Read the information on this page to learn more about the application process, housing, travel insurance, visas, and our cancellation policy.
Also consider joining one of our live online information sessions which give you the chance to ask us questions in-person. Use the link opposite to register for one of the upcoming dates. You can also find more information in our summer school brochure.
Any other questions? Please reach out to us via amsterdamsummerschool@vu.nl
A European summer school is an intensive, short term academic programme offered by universities across Europe aimed at international degree students. Our summer school at VU Amsterdam starts at the beginning of July and runs for the rest of the month.
Courses last either one or two weeks and allow you to study a specialised subject in English while experiencing a new cultural setting. Taking a summer course enables you to accelerate your degree progress, deepen your subject knowledge, and collaborate with like-minded peers from around the world - without taking a full semester abroad. It is also a great way to bridge the gap between study and a professional career.
How can I apply and what are the fees?
Please go to our application page and our tuition fees/scholarship page.
Do you have scholarships available?
VU Amsterdam Summer School does offer scholarships. You may check out the instructions on how to apply and deadlines on our website.
I am in high school / just finished high school, am I eligible?
Unfortunately not, our programme is only offered to students who are at least in their first year of Bachelor study. Requirements differ per course, some courses are beginner Bachelor's level and some are advanced Bachelor's or even Master/PhD level.
Language level requirements: do I need a certificate?
All our courses are fully taught in English. We do not require a language level certificate, but we do expect applicants to have, at least, a proficiency level that is at least equivalent to B2 or upper intermediate, so that they can follow the course successfully.
When is my admission definite?
Your admission will be definite once we have reviewed your application based on the entry requirements, availability in the course(s), and once we have received your payment. Please be aware that even if you have been admitted to the programme, it is still possible that the course is cancelled or has reached maximum capacity. If this situation occurs, then the summer school staff will of course help you find another course or you will be fully reimbursed.
What's the cancellation policy for VU Amsterdam Summer School?
If you have been accepted to VU Amsterdam Summer School and have paid the tuition fee/accommodation/social programme, but due to unforeseen circumstances need to cancel, the following refunds will be given:
We will not refund travel costs and such. We strongly recommend holding back on booking your travel arrangements until your visa is approved and/or your on-campus course has been confirmed to run.
What is and what is not included in the course fee?
Included in the course fee:
Not included in the course fee:
Applications made before 28 February (23:59 CET) automatically receive a €50 early bird discount!
How can I pay for VU Amsterdam Summer School?
In the application form you will be directed to a payment link. You can pay by Visa or Mastercard credit cards. For the following countries it is also possible to pay online by debit card (Maestro): The Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Poland, Russia and Denmark.
If you wish to pay via an invoice then please request this by sending us an email at amsterdamsummerschool@vu.nl.
If you come through a provider or a partner university then it could be that you need to apply via a different application form. Please consult amsterdamsummerschool@vu.nl for this.
Will VU Amsterdam Summer School arrange a visa for me?
No, since you will be enrolled in a short-term programme it is not possible to apply for a study-visa for the Netherlands. This means you will have to apply for a tourist visa at the Dutch embassy in your home country yourself. We cannot provide assistance to students due to the large number of applicants. Check the visa page for more information. It is important that you start the process of getting your visa in time. Our general cancellation policy applies in case your visa is rejected and you need to cancel your registration.
How can I stay up to date?
We send out regular newsletters by email and closer to the summer you will receive emails from us more frequently. We will also create a community group via Telegram closer to the start of the programme.
When should I start preparing for the course?
If a course requires some preparation, then this will be announced shortly before the course starts. You will be given access to the learning environment in due course, and there you will be able to see what you need to do before the course starts.
How big are the course groups?
Most groups will be small, with a maximum of 25 students (some courses allow more people in class). In this way we can guarantee that courses are highly interactive.
Do the same courses run every year?
Whilst many of the same courses do run every year (like Data Analysis in R), not all courses are guaranteed to do so. We often add totally new courses to the programme, and existing curricula receive occasional updates. The full course list is usually available by December. See the current course list and sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date.
