Skip to content
Admission Mantra
Flag of NetherlandsVrije Universiteit Amsterdam logo

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands · Public · Est. 1880

Updated 28 Oct 2026

Talk to our counsellorCall usOfficial website (opens in a new tab)

Established

1880

Type

Public

Location

Amsterdam, Netherlands

QS World University Rankings 2027

=185 in the world

About the university

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) is a public research university founded in 1880. It has more than 30,000 students and offers over 175 English-taught programmes at bachelor's, master's and PhD level.

It is ranked =185 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and =176 in the THE World University Rankings 2027. Its School of Business and Economics and its Faculty of Science run many of the master's that Indian students look at, including Business Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science (a joint degree with the University of Amsterdam), Finance and Econometrics.

Most business and economics master's take one year and cost €25,370 for non-EEA students in 2027-28; most science master's take two years at €24,970 a year. The VU Fellowship Programme can waive tuition for high-achieving non-EU students.

Amsterdam's housing market is very tight and expensive. VU offers a limited number of first-year rooms to new international students, at an average of €750 a month.

Founded
1880
Type
Public research university in Amsterdam
Total students
About 31,500 (31,548 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
International students
21% of students (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
Student–staff ratio
15.5 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
Intakes
September for almost all master's; only Mathematics and Law offer a February start

Rankings

  • QS World University Rankings 2027

    =185 in the world

  • THE World University Rankings 2027

    =176 in the world

Popular courses with Indian students

View all 12 courses with filters

Fees for international students

Course fees
CourseDurationFee / year (EUR)Approx. in rupees
Business Analytics (MSc)2 years (full time)€24,970≈ ₹26.5 lakh
Computer Science (MSc, joint degree with UvA)Full time; length not stated on the course page€24,970≈ ₹26.5 lakh
Artificial Intelligence (MSc)2 years (full time)€24,970≈ ₹26.5 lakh
Computer Security (MSc)2 years (full time)€24,970≈ ₹26.5 lakh
Business Administration (MSc)1 year (full time)€25,370≈ ₹26.9 lakh
Finance (MSc)Full time, starts 1 September; length not stated on the course page€25,370≈ ₹26.9 lakh
Information Sciences (MSc)1 year (full time)€35,330≈ ₹37.4 lakh
Econometrics and Operations Research (MSc)1 year (full time)€25,370≈ ₹26.9 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 Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam with similar universities in the Netherlands.

Talk to our counsellorCall us

Scholarships

  • Full-time English-taught master's starting September 2027

    VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP)

    Value: Tuition fee waiver (tuition only, no living allowance)

    Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA passport holders not eligible for the statutory fee, with a GPA equal to a Dutch 8 out of 10 and a conditional or unconditional offer. Apply 1 November 2026 to 1 February 2027; one programme only.

    Official page (opens in a new tab)
  • Master's starting September 2027

    NL Scholarship

    Value: One-time €5,000 towards living costs in the first year (about 20–25 awards a year)

    Eligibility: Same conditions as the VUFP; you are considered automatically when you apply for the VUFP by 1 February 2027.

    Official page (opens in a new tab)

Admission requirements

Undergraduate

  • Each bachelor's programme sets its own entry requirements; check the programme page and VU's international eligibility check before applying.
  • Institutional bachelor's fees for 2027-28 are published in a separate fee overview linked from VU's bachelor's fee page.

Postgraduate

  • Apply through Studielink (open from October 2026 for September 2027), then complete your file in the VU dashboard within six weeks.
  • The non-EU deadline for September 2027 is 1 April 2027; some programmes set their own deadlines.
  • All applicants with an international degree pay a non-refundable €100 application fee before the file is assessed.
  • Programmes check your bachelor's courses in detail. Business Analytics, for example, asks for at least 90 ECTS in mathematics, econometrics or computer science, including 45 ECTS of mathematics and some programming.

Documents

  • VU application form for your faculty
  • Copy of your valid passport
  • CV
  • Statement of intent (motivation letter)
  • Degree certificate(s) and transcript of records
  • Thesis or another piece of academic writing (2–5 pages at least)
  • Description of relevant courses and literature from your degree
  • English test result (can follow after conditional admission)
  • Letters of recommendation, only for a few programmes

Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.

