World rank
#115
Tuition from
₹4.58 L
per year, 188 courses
Courses
54
Founded
1880
About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)
Founded in 1880, VU Amsterdam is a public research university in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its central campus is in Amsterdam's Zuidas Knowledge district. The faculties of this university are Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Medicine. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam ranks among the Top 200 Universities worldwide. There are 31,000+ students at this university. An international environment is provided by VU University Amsterdam as a quarter of students in the English-taught courses come from abroad. The acceptance rate of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is around 45%, suggesting that it is a selective university. Check about Studying in the Netherlands from here.
VU Amsterdam Information
For 2024, the total endowment of VU University Amsterdam was around EUR 798 million. Abour 2/3 of this funding is made up of the government funding and the rest is made up of the tuition fees, research grants, and private funding. Other facts of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam are given below:
| Particulars | Stats |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | Around 45% |
| Type of university | Public |
| Location | Amsterdam |
| Affiliation | EUA, AACSB |
| Total no. of students | 31,548 |
| No. of UG students | 19,304 |
| No. of PG students | 12,224 |
| Popular courses | Masters in CS, Master in Finance |
Courses and fees
Tuition as published by the source, converted to rupees. Per year unless the course page says otherwise.
Bachelor's (27)
| Course | Duration | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Ancient Studies | 3 years | ₹10.1 L |
| Bachelor in Archaeology | 3 years | ₹10.1 L |
| Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence | 3 years | ₹17.15 L |
| Bachelor in Biomedical Sciences | 3 years | ₹14 L |
| Bachelor in Communication and Information Studies | 3 years | ₹9.93 L |
| Bachelor in Communication Science | 4 years | ₹9.93 L |
| Bachelor in Econometrics and Data Science | 3 years | ₹10.6 L |
| Bachelor in Econometrics and Operations Research | 3 years | ₹9.93 L |
| Bachelor in Economics and Business Economics | 3 years | ₹9.93 L |
| Bachelor in Language and Media | 3 years | ₹15.4 L |
| Bachelor in Language and Mind | 3 years | ₹15.4 L |
| Bachelor in Literature and Society | 3 years | ₹9.93 L |
| Bachelor in Mathematics | 3 years | ₹14 L |
| Bachelor in Media, Art, Design and Architecture | 3 years | ₹9.93 L |
| Bachelor in Philosophy | 3 years | ₹9.93 L |
| Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics and Economics | 3 years | ₹14 L |
| Bachelor in Political Science: Global Politics | 3 years | ₹10.6 L |
| Bachelor in Psychology | 3 years | ₹12.68 L |
| Bachelor in Theology and Religious Studies | 3 years | ₹4.58 L |
| Bachelor of Arts in Filosofie | 3 years | ₹15.4 L |
| Bachelor of Arts in History and International Studies | 3 years | ₹15.4 L |
| Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences (Amsterdam University College) | 3 years | ₹17.06 L |
| Bachelor of Law in Society | 3 years | ₹15.4 L |
| Bachelor of Science in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology | 3 years | ₹15.4 L |
| Bachelors in Business Analytics | 3 years | ₹14.94 L |
| Bachelors in Computer Science | 3 years | ₹21.14 L |
| Bachelors in International Business Administration | 3 years | ₹11.61 L |
Master's (40)
| Course | Duration | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Executive MBA: Leading with Purpose | 2 years | — |
| Master in High Performance Coaching | 1 year | — |
| Master in Mediterranean Archaeology | 1 year | — |
| Master of Arts in Linguistics: Language and AI | 1 year | — |
| Master of Science in Drug Discovery Sciences | 2 years | — |
| Master of Science in Human Movement Sciences: Sport, Exercise and Health | 1 year | — |
| Master of Science in International Business Law: Trade and Investment | 1 year | — |
| Master of Science in Personalized Medicine | 2 years | — |
