Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) generally has two main intake periods, one for the Fall semester (typically starting in September) and one for the Spring semester (typically starting in February) enrolls over 31,000 students, including about 5100 international students from 87+ countries. The university offers 27 English-taught bachelor’s and 137 master’s programs, with the Faculty of Science being the largest, followed by the School of Business and Economics.
Admissions are open once a year, with application forms available from October for the next academic year. International students must apply via Studielink, followed by the VUNet application system. A non-refundable fee of €100 (~9,582 INR) applies for most master’s programs. Academic requirements include IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 92 for English-taught courses. The GMAT/GRE is only mandatory for MBA applicants. Deadlines typically fall on April 1 for international students, with early application recommended to allow time for visa processing. Financial aid options like VU scholarships and Dutch student loans are available to support international students in 2025.
Also Check: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Rankings
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Admission Deadlines
For the 2025-2026 academic year, the application deadline for international students at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is April 1st. This deadline applies to non-EU/non-EEA students who require a visa or residence permit. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- Bachelor's Programs:
- General Deadline: April 1st.
- 21+ Entrance Exam (for students without direct admission): 15 December of the previous year.
- Numerus Fixus Programs: 15 January.
- Master's Programs:
- General Deadline: May 1st.
- Non-EU/EEA Students (Visa required): May 1st.
- English Test Result Deadline: 31 August for EU students, 1 June for non-EU students.
- Some Master's programs may have earlier deadlines, particularly for visa processing.
- PhD Programs:
- No specific deadline, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
To guarantee that their application payments are completed in time, international students are advised to finish the application procedure at least one to two days prior to the deadline. Your application will be rejected by the university if your fees are not processed.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Courses
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) offers a wide variety of courses for international students, including both undergraduate and graduate programs, many of which are taught in English. VU Amsterdam offers over 170 courses across various fields like Business, Engineering, and Science, with specialized tracks like Finance and Bioinformatics. Some of the top-ranking courses & streams at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam are mentioned below:
Course | Tuition Fees/Year | Important Dates |
---|---|---|
Master of Science [M.S] Biomedical Sciences | 23,930 EUR (~22.93 L INR) | Application Deadline: April 1st, 2025 |
Master of Science [M.S] Business Administration | 24,150 EUR (~20.43 L INR) | Application Deadline: April 1st, 2025 |
Master of Science [M.S] Business Administration - International Management | 17,960 EUR (~17.21 L INR) | Application Deadline: April 1st, 2025 |
Master of Science [M.S] Business Analytics | 23,490 EUR (~23.5 L INR) | Application Deadline: April 1st, 2025 |
Master of Science [M.S] Computer Science | 15,290 EUR (~14.65 L INR) | Application Deadline: April 1st, 2025 |
Master of Science [M.S] Econometrics and Operations Research - Marketing Data Science | 16,830 EUR (~16.12 L INR) | Application Deadline: April 1st, 2025 |
Master of Science [M.S] Information Sciences | 23,930 EUR (~22.93 L INR) | Application Deadline: May 1st, 2025 |
All these courses are offered via 9 faculties and are available in the form of part-time programs, full-time programs, and joint degree programs. Students also have the option of choosing a combination of subjects in one specific field, Known as minor program(s).
Also Check: Netherlands Student Visa
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Undergraduate Admissions
With 27 Undergraduate programs, VU Amsterdam offers both domestic and international students a chance to pursue higher education in a wide range of subjects like Health Sciences, Business and Mathematics, Engineering, Law and Governance, etc.
Where to Apply: VUNet Application Portal
Application Fees: 100 EUR (~9,582 INR)
Application Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Students should submit their official academic transcripts from institutions last attended in
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Copy of a valid passport
All Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam undergraduate courses have similar admission requirements, mentioned above, except for the in-depth coursework requirements. The academic requirements for a few programs are tabulated below:
Course Name | Mandatory Coursework Requirements |
---|---|
International Business | Mathematics |
Mechanical Engineering | Mathematics & Physics |
Biomedical Sciences | Biology, Mathematics, Physics & Chemistry |
Law in Society | Mathematics |
Submitting a one or two page resume is not mandatory for all undergraduate courses, but is highly recommended. However, such is not a case with SOP/Letter of Motivation and LORs. No VU Amsterdam UG requires you to submit these supplementary documents.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Graduate Admissions
The Masters programs at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam are offered in 200 subjects in full-time and part-time mode. While international students are eligible to apply for all graduate courses, currently, on 137 masters programs are taught in English.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Graduate admission process is similar for all programs, though admission requirements vary. All international students must submit their applications before April 1, 2023, for the session 2023-2024.
