Language of instruction
Limited places available. Potentially available as a second of third preference.
Vrije University Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) is a leading European research university which has been known for its distinctive approach to knowledge since its establishment in 1880. VU Amsterdam encourages students to look further – further than their own interests and their own field, further than what is familiar and further than the here and now.
The University’s campus in Amsterdam’s Zuidas district is an easily accessible metropolitan meeting place. There are more bicycles in Amsterdam than residents. Around 25,000 bikes end up in Amsterdam’s 165 canals every year!
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | 2nd Semester: Spring (P4, P5, P6) | February–June/July |
| Semester 2 | 1st Semester: Autumn (P1, P2, P3) | Late August–January |
Semesters at VU Amsterdam are broken into 3 periods of 8 + 8 + 4 weeks.
View the VU Amsterdam Academic calendar.
Guides and additional information
VU Amsterdam has online resources to help get more from your exchange:
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)
Full-time study load
30 ECTS credits per semester at VU Amsterdam is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Each semester is broken into 3 blocks of 8 + 8 + 4 weeks. You must take 2 courses during the 8-week blocks and 1 course during the 4-week blocks.
Host university requirements
GPA
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5 to study at VU Amsterdam
Study Options
Not applicable to this university. However, you should only select courses from the exchange study guide.
Note: Host university eligibility criteria are at the discretion of the host and may change without notice.
Find courses
Search the VU Amsterdam exchange course list.
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
Academic restrictions
Additional academic information
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
VU Amsterdam’s International Office offers limited accommodation to exchange students via a lottery system in furnished rooms with private or shared facilities. The number of rooms is very limited, so places cannot be guaranteed for every student. Students who are successful in securing accommodation through VU will be charged a service fee.
Students who are unsuccessful in securing accomodation through the lottery are advised to reconsider travelling to Amsterdam as the city poses significant challenges for finding accommodation on the private market. VU also offers tips on finding a room independently.
VU also provides a full list of accommodation FAQs.
Cost of living
Averages show that living and studying in the Netherlands costs around €1000 per month. VU Amsterdam has compiled a guide to living in Amsterdam to help you plan a budget for your exchange.
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.
VU Amsterdam requires all incoming international students to be properly insured by an internationally recognised insurance agency for the duration of their stay (this is also required by Dutch law).
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.
VU Amsterdam has visa and immigration information for incoming exchange students.
Contact the Dutch Embassy or Consulates for more visa information.
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)