| Master of Science in Public Administration: Artificial Intelligence and Governance | 1 year | — |
| Master in Accounting and Control | 1 year | ₹19.87 L |
| Master in Archaeology | 1 year | ₹17.76 L |
| Master in Artificial Intelligence (AI for Health) | 2 years | ₹17.15 L |
| Master in Artificial Intelligence (Cognitive Science) | 2 years | ₹17.15 L |
| Master in Arts & Culture: Comparative Arts and Media Studies | 1 year | ₹18.62 L |
| Master in Arts & Culture: Contemporary Art History | 1 year | ₹18.62 L |
| Master in Arts & Culture: Design Cultures | 1 year | ₹18.62 L |
| Master in Arts and Culture | 1 year | ₹18.62 L |
| Master in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology | 2 years | ₹25.98 L |
| Master in Biomedical Sciences | 2 years | ₹18.2 L |
| Master in Biomedical Technology and Physics | 2 years | ₹17.15 L |
| Master in Biomolecular Sciences | 2 years | ₹17.15 L |
| Master in Business Administration | 12 months | ₹26.71 L |
| Master in Business Administration (Human Resource Management) | 1 year | ₹19.87 L |
| Master in Business Administration (International Management) | 1 year | ₹19.87 L |
| Master in Business Administration (Leadership and Change Management) | 1 year | ₹18.62 L |
| Master in Business Administration (Management Consulting) | 1 year | ₹19.87 L |
| Master in Business Administration (Strategy and Organization) | 1 year | ₹19.87 L |
| Master in Business Analytics | 2 years | ₹25.98 L |
| Master in Business Analytics (Computational Intelligence) | 2 years | ₹17.15 L |
| Master in Business Analytics (Financial Risk Management) | 2 years | ₹18.2 L |
| Master in Business Analytics (Optimisation of Business Processes) | 2 years | ₹17.15 L |
| Master in Business Analytics (Research track) | 2 years | ₹17.15 L |
| Master in Cardiovascular Research | 2 years | ₹17.15 L |
| Master in Chemistry | 2 years | ₹16.91 L |
| Master in CIS: Dialogue, Health and Society | 1 year | ₹18.62 L |
| Master in CIS: Multimodal Communication | 1 year | ₹18.62 L |
| Master in Classics and Ancient Civilizations | 1 year | ₹17.76 L |
| Master in Classics and Ancient Civilizations: Research | 2 years | ₹12.65 L |
| Master in Clinical and Developmental Psychopathology (Research) | 2 years | ₹14.2 L |
| Master in Cognitive Neuropsychology (Research) | 2 years | ₹14.2 L |
Photos of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)
Videos: Why study at VU University Amsterdam · VU University Amsterdam Campus Tour · Master programme at VU Amsterdam · VU International Business Administration · Vu University Accommodation
At a glance
- Type
- Private
- Course duration
- 1 year - 2 years
- Campuses
- 1
- Student rating
- 4/5 (2 reviews)
Rankings
World rank#115
In Netherlands#8
Overall gradeB++
| Subject | Grade | Rank | Other tables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Politics | A | #4 | QS #101 |
| Mathematics | B | #7 | QS #301 |
| Computer Science Engineering | C++ | #7 | THE #201 |
| Biology | B | #8 | THE #151 · QS #179 |
| Physics | C++ | #9 | QS #301 · ARWU #301 |
Admission requirements
Documents
- SOPNeeded for few courses
- LORNeeded for few courses
- EssaysNot required
- CVNeeded for few courses
- Additional documentsRequired
Application fees
- Euro 100
Type of deadline
- Regular
Intake Season & Deadlines
- Fall1ˢᵗ Apr 2023 - 1ˢᵗ Apr 2024
- Winter1ˢᵗ Nov 2023
Campuses
Scholarships at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)
Vrije University of Amsterdam Orange Tulip Scholarship
merit
2 awards
Amount: ₹17.97 L ·
K.C. Mahindra Scholarships For Post-Graduate Studies Abroad
merit
Amount: ₹10 L · Deadline: 2026-04-30
Unimoni Student Stars 2023
merit
5 awards
Amount: ₹3 L ·
J.N. Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship
merit
Deadline: 2026-03-29
Young Women in Public Affairs Awards
merit
37 awards
Amount: ₹4.72 L ·
Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program
merit
Amount: ₹42.37 L ·
GlobalScholarships.com $3,000 Scholarship
both
1 awards
Amount: ₹2.83 L ·
HEST 2025 - New Study Abroad Scholarship
need
Amount: ₹3 L ·
Imported from public sources. Confirm amounts and deadlines with the university.
