# Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

> public · Amsterdam · netherlands

## Facts

- **Tuition, non-EU:** €13500 — verified 2026-06-04
- **IELTS minimum:** 6.5 — verified 2026-06-04
- **Financial proof for a student residence permit:** €13,569 per year (2026, Immigration service (IND) — required amounts: https://ind.nl/en/required-amounts-income-requirements)

**Intakes and deadlines**

| Intake | Deadline | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| September | Jan 15 | Non-EU standard. Some programmes have Apr 1. Check per programme on VU website. |

Deadlines verified 2026-06-04.

## Profile

- **Country:** netherlands (NL)
- **City:** Amsterdam
- **Type:** public
- **Fields:** business, health, social-sciences, humanities, law, it, economics, finance
- **Study routes:** direct-bachelor, direct-master
- **Website:** https://www.vu.nl
- **Address:** De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
- **Data verified:** 2026-06-04

## About

VU is located in Amsterdam's southern suburbs, away from the city centre but still within the city limits. The campus neighbourhood is quieter and more residential than central Amsterdam, with better access to parks and green spaces. Students have the cultural life of Amsterdam within reach via reliable tram connections, but campus life is more separated and contemplative than central-city universities.

## Strengths

- VU is a state-accredited research university listed on Studielink, so the diploma is fully recognised across the EU.
- Tuition of €13,500/year is competitive among Amsterdam research universities for non-EU students.
- IELTS 6.5 minimum is accessible for most CIS applicants without additional preparation.
- RU, KZ, UA, UZ students can apply for the Holland Scholarship (€5,000 one-time) and VU Fellowship Programme.
- Students can work 16 h/week during term and full-time in summer without a separate work permit (TWV).
- After graduation a one-year permit (Zoekjaar) lets you search for a job inside the EU/Schengen zone.

## Watch out for

- Amsterdam has among the highest private housing costs in the Netherlands: €700–1,500/month, making monthly budgets very tight.
- Financial proof requirement is ~€13,569 (blocked account or sponsor letter) before the visa is approved.
- RU students face SWIFT transfer blocks to the Netherlands; payment routing requires intermediary solutions.
- BY students have no confirmed standard visa pathway — the Dutch immigration service (IND) must be contacted directly with uncertain outcome.
- Amsterdam's cost of living is high relative to other Dutch cities, and on-campus dormitory availability is not guaranteed.

## Scholarships

- **National schemes:** Holland/NL Scholarship: €5,000
- **Institution schemes:** VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP), Orange Tulip Scholarship: RU only — tuition + living costs, Emergency Fund for UA/BY/RU students with financial hardship (post-2022)
- **Note:** BY/UA: Emergency Fund available. RU: Orange Tulip Scholarship.
- **Researched:** 2026-05

## Accommodation

- **University dormitory:** yes
- **Dormitory cost:** €350–700
- **Private housing:** €600–920
- **Rent figures describe:** the city of Amsterdam
- **How to apply:** Apply via DUWO/SSH& housing corporation early (6-12 months ahead). University housing portal at arrival. Amsterdam market is very tight.
- **Notes:** Extremely competitive housing market. Apply for SSH/DUWO waiting list immediately after receiving admission offer. Budget €1,000+/mo realistic in private market.
- **Source:** https://www.studyinholland.nl/practical-matters/housing

## National and EU scholarships for this destination

- [Holland Scholarship](https://studyroute.app/scholarships/holland-scholarship.md) — €5,000 one-time (first year)
- [Orange Tulip Scholarship (OTS)](https://studyroute.app/scholarships/orange-tulip-scholarship.md) — Partial to full tuition (varies by institution)
- [Erasmus+](https://studyroute.app/scholarships/erasmus-plus.md) — Monthly mobility grant set by the home institution + possible top-ups
- [Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters](https://studyroute.app/scholarships/erasmus-mundus.md) — Full scholarship: tuition + travel, visa & a monthly living allowance (set per programme)

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Canonical page: https://studyroute.app/institutions/vrije-universiteit-amsterdam
Source of this file: https://studyroute.app/institutions/vrije-universiteit-amsterdam.md

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Where no date is shown, none is claimed — the figure is real, its check date is not on record.