Talk to our counsellorCall us

English language requirements

English requirements
Test or routeTypical requirement
IELTS Academic6.5 overall for most master's, usually with 6.0 in each part; Marketing needs 7.0 with 6.5 in each part. IELTS Online is not accepted.
TOEFL iBT92 for most master's (100 for Marketing); both old and new score scales accepted. Home Edition and MyBestScore not accepted.
PTE Academic68 for most master's, 65 for Artificial Intelligence and 76 for Marketing
Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency180
Duolingo and exemptionsDuolingo is not accepted. Exemptions cover education fully taught in English in countries such as the UK, US, Canada, Australia and Ireland; India is not on the list, though you may request an exemption after conditional admission (not guaranteed).

Accommodation and living costs

VU offers a limited number of rooms to first-year, non-Dutch students on English-taught programmes who are admitted on a foreign diploma and have never lived in the Netherlands. Housing is not guaranteed, so search on your own as well. Service costs are included in VU housing prices.

Accommodation and living costs
ItemIn EURApprox. in rupees
Room via VU AmsterdamAverage €750 a month, including water, electricity and internet€560–1,300per month≈ ₹59,360 – ₹1.4 lakh
Private-market room in AmsterdamOften starts from around this amount€900per month≈ ₹95,400
VU housing feeNot rent; refunded only if VU cannot offer you a room€500one-off≈ ₹53,000

Campus and location

VU Amsterdam's campus is in Amsterdam, and most of its rooms for new students are at addresses around the city such as Uilenstede, De Boelelaan and Zuidas.

  • Over 175 English-taught programmes at bachelor's, master's and PhD level.
  • An international office helps with housing, visas and residence permits.
  • Airport pick-up and an introduction programme in August for new international students.
  • Computer Science is run jointly with the University of Amsterdam, and graduates receive a joint degree.

Careers and graduate outcomes

Non-EU graduates can apply for the Dutch orientation year (zoekjaar) to look for work; see our Netherlands guide for the rules. VU's international office supports students during their studies.

Graduate outcomes
WhatFigureSource
International students as a share of all students21%THE 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

Compare all universities in the Netherlands

FAQs

What does a master's at VU Amsterdam cost for an Indian student?

For 2027-28 the non-EEA fee is €25,370 a year for most business and economics master's, €24,970 a year for most science master's such as AI, Business Analytics and Computer Science, and €35,330 for Information Sciences. Add Amsterdam rent of about €750 or more a month.

What is the deadline for September 2027?

1 April 2027 for non-EU students who need a visa, unless the programme page gives a different date. Applications open in Studielink in October 2026.

Is there an IELTS waiver for Indian students?

India is not on VU's exemption list, so plan to take IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Cambridge. You can ask for an exemption after conditional admission, but it is not guaranteed. Duolingo is not accepted.

Can I get a full scholarship?

The VU Fellowship Programme can waive the full tuition fee for non-EU students with a GPA equal to a Dutch 8. Apply by 1 February 2027 after you have an offer. It does not cover living costs.

Can I work after graduating?

Non-EU graduates can apply for the Dutch orientation year to look for work. See our Netherlands country guide for the current rules.

Sources

  1. VU: tuition fee rates master's (opens in a new tab)
  2. VU: institutional tuition fees master's programmes 2027-2028 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
  3. VU: English language proficiency overview 2027-2028 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
  4. VU: language proficiency requirements master's (opens in a new tab)
  5. VU: apply for a master's programme (opens in a new tab)
  6. VU: application documents master's (opens in a new tab)
  7. VU: Business Analytics admissions (opens in a new tab)
  8. VU: scholarships (opens in a new tab)
  9. VU: looking for accommodation in Amsterdam (opens in a new tab)
  10. QS World University Rankings 2027: VU Amsterdam (opens in a new tab)
  11. THE World University Rankings 2027: VU Amsterdam (opens in a new tab)

Official website: vu.nl (opens in a new tab)

Check the latest details

We researched this page on 28 Oct 2026. Fees, entry requirements and scholarships change every year, so confirm them on the university's website before you apply. Listing a university doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents it.

Talk to our counsellor

Ask about courses, fees, scholarships and your eligibility for Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

IELTS / PTE status
Best way to reach you

#YouInspireUs

Stories from our students and parents

#StudyAbroadSample
ft. Student nameMSc Data Science · United Kingdom

#1 Student name

MSc Data Science, United Kingdom · Study Abroad

Sample text. A short story in the student's own words: how the counsellor helped them shortlist universities, understand the full cost and prepare their visa file.

Design preview: sample cards show where real stories will appear. They are replaced by real students' stories (with written consent) before launch.

All student stories