About the university
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) traces its history to the Athenaeum Illustre, founded in 1632 to educate merchants and scholars in Amsterdam's Golden Age. It became a municipal university in 1877 and is now one of the largest research universities in the Netherlands, with seven faculties and campuses spread across the city.
UvA is known for artificial intelligence, communication science, economics and business, psychology, law and the humanities. Its AI and information sciences groups at Science Park work with industry labs on machine learning and computer vision, and the Amsterdam Business School and Amsterdam School of Economics run popular one-year master's in finance and business.
The university is woven into the city: the Roeterseiland campus hosts economics, business and social sciences; Science Park in the east hosts computing and natural sciences; the medical school is at Amsterdam UMC; and humanities are in the historic centre. Amsterdam is an international, English-friendly city with a big tech and finance job market, but it has the most expensive and competitive student housing market in the country.
Indian students mostly choose UvA's master's in AI, data science, computer science, finance and business. The Information Studies master's, with its Data Science track, takes just one year. Many one-year business master's also suit students who want to start work quickly, while the two-year science master's are research-oriented. Fees depend on the faculty and programme length, so check the exact amount for your programme.
- Founded
- 1632 as the Athenaeum Illustre; a university since 1877
- Type
- Public comprehensive research university, a member of LERU (League of European Research Universities)
- Students
- 32,670 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data
- International students
- 40% (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 12.8 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Non-EEA tuition 2027/28
- €15,730–€21,900 for most bachelor's; €21,200–€34,200 for most master's, by faculty
- Main intake
- September; a few master's also start in February
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
60th in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
=62nd in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €26,000
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 or higher, depending on the programme; check the course page
- Postgraduate
MSc Information Studies: Data Science track
- Fee / year
- €34,200
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 or higher, depending on the programme; check the course page
- Postgraduate
MSc Computer Science (joint degree with VU Amsterdam)
- Fee / year
- €24,970
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 or higher, depending on the programme; check the course page
- Postgraduate
MSc Computational Science (joint degree with VU Amsterdam)
- Fee / year
- €26,000
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 or higher, depending on the programme; check the course page
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €24,500
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September; February for some tracks
- English
- IELTS 7.0 or equivalent is common for business and law master's; check the course page
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €25,300
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 7.0 or equivalent is common for business and law master's; check the course page
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €24,500
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 7.0 or equivalent is common for business and law master's; check the course page
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €24,500
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 or higher, depending on the programme; check the course page
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Artificial Intelligence | 2 years | €26,000 | ≈ ₹27.6 lakh |
| MSc Information Studies: Data Science track | 1 year | €34,200 | ≈ ₹36.3 lakh |
| MSc Computer Science (joint degree with VU Amsterdam) | 2 years | €24,970 | ≈ ₹26.5 lakh |
| MSc Computational Science (joint degree with VU Amsterdam) | 2 years | €26,000 | ≈ ₹27.6 lakh |
| MSc Business Administration | 1 year | €24,500 | ≈ ₹26 lakh |
| MSc Finance | 1 year | €25,300 | ≈ ₹26.8 lakh |
| MSc Accountancy and Control | 1 year | €24,500 | ≈ ₹26 lakh |
| MSc Econometrics | 1 year | €24,500 | ≈ ₹26 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University of Amsterdam with similar universities in the Netherlands.
Scholarships
- Master's, non-EU students
Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS)
Value: Varies by faculty; for example €26,125 for the MSc Artificial Intelligence, paid in monthly instalments over two years
Eligibility: Non-EU master's applicants in roughly the top 10% of their class. The deadline is usually 15 January for September entry.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Non-EEA bachelor's and master's students at participating institutions
NL Scholarship
Value: €5,000, paid once in the first year (not a full scholarship)
Eligibility: For students who have not studied in the Netherlands before. Each participating university sets its own deadline and criteria.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Joint master's run by European university groups
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarships
Value: Programme costs, travel and visa costs, and a monthly living allowance
Eligibility: Top applicants from any country. Applications usually open between October and January.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Indian Class 12 (CBSE/ISC) alone is often not enough for a Dutch research-university bachelor's; UvA may also ask for a year of university study or high marks in specific subjects. Check the country requirements for your programme.
- Apply through Studielink. Many bachelor's have a non-EU deadline of 1 April; numerus fixus programmes such as Psychology close on 15 January.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree in a related subject, with specific prerequisite courses for many programmes (for example mathematics and programming for AI and Data Science).
- Apply through UvA's application portal and Studielink. Non-EU deadlines are often between 15 January and 1 April for September; scholarship deadlines can be earlier.
- Some business and economics master's ask for a GMAT or GRE.
- Your university applies for your entry visa (MVV) and residence permit on your behalf; you show proof of funds of €1,130.77 a month (IND, 2026).
