Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) is a research university in Amsterdam with 31,548 students and 146 programmes, 46 of them bachelor’s and 100 master’s.[1][2] It is ranked =185th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[3]
For 2026/27 the statutory fee is €2,694 for students who meet the Dutch (DUO) conditions.[4] Everyone else pays the institutional fee, which depends on the programme. In VU’s own 2026/27 tables, non-EEA students pay €14,310 for many bachelor’s programmes such as Psychology and Law, and mostly €24,150 to €24,830 for master’s programmes.[5][6] English-taught bachelor’s programmes generally ask for IELTS 6.5 or an equivalent test.[7]
Key facts
| Official name | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (“Free University”); this name has been used since September 2015[8] |
| Location | Amsterdam, on a compact campus in the Zuidas Knowledge District (main building: De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam)[1] |
| Type | Public research university (according to Wikipedia); formally a private foundation, publicly funded on the same basis as public universities since 1970[8] |
| Founded | 1880, by a group of Calvinists led by Abraham Kuyper[8] |
| Students | 31,548 in total: 19,304 bachelor’s and 12,224 master’s students (the two parts do not add up exactly on VU’s page)[1] |
| Programmes | 46 bachelor’s and 100 master’s programmes[2] |
| English-taught bachelor’s | More than 20, from six faculties and schools[9] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | =185th[3] |
| Statutory fee 2026/27 | €2,694 (full-time, part-time or dual); €5,580 for Liberal Arts and Sciences and €5,130 for Philosophy, Politics and Economics[10] |
| Institutional fee 2026/27, bachelor’s (non-EEA) | €14,310 to €21,800 for most programmes; Medicine €35,640, Dentistry €34,700[5] |
| Institutional fee 2026/27, master’s (non-EEA) | €17,480 to €26,000 for most programmes; a few reach €34,440; Medicine €37,790[6] |
| English test, bachelor’s | IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, TOEFL iBT 4.5 (new scale) or 92 (old scale), unless exempt[7] |
| Selective bachelor’s (numerus fixus) | Psychology (English-taught), Criminologie, Geneeskunde, Tandheelkunde[11] |
| Official website | vu.nl |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
VU Amsterdam was founded in 1880 by a group of Calvinists led by Abraham Kuyper, as the first Protestant university in the Netherlands.[8] Since September 2015 the official name in Dutch and international use is “Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam”; earlier forms such as “VU University Amsterdam” are no longer used.[8]
The university describes itself as having faculties in the humanities, sciences, social sciences and medicine, on a compact campus in the Zuidas Knowledge District.[1] It has 31,548 students.[1] Wikipedia calls it a public research university that is nevertheless formally a private institution, part of the VU-VUmc Foundation, and funded by the government on a par with public universities since 1970.[8]
How is Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026, VU Amsterdam is placed =185th in the world. A list of all thirteen Dutch universities in that edition puts it ninth in the Netherlands, between the University of Groningen (157th) and the University of Twente (=223rd).[3]
We read no ranking pages from VU itself, so this page carries only the QS position. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam?
VU’s site lists 46 bachelor’s and 100 master’s programmes.[2] More than 20 bachelor’s programmes are taught in English, drawn from six faculties and schools: Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Humanities, Law, Science, Social Sciences, and Business and Economics.[9] Bachelor’s programmes are full-time, take three years and total 180 ECTS credits.[9]
VU’s 2026/27 fee tables name English-language programmes such as these (the lists below show examples, not every programme):[5][6]
- Bachelor’s: Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Business Analytics, International Business Administration, Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Law in Society, Liberal Arts and Sciences (Amsterdam University College, joint degree).
- Master’s: Finance, Marketing, Accounting and Control, Economics, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science (joint degree), Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (joint degree), Political Science, International Business Law, Global Health (research).
How much does Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam cost in 2026/27?
Dutch universities charge one of two kinds of tuition. The statutory fee (wettelijk collegegeld) is €2,694 for 2026/27 and applies to students who meet all the conditions on the DUO website, as well as to holders of certain Dutch residence permits. Everyone else pays the institutional fee (instellingscollegegeld), which VU sets by programme.[4] The same rates apply to full-time, part-time and dual programmes.[4]
| Programme (2026/27) | Statutory fee | Institutional fee, non-EEA |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Psychology | €2,694 | €14,310 |
| Bachelor’s Law in Society | €2,694 | €14,310 |
| Bachelor’s Archaeology | €2,694 | €17,500 |
| Bachelor’s Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence | €2,694 | €19,650 |
| Bachelor’s Philosophy, Politics and Economics | €5,130 | €19,650 |
| Bachelor’s Liberal Arts and Sciences (AUC) | €5,580 | €20,430 |
| Master’s Finance, Marketing, Economics | €2,694 | €24,830 |
| Master’s Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science (joint degree) | €2,694 | €24,150 |
| Master’s Information Sciences | €2,694 | €34,440 |
| Master’s Filosofie (philosophy) | €2,694 | €17,480 |
Statutory fees are on VU’s pages.[10][4] The institutional amounts come from VU’s two Dutch-language fee tables for 2026/27, columns “Niet EER” (non-EEA).[5][6] Across the tables, bachelor’s fees for most programmes run from €14,310 to €21,800, with Theology (joint degree) at €4,870, Dentistry at €34,700 and Medicine at €35,640. Master’s fees for most programmes run from €17,480 to €26,000; Health Sciences, Information Sciences and Environment and Resource Management are at €34,440, and teacher-training masters are lower.[5][6]
Second degrees, transitional rates and other points
- Students taking a second funded bachelor’s or master’s pay a separate “second degree” rate, which VU’s tables list per programme.[4][5]
- Non-EEA students who registered for certain programmes before 1 September 2024 (for example the Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science bachelor’s, or the Health Sciences, Information Sciences and Artificial Intelligence master’s) keep the 2023/24 institutional fee for the nominal duration plus one year.[4]
- Refugees pay the statutory amount when the UAF Foundation pays their tuition.[4]
- Pre-master’s programmes cost €44.90 per EC (€1,347 for 30 EC) in 2026/27.[4]
- Institutional fees are indexed every year, one year in arrears.[4]
Tuition is only part of the bill. For living costs, see our Netherlands guide and the Study in the Netherlands guide.
