University of Amsterdam

Amsterdam
Netherlands

Language of instruction

English
Dutch

   Limited places available. Unlikely to be available as a second or third preference

The University of Amsterdam enjoys a global reputation for cutting-edge research, high-quality teaching and a broad range of degree programmes. The University’s open, tolerant and international academic tradition dates back to 1632 and UvA is today considered one of the Top 100 universities in the world.

As a key cultural and intellectual centre in Western Europe, Amsterdam provides an ideal environment for academic study. The city has all the advantages of a major metropolitan centre while retaining a cosy, small-scale feel. It is full of beautiful architecture, over 150 canals, museums, galleries, and many lovely parks.

Semester dates

UQ SemesterHost SemesterDates
Semester 1Semester 2: Spring SemesterFebruary–June
Semester 2Semester 1: Autumn SemesterLate August–January

View the UvA academic calendar.

Campuses

UvA has multiple campuses around Amsterdam:

  • City Centre campus
  • Roeterseiland campus
  • Amsterdam Science Park
  • Academic Medical Center

Exchange deadlines

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)

Student testimonials

  • B Advanced Finance & Economics (Hons)
    Semester 1, 2019
    The mix of brilliant people, fascinating courses and vivid Amsterdam, with the rest of Europe as the backdrop, made exchange one of the best experiences of my life so far.
  • B Arts
    Semester 1, 2019
    A life-changing experience, which has shaped me for the rest of my life. The friends I met, the cities I saw and the opportunities I took was well worth the money, stress and effort!
  •  

Full-time study load

30 ECTS credits per semester at UvA is equivalent to 8 UQ units.

Host university requirements

GPA
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.0 to study at UvA.

Study Options
You must choose one admission department from the list open to exchange students and take the majority (80%) of courses within the chosen department. Further details are outlined in the Additional Academic Information section below.

Semester Restrictions

The following Science courses are only offered in English for semester 1:

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Biology
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Physics and Anatomy
  • Psychobiology

Other Requirements

  • You must have completed two years of study at UQ (32 units) and show relevant academic background in the proposed field of study before going to UvA.
  • Postgraduate students must have completed a Bachelor’s degree in the proposed field of study (except PG Law)

Each host faculty might have additional requirements. Please review additional requirements per faculty to see if further conditions apply. 

Note: Host university eligibility criteria are at the discretion of the host and may change without notice.  

Find courses

The University of Amsterdam provides a list of Global Exchange Program courses by faculty for Bachelor and Masters students. Students wishing to study Law at UvA should refer to the list of Law courses available to exchange students. 

Search the UvA course catalogue.

Search the Credit Precedent Database to find courses offered by your host university that have been previously approved for credit at UQ. The database should be used as a general guide only. 
You must still check the host university course catalogue to see if courses from the Credit Precedent Database are still on offer and in the correct semester of your exchange.

Study areas taught in English

Undergraduate
Anthropology
Archaeology
Biological sciences
Biomedical science
Business administration
Chemistry and biochemistry
Communication, digital media and PR
Earth and Geographical Sciences
Economics
English literature
Finance
History and ancient history
Innovation and entrepreneurship
Leadership and Management
Mathematics and statistics
Music
Peace and conflict studies
Philosophy
Physics
Psychology
Regional and town planning
Religion
Sociology
Postgraduate
Business administration
Chemistry and biochemistry
Economics
Finance
Innovation and entrepreneurship
Law
Leadership and Management
Mathematics and statistics
Physics
Psychology
Regional and town planning

Exchange deadlines

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)

Accommodation

UvA reserves a range of furnished accommodation for exchange students with different housing corporations in Amsterdam. Students renting accommodation through the UvA will be charged a service fee. Watch the International Student Housing Experiences video to hear feedback from students. 

Cost of living

UvA provides a breakdown of living costs students can expect while on exchange in Amsterdam to help them plan their budget.

Financial support

A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.  

Insurance

Students approved to participate in a Semester-based Exchange are automatically covered by UQ’s Travel Insurance for the country of their host university only.

For more information, read the Student Travel Insurance Policy Summary on UQ’s Travel Insurance web page (login required).

If you plan to travel outside of your host country, you should purchase additional insurance.

You are required by law to have appropriate health insurance for the duration of your stay in the Netherlands.

Exchange deadlines

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)

Organise your visa

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.

UvA has visa and immigration information for incoming exchange students.

Contact the Dutch Embassy or Consulates for more visa information.

Additionally, Study in Holland provide a Visa Wizard to help provide visa information depending on your needs. 

Travel risk levels

The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow students to travel to any country with a risk level of 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) or above, as assessed by the Australian Government.

If a country's risk level changes to 3 or above, experiences to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.

Find out the risk level and travel advice, and sign up to receive updates for your host country on the Smartraveller website.

Exchange deadlines

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)