University of Amsterdam vs Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdam is a public research university located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is a public research university in Amsterdam, Netherlands, being founded in 1880. 

Overview Comparison
University of AmsterdamVrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Collegedunia Score6.3 Out of 105.9 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 55 QS World University 2025
# 53 QS World University 2024
# 61 Times Higher Education 2024
# 221 QS World University 2025
# 125 Times Higher Education 2024
# 207 QS World University 2024
Subject Strength# 175 for Engineering by QS World University 2024
# 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2024
# 37 for Medicine by QS World University 2024
# 401 for Engineering by QS World University 2024
# 100 for Medicine by QS World University 2024
# 126 for Law by Times Higher Education 2024
ProgramsUG Programs -11
PG Programs -99
UG Programs -16
PG Programs -82
Acceptance Rate4.0 %40.0 %
Exam ScoreGMAT-650
IELTS-6.5
TOEFL-92
-
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   13200
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  19272
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 925 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   9538
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  18959
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 750 Per Year
placement (average package)

The University of Amsterdam has a team for career and employability that has won an award for their dedication to supporting the student throughout the process of placement. 

The university hosts fairs and events to provide students with a job. The students in the final year gain more work experience and are also placed in research institutions, museums, or private conservation studios.

Avverage Salaries by Degree:

  • Master (Other) : $101,000 
  • Executive Masters : $89,000 
  • LLM  :  $84,000 
  • Executive MBA  : $79,000 
  • Doctorate : $77,000 
  • Masters in Finance : $75,000 

The programs and average salary are as follows:

Masters in Science: $58,000

Masters in Management: $69,000

Masters in Finance: $73,000

Doctorate: $113,000


application requirements

Submit official transcripts of all previous education

Submit English language proficiency test scores

Submit resume

Students should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent

Submit official transcripts of all previous education completed

Submit English langauge proficiency test scores

Campuses and B-SchoolsAmsterdam Business School
NA
CollegeDunia Reviews7.1/10 Read 3 reviews6.8/10 Read 1 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2024
# 51 for Sciences by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2022
application--
why to opt?

The two-year Master's programme in Artificial Intelligence consists of compulsory core courses, restricted-choice and free-choice courses and a thesis. In your first year you take the seven compulsory core courses. In the second year you work on your specialisation in the area of your choice and on your thesis.  


The Artificial Intelligence Master’s programme at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam looks specifically at hybrid intelligence, where AI systems and humans collaborate. The first year is made up of broad courses that focus on core AI topics, while the second year is devoted to your chosen area of specialisation. 

In collaboration with Psychology department, we also offer the specialised Cognitive Science track. 

AI for Health is a new track in collaboration with Medical Informatics (Amsterdam UMC, UvA) that will start in the academic year 2021-2022. In this track you'll learn about Medical Informatics basics, Medical AI (with a focus on imaging techniques in medicine and natural language processing techniques in medicine), and how to combine machine learning and reasoning for health applications. Two courses will take place at Amsterdam UMC, location AMC. 


exam scoresGRE - 298/340IELTS - 7.0/9TOEFL - 100/120IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 92/120
Admission Criteria/Better to Have
  • Admission to this Master's programme is open to students with a Bachelor's degree in Artificial Intelligence or students from Computer Science or Psychology.

cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -16500Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -15790
application datesJan 31, 2024 (Application Deadline)
Apr 1, 2024 (Application Deadline For 2024 Intake)
ranking# 36 for Computer Science by QS World University 2024
# 66 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2024
# 113 for Computer Science by US News 2022
# 101 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2024
# 152 for Computer Science by QS World University 2024
# 228 for Computer Science by US News 2022
application--
why to opt?

In the Master's programme Computer Science you are taught by scientists who have a reputation for world-class research on computer systems, software, networking and online systems. As a joint degree programme of UvA and VU Amsterdam, you benefit from the expertise of both research groups at both institutions and their international contacts. As a Computer Science Master’s student in Amsterdam, you’ll benefit from the expertise, networks and research projects at both VU Amsterdam and the UvA, as well as affiliated research institutes. Courses are taught at locations of both universities, and you’ll receive a joint degree certificate on graduation. Not only is the programme unique in that it offers a joint degree – it also allows you to specialise in one of six distinct tracks.


