About
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) is renowned for its strong academic focus on sustainability, life sciences, and economics, consistently ranking among the top research universities globally. The institution offers a wide array of fully English-taught bachelor's and master's programs, attracting a diverse student body from over 100 countries. International students are well supported by the central International Office, which provides comprehensive guidance ranging from visa applications to housing assistance and orientation events. What truly sets VU Amsterdam apart is its unique campus model, where almost all academic and student facilities are concentrated on a single, vibrant urban campus in the heart of Amsterdam's business district. Furthermore, the university strongly emphasizes interdisciplinary research and societal impact, encouraging students to address real-world global challenges through collaborative learning.
Background
The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (abbreviated as VU Amsterdam or simply VU when in context) is a public research university in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 1880. The VU Amsterdam is one of two large, publicly funded research universities in the city, the other being the University of Amsterdam (UvA). The literal translation of the Dutch name Vrije Universiteit is "Free University". "Free" refers to independence of the university from both the State and the Dutch Reformed Church. Both within and outside the university, the institution is commonly referred to as "the VU". Although founded as a private institution, the VU has received government funding on a parity basis with public universities since 1970. The university is located on a compact urban campus in the southern Buitenveldert neighbourhood of Amsterdam and adjacent to the modern Zuidas business district. As of June 2026, the VU has 31,548 registered students, most of whom were full-time students. As of October 2021, the university had 2,263 faculty members...
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Quick facts
Nearby universities
Also in Amsterdam
Elsewhere in Netherlands
- Christelijke Hogeschool Windesheim · Zwolle
- Delft University of Technology · Delft
- Eindhoven University of Technology · Eindhoven
- Erasmus University Rotterdam · Rotterdam
- Wageningen University · Wageningen
- Wittenborg University · Apeldoorn
- Zuyd University · Maastricht
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Wondering if Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is the right fit for you?
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