University of Amsterdam

General information

• Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands. UvA has no single campus – it is spread mainly across the University Quarter in the city centre, Roeterseiland Campus, Amsterdam Science Park and Amsterdam UMC.
• Founded: the university's roots go back to 1632, when the Athenaeum Illustre was established. As a modern university, UvA has existed since 1877.
• Bachelor's programmes in English: for example Business Administration, Economics and Business Economics, Business Analytics, Political Science, European Studies, Media and Culture, Communication Science, PPLE and English Language and Culture

Deadlines

• 15 January – programmes with a limited number of places (numerus fixus)
• 1 May – most standard programmes for EU/EEA applicants with an international diploma who do not need housing or a visa through UvA
• 1 April – often the deadline if you're also applying for university housing

The deadline depends on the specific programme. Most bachelor's programmes start once a year, at the end of August or start of September.

Fees

• Standard statutory fee 2027/28: €2,771 a year (2026/27: €2,694)
• PPLE (Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics): €5,660 a year for EU/EEA students in 2026/27
• Application fee: for an international diploma this is generally €100, non-refundable

Programmes – bachelor's

Business Administration (in English)

• Duration: 3 years, 180 ECTS
• Start: once a year, in September
• Language: offered in English and Dutch; international applicants apply for the English-language track
• Admission: numerus fixus – 500 places in the English-language programme for the 2027 intake, with selection
• Deadline: 15 January, via Studielink

Requirements:

• English language – at least 180 points in each skill
• mathematics in your final-year diploma results – a minimum grade of 4, though 5 or higher is strongly recommended
• mathematics must be part of your school-leaving exams, since it plays a major role in the programme

Selection: an online test on a pre-set date, for which you register in the Enrolment Checklist – by 15 January at the latest. The 2027 test dates are 17 February and 27 February. About a week before the test you get access to the Canvas platform with study materials and information. The test lasts 2.5 hours and covers three areas:

• mathematics
• economics
• strategy and organisation

On 15 April participants receive a ranking number, which determines whether they get a place.

Economics and Business Economics (in English)

• Duration: 3 years, 180 ECTS
• Start: once a year, in September
• Language: offered in English and Dutch; international applicants apply for the English-language track
• Admission: numerus fixus – 550 places in the English-language programme for the 2027 intake, all applicants go through selection
• Deadline: 15 January, via Studielink

Requirements:

• English language at C1 level – for example at least 180 points in each skill (Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency), or IELTS Academic 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each part
• mathematics in your final-year diploma results – a minimum grade of 4, though 5 or higher is strongly recommended
• mathematics must be part of your school-leaving exams, since the programme demands strong mathematical and statistical skills

Selection: an online test on a pre-set date, for which you register in the Enrolment Checklist – by 15 January 2027 at the latest. The 2027 test dates are 20 February and 3 March. About a week before the test you get access to the Canvas platform with study materials in English; the university suggests planning 20 to 25 hours of preparation. The test lasts 2.5 hours and covers three areas:

• mathematics
• economics
• principles of economics and business

On 15 April participants receive a ranking number. The 300 highest scorers are ranked by their result, the middle two thirds of the rest by lottery and the lowest third by result. Numbers 1 to 550 get an offer straight away; with a higher number you wait for a place to free up, which often happens between 15 April and 1 August.