| Updated On - Sep 16, 2025
University of Amsterdam is a public research university in Amsterdam, Netherlands, within the historic city center. It's a large school with around 31,000–32,000 students (all academic levels, not only undergrad). Admissions are fairly selective, acceptance rate ~ 4-5% for international students or some programs. Main popular majors are Social Sciences, Business, Law, Humanities, and to a lesser degree Medicine.
Maastricht University is a public research university located in Maastricht, Netherlands, in the southern province of Limburg. It is a medium-sized university with 22,976 students in 2023, with an acceptance rate of ~52% (international students). It has varying levels of competitiveness in admissions by program. Its popular majors are Business & Economics, Law, Psychology, and Medicine.
| Maastricht University | University of Amsterdam | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.1 Out of 10 | 6.3 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 131 Times Higher Education 2026 # 239 QS World University 2026 # 132 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 53 QS World University 2026 # 62 Times Higher Education 2026 # 55 QS World University 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 145 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2023 # 69 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 29 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 173 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 36 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -13 PG Programs -41 | UG Programs -11 PG Programs -99 |
| Acceptance Rate | 52.0 % | 0.0 % |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 12208 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 15318 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 13759 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 13200 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 19272 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 925 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: Bachelor of science: $77,000 Master of Arts: $137,000 Master (other): $90,000 Masters in Management: $61,000 | The University of Amsterdam has a team for career and employability that has won an award for their dedication to supporting the student throughout the process of placement. The university hosts fairs and events to provide students with a job. The students in the final year gain more work experience and are also placed in research institutions, museums, or private conservation studios. Avverage Salaries by Degree:
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| application requirements | Submit official transcripts of all previous education completed Submit a motivation letter Submit English language proficiency test scores Submit resume | Submit official transcripts of all previous education Submit English language proficiency test scores Submit resume |
| Campuses and B-Schools | School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University | Amsterdam Business School |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 6.0/10 Read 1 reviews | 7.7/10 Read 10 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 101 for Public Policy by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2022 | # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 90/120 | IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -25000 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -34400 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | May 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake) | Jan 15, 2026 (Scholarship Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Jan 31, 2026 (Application Deadline For September 2026 intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Maastricht University | University of Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1976 | 1632 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | :1 |
| Male:Female | 41% Male, 59% Female | 0% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | Maastricht University is located in buildings in two separate locations in Maastricht. The arts, humanities and social science departments are housed in a number of historic buildings in the city center, while psychology, the medical and life sciences are based in the modern Randwyck campus on the outskirts of the city. | The University of Amsterdam has always been housed in old and new buildings scattered throughout the capital. The university lies within the largest megalopolis in the Netherlands, the Randstad. The campuses are scattered across city center, science center, academic medical center and Roeterseiland campus. |
| Library | You can use the library at eight locations: the Inner City Library, the Randwyck Library (incl. LINK and the Randwyck Computer Facilities), the Tapijn Learning Spaces (at Tapijnkazerne 11 and Loods V), the USC Learning Spaces at the University Sports Centre and the Paul-Henri Spaak Learning Spaces at the Faculty of Science & Engineering. Maastricht University offers a digital learning environment, with information and tools for students and staff. The digital learning environment allows students to perform learning activities from remote locations; it gives access to all course materials, including readers, academic publications, presentations, videos, assignments, and exams. It is also the place to communicate and work with students in the tutorial group, e.g. via group pages, emails, wiki posts and peer feedback tools. | The university has libraries across its different campuses. The libraries provide various services to the students like study rooms, journals, e-books, databases etc. It normally houses around 750,000 items owned by the libraries of all the UVA schools, including Law, Health Sciences, and Darden. |