About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)
Founded in 1880, VU Amsterdam is a public research university in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its central campus is in Amsterdam's Zuidas Knowledge district. The faculties of this university are Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Medicine. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam ranks among the Top 200 Universities worldwide. There are 31,000+ students at this university. An international environment is provided by VU University Amsterdam as a quarter of students in the English-taught courses come from abroad. The acceptance rate of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is around 45%, suggesting that it is a selective university. Check about Studying in the Netherlands from here.
VU Amsterdam Information
For 2024, the total endowment of VU University Amsterdam was around EUR 798 million. Abour 2/3 of this funding is made up of the government funding and the rest is made up of the tuition fees, research grants, and private funding. Other facts of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam are given below:
| Particulars | Stats |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | Around 45% |
| Type of university | Public |
| Location | Amsterdam |
| Affiliation | EUA, AACSB |
| Total no. of students | 31,548 |
| No. of UG students | 19,304 |
| No. of PG students | 12,224 |
| Popular courses | Masters in CS, Master in Finance |
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Scholarships
Limited scholarships are available for Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam UG students. For international master's students of this university, VU Fellowship Programme and NL Scholarship options are available. NL scholarship is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Dutch research universities, and Universities of Applied Sciences NL Scholarship is applied towards the cost of living. Details about VU University Scholarships are given below:
| Type of Scholarship | Scholarship Name | Amount | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admission based | NL scholarship | UR 5,000 or EUR 10,000 for the entire studies | PG |
| Admission based | VU Fellowship Program | Covers the tuition fees | PG |
How to get a scholarship for studies at VU University?
For NL scholartship, students are required to follow the VUFP (VU Fellowship) scholarship application. While applying for the VUFP scholarship, students are considered automcatically. On the dashboard of VU Amsterdam, students can accept or decline the NL scholarship offer. For VU fellowship, students have to apply.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Courses
VU Amsterdam offers 190+ courses at the UG and PG levels. At the UG level, more than 25 courses are offered. Whereas, at the PG level, 200+ course options are available. A few study areas at the Master's level available at this university are Architecture, Chemistry, Business Administration, Journalism, Computer Science, Digital Marketing and Analytics.
VU University Amsterdam Popular Courses
Among Indian students, the popular courses of VU University are MSc in Computer Science, Master in Finance, MSc in Artificial Intelligence.The duration of VU University Master of Computer Science is 2 years.
VU University Amsterdam Online Courses
A few online courses are offered by VU University Amsterdam such as Foundations of Data Analysis with R, Econometrics of Networks, International Business Leadership, Meta-Analysis, etc.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Notable Alumni
Some of the famous personalities who have studied at VU Amsterdam are Wouter Bos, Wim Deetman, Ronald A. Kuipers, Nico Reinks, etc. The details of the alumni of VU University Amsterdam are given below:
| Names | Designation | Images |
|---|---|---|
| Wouter Bos | Former part leader of the Dutch Labour Party | |
| Ronald A. Kuipers | Philosopher and President of the Institute of Christian Studies | |
| Wim Deetman | Mayor of the Hague | |
| Nico Reinks | Olympic Champion (Rowing) | |
| Werner Vogels | CTO and Vice President of Amazon | |
| Ellen van Djik | Cycling World Champion |
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Placements
The Career services offered at VU University Amsterdam are help in finding the suitable job, creating a CV, preparing for a job interview, how to use and network and LinkedIn, etc. As per a survey 2023, the graduates of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam of 2021-22 found their first paid jobs in 2.7 months.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) Fees
The annual tuition fees to study at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam can be between INR 4.3 L - INR 20 L for UG students.The tuition fees for students admitted to the PG courses can be between INR 6.2 L - INR 39 L. Students can check the tuition fees for VU University from the table given below on this page.
