VU (pre-)Master’s introduction for new international students

International Master's and pre-master's students who will start their degree programme in the first semester of the academic year 2026-2027 and who have completed their previous education abroad will automatically receive our newsletters from June 2026 onward. In the newsletters you find further information on when the registration for activities will open. 

Did you not receive the newsletter?   

1. This could be because you have not yet completed your VU application procedure far enough. So do this as soon as possible! Is your registration at VU Amsterdam fully completed and do you think you belong to this category, but have not yet received an invitation? Then send an email to internationalintroduction@vu.nl.   
2. Your study might not participate in the VU (pre-)Master introduction. Please double-check if this introduction programme is for you by checking the second question of the FAQ (general section): Who is this introduction meant for? You can check Find your VU introduction programme if there is another introduction programme for you. 

Please note that for most activities there are limited spots available. So do not wait too long to register (first come, first served).   

Is it mandatory to participate in the VU Master's introduction?

No it is not mandatory, but highly recommended! For new international students, this introduction is a fun way to get to know your way around VU Amsterdam and the city better, and to make your first contacts with fellow students.

I registered but want to cancel an activity. How do I arrange this?

Please do cancel your registration if you are no longer interested in an activity, so your spot becomes available for another student. In this case please cancel by sending an email to internationalintroduction@vu.nl.

There are no more spots avaiIable for the activity I wanted to attend, what can I do? 

This is very unfortunate, but we work with limited spots. We do advise you to check the registration links every once in a while as others might cancel and a new spot might become available. Moreover, you can still go to the introduction of your study programme. For more information, see the study programme introduction page. 

What is the VU Master's introduction?

The VU (pre-)Master's introduction is an introduction aimed at getting you familiar with the VU campus, the city of Amsterdam and your fellow students. By participating, you will already know a lot of people before your first lecture (not necessarily from your own programme)!   

Who is the VU Master's introduction meant for?

The VU (pre-)Master's introduction is organised for international Master's and pre-Master's students who will start their degree programme in the first semester of the academic year 2026-2027 and who have completed their previous education abroad.

Note: During some activities, you may be grouped with other international exchange or semester students in addition to your fellow international (pre-)Master's students.

When will the VU Master's introduction 2026 take place?

The VU (pre-)Master's introduction is scheduled on n 18 (to be confirmed), 19, 20, 21, and 24 August. This includes the Practical Matters Day on Wednesday, 19 August. 

How is this VU Master's introduction different from the study programme introduction?

The VU (pre-)Master's introduction aims to introduce you to VU Amsterdam and get you acquainted with the city. In this introduction you are mixed with fellow international students from all programmes. 

During your study programme introduction, you will get more information about your study and faculty, and get to know students from your programme. The date of the programme introduction differs per faculty/programme. For more information, see the study programme introduction page.

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

The VU (pre-)Master's introduction focuses mainly on getting to know your fellow students and the VU Campus, so is definitely relevant (and fun) even if you are not going to live in Amsterdam (or have lived there for a long time).     

What are the costs?

The programme/activities are free of charge. 

What additional costs can I expect? 

You have to take care of food/drinks yourself. Also do not forget about travel costs/expenses to get to campus or to travel in Amsterdam.

Do I have to attend the whole programme? What if I have other appointments?

Participation is not mandatory. Moreover, you can sign up per activity. However, we do advise students to fully participate so they can have the best experience in the beginning of their studies.

Is there somewhere I can stay overnight?

We do not arrange sleeping places, but we always make sure the programme ends in time to still be able to take public transport.

How will I get to know the Dutch culture?

Successful integration into Dutch culture and making our international students feel at home and connected are key values of VU Amsterdam.  In this regard, the VU (pre-)Master's introduction is designed to get you off to a good start. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you participate in the entire programme!

Moving to Amsterdam to continue your academic career at a university abroad is both an exhilarating and perhaps slightly scary experience. After all, you will be alone in an unfamiliar place. We know it can be difficult to know where to go, what to do, how to organise, and what to prioritise. The VU (pre-)Master's introduction offered by VU Amsterdam plays a role in offering you a soft landing and preparing you for your new life in Amsterdam

Religion and the VU Master's introduction

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 (pre-)Master's introduction.

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!

What are the house rules on the VU campus and during the 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. 

What is the privacy policy of the VU Master's introduction?

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