Amsterdam Direct Enrollment, Study Abroad in Amsterdam

Welcome to Amsterdam—a progressive city defined by its cutting edge contributions to the arts, business, politics, and social policy. Students who are eager to take an independent, fresh look at the world and at themselves will thrive on this program. As the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam has a central place in European economic, political, and cultural history. Yet, the city is far from frozen in time—some of the most forward-looking socio-political policy in the world originates here.

The IES Abroad Amsterdam programs take advantage of this city’s unique balance of history and contemporary culture, offering you the chance to independently structure your studies at well-established academic institutions that value (and demand) creative and innovative thinking.

IES Abroad offers two unique programs in Amsterdam:

1. Study Amsterdam
2. Amsterdam Direct Enrollment

Why study at VU University Amsterdam

Quality of education
VU University Amsterdam has a sterling reputation for the fine quality of its teaching. You work in relatively small groups, in which considerable emphasis is placed on interaction and a personal approach. The teaching is well-organized. This is reflected, for instance, in the clear structure of the study programmes.
Reputation

Lively Amsterdam
As a student of VU University Amsterdam, you stand to benefit from all the advantages offered by the capital. In just over fifteen minutes you are in the lively centre of Amsterdam, where there are numerous shops, places of entertainment, parks, and pavement cafes.
StudyAmsterdam
Amsterdam

Virtual Tour
Watch the short film about studying at VU University Amsterdam (18.182 kB)
Studying at VU Amsterdam

Personal supervision
VU University Amsterdam devotes considerable attention to personal study advice. Right at the start of your course of study, you will be introduced to your programme’s study advisor. This person will offer you advice about any problems that you might have with your course of study, and answer questions about the job market.

Unique identity
VU University Amsterdam was the first university in the Netherlands established by a private person, with no interference from the church or the state. This heritage is still very much part of who we are: VU stands for Vrije Universiteit, which translates literally as 'Free University.' From the very beginning, the university has determined its own areas of research, created its own study programmes and practised its own didactic methods.
History

Easily accessible
VU University Amsterdam is readily accessible by public transport. Schiphol Airport is only eight minutes away by train. Amsterdam Zuid Station is within walking distance of VU University Amsterdam. There is also a rapid tram connection to Amsterdam Central Station or Amsterdam Sloterdijk Station, with a journey time of just sixteen minutes. VU University Amsterdam is also easy to reach by car, being situated close to Amsterdam’s orbital motorway.
Route description

Practical location
Almost all of VU University Amsterdam's students, staff and programmes are located in a single building complex in the business district of Amsterdam. Accordingly, in the course of your studies, it is very easy to familiarize yourself with other disciplines.