How do you apply to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam?
Entry requirements are set per programme; each programme page has an “Admissions” section, and VU advises you to check it before you start.[12] You upload the documents in the application portal in your VU dashboard.[12]
- Bachelor’s: VU has a separate application guide and a document overview that includes the Bachelor Application File.[12] VU’s page for UK applicants says that applications go through the VU dashboard, not Studielink, and that you can apply to up to four courses in the Netherlands in total.[9]
- Selective bachelor’s programmes (numerus fixus): Psychology (English-taught), Criminologie, Geneeskunde and Tandheelkunde use a selection procedure.[11] For these you create the application in Studielink, the national application system, and complete it in the VU dashboard. Applicants with a non-Dutch diploma pay a non-refundable €100 application fee. Applying in Studielink does not yet enrol you.[11] You can apply to a maximum of two numerus fixus programmes.[9]
- Master’s: follow the master’s application guide; the document overview shows which application file and documents your programme needs.[12]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by programme and by nationality. Check your programme page before you start.
Which English level do you need?
For English-taught bachelor’s programmes VU asks international applicants for one of these tests, unless they are exempt:[7]
- IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall (online and one-skill-retake versions are not accepted).
- TOEFL iBT: 4.5 overall on the new scale, or 92 on the old scale.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: at least 180; Pearson PTE Academic: 68; LanguageCert Academic: 70.
Philosophy, Politics and Economics needs at least 6.0 in each IELTS component, and Law in Society needs at least 7.0 in IELTS reading (5 on the new TOEFL reading scale).[7] Test results must not be older than two years on 1 September of the start year.[7]
Exemptions include fully English-taught secondary or higher education in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the US, an English-taught bachelor’s or master’s degree, a full International Baccalaureate Diploma, or a Dutch VWO diploma. VU reviews each claim by hand.[7]
For master’s programmes VU accepts IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1/C2, LanguageCert Academic, Pearson PTE Academic and its own VU test (€150). The minimum scores differ by programme and sit in a separate overview PDF, which we did not read.[13]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam cost for international students?
Is Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the QS World University Rankings?
Yes. It is placed =185th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[3]
What is the difference between VU Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam?
They are separate universities in Amsterdam, each with its own programmes, admissions and fees. VU Amsterdam was founded in 1880 by a group of Calvinists led by Abraham Kuyper.[8]
Which English test do I need for a bachelor’s at VU Amsterdam?
Usually IELTS Academic 6.5 overall or TOEFL iBT 92 (old scale), unless you qualify for an exemption. Two programmes ask for more in specific components.[7]
More about studying in Netherlands
- Netherlands: best universities
- Study in Netherlands: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Netherlands
- Amsterdam Business School (University of Amsterdam)
- Amsterdam University College
- Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Leiden University College The Hague
- Leiden University
- Maastricht University
- Nyenrode Business University
- Open Universiteit (Open University of the Netherlands)
- Radboud University
- Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM)
- Tilburg University
- University College Utrecht
- University of Amsterdam (UvA)
- University of Groningen
- University of Twente
- Utrecht University
- Wageningen University & Research
Sources
[1] VU Amsterdam: About VU (page without a date; student numbers as shown in 2026)
[2] VU Amsterdam: Education (page without a date; programme counts as listed there)
[3] IamExpat: TU Delft retains title of best Dutch university in QS rankings (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 19 Jun 2026; QS 2027 edition; the article’s own text gives Delft as 48th while its list shows 47th)
[4] VU Amsterdam: Tuition fee rates, master’s programmes (page without a date; rates 2026-2027)
[5] VU Amsterdam: Instellingscollegegelden bachelor’s 2026-2027 (Dutch PDF) (PDF without a printed date; file created 19 Sep 2025)
[6] VU Amsterdam: Instellingscollegegelden master’s 2026-2027 (Dutch PDF) (PDF without a printed date)
[7] VU Amsterdam: Meeting the language proficiency requirements (bachelor’s) (page without a date; requirements as of 1 October 2026 for 2027-2028)
[8] Wikipedia: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (history, name and status)
[9] VU Amsterdam: Information for UK applicants, bachelor’s (page without a date; refers to the 2027-2028 academic year)
[10] VU Amsterdam: Tuition fee rates, bachelor’s programmes (page without a date; statutory rates 2026-2027)
[11] VU Amsterdam: How do I apply for a programme with numerus fixus? (page without a date; refers to 2027-2028)
[12] VU Amsterdam: How do I apply for a degree programme? (page without a date; 2027-2028 application period)
[13] VU Amsterdam: Language proficiency requirements (master’s) (page without a date; scores are in a separate PDF)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.