University of Amsterdam

About: 

The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands and offers a wide range of academic courses. It is a particularly research-based institution and an international university, with over 100 nationalities being represented in its members.  As it is located in the major world city Amsterdam, the university is a popular landmark in itself. 

Highlights: 

The University is spread across four campuses. The University Quarter is referred to as the 'intellectual heart of the city', and this is where the library and the Faculty of Humanities are located. The Roeterseiland Campus houses Economics and Business, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Law and the student cultural organisation known as CREA. The Amsterdam Science Park is one of the largest science parks in Europe and is a research hub. The University Sports Centre and Amsterdam University College are situated here. Finally,  the Amsterdam UMC is home to the university teaching hospitals of the UvA (AmC) and the VU University. A virtual tour for each campus can be found on the university website.

Some other highlights include various museums which house many special collections and there are many opportunities for recreational sports and activities. The institution is connected to Amsterdam itself, which is part of its appeal. Find out more from the UvA in Amsterdam webpages.

Location: 

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Courses / Modules: 

Students can only register and select courses at one faculty.  If you would like to take courses outside your faculty, discuss it with your academic advisor at the faculty that you have been accepted at, as well as your department at York. Exchange students are normally registered for undergraduate courses and access to graduate courses is limited.

For more information on courses, visit the courses webpage on the University of Amsterdam website.

Credit (Full-time Load per semester): 

You must take a full credit load while on exchange.  University of Amsterdam uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to show credit values.  30 ECTS is the equivalent to 60 York credits, and 60 ECTS is the equivalent to 120 York credits.  

Teaching Periods: 

Semester 1: mid September - late January 

Semester 2: early February - mid June 

Language: 

Check the course catalogue for modules taught in English. There may be opportunities for exchange students to take part in Dutch classes - check with your department if you are able to take such courses for credit. 

Accommodation: 

Student housing in Amsterdam is often difficult to find. The University offers a limited number of rooms to about half of new incoming international students. To better your chances of securing accommodation, apply as soon as possible. Students who are considered eligible by their faculty for student housing will receive an email which will contain a link to a housing application form prior to the application start time.  

As the number of rooms offered is limited, it is a good idea to consider alternative student housing early. 

Check the University of Amsterdam housing webpage for univresity accommodation application deadline dates and for advice on finding private sector accommodation.

Orientation / Welcome week:  

The University of Amsterdam holds Introduction Days, which are great for exploring Amsterdam and meeting new students before beginning your studies. For exchange students, there is an introduction programme which is organised by the International Student Network Amsterdam and allows students to familiarise themselves with the city, including its cultural highlights and its nightlife. 

Support Services: 

The University of Amsterdam provides a wide range of support facilities to aid students during their time there., including the Central Service Desk which is the first point of contact for general questions about studying at the university.  The Office for International Student Affairs is  a useful contact for  exchange students who would like more information about studying at the university.

For students who are studying with a disability, the university offers various support during  courses and exams. The university has student counsellors who need to be contacted in order to apply for provision. There are also student advisors who are your first point of contact within the programme. For more information on student advisors, student counsellors and the other facilities the university offers, check out the studying with a disability webpage.

Visas: 

You may need a visa to study in the Netherlands.  If you are a UK National you must refer to the Travel Advice page for the Netherlands and its Living in the Netherlands guide to check on any visa requirements, and raise any queries directly with the relevant embassy/consulate.   If you are not a UK national you should check equivalent advice for your home country.

Travel insurance:  

If you complete the Travel Authorisation process and are approved by the University of York to participate in this programme, you will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Policy. This is a complimentary policy to cover you for the duration of your University of York mobility experience. Please refer to the Insurance website for all travel insurance queries.  You may be required to obtain health insurance valid during your exchange. 

Health insurance: 

Students travelling to Europe may be able to apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or in some circumstances a new UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which gives the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the EU. You are strongly recommended to obtain a GHIC / EHIC if eligible. To check your eligibility and find out how to apply if you are eligible, go to the NHS page on Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC).

International Students are required by law to have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their stay in the Netherlands. The University of Amsterdam also advises that students should take out an appropriate general third party insurance (Liability Insurance). Liability Insurance is mandatory for non EU/EEA students requesting a residence permit through the University of Amsterdam. Consult the University of Amsterdam's Health Insurance Webpage for more information, including the financial penalty for not taking out health insurance and the types of health insurances available.

Jessica, Study Abroad in The Netherlands (2019/20)

"Overall, the experience was fantastic and such an eyeopener. My exchange has really showed me a new concept of “borders”, in the UK were surrounded by water so going away is a pretty big deal that takes preparation. However, in Maastricht we're 20 minutes away from the Belgium border or 30 minutes away from the Germany border. This made the whole experience even more exciting as there was so many opportunities and adventures."

Anna, Study Abroad in The Netherlands (2019/20)

"This year has been amazing. Studying at Utrecht has allowed me to be more flexible with the subjects I chose, which has completely changed my dissertation topic and opened new areas of interest to me. I've also met loads of incredible people and been able to visit quite a few places in Europe whilst on a low budget, which wouldn't have been possible if I had been in the UK. Having the freedom to hop on a train or bus and within a couple of hours be in a different country surrounded by a different language and culture was really rewarding."

Have a look at some more student stories on the Global Opportunities website!

• University of Amsterdam Website

• University of Amsterdam Exchange Programmes Webpage

• Netherlands Travel Advice

• Numbeo - cost of living comparison site

• Expatistan - cost of living comparison site

If you find any broken links, please email us at global-opportunities@york.ac.uk

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