Where to apply: VUnet application portal
Application Fee: 100 EUR
The admission requirements for a few top VU Amsterdam graduate courses are mentioned in the following table:
Requirements | Executive MBA | Masters in Biological Sciences | Masters in Computer Science | Masters in Economics | Masters in Artificial Intelligence |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Program Duration | 18 months | 2 years | 2 years | 1 year | 2 years |
Transcripts | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
Academic Qualification | 3-year bachelor degree | 3 year UG degree with an average grade of 7.0/10;a minimum 24 ECTS in molecular biology & human biology each | 3 year UG degree, preferably in Computer Science;coursework in Programming, Logic, Algorithm; Computer Systems; Software Engineering; Computer Network | 3 years UG degree with coursework in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, and Statistics. | 3-year bachelor degree in Science |
SOP/Personal Essay | Required, 750 Words | Required | Required | Required, 500 words | Required, 500 words |
LOR(s) | 2 LORs; at least 1 Professional LOR | Required, 1 | Required, 2 | Not Required | Required, 1 |
English Language Proficiency | IELTS: 7.0;TOEFL-iBT: 100 | IELTS: 6.5;TOEFL-iBT: 92;CAE/CPE: A,B,C | IELTS: 6.5;TOEFL-iBT: 92;CAE/CPE: A,B,C | IELTS: 7.0;TOEFL-iBT: 100 | IELTS: 6.5;TOEFL-iBT: 92;CAE/CPE: A,B,C |
Resume/CV | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
GRE/GMAT | GMAT score of 600+ | Not Required | Not Required | Not Required | Not Required |
Work Experience | Required, 5+ years | Not Required | Recommended | Not Required | Recommended |
Admission Interview | Required | Required | Not Required | Not Required | Not Required |
Course Fees | 43,500 EUR | 14,661 EUR | 14,661 EUR | 14,762 EUR | 14,661 EUR |
All the completed and successfully submitted application packages are transferred to concerned VU Amsterdam faculties. Though they might contact applicants for any further evaluation or information, the admission decisions are announced within 6 weeks. Post receiving admission decisions, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam requires successful applicants to accept their admission offer via VUNet confirmation form. Their seat will be reserved when the students will complete the payment of the tuition fees of their respective UG and PG programs.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Admission FAQs
Ques. What are the application deadlines for Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in 2025?
Ans. The main deadline for non-EU/EEA students applying to most English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs at VU Amsterdam is April 1, 2025 , for the September 2025 intake. Some programs may accept applications until August 31 , but it's recommended to apply early due to visa processing timelines (can take up to 3 months).
Ques. What are the academic requirements for Indian students applying to VU Amsterdam?
Ans. For bachelor’s programs , Indian students must have completed Class 12 with a minimum of 75% or equivalent . For master’s programs , a recognized bachelor’s degree (e.g., BE/BTech) with a minimum of 75% or GPA 7.5/10 is required. Always check program-specific requirements, as some courses may ask for relevant work experience or prerequisites.
Ques Does VU Amsterdam require IELTS/TOEFL for Indian students?
Ans. Yes, all Indian applicants must prove English proficiency by submitting scores like:
- IELTS : Minimum 6.5 (with no section below 6.0)
- TOEFL iBT : Minimum 90 (with 21+ in each section)
Exemptions may apply if you’ve studied in an English-medium school or university for at least 3 years. Always confirm with the admissions office before assuming exemption.
Ques. Is there an application fee for international students applying to VU Amsterdam?
Ans. Yes, most international applicants applying for master’s programs must pay a non-refundable application fee of €100 (~₹9,870). There is no fee for bachelor’s applications through Studielink. Payments can be made online via credit/debit card after submitting your application on the VU portal.
