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Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Ranked
Amsterdam, Netherlands
=136th in World University Rankings 2025
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About

Basic information and contact details for Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

institution

Founded in 1880 by the Neo-Calvinist theologian and former prime minister Abraham Kuyper, VU Amsterdam was the first university in the Netherlands to be independent from the church or state, although it retained close Protestant ties. Its full name, Vrije Universiteit, translates as “Free University”, signifying the strong emphasis that the institution placed on academic independence from the outset.

VU Amsterdam began life in a few rented rooms on the Amstel river and as it continued to grow, it began to occupy more buildings in the city. However, since 1968, the university has been housed on a single campus in the southern Buitenveldert area of Amsterdam, adjacent to the Zuidas business district.

In 2009 work began on renovating and modernising the campus to accommodate its rapidly expanding student population, which today numbers just over 23,000. The ongoing modernisation project, which will effectively double the size of the university, encompasses the Main Building, the New University Building, the O|2 Lab Building and a new campus square, along with further student accommodation. The university’s aim is to create an environment that is car-free, with green roofs and squares that act as meeting places.

VU Amsterdam provides a wide variety of study options, taught by 2,500 academic staff based at 11 faculties. It offers nearly 50 undergraduate degree programmes and more than 100 master’s programmes, many of which are taught in English. The university also has a strong focus on scientific research and is home to five Spinoza (the “Dutch Nobel”) prizewinners.

Notable alumni include cycling world champion Ellen van Dijk and Amazon vice-president Werner Vogels.

 

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Key Student Statistics

A breakdown of student statistics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

gender ratio
Student gender ratio
57 F : 43 M (1)
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International student percentage
20% (1)
student per staff
Students per staff
17.5 (1)
student
Student total
31761 (1)

Based on data collected for the (1) World University Rankings 2025

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Subjects Taught at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

See below for a range of subjects taught at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Social Sciences72nd

  • Sociology
  • Politics and International Studies
  • Geography
  • Communication and Media Studies

Psychology32nd

  • Psychology

Physical Sciences151–175th

  • Chemistry
  • Geology, Environmental, Earth and Marine Sciences
  • Physics and Astronomy
  • Mathematics and Statistics

Life Sciences151–175th

  • Agriculture and Forestry
  • Sport Science
  • Biological Sciences

Law126–150th

  • Law

Education126–150th

  • Education

Computer Science101–125th

  • Computer Science

Clinical and Health=88th

  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Other Health

Arts and Humanities=100th

  • Languages, Literature and Linguistics
  • History, Philosophy and Theology
  • Archaeology
  • Art, Performing Art and Design
  • Architecture

Business and Economics101–125th

  • Economics and Econometrics
  • Business and Management
  • Accounting and Finance