Program 8 February
Welcome to the VU Bachelor’s Day
We hope that today you’ll gain a good impression of the VU programmes you’re interested in. Be sure to ask all your questions, as we are here for you! To provide you with a realistic and honest view of what you can expect at VU Amsterdam. And to help you find the programme that aligns with your interests, ambitions, and personality. A programme that suits you.
Program
Be surprised by our unique and educational activities. This program guide describes all of the opportunities available to become acquainted with VU Amsterdam and its many study programmes. The information markets, stands, lecturers, students, and activities are all here to help you discover which study programme is right for you.
If you haven’t yet signed up for an information session, you can use the online registration form at the information desk. But don’t wait until it’s too late!
Information sessions
During the information sessions, lecturers and (former) students tell you all about their study programmes. Also take enough time to visit the information market and ask students any questions you may have.
Taste VU Amsterdam
Throughout the VU Bachelor’s Day, there will be kiosks where you can buy coffee, tea and other beverages and snacks or a sandwich. The VU Restaurant (Mensa) is open on Friday and Saturday and can be found in the Main Building. To go to the mensa restaurant, take the stairway
downstairs from the central hall of the main building. At the NU-Building you can visit Bar Boele for a snack and a drink.
Ask the students and lecturers
If you have questions about what it’s like to study at VU Amsterdam, you can approach any of the students and lecturers you meet at the Open Day. During the Open Day itself, you can also Whatsapp your questions to +31 6 82 54 83 67.
Information markets
The information markets are located in five buildings on campus: the Main building, the NU building, Initium, MF building and the VUmc building. The stands offer information about a wide variety of subjects. To find the information you need, simply consult the maps provided at the back of this guide.
map-location
Check out the map on page 14 and 15
Living in Amsterdam
When you come to study at VU Amsterdam, you will probably want to find a place to live. But what is the best way to go about that in such a crowded city? To find out, come visit the stands hosted by Project VoorUit and DUWO.
Money and travel
Going away to university means travelling by public transport as well as the expenses that entails. If you have any questions about the public transport chip card for students or student financial aid, come visit the stand hosted by the International Office or come to the Student Administration stand.
Support and guidance
If you have dyslexia, a functional disability, or a chronic illness, VU Amsterdam offers support and guidance in a wide range of areas. We even have an achievement scheme for top athletes and students who have made outstanding cultural achievements. As a student, you can also benefit from a range of financial programmes and facilities. Come visit the stand hosted by the Student Administration Services
Going abroad
Your world doesn’t stop at the border. Want to spend part of your studies or an internship abroad? Visit the International Office stand for more information.
Activities
From workshops to guided tours experience what it is like to study at VU Amsterdam through a variety of activities organised specifically for you. If you have not signed up yet, make sure to do so via the online registration form or at the information desk. Some activities may already be fully booked.
Vrije
Tour of the VU campus
Follow a student on a guided tour of the campus and discover how it is more than just a place to study.
Community projects
At VU Amsterdam, you learn how to improve your own world as well as that of others. Here are a few of the social projects that VU students devote their time and effort to.
Project VoorUit
Would you like to contribute to society in an easy, accessible manner? More than 70 students do social work in their own neighbourhoods in exchange for housing. By organising community activities focused on issues such as language and talent, and by visiting families at home, they help enhance social cohesion in their neighbourhoods. Would you like to know more? To find out, come visit the stand hosted by Project VoorUit.
Broader Mind Course
Use your knowledge to help solve social issues. In Broader Mind Course you will learn how to collaborate across borders, debate effectively, reconsider your own perspectives, and deal with stress. During the Broader Mind Course for Bachelor’s students, you will work together with researchers and other students to study a variety of issues, such as sustainability, poverty, and success. Your collaboration with other disciplines will help you approach these issues from new perspectives. Do you want to learn more about Broader Mind Course? Visit the information stand in the main building.
Community Service Learning
Using your academic skills to solve urgent social issues: find out how using the Community Service Learning (CSL) teaching method. Together with the Amsterdam Nieuw-West urban district, you will work on issues related to loneliness and health. In the process, you will hone your academic skills, build a network, and prepare for your future career. CSL is also part of the Broader Mind Course.
Study at VU Amsterdam
Throw outdated ideas out the window, and let some fresh air into your brain. Are you curious? Do you think things could be done differently? Then enroll at VU Amsterdam. A degree at VU Amsterdam is about more than just earning credits. Much more. Because the world is rapidly becoming more dynamic, diverse, and international. VU Amsterdam is a chance to change the world around you and make it a better place. Students at VU Amsterdam are unsatisfied with the status quo. They research, analyse, and ask questions. Every day. Your world changes when you study at VU Amsterdam.
Develop your potential
Students like you naturally choose a study programme to develop their potential. That is why we encourage our students to study abroad, gain administrative experience in a student association, and participate in the debates and many other activities on campus.
Contribute to society
Would you like to actively contribute to social issues? Then VU Amsterdam is the place for you. Study the health effects of nutrition, for example, and discover how our food production is organised and why we seem to prefer to eat food that makes us ill. Or find a way to encourage the use of new sources of energy. Through the many projects offered at VU Amsterdam, you can research, analyse, and come up with a better way to treat our planet.