College Student Profiles
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Program Fees & Deadlines
Program | Important Dates | Fees | Application Fees | Eligibility | Financial Aid |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
M.S Business Analytics 2 years | Final Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Dec 2025) VU Amsterdam scholarships Deadline (1st Dec 2025) Final VU Amsterdam scholarships Deadline (1st Feb 2026) Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Apr 2026) | USD 1,663 /Yr EUR 1,409 /Yr | 100 | Bachelor degree with180 ECTS, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL:92 | |
Final Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Dec 2025) VU Amsterdam scholarships Deadline (1st Dec 2025) Final VU Amsterdam scholarships Deadline (1st Feb 2026) Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Apr 2026) | USD 3,420 /Yr EUR 2,898 /Yr | 100 | Bachelor degree with180 ECTS, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL:92 | ||
M.S Information Sciences 1 year | Final Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Dec 2025) VU Amsterdam scholarships Deadline (1st Dec 2025) Final VU Amsterdam scholarships Deadline (1st Feb 2026) Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Apr 2026) | USD 1,663 /Yr EUR 1,409 /Yr | 100 | Bachelor degree with 180 ECTS, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL:92 | |
Final Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Dec 2025) VU Amsterdam scholarships Deadline (1st Dec 2025) Final VU Amsterdam scholarships Deadline (1st Feb 2026) Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Apr 2026) | USD 1,663 /Yr EUR 1,409 /Yr | 100 | Bachelor degree with180 ECTS, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL:92 | ||
M.S Computer Science 2 years | Final Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Dec 2025) VU Amsterdam scholarships Deadline (1st Dec 2025) Final VU Amsterdam scholarships Deadline (1st Feb 2026) Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Apr 2026) | USD 1,663 /Yr EUR 1,409 /Yr | 100 | Bachelor degree with 180 ECTS, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL:92 | |
Final Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Dec 2025) VU Amsterdam scholarships Deadline (1st Dec 2025) Final VU Amsterdam scholarships Deadline (1st Feb 2026) Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Apr 2026) | USD 3,420 /Yr EUR 2,898 /Yr | 100 | Bachelor degree with 180 ECTS, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL:92 | ||
M.S Biomedical Sciences 2 years | Final Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Dec 2025) VU Amsterdam scholarships Deadline (1st Dec 2025) Final VU Amsterdam scholarships Deadline (1st Feb 2026) Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Apr 2026) | USD 1,663 /Yr EUR 1,409 /Yr | 100 | Bachelor degree with 180 ECTS, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL:92 | |
Final Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Dec 2025) VU Amsterdam scholarships Deadline (1st Dec 2025) Final VU Amsterdam scholarships Deadline (1st Feb 2026) Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Apr 2026) | USD 1,663 /Yr EUR 1,409 /Yr | - | - |
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Reviews
3 Reviews Found
Likes
- Academics. The professors are very helpful
- Motivating environment where studying is made super fun.
- Research foundation. There are lots of opportunities for research.
Dislikes
- The fees could be a lesser but it is not a big disadvantage.
- Dutch language is required for some jobs so it would always be helpful to learn the language
- The weather can be challenging at times.
Likes
- Accepting of different people: they value equality and inclusion as priority
- Their focus on innovative research, encouraging student inputs, and helping us think critically.
- Their commitment to sustainability.
Dislikes
- There are a lot of places where Dutch fluency is required, even in settings where international students would also benefit (such as a career fair).
- There seems to be some preference for EU students over non-EU ones for jobs, internships, etc.
- The Dutch students and international students rarely mingle, and there are not many opportunities to do so either.
Likes
- I was interested to do a course in Netherland because my brother lives there and a course in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. This was the only course fulfilling my requirements.
- Vrije Universiteit English translation is free University. It was a free University in terms of discipline. We could drink or eat anything during classes. No compulsion on attendance. We can wear shorts. We can move in and move out anytime during class. The canteen had good food options as well.
Dislikes
- That it doesn't have a clinical master program in physiotherapy. Apart from that I liked everything about the university. Also expensive for international students but less expensive than UK and USA. Moreover, you will enjoy studying at the university.
Overview
Overall the experience in terms of life at University as a student was amazing. But getting a job during and after is an issue because of first, higher language requirements being in health care sector.
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