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University of Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands
The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

Distance Learning Courses

Business & Management (17)
Social Sciences (15)
Computer Science & IT (3)
Arts, Design & Architecture (1)
Law (1)
Medicine & Health (1)

About

History

On 8 January 1632, Gerardus Vossius opened the Athenaeum Illustre, the predecessor of the University of Amsterdam, with his inaugural lecture ‘De historiae utilitate’ (On the usefulness of history). The next day, Caspar Barlaeus gave his famous lecture on the wise merchant, ‘Mercator Sapiens’. 

Education

University of Amsterdam main goals: 

  • increase in successful completion of Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes;
  • emphasis on academic development;
  • integration of education and research during the Bachelor’s and Master’s phases;
  • a more ambitious academic culture;
  • room for both differentiation and specialisation.

Research

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is a leading international research institution that values, promotes and rewards excellent research. 

The UvA enables researchers to perform groundbreaking research and combines a broad research palette with quality by investing selectively in research priority areas.

Career

The UvA Student Careers Centre organises several events for Bachelor's and Master's students from all disciplines. Workshops, labour market trends, inspiring speakers, CV check, contact with employers, having a professional LinkedIn photo taken and learning to apply.

Services

Student services

The student assessor takes part in deliberations on centrally executed policy at the UvA, with a focus on teaching and student-related matters. The student assessor attends meetings of the Executive Board and advises the Executive Board, and contributes points for discussion to the administrative agenda. 

The student assessor liaises closely with students inside and outside of the representative advisory bodies, acting as a link between management and the student community.

Library services

The University Library is located in a number of buildings all over Amsterdam. Apart from the central University Library (UB) on the Singel there are individual faculty libraries, and together they hold around four million volumes and a large collection of manuscripts.

ICT services

  • In the study centres and libraries, there is wireless internet (WiFi) for students and staff with a UvAnetID.
  • At the information desks of UB Singel, Science Park Library, Library Learning Centre Roeterseiland and P.C. Hoofthuis Library, UvA students can borrow a Chromebook for one day (on presenting your student ID card). The Chromebook must be returned before closing time.

Student Life

Campus life

The UvA has four campuses located across Amsterdam. Some classes are in quaint old buildings overlooking the canals, others in high-tech laboratories.

Roeterseiland Campus

  • Three faculties are housed at the Roeterseiland Campus: Economics and Business, Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Law. CREA, the student cultural organisation, is also located here.

Campus development

  • The UvA is working to consolidate its teaching and research activities within four campuses. At one time, we had about 85 different buildings scattered across Amsterdam. Many buildings didn't meet modern-day standards for teaching and research, and there weren't enough common areas to facilitate collaboration between disciplines. 

Sports facilities

Fitness, speed skating, tennis, aerobics, swimming, dancing, golf, and even parachuting: the USC offers more than 70 sports and activities at discount rates for UvA students and staff.

The USC's main building, the Universum, located in the Amsterdam Science Park, is open seven days a week and boasts a large gym, several halls, a climbing hall, squash courts, a dojo, a sauna and the sports bar.

Do you want to experience the USC? Come for a free trial!

There are 5 USC annexes:

  • PCH Fitness in the city centre
  • USC Tennis in Amsterdam Oost (East)
  • ASC in the AMC hospital
  • ClubWest in Amsterdam Nieuw-West (New West)
  • Amstelcampus near the Wibautstraat 

Student clubs

Amsterdam has a thriving student community with various student associations. There are plenty of associations and activities for students to participate in alongside their studies.

A student association is a great way to meet other students, including those from different programmes. Take a look at the links below to find out what kinds of student associations you can join.

  • Student life
  • Sports
  • International
  • Ethnic/cultural
  • Religious/spiritual
  • Gender/sexuality
  • Creative arts/media
  • Academic/social engagement

Accreditation

Accredited by AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS, the Amsterdam School of Economics is part of a select group with a 'Triple Crown'.

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