Cost of Living
For Indian students, the monthly expenses while studying at VU University can be as follows. These living expenses will vary as per the students' lifestyle.
| Particulars | Expenses |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | EUR 458 - 1,400 |
| Living expenses | EUR 150 - 400 |
| Insurance | EUR 131 - 158 |
| Public transport | EUR 60 - 72 |
| Books and printing | EUR 53 |
| Other costs | EUR 100 |
Also Check: Cost of Living in the Netherlands
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) Admissions
To get admission to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam), Indian students have to first apply via Studielink. Then, students have to apply via the university's application portal. VUAmsterdam application fee is EUR 100 (Around INR 11k).
VU Amsterdam Application Deadlines
The admission decision for the applications will be announced within 4-6 weeks. Details about VU Amsterdam deadlines are:
| Particulars | Application Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's courses for international students | Apr 1, 2027 |
VU Amsterdam Eligibility for Indian Students
The eligibility at VU Amsterdam may vary as per the courses. The documents that have to be submitted are:
- Passport copy
- CV
- Letters of recommendation (varies as per courses)
- Statement of intent
- Academic transcripts
- Netherlands residence permit
Postgraduate Admission Requirements
For admission to the Master's courses of VU Amsterdam, students must have passed a Bachelor's degree. An English language proficiency test score has to be submitted too.
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
A Non-Dutch Diploma is required for admission to the UG courses of VU Amsterdam.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) Ranking 2026
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) is one of the finest universities for higher education in the Netherlands. When it comes to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) rankings, it is one of the top ranked universities worldwide. In the Shiksha Popularity Rankings 2026, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) has an overall ranking of #8 in the Netherlands and #118 in the world. Shiksha Popularity Rankings also ranked Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) courses that are listed below-
| Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) Course Name | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2026 (World) | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2026 (Country) |
|---|---|---|
| LL.M. | #89 | #8 |
| MSN | #198 | #4 |
| M.A. | #141 | #6 |
| M.Arch | #171 | #6 |
| Others PG | #71 | #7 |
| MS | #309 | #9 |
| MIM | #198 | #5 |
By Other Ranking Bodies
Apart from Shiksha Popularity ranking, QS has also ranked the university globally. It ranks Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) at #194 in 2026. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) ranking stood at #79 as per US News in 2025 and #176 by THE in 2026, globally.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) Campus Life
VU Amsterdam has 1 campus and 9 departments or schools in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
VU Amsterdam campus life is known for inclusivity and diversity. The students are welcoming, & faculty are well versed in their respective areas of study. Student events are a regular theme, providing ample opportunities to students to interact, learn & grow their network. The university’s student clubs, offer a number of recreational opportunities over the duration of the academic year, to have fun & learn alongside fellow peers.
Further, students gain access to a number of state-of-the-art facilities including well-equipped classrooms, study lounges, libraries, sports grounds & more as part of the university campus.
Common questions
What is the acceptance rate for Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam?
As per a few of the unofficial sources, the acceptance rate at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is around 45%. This acceptance rate shows that this university is somewhat selective. Students should meet the minimum eligibility criteria. This includes having a High school Diploma for admission to UG courses. For PG courses admission, Indian students should at least have a Bachelor's degree.
How many students Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam have?
The total no. of students at VU Uni Amsterdam is 31,548. Out of this, 19,000+ are UG students and 12,000+ are PG students. The university also welcomes international students. English-taught courses are offered at VU University at both UG and PG levels.
Why do Indian students choose to study at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam?
Listed below are some key reasons why Vrije is popular among Indian students for higher studies. The total number of students at VU University Amsterdam is 31,000+.