The Master’s in Computer Science covers this fascinating and hyper-relevant discipline from multiple angles. The technical side of Computer Science deals with computer operations, like system software, computer networks and programming environments. The theoretical foundations cover the limits of what can be computed, computational efficiency, correctness, and the intricacies of concurrent execution. Software engineering studies construction and maintenance of large and often mission-critical software systems that need to be maintained by large teams of people. Because of its prominent role in everyday life, non-functional aspects of information technology are gaining importance in Computer Science, most notably the energy efficiency of data centres and the security of computer systems.


exam scoresGRE - 298/340IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 92/120IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 92/120
Admission Criteria/Better to Have
  • Bachelors degree from an accredited university

  • Bachelors degree from an accredited university

cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -14026Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -17194
application datesMar 31, 2024 (Application Deadline)
Apr 1, 2024 (Application Deadline For 2024 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of AmsterdamVrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1632
1880
Student:Faculty Ratio5.83:1
18:1
Male:Female43% Male, 57% Female43% Male, 57% Female
Location Facts

The University of Amsterdam has always been housed in old and new buildings scattered throughout the capital. The university lies within the largest megalopolis in the Netherlands, the Randstad. The campuses are scattered across city center, science center, academic medical center and Roeterseiland campus. 


The university's main campus and medical centre are situated in the Buitenveldert neighbourhood, part of the southern district of Amsterdam. The satellite campus 'Uilenstede' is located further south, in the municipality of Amstelveen. 


Library

The university has libraries across its different campuses. The libraries provide various services to the students like study rooms, journals, e-books, databases etc.

It normally houses around 750,000 items owned by the libraries of all the UVA schools, including Law, Health Sciences, and Darden.


The University Library is an inspiring meeting place for people and knowledge, with all information necessary for impact in science and society and all learning materials you need. There are subject librarians for all disciplines and subjects at the University Library. They offer researchers and lecturers support in using, managing and distributing academic content. In addition, they make sure all faculties have access to academic information and research data, in tune with what researchers, lecturers and students need.


Campus Life

The University of Amsterdam is a modern university with a rich history, providing a high-quality education in inspiring surroundings. The University is a world-class centre for research and teaching, and is committed to helping students think in an original, independent and academic way. The University is conveniently located in the heart of Amsterdam, overlooking the famous canals. Surrounded by history and culture, and within a short walk of the shops and restaurants in the city centre, the University of Amsterdam is the perfect base to enrich your student experience. The University of Amsterdam has many student associations catering to a variety of student needs including social clubs, career and study societies and cultural and sporting societies. ISN is an organisation run by Dutch students for international students studying in Amsterdam. Their goal is to optimize the social-cultural integration of international students into Dutch society. They organize weekly activities for students, provide information on housing and work, run a coaching and mentoring system and publish a magazine all about (student) life in Amsterdam. 


 At VU Amsterdam you can indulge in events, sports and culture or work in your spare time. The VU ART SCIENCE gallery is located in the New University Building. Here you can visit exhibitions and events that focus on the exchange between art and science. VU Amsterdam offers its students, employees and visitors ample opportunities to enjoy art and culture on or around the campus: going to the movies, a theatre show, an exposition and other events. Sports Centre VU offers a broad range sports activities. It has two locations. The Uilenstede location has the most facilities and has the largest offering of sports. The other location is in the OZW building on campus. Students pay reduced fees to join the Sports Centre. Sports Centre VU collaborates with many sports associations.The university provides accommodations to its students. 


Hostel#Accommodation rent per month - $925
#Accommodation rent/month - $750
Famous Alumni

Khadija Arib (Dutch politician), Pim Fortuyn (businessman, author), Jesse Klaver (politician), Thierry Baudet (politician)


Wouter Bos (businessman), Henk Bleker (Dutch politician), Jan Peter Balkenende (politician), Vera Bergkamp (Dutch politician)


City Life

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is situated in the heart of Europe. It is a real cosmopolitan capital and one of Europe's most beautiful, with an enormous number of attractions. Students have voted Amsterdam the 5th best city in the world to live in. It is also one of the safest capital cities in Europe. The city has around 850,000 inhabitants and is voted as the 11th best city to live in. There are around 50 world famous galleries and 16,000 performances per year. Bicycle is the most popular form of transportation. Amsterdam has more than 30 parks and public gardens. Various festivals are held across the city over the year. 


Amsterdam is known as the number one student city in the Netherlands. If you study in Amsterdam, you do so with around 110,000 other students. And students say that they are very happy with the city. In addition to many institutions of higher education, the city also has a lot to offer in terms of culture and entertainment, with 70 museums, 22 cinemas, 45 theatres, around 1000 cafés and more than 1,100 restaurants. Only a few minutes’ walk from the VU campus is the Zuidas business district, where many international companies and law firms have an office. Besides a wide range of businesses, you will also find a large selection of restaurants, cafés, shops and cultural establishments in the Zuidas district. The Zuidas is developing into a bustling new activity hub in Amsterdam. From the Zuidas, you can reach the historic city centre in a few minutes using the North-South metro line.


Weather