arts and Sciences programme is a well-regarded English-taught option for students who want breadth before specialising.

Why students choose it

  • Central Amsterdam location
  • Broad subject range across sciences, humanities and social sciences
  • Liberal Arts and Sciences programme for students who want breadth first

🎓 Free application support for UvA

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to UvA — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

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Typical entry grades

AAB (A Level)  ·  IB 34

Top tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

€13,000–€17,000/yr

high tier for Netherlands — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

Mix of English and Dutch — many Bachelor's programmes are English-taught, but Medicine, Dutch Law and some others remain Dutch-medium. Check the specific programme.

Campus

city campus, Amsterdam

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or UvA's financial aid office.

The Netherlands has a well-known joint government/university scholarship for non-EEA students, alongside a growing number of individual university excellence scholarships.

  • Holland Scholarship: Jointly funded by the Dutch government and participating universities, for non-EEA students — a one-off award (not full funding), available for eligible Bachelor's and Master's programmes.
  • University excellence scholarships: e.g. Amsterdam Merit Scholarship, Utrecht Excellence Scholarship — merit-based, varying in coverage from partial to full tuition, offered independently by individual universities.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Psychology

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: A science or Mathematics recommended

Economics

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics

Liberal Arts

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Portfolio / audition

Communication

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Law

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years for an undergraduate LLB (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia); typically a 3-year postgraduate JD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

📝 Apply for this course →

Durations are typical for Netherlands — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
September
Typical deadline
1 May (general deadline)
Note
Numerus fixus (restricted-entry) programmes such as Medicine close much earlier — 15 January.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall

TOEFL: 90–100 iBT

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

See where UvA ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free Netherlands University Shortlist Builder to see whether UvA is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other Netherlands university that matches.

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More Netherlands universities

UvA FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to UvA as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into UvA?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, UvA expects around AAB at A Level or 34 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for UvA's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on UvA's own admissions page before applying.

How much does UvA cost for international students?

International tuition at UvA typically falls in the €13,000–€17,000/yr range (high tier for Netherlands). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not UvA's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for UvA?

UvA follows Netherlands's typical intake calendar: September, with applications generally due 1 may (general deadline). Numerus fixus (restricted-entry) programmes such as Medicine close much earlier — 15 January. Always verify the exact date on UvA's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for UvA?

Netherlands universities, including UvA, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall. Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

What is UvA known for?

A broad research university in the Netherlands' largest city. UvA sits in central Amsterdam and offers a genuinely broad range of subjects, though — unlike TU Delft — not every Bachelor's programme is English-taught, so it's worth checking the specific course. Its Liberal Arts and Sciences programme is a well-regarded English-taught option for students who want breadth before specialising.

Can I apply to UvA with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — UvA accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free Netherlands University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against UvA and every other Netherlands university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

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