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Exchange: faculty information

Last updated on 6 March 2024
Within your free-choice component, you can go to a university abroad for a while to study, live and build an international network.

If your programme has a free-choice component, you can organize your studies the way you like. You can do an internship, take optional subjects, take a minor, or go on exchange. Exchange means going to a university abroad for a while to study, live and build an international network.

If you want to go on exchange, make sure you are well informed about the requirements of your programme / faculty, and that you register on time. More practical information about an exchange can be found on the following pages:

Exchange information for each faculty

The requirements and exceptions may differ per faculty/programme.

  • ACTA

    The Faculty of Dentistry has an own Roadmap for an internship abroad [in Dutch].

  • AUC

    As an AUC student you have the opportunity to either spend the second semester of your second year or the first semester of your third year abroad.

    You have to choose between (and limit yourself to) to applying to either the AUC exchange programme (AUC’s own partners), UvA Global Exchange Programme (partners outside Europe) or VU exchange programme (partners within Europe). It is not allowed to apply to destinations from multiple exchange programmes. VU destinations are only open in the first application round, for AUC students wishing to go on exchange in the first semester of their third year.

    When applying to a VU destination, make sure to select a study programme that is related to your major or main study area at AUC.

    For more information about the study abroad requirements, please refer to the AUC Study Abroad Canvas page.

  • BETA

    Within your free-choice component, you can spend a semester abroad at a partner university, where you live and study in an international environment. This way, you work on your CV and your personal development. It is an adventure that increases your independence and improves your languages. It also helps you build an international network. 

    At a partner university you can put together a package of electives yourself. This package must meet the requirements for optional courses and must be approved by the Examination Board of your programme prior to your trip abroad. Upon your return, you submit a certified grade list at the International Office. The EC of the passed and approved courses are converted to the Dutch study system. 

    PLEASE NOTE: the registration period for studying abroad during the first semester of your third year is early in the second year of your programme. If you are considering this, read all the information about Studying Abroad here.

  • FBMS

    Within your electives you can also spend a semester at a partner university abroad, where you live and study in an international environment. This way, you work on your CV and your personal development. It is an adventure that increases your independence and improves your languages. It also helps you build an international network. 

    At a partner university you can put together a package of optional courses yourself. These electives must meet the requirements of your faculty's board of examiners. Ask the Examination Board of the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences in advance to be allowed to use the courses in your free-choice component and check the requirements. Always add a completed copy of this form to the registration form for approval of the courses. 

    Your passed and approved courses will be converted to the Dutch study system by the International Office and your Examination Board. 

    PLEASE NOTE: the registration period for studying abroad during the first semester of your third year is early in the second year of your programme. If you are considering exchange, read all the information about Studying Abroad here.

  • FRT

    During electives, you can spend a semester at a partner university abroad, where you live, study and experience an international environment. This way, you work on your CV and your personal development. It is an adventure that increases your independence and allows you to improve your languages. You can also build an international network in this way. 

    At a partner university you can put together a package of electives yourself. These electives must meet the requirements of your Examination Board and has to be approved before leave. Check the requirements for the electives. Your passed and approved courses will be converted by the International Office and your Examination Board to the Dutch study system. 

    PLEASE NOTE: the registration period for studying abroad during the first semester of your third year is early in the second year of your study. If you are considering this, read all the information about Studying Abroad here.

  • FSS

    The first semester of the third bachelor year is the electives. The electives have a study load of 30 EC. 

    All students who are going to fill in their electives completely or for 24 or more ECTS, must meet the requirement that at least 12 ECs are courses of “level 300” (advanced level). This means the following for the different ways in which you can fill in your elective space: 

    In order to be allowed to go abroad on exchange to fill in your elective space, you must have completed the first year of the bachelor's programme at the time of departure, and have obtained a total of at least 90 EC. To be eligible for selection, you must have obtained at least 60 EC of your bachelor's degree when you register. Registration and placement is done through International Office. 

    Also check the page on electives. 

    Courses abroad 

    It may happen that you do not pass all courses at a foreign university and then have to fill in the remaining space with a course at VU Amsterdam or elsewhere when you return. In that case, the following applies: 

    • a student who has completed 24 of the 30 EC with courses abroad, may complete the remaining 6 EC with a course of level 200 or 300; 
    • a student who has completed 18 ECs with courses abroad must fill in the remaining space with at least one course at level 300; 
    • a student who has obtained 12 EC or less in foreign courses must fill in the remaining space with at least two courses of level 300.

  • HUM

    During electives, you can spend a semester at a partner university abroad, where you live, study and experience an international environment. This way, you work on your CV and your personal development. It is an adventure that increases your independence and allows you to improve your languages. You can also build an international network in this way. 

    At a partner university you can put together a package of electives yourself. These electives must meet the requirements of your Examination Board and has to be approved before leave. Check the requirements for the electives. Your passed and approved courses will be converted by the International Office and your Examination Board to the Dutch study system. 

    PLEASE NOTE: the registration period for studying abroad during the first semester of your third year is early in the second year of your study. If you are considering this, read all the information about Studying Abroad here.

  • LAW

    You can go on exchange during your third bachelor year if you can take courses during that exchange that you can include in the minor space. The term electives is only used at LAW for the master. This is minor space for the bachelor. You cannot just bring any subject from abroad into the minor space. There are level requirements for this and (broadly speaking) the courses must also be related. 

    Options within the Electives of Criminology 

    As a Criminology student you will have to a minor in the first half of the third year. The minor has a study load of 30 credits. You can use the minor space to delve further into your own field. Another option is to broaden your knowledge by looking further than the boundaries of your own field. You have various options for completing your minor. 

    Exchange programme abroad - Criminology

    Within your minor space, you can also go to a partner university abroad for a semester via an exchange programme. For six months you will live, study and experience an international environment. This way,  you work on your CV and your personal development. It is an adventure that increases your independence and improves your languages.  It also helps you build an international network. At a partner university you can put together a package of electives yourself. If you obtain 30 EC in courses, you will not incur any delay in academic progress. The courses must be approved by