| Campus Life | UCM is a place where you not only develop your academic knowledge and skills, but you also get a chance to be part of a vibrant academic community. Students connect easily with other students and staff, aided by both a culture and a building that promote interaction and engagement in extracurricular activities. UCM hosts the diverse and engaging UCM study association, Universalis. This multicultural and multi-disciplinary student organization, run by UCM students, aims to offer its members academic and social development opportunities as a supplement to the regular UCM curriculum. Within Universalis there are fourteen different committees to provide UCM students with exciting initiatives and fun extracurricular activities.. Each committee takes care of a specific aspect of student life at UCM. For example, the Sports Committee organizes events that give UCM students the opportunity to engage in sports, the Party Committee hosts many thrilling parties every year, while the Politics Committee practices discussing delicate political topics and controversial issues in UCM's 'Tough Talks' and at the EuroMUN. Some hallmarks of Universalis' activities: the Universalis Ski Trip to France, a week full of ski and snowboard fun in the French Alps; hitch-hike trips to Bruges and Geneva, weekends of blind trips; and great parties in rented bars around Maastricht, dancing and socializing in different hilarious styles depending on the night’s theme. | The University of Amsterdam is a modern university with a rich history, providing a high-quality education in inspiring surroundings. The University is a world-class centre for research and teaching, and is committed to helping students think in an original, independent and academic way. The University is conveniently located in the heart of Amsterdam, overlooking the famous canals. Surrounded by history and culture, and within a short walk of the shops and restaurants in the city centre, the University of Amsterdam is the perfect base to enrich your student experience. The University of Amsterdam has many student associations catering to a variety of student needs including social clubs, career and study societies and cultural and sporting societies. ISN is an organisation run by Dutch students for international students studying in Amsterdam. Their goal is to optimize the social-cultural integration of international students into Dutch society. They organize weekly activities for students, provide information on housing and work, run a coaching and mentoring system and publish a magazine all about (student) life in Amsterdam. |
| Hostel | #C-double - $2973 #P-double - $3130 #C-single - $3302 #P-single - $4354 | #Accommodation rent per month - $925 |
| Famous Alumni | Kelly Weekers (Tv host, model), Sabine Uitslag (politician), Hanna Novosad (politician, activist, civil servant), Jean pieters (biochemist) | Khadija Arib (Dutch politician), Pim Fortuyn (businessman, author), Jesse Klaver (politician), Thierry Baudet (politician) |
| City Life | Historic yet forward-thinking and contemporary, typically Dutch yet multicultural and vibrant, Maastricht is a city of contrasts. It is a beautiful, lively city and home to a young and dynamic university Maastricht is a warm and welcoming city, but also a modern and energetic one. It is one of the best shopping cities in the Netherlands, and the many festivals and activities on offer here reflect its variety of cultural influences. From the annual Carnival festivities to experimental theatre shows and concerts, and from sophisticated restaurants to traditional pubs, Maastricht has something for everyone. It is also the perfect city for sports lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. Maastricht is situated at an international crossroads. Cities such as Brussels, Liège, Aachen, Cologne and Düsseldorf are just a short drive away and you have easy access to Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris or London. | Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is situated in the heart of Europe. It is a real cosmopolitan capital and one of Europe's most beautiful, with an enormous number of attractions. Students have voted Amsterdam the 5th best city in the world to live in. It is also one of the safest capital cities in Europe. The city has around 850,000 inhabitants and is voted as the 11th best city to live in. There are around 50 world famous galleries and 16,000 performances per year. Bicycle is the most popular form of transportation. Amsterdam has more than 30 parks and public gardens. Various festivals are held across the city over the year. |
| Weather |
University of Amsterdam vs Maastricht University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Both UvA and UM are top Dutch public research universities, both very international and research active. UvA is consistently among the highest ranked of the Dutch universities in international rankings (QS, THE) particularly in Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, and Communication. UM is particularly famed for its Problem Based Learning approach, and does well (particulary in Europe) in disciplines such as Psychology, Health Sciences, European Studies, and Business & Economics. UvA is top ~50-60 globally in most rankings; UM is lower ranking, but still highly regarded.
General Information
UvA is older (established 1632) and has more students than UM. UM, established in 1976, is smaller but very international with a high proportion of international students. UM has numerous English-taught programs; UvA has Dutch and English programs. UvA's urban environment in Amsterdam is quite different from UM's more subdued town environment in Maastricht. The institutional breadth (number of faculties, scope of research, etc.) is greater at UvA. Student-centered learning and interdisciplinarity are strong strengths at UM.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
UvA acceptance rate is ~4%. Most programs have significantly higher acceptance if the eligibility criteria are satisfied. UM's acceptance rate also varies significantly based on program and nationality. UM acceptance rate is approximately 52%.
Research Impact & Facilities
UvA is huge research output, high reputation in most areas such as social sciences, law, AI/computation, humanities. They have extensive facilities, big libraries, several campuses (city center, science park, etc.). UM also has very good facilities, especially strong in health/life sciences, European law & policy, psychology, business, etc., including joint research centers. UM's international cooperation and PBL learning environment provide strengths in applied / interdisciplinary research.
Cost & Financial Aid
Fees for EU/EEA students at UvA are statutory fee (~ €2,500-€3,000 per year), and non-EU fees can be significantly higher based on program. Living expense in Amsterdam is quite expensive. UM also charges statutory fees to EU students, and non-EU/outside some programs charge more, and living expense in Maastricht is slightly lower than Amsterdam. Scholarship & financial aid available in both universities. Institutional fees ranging from €23,400-€20,000 for most programs.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
For Maastricht a year after graduating UM graduates earn approximately ~ €2,700 gross per month, five years after graduating that amounts to ~ €3,800 and ten years after that ~ €4,400. (These are typical alumni figures.) For UvA, the median income at €52,000 ten years after graduation or six-year graduation rate of 85%.
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