Study and relax on campus
Around 25,000 students from every study programme come together at the VU campus. It is a great place to get to know other students and their disciplines. And just around the corner, you will find student housing, a coffee corner, a supermarket, a café-restaurant, and a well-equipped sports complex. The VU campus is the ideal place to study and to feel at home.
Culture on campus
Want to enjoy arts and culture alongside your studies? There are several possibilities on the VU campus! All the cultural offerings come together in the NU building at De Boelelaan 1111.
VU for Professionals
Whether you’re an undergraduate student, a recent graduate, or have years of experience as a manager – at VU Amsterdam, you can continue to develop yourself. In addition to bachelor’s and master’s programmes, VU Amsterdam offers endless opportunities for further education, ranging from coaching and leadership to MBA programmes and management training. There is a suitable programme for every stage of your career. Together with top professors, researchers, and peers, you will be challenged to bring out the best in yourself.
For more information, visit: vu.nl/professionals
VU Griffioen
In our own theatre Griffioen you will find everything from cabaret to theatre, music and dance, from big names to new talents. And you can also go there for all kinds of courses, such as dance, music, writing, photography and much more. Students get discounts on performances and courses, of course. griffioen.vu.nl
Rialto VU
The NU building is also home to the Rialto VU film theatre. In 4 state-of-the-art movie theatres, you can enjoy a wide range of films, specials and festivals.
www.rialtofilm.nl
VU ART SCIENCE gallery
And did you know that the VU has its own art gallery? And not just any one, here it is all about the cross-pollination between art and science: artists who are influenced by scientific insights and developments and scientists who reflect on the art in this VU ART SCIENCE gallery. Visit the current exhibition in the gallery during Bachelor’s Day. Small guided tours will be given. artsciencegallery.nl
Bar Boele
At Bar Boele, the cultural café in the NU building, it’s warm and cozy! Come and enjoy the menu of locally and sustainably produced (vega) dishes. Tasty coffee, smoothies, the famous fries and various drinks are waiting for you. The perfect start and end to your cultural visit!
Studying in a global metropolis
From the campus, it is just a 15-minute ride to the bustling centre of Amsterdam. With its many cafés, shops, museums, and parks, you will be studying in the Netherlands’ premiere university town. VU Amsterdam’s location on the Zuidas is surrounded by leading businesses and organisations offering a wide range of fascinating internships and jobs. Plus, their close contacts with VU Amsterdam enables you to become familiar with your future career even before you finish your studies. In fact, there is a good chance you will not want to leave the city after graduation!
Campus map Location information stands
Ancient Studies (joint programme VU/UvA)
Archaeology (joint programme VU/UvA)
Artificial Intelligence
Biomedical Sciences
Business Analytics
Campus tour
Communication and Information Studies: English
Language and Communication Studies
Communication and Information Studies: Language and Media
Communication and Information Studies: Language and Mind
Communication Science
Computer Science
Creative Technology (joint programme VU/UT)
Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology
Econometrics and Operations Research
Econometrics and Data Science
Economics and Business Economics
Philosophy
History: History and International Studies
International Business Administration
Law in Society
MB
MB
NU
NU
NU
MB
MB
MB
MB
MB
NU
NU
MB
MB
MB
MB
MB
MB
MB
MB
Liberal Arts and Sciences (joint degree VU/UvA) NU
Literature and Society
Mathematics
MB
NU
Mechanical Engineering (joint programme VU/UT) NU
Media, Art, Design and Architecture
Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Political Science: Global Politics
Psychology
Theology and Religious Studies
MB
MB
MB
MB
MB
Buitenveldertselaan
Tram 5 and 25
Tram 5 and 25
Hoofdingang
After the Bachelor’s Day
Please register before 1 May!
Would you like to start a course in September 2025? Then register via Studielink no later than 1 May 2025, and take part in VU Study Choice Check.
Come to a Taster Day
After the VU Bachelor’s Day, you will have a better idea of which courses suit you and which ones do not. So come and get better acquainted with your favourite study programme(s) during a Taster Day. You will learn more via an in-depth activity, so you can make an even better study choice. For more information, visit vu.nl/tasterday
Check your study choice!
After registering in Studielink, you can use VU Study Choice Check to see whether you have made the right study choice. The right choice of study gives you a better chance of success, both during and after your bachelor’s. The first step is to fill in a digital questionnaire. Then you do a programmespecific activity that gives you a realistic view of your programme. More questions? Drop by the Student Administration stand or visit vu.nl/studychoicecheck
Selection programmes
The application deadline for the selection programmes (known in Dutch as a ‘numerus fixus’ programme) Biomedical Sciences, Criminologie, Computer Science, Geneeskunde, Gezondheid en Leven, Psychology and Tandheelkunde is January 15, 2026. Would you like to start in a selection programme by September 2026? Then apply between October 1, 2025 and January 15, 2026 via Studielink.
Any more questions?
Contact us on working days between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm at:
envelope studentenbalie@vu.nl
mobile-button +31 (0)20 598 5020
whatsapp +31 6 82 54 83 67