VU Master’s and Pre-Master's Introduction Days for new international students

[Registration needed, free of charge]

Location: VU main building (De Boelelaan 1105) - room 'Aula'

Studying at another university can be quite a transition. At How to make it at the VU Day you can follow various sessions that will equip you with the knowledge to swiftly adapt to a new cultural and educational environment.

More details about the programme of this day and the various sessions will be announced soon. 

[No registration needed, free of charge]

Location: VU Sports Centre, Uilenstede 100, Amstelveen. 

The Practical Matters Days offer you the perfect opportunity to easily arrange practical matters in a short period of time: registering with the municipality (Amstelveen only), arranging health/liability insurance, opening a bank account, or ask your questions to someone from the International Office. You can also pick up your student card here.

The following organisations will be present at Practical Matters Day:

• Municipality of Amstelveen (for registration Campus Uilenstede)
• ABN AMRO Bank
• Aon Insurance
• Inscape Health
• VU General Practitioner
• VU Student card pick-up
• VU Student Desk
• VU Immigration department
• VU Housing department
• VU International Student Advisors
• VU Exchange team

For more information about your arrival as a degree student you can check this page. 

More details about the PMD will be announced soon. 

Location: VU main building (De Boelelaan 1105)

[Registration needed for some activities, free of charge]

The Campus Day will kick off with a Word of Welcome from our Rector Magnificus. During the day, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the campus and library through guided tours, visit the information market to meet a variety of student associations and organisations and participate in various activities to meet your fellow students. 

More details about the programme of this day will be announced soon. 

[Registration needed, free of charge]

Location: Jan van Galenstraat 315, 1056CB Amsterdam

More details about the Ping, Pong & Party will be announced soon. 

Location: Various locations across the city of Amsterdam

[Registration needed, free of charge]

During the City Day, you’ll explore Amsterdam and get to know the city better by participating in a variety of activities. It’s also a great opportunity to meet your fellow students. 

More details about the programme of this day will be announced soon. 

[Registration needed, free of charge]

Location: VU Sports Centre, Uilenstede 100, Amstelveen.

During the Fit & Fun Day you can participate in a variety of activities, from sports to (cultural) workshops and more. 

More details about the programme of this day will be announced soon. 

The VU (pre-)Master's introduction is not intended to introduce you to your study programme and faculty - that is what the specific study programme introductions are for. This introduction is free of charge, and more information is available via your study programme or faculty.

International master’s and pre-master’s students starting their degree programme in the first semester of the 2026–2027 academic year, and who have completed their previous education abroad, will automatically receive our newsletters from June 2026 onwards. These newsletters will include further information about when registration for activities opens.

Haven’t received the newsletter?

1. You may not have completed your VU application procedure yet. Please make sure to do so as soon as possible. Otherwise, please email to internationalintroduction@vu.nl.   
2. Your programme may not be participating in the VU (pre-)Master’s introduction. Please check whether this introduction is intended for you by reviewing the second question in the FAQ (General section): Who is this introduction meant for? You can also use check Find your VU introduction programme to see if there is an alternative introduction programme available to you.

Please note that most activities have limited availability. We recommend registering early, as spots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

There are no more spots available for the activity I would like to attend. What can I do?

We understand this is disappointing, but please note that spots are limited. We recommend checking the registration page regularly, as cancellations may create new availability. Please also note that some activities do not require registration. You can check the website to see which activities you can still join without signing up in advance.

In addition, you are still welcome to attend the introduction programme of your study. For more information, please visit the study programme introduction page. 

Although participation in the VU Introduction is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended. It offers new international students an excellent opportunity to get to know VU Amsterdam and the city, and to make their first connections with fellow students.

If you are no longer able to attend an activity, please cancel your registration so that your spot can be offered to another student. To cancel, please send an email to internationalintroduction@vu.nl.

What are the VU Master’s and Pre-Master's Introduction Days?

The VU Master’s and Pre-Master's Introduction Days are designed to help you get familiar with the VU campus, the city of Amsterdam, and your fellow students. By participating, you will already know many people before your first lecture, and not only necessarily from your own programme.

Who is the VU Master’s and Pre-Master's Introduction Days meant for?

The VU Master's and Pre-Master's Introduction Days are organised for international Master’s and Pre-Master’s students who will start their degree programme in the first semester of the 2026–2027 academic year and who have completed their previous education abroad.

Please note: During some activities, you may be grouped with other International Exchange or Semester in Amsterdam students in addition to fellow international Master’s and Pre-Master's students.

When will the VU Master’s and Pre-Master's Introduction Days take place?

In 2026, the VU Master’s and Pre-Master's Introduction Days will take place on 18, 19, 20, 21, 24 and 25 August. This includes the Practical Matters Day on Wednesday, 19 August and the closing party on Tuesday 25 August.

How are the VU Master’s and Pre-Master's Introduction Days different from the study programme introduction?

The VU Master’s and Pre-Master's Introduction Days are designed to help you get familiar with the VU campus, the city of Amsterdam, and your fellow students. During the Introduction Days you will meet and be grouped with fellow international students from all programmes, including International Exchange or Semester in Amsterdam students.

During your study programme introduction, you will receive more information about your programme and faculty, and meet both international and Dutch students from your programme. The date of the introduction varies by faculty and programme. For more information, please visit the study programme introduction page.

I am from Amsterdam / I will not live in Amsterdam during my studies: is this introduction relevant to me?

Yes. The VU Master’s and Pre-Master’s Introduction Days focus on getting to know your fellow students and the VU campus, and are therefore definitely relevant—even if you do not live in Amsterdam or have lived there for a long time. They are also a great and fun way to start your studies. 

What are the costs?

Most programme activities are free of charge.

What additional costs can I expect? 

Please note that you are responsible for your own food and drinks. Also, don’t forget to consider travel costs for getting to campus and for travelling within Amsterdam.

Do I have to attend the whole programme? 

Participation is not mandatory, and you may register for individual activities. However, we strongly encourage you to take part in the full programme to get the best possible start to your studies.

Is there somewhere I can stay overnight?

We do not provide accommodation during the introduction. However, the programme is scheduled to end in time for you to use public transport and return home the same day.

How will I get to know the Dutch culture?

At VU Amsterdam, supporting international students in integrating into Dutch culture and helping them feel at home and connected is a key priority. The VU Master’s and Pre-Master's Introduction Days are designed to give you a strong and welcoming start in this regard. We therefore strongly recommend participating in the full programme.

Moving to Amsterdam to continue your academic career at a university abroad is both exciting and, at times, challenging. After all, you are entering a new environment where many things may feel unfamiliar, from daily practicalities to academic expectations. The VU Master’s and Pre-Master's Introduction Days help you ease into this new chapter, find your way around, and prepare for life in Amsterdam.

I have an allergy, illness or disability; can I participate?

We will do our best to make this introduction accessible to students with disabilities and/or (chronic) illnesses as well. If you want to be sure, please send an email to internationalintroduction@vu.nl and indicate what we need to take into account or what you need help with. We will be happy to help!

Religion and the VU Master’s and Pre-Master's Introduction Days

VU Amsterdam has traditionally been a university where students from diverse cultures feel at home. We take all religions into account, also during the VU Master's and Pre-Masters introduction.

The VU Amsterdam Campus is smoke-free and we have some rules when it comes to dealing with alcohol on campus.

Furthermore, certain house rules apply during the international (pre-)Master's introduction. Make sure you read the house rules carefully in advance, because if you do not adhere to them, you will be denied access to the activities during the introduction week. 

The privacy policy (for both the Bachelor's and Master's introduction) can be found here.