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (bachelor's) or bachelor's transcripts and degree certificate (master's)
- English test score (IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or another test the programme accepts)
- CV
- Motivation letter or statement of purpose
- One or two reference letters, where the programme asks for them
- GMAT or GRE score, only for programmes that ask for it
- Course descriptions or a list of courses, for programmes that check your prior knowledge
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall is common for science programmes; business, law and some social science master's often ask for 7.0. Check your programme. |
| TOEFL iBT | Accepted; minimum score set by each programme. |
| Cambridge English | C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency accepted by most programmes. |
Accommodation and living costs
Amsterdam has the most competitive student housing market in the Netherlands. UvA reserves a limited number of rooms for new international students through housing partners, offered on a first-come, first-served basis after admission. Apply the day housing opens and be wary of rental scams.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Non-EEA tuition fee, 2027/28Most master's; depends on faculty and programme length | €21,200–34,200per year | ≈ ₹22.5 lakh – ₹36.3 lakh |
| Rent for a student roomAmsterdam is the most expensive Dutch student city, usually well above the national student average of about €561 | €450–900per month | ≈ ₹47,700 – ₹95,400 |
| Groceries and meals | €200–300per month | ≈ ₹21,200 – ₹31,800 |
| Health and liability insuranceDutch basic health insurance is required, at a higher cost, if you take a paid job | €80–120per month | ≈ ₹8,480 – ₹12,720 |
| Public transportMany students cycle, which keeps this low | €50–70per month | ≈ ₹5,300 – ₹7,420 |
| IND proof of funds for living costs, 2026The amount the IND expects students to have; about €13,570 a year | €1,131per month | ≈ ₹1.2 lakh |
Campus and location
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, an international city of about 930,000 people with canals, museums, a big tech and finance sector and excellent cycling.
- Roeterseiland campus, near the centre, hosts economics, business and social sciences.
- Amsterdam Science Park in the east hosts computer science, AI and the natural sciences.
- The Faculty of Medicine is at Amsterdam UMC; humanities are in the historic city centre.
- Schiphol airport is about 20 minutes away by train.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Amsterdam has many international employers in tech, finance, consulting and media, and UvA graduates can use the one-year orientation year to look for work. The figures below are general rules and statistics, not a promise of a job.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation year permit after graduating | 1 year to look for work, with no work permit needed | IND: residence permit for the orientation year |
| Work allowed while studying | Up to 16 hours a week, or full-time in June, July and August (not both); employer needs a work permit (TWV) | IND: student residence permit |
| Minimum wage from 1 July 2026 (age 21+) | €14.99 an hour gross | Government of the Netherlands: minimum wage |
| International students at the University of Amsterdam | 40% | Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 |
Studying in the Netherlands
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the Netherlands. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in the Netherlands
Photo: Ymblanter, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicDelft University of Technology (official website, opens in a new tab)
Delft, NetherlandsOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Arts, Design & Media
Photo: RSM erasmus, CC BY-SA 2.0 PublicErasmus University Rotterdam (official website, opens in a new tab)
Rotterdam, NetherlandsOften chosen for Business & Management, Finance & Accounting, Medicine & Health Sciences
Photo: Kleon3, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicMaastricht University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Maastricht, NetherlandsOften chosen for Business & Management, Life Sciences, Law
Photo: Marvin Raaijmakers, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicEindhoven University of Technology (official website, opens in a new tab)
Eindhoven, NetherlandsOften chosen for Engineering, Data Science & AI, Computer Science & IT
Photo: Rudolphous, CC BY 3.0 PublicLeiden University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Leiden, NetherlandsOften chosen for Law, Life Sciences, Computer Science & IT
Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicUtrecht University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Utrecht, NetherlandsOften chosen for Life Sciences, Data Science & AI, Law
FAQs
How much does UvA cost for Indian students?
For 2027/28, most master's cost €21,200–€34,200 a year and most bachelor's €15,730–€21,900, depending on faculty and programme length.
Is the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship worth applying for?
Yes, if you are in roughly the top 10% of your class. Amounts vary by programme and the deadline is usually 15 January.
Are UvA business master's one year?
Most Amsterdam Business School and Amsterdam School of Economics master's take one year. Science master's such as AI usually take two.
Is housing a problem in Amsterdam?
Yes. UvA offers a limited number of rooms to new international students; apply as soon as housing opens.
Can I stay in the Netherlands after graduating?
Yes, you can apply once for the one-year orientation year permit to look for work.
Sources
- University of Amsterdam: tuition fees 2027-2028 (opens in a new tab)
- University of Amsterdam: MSc Artificial Intelligence (opens in a new tab)
- University of Amsterdam: Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AI example) (opens in a new tab)
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027: University of Amsterdam (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings 2027: University of Amsterdam (opens in a new tab)
- Study in NL: NL Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
- Study in NL (Nuffic): tuition fees (opens in a new tab)
- IND: student residence permit for university education (opens in a new tab)
- IND: required amounts (income requirements) (opens in a new tab)
- IND: residence permit for the orientation year (opens in a new tab)
- Government of the Netherlands: minimum wage amounts 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.uva.nl/en (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details