If you go to college/university in the United States and are interested in this program, check it out on the IES Abroad website—designed for students like you looking to study or intern abroad outside of the United States.
By enrolling in this program, you’ll have the unique opportunity to choose from a large variety of Business and Economics courses at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). Located in Amsterdam’s business district, the School of Economics & Business Administration is AACSB accredited and offers courses in Business Information Systems, Finance, International Business Law, Global Supply Chain Management, Organization Theory, and many other topics.
Your Student Counselor is your study abroad ambassador and supporter. They join your application journey when you’ve confirmed you’re interested in studying abroad. At this point, they guide you through each stage of the application, notify you of the documents you need, let you know when your admission results are in, and walk you through the next steps, including class enrollment and organizing pre-arrival tests.
Amsterdam’s IES Abroad Center takes you to the enchanting heart of local Amsterdam, to a welcoming part of the city. Here, at your study abroad hub, you meet friends for life and dive into European charm. In this renovated 1930’s clothing factory, history hangs on the walls. And as you study in the well-equipped classrooms and student library or hang out with friends new and old in the lounge, you look over one of the canals at the epicenter of the Amsterdam experience.
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.
While in Amsterdam, you take 15-17 IES credits (a minimum of 30 ECTS) per semester at the Vrije Universiteit (VU).
From academics to visa requirements, our structured process helps you choose the right program and university for your goals. Complete a strong application, and prepare for success abroad.
Each student has unique academic goals for a study abroad experience. As you think about studying abroad, your SAF Counselor will help you plan for success and support you every step of the way.
The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), founded in 1880, enrolls about 25,000 students, offers courses in eleven faculties covering arts and science fields, and takes pride in a very student-centric teaching style. The VU is situated on a campus (unlike many European city universities), just outside of central Amsterdam, near the business district in South Amsterdam.
Originally set up as an institution of higher education separate from church or state, the current day VU takes this heritage seriously. Students will feel comfortable on campus, and can access the many resources available, including modern buildings and infrastructure, the Griffioen Cultural Centre, shops, cafés, and an extensive library.
The VU boasts a strong international environment; its goal is to have one in four students in its English-taught programs be an international student.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional components. You will take 15-17 credits, depending on which courses you select.
The core of your class schedule will be courses offered at the local university, the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), with one required IES Abroad course at the IES Abroad Amsterdam Center. Whatever your schedule ends up looking like, there are certain parameters to guide you.
NOTE: This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your account. Additionally, SAF and IES Abroad reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.
| Course name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AR/MA 240 - Experimental Media and the Internet in Contemporary Art | Spring | English | 3 |
You can find more information about past course options that have been offered at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) on their website. Course availability is not guaranteed. Following admission to the program, you will further receive specific course information.
Once you are on the VU website, please click on the “Programme” tab, “Bachelor’s courses,” and then on your desired faculty (i.e. department) tab for possible course options. Please pay special attention to any pre-requisites listed for courses you select. You are able to select courses from the following VU faculties:
Please Note the Following:
Fall Semester Options:
During the Fall semester, IES Abroad students have the option to enroll in a Minor Programme. Minors are a series of academically-related courses, in the same discipline. They are organized by the VU and are specifically scheduled to avoid time conflicts and overlap. This is an easy way to select courses that fit well together.
VU Exchange Program
The VU offers many English-taught courses in a variety of subjects, ranging from arts & culture and social sciences, neurosciences and computer science, to economics and business administration.
Language Test Score Requirements
When studying abroad, you will want to consider the time of year and how long you are away. Most programs follow the host university's academic calendar.
The dates shown below are general estimates, and as you get closer to the start of the term, you will get more detailed information from SAF. If you have any questions, your Student Counsellor and Program Specialist are always here to support you and point you to the correct information.
A home with amenities! In our housing, you will meet IES Abroad students, international students, travelers, and (young) professionals. During orientation you will get an extensive neighborhood tour from our onsite staff. Additionally, reception staff will be available to answer any questions you might have. All housing locations are in safe areas with public transport.
Option 1: You will have a single or shared room with an ensuite bathroom. Your room will be fully furnished with a bed, wardrobe, and shared kitchen,
Option 2: You will have a single room with an ensuite bathroom. Your room will be slightly larger than the Base option. Your room will be fully furnished with a bed, wardrobe, and shared kitchen. This option carries an additional cost.
Option 3: You will be centrally located in Amsterdam at this housing option. You will have a single room with an ensuite bathroom. Your bedroom will be furnished with a bed, wardrobe, and desk. You will share a kitchen with other IES Abroad students. This option carries an additional cost.
Firmly facing the future, Amsterdam is an innovative, creative city that draws on its learnings from the past to carve an exciting path forwards. Its canal cruises, flower markets, and outstanding museums are fantastic to explore, and the quirky, laidback lifestyle is something everyone should experience at least once.
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Even though your adventure starts in Amsterdam, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).
NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Learn about the WWII history of the Netherlands with a visit to Kamp Vught, and explore the beautiful city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch (colloquially known as Den Bosch) with its beautiful medieval cathedral, underground canal system, and local delicacies.
Explore this picturesque city close to the German border, climb the tower in St. Eusebius’s church, and visit the largest privately managed conservation area in the Netherlands, home to several endangered species and the second-largest collection of Van Gogh work.
Discover the home of the world-famous cheese where you can enjoy a cheese tasting, learn how to make your own stroopwafels, and see the charming architecture of the city.
Spend a weekend in the southernmost province in the Netherlands where you can explore charming historical cities such as Maastricht and Valkenburg, learn about its famous labyrinth caves, and stay in a medieval abbey part of the UNESCO national heritage monuments.
Put your biking skills to the test with this ride around the tulip fields in the beautiful Lisse region, with opportunities to stop at different locations and enjoy a nice picnic.
Get introduced to Dutch culture by getting your hands dirty and making your own Gouda cheese wheel at this local farm! We'll not only be sampling cheese, but also traditional Dutch apple pie.
We champion health, safety, and security. As part of IES Abroad, the largest study abroad organization in the United States, we have set the standard for health and safety in study abroad for decades. We plan for the ‘what if’, so you can get on with the experience of a lifetime.
The process of studying abroad could quickly feel overwhelming, but we have been doing this for decades and do everything we can to support you through it.
Many SAF staff are alumni and have walked this path. They have real-life experience to draw on as they advise and support you through every step of our comprehensive services. They’re in your corner, taking care of all the details and explaining what you need to do next.
Take the first step in your study abroad journey by scheduling a consultation with your closest Student Counselor. You can discuss your for-credit academic courses and language programs and explore internships, research programs, and study tours. When you know what you want to do, we guide you through the pre-program steps, help you arrange your visa and transport, and finalize your accommodation or digital experience.
From academics to visa requirements, our structured process helps you choose the right program and university for your goals. Complete a strong application, and prepare for success abroad.
Each student has unique academic goals for a study abroad experience. As you think about studying abroad, your SAF Counselor will help you plan for success and support you every step of the way.
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Studying abroad is an unforgettable experience, one that stays with you in your career, your contacts, your future. It can define you. At any of our prestigious university partners, you can build personalized for-credit programs that can last up to a whole year.
