Introduction:
As a key cultural and intellectual center in western Europe, Amsterdam provides an ideal environment for academic study. Amsterdam attracts students from all over the Netherlands and beyond. As the capital city with a population over 790,000 inhabitants Amsterdam is the financial, creative and cultural heart of the Netherlands. It is also home to numerous international companies, institutions and museums. The city boasts beautiful architecture and more than 150 canals, lending Amsterdam its unique and charming historical ambience. Amsterdam is considered easy-going and welcoming to foreigners since and English is the city’s second language. Getting around is easy using the extensive public transport system, or you can explore the city by bike, discovering places no cars, buses or trams can take you.
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) enjoys a global reputation for cutting-edge research, high-quality teaching and a broad range of degree programs. UvA's open, tolerant and international academic tradition dates back to 1632, and continues strong today thanks to our thriving community of independent thinkers. Now, with more than 31,000 students, UvA is considered one of the best research universities in the world where students and faculty strive for excellence in teaching and research. UvA is able to offer one of the largest selections of English-taught programs in continental Europe.
Educational System:
A full time workload for UvA students is 30 EC (European Credits). Exchange students generally take between 24 EC and 30 EC. If students wish to take less than 24 EC, permission is needed from the home university and their UvA academic advisor.
Grading System and Credit Conversion:
Most faculties at UvA use a grading system ranging from 1-10 (5.5 is a pass), Amsterdam University College uses the US letter system.
Credit Equivalency:
1 ECTS credit = 0.5 UM credits
Academic Areas*:
*Students will need to demonstrate prior study in order to enroll in proposed academic area of study.
• Amsterdam University College - Liberal Arts & Science
• Child Development and Education
• Communication Science
• Economics and Business
• Humanities
• Psychology
• Science - Interdisciplinary Studies
• Social Science
Course Equivalencies
Courses taken abroad may fulfill major, minor, and general education coursework, with approval of your academic advisor. When requesting equivalencies, students should show the departmental advisor the host university course description.
Students on Study Abroad programs must utilize the MATES (Miami Academic Transfer Evaluation System) for course equivalencies approvals before departure.
- Course equivalencies are granted by the academic departments.
- It is strongly recommended that you get equivalencies for more courses than you intend to take, so that you have flexibility in choosing your schedule after you arrive at your host university in case a course is canceled or there is a conflict in the schedule.
Prerequisites:
3.0 GPA and junior standing.
Accommodation & Meals:
Each year UvA reserves a range of furnished accommodation in Amsterdam and its surrounding area for international students. The university works with different housing corporations whom offers various type of rooms, including shared rooms, private rooms with shared facilities and private rooms with private facilities.
Contract periods are fixed for the duration of the signed lease agreement and run for almost the entire semester. It is not possible to shorten the contract if a student decides to arrive late, or leave early before the end of the semester.
*Please note that there are not enough rooms available to accommodate all students within the city center.
50% of students are placed outside of the city center. The housing allocation is done be the three housing corporations based on your indicated budget. Housing prices in Amsterdam are not based on location instead based on a so-called point system, it measures the quality of the room, for instance state and type of sanitary, room surface.
Dates:
Fall: Early September to mid-December*
Spring: Mid-February to mid-June
Full year: Mid-August to mid-June
*The fall term is abbreviated and may present fewer course options