Can I transfer my credits to my home university?
At the end of the course, you will receive a transcript of records if you pass the final assessment. The transcript does not include ECTS. Instead, it includes information about the level descriptor(s) of the course(s) (e.g. Bachelor's or Master's) in the Dutch and European Qualifications Framework and the total workload hours needed to successfully complete the course(s). The workload time is used by the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to determine the credit weight per course. In most cases you will be able to transfer these to your home university, but this depends on their own specific regulations. Make sure to check this with your home university well in advance. Because some educational systems (such as the American universities) base their credits on contact hours, we have included information about the contact hours in the course descriptions.
As a general indication: 28 workload hours equal 1 ECTS.
At VU Amsterdam Summer School, 2-week courses include 84 workload hours and 1-week courses include 56 workload hours.
How do European credits (ECTS) relate to credits of my non-European University?
It is useful to consult your home institution about the conversion of workload hours to the credits of your country. Your home institution can take the contact hours into consideration to determine the correct number of credits.
We have different admission requirements for course levels. These are:
Beginner bachelor's
Advanced bachelor's
Master's
Advanced master's / PhD
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is important to have insurance when participating in VU Amsterdam Summer School. Check with your insurance company to see if you will be covered in the Netherlands. If you do not have coverage, you can get a temporary insurance from www.aonstudentinsurance.com for example.
What is the voltage in Europe?
The voltage in the Netherlands is 230 V and plug types C and F. Check if you need a world adapter for your local plugs.
What living expenses can I expect while studying at VU Amsterdam Summer School?
Apart from accommodation, you may consider the following estimated living expenses for two weeks:
What is the usual method of payment in the Netherlands? Should I bring euros?
The euro is the currency in the Netherlands. You could consider bringing some cash with you for the first day or so, but overall, you are advised to use a debit card or credit card. Not all credit cards are accepted in supermarkets and restaurants, but ATM’s will accept them. Nowadays, in most places you can pay with your contactless card, and not all places accept cash.
What will the weather be like in Amsterdam in the summer?
The summers in the Netherlands can be described as mild but we always recommend checking the weather forecast before you come. The average temperature is usually around 25 degrees Celsius (or about 80 degrees Fahrenheit). It may occasionally rain. Make sure to bring a light summer jacket that you can wear during the evenings and an umbrella.
Where can I stay?
Need a room to stay in during your summer school course? We have short-stay accommodation options you can apply for.
Is it mandatory to stay in student housing?
No, it is not mandatory to stay in student housing. If you don't already have accommodation and need somewhere to stay, please check our summer school accommodation options when they are made available in the new year.
Can I arrive at summer school accommodation early and leave later?
Summer school accommodation is only available for the duration of your chosen session(s). Please see the session overview for exact dates.
How do I register for social activities?
We offer several social activities. Some are included in the fee and some have an additional fee. All participants will be informed on how to register for the activities in mid-May via email. We have a limited number of spots, and we operate on a first come, first served basis.
Do I need a Schengen visa?
Planning to join our summer programmes? Depending on your nationality, you may need a short-stay Schengen visa, which lets you travel in the Netherlands and the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day window.
Check if you need a visa on this goverment website. If you do, we strongly recommend applying before 1 February so you have plenty of time to secure an appointment.
Please note that we can only issue a visa support letter once you are accepted and all fees are fully paid.
More information can be found on Visa application for Summer School Students.
Do I need health and travel insurance?
If you have been accepted to VU Amsterdam Summer School and have paid the tuition fee/accommodation/social programme, but due to unforeseen circumstances need to cancel, the following refunds will be given:
We will not refund travel costs. We strongly recommend holding on to booking your travel arrangements until your visa is approved and/or your on-campus course has been confirmed to run.
VU Pride is a rainbow network for LGBTQIA+ students and employee. Their goal is to create a safe, inclusive and welcoming community where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions feel seen, supported and empowered. If you have any questions or want to be part of the queer community in VU Amsterdam you can contact them via Instagram: @vuprideamsterdam
Our General Terms and Conditions apply when participating in VU Amsterdam Summer School.
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