Application procedure
The Faculty of Sciences offers Erasmus exchange programmes for students from partner universities who wish to follow one (5 months) or two semester(s) (10 months) at VU University Amsterdam. If you are a student from one of our partner universities you can inquire about application at the international office of your own university. In other words, you should be nominated by your home university.
After you have been selected by your home university to participate in the exchange programme, you are requested to submit the following forms:
1. Application form (download word document)
2. Learning agreement (download word document)
3. A detailed curriculum vitae (or resume) in English
4. A transcript of records that includes grades obtained and ECTS credit in English
5. Copy of passport (or ID-card if you are an EU student)
These forms should be returned not later than 1st May 2012 (for students starting in the first semester which commences in September 2012) or 1st November 2012 (for students starting in the second semester which commences in February 2013) to:
VU University Amsterdam
Faculty of Sciences
International Office
De Boelelaan 1083a, room P-362
1081 HV Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Courses
All of our master courses are taught in English. These courses are open to students in their master programmes and -under certain circumstances- in the final phase of their bachelor programmes. All bachelor courses are in Dutch, exchange students have to be fluent in Dutch to follow these courses.
For an overview of the available courses please check the study guide. On this link, select a programme, and download a pdf for the complete programme. In this pdf scroll down for a list of all the courses. By clicking on one of the courses you will find a detailed course description, including the period in which the course is offered. The academic year is divided into 6 periods; period 1, 2 and 3 (first semester), period 4, 5 and 6 (second semester). For more details about examination dates and holidays, please check the calendar of the academic year.
As an exchange student you must follow at least 18 ECTS at the Faculty of Sciences per semester. If you would like to follow some courses at another faculty, please indicate these courses on your learning agreement, with a maximum of 12 ECTS per semester. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee that you can follow courses at another faculty. We will ask permission from this faculty after the course schedules are announced.
Please note that your learning agreement is a provisional document. There is a possibility that you need to change your learning agreement after the course schedule is announced, due to the fact that some courses are not available or will be overlapping. The course schedule for the first semester will be announced in July; for the second semester this will be in December. After the course schedule is announced, you will receive more information about your definite learning agreement and course registration.
Accommodation
VU University Amsterdam can provide accommodation for exchange students. Accommodation consists of furnished rooms with private or shared facilities. The number of rooms and apartments is limited, so we cannot guarantee to find accommodation for everyone. Nevertheless, the International Office does its utmost to find a place to stay for international students.
In order to improve your chances of obtaining accommodation via the International Office, you are strongly advised to apply well in advance.
After you have submitted your application, you will receive more information about the application procedure for accommodation. For students who will study at our university during the first semester or the whole year this will be in May; for students who will study at our university during the second semester this will be in November.
More information about accommodation
Also carefully read Rules and regulations for exchange students
Visa
Students from non-EU countries who will stay in the Netherlands for a period longer than 3 months, are required to obtain a visa and/or residence permit to the Netherlands. VU University Amsterdam will arrange the application procedure. Please note that in order to apply for the visa/residence permit, you must transfer a visa fee of approximately € 650.