- Provides easy access to major European cities and transportation hubs
- International Student Support on campus is offered to international students by VU Amsterdam's International Office with regard to key services such as housing, visas, and other administrative aspects of studying in the Netherlands.
- VU Amsterdam is a leading research university that offers a comprehensive study options
- English taught courses at UG and PG level are available. At the UG level, approx 25 course options and at PG level, arounf 150 course options are available
How can I apply to VU University?
Over 150 English-taught courses are available at VU Uni Amsterdam. Students who want to apply for the UG or PG courses can follow below-given steps
Step 1: Apply via Studielink
Step 2: Complete the application via the VU University study portal
Step 3: Then, pay the application fee of EUR 100
Step 4: Wait for the admission decision. These admission decision can be released within 4-6 weeks
Does Vrije University Amsterdam gave application fee?
Yes, Indian students have to pay an application fee of EUR 100 (Around INR 11k) while admitting to VU University. Students who want to take admission to this university must submit the application via Studielink first. Then, complete the application via the university's portal.
How can I get into VU University MSc in CS?
For admission to MSc in CS course of VU University, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science is required. A GMAT / GRE score is not required for admission. An English language proficiency score is also required. A passport or national id has to be submitted too.
What is VU Fellowship program?
VU Fellowship programme is offered to talented international students who want to study a Master's program. Students must show their academic excellence (GPA equiavalent to Dutch 8). This scholarship covers the tuition fees only. To apply for this scholarship, students have to first register for VU Amsterdam's Masters course and then submit VUFP scholarship application.
What is the amount of NL scholarship for VU Amsterdam?
The NL scholarship is financially supported by VUvereniging. This is a social network of people who are connected to VU Amsterdam. This scholarship is for the students enrolled in the Master's course of Vrije Uni. It supports the students to reduce the living cost and its amount is EUR 5,000 or EUR 10,000 for the entire duration of studies.
How much is VU University Amsterdam fees for Indian students?
The tuition fees for Indian students at VU Amsterdam CA be betweenvrije universiteit amsterdam. The cost of living for a month can be as follows
ParticularsExpensesAccommodation EUR 458 - 1,400Living expensesEUR 150 - 400InsuranceEUR 131 - 158Public transportEUR 60 - 72Books and printingEUR 53Other costs EUR 100How can I pay the tuition fees at VU University?
Students can pay VU University tuition fees using direct debit authorization in one or five instalments. They can also pay it via bank transfer or full fee via debit card. The annual tuition fees at this university can range between INR 4.3 Lacs - INR 39 lakh.
What is the duration of VU Amsterdam MSc in Computer Science course?
VU Uni Amsterdam MSc in Computer Science course can be completed in 2 years. Students are required to have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science for admission to Vrije University Amsterdam CS graduate course. By studying this course, students are going to benefit from the expertise, research projects, and networks.
What is the duration of VU Amsterdam MSc in AI?
Vrije Uni Amsterdam MSc in AI course is 2 years long. This course focuses on hybrid intelligence, where humans and AI collaboarate. The course is taught in English. For admission to this course, a Bachelor's degree is required in AI, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Cognitive Psychology or Neuroscience is required.
What is Amsterdam VU ranked?
VU University ranking in the QS world rankings is #194 in 2026. Whereas, in Times Higher Education rankings, it ranks at #176 in 2026. Also, in US News rankings for Global Universities, VU University ranks at #79.
Is VU University Psychology subject ranked well?
For Psychology subject rankings by Times Higher Education, VU University Amsterdam ranks at #31 in 2026. It was ranked at the same position in the previous year too. This university has been ranked among the Top 50 Universities for the Psychology subject since 2020.
What is Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam ranked in the QS?
In the QS rankings, Vrije Universiteit ranking is #194 in 2026. This course was ranked at #221 in 2025. This shows that in the QS rankings, VU University Amsterdam ranks among the Top 200 Universities in the world. For the Psychology subject, this university ranked at #45 in 2025.
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Nearest by ranking, so these are the ones you would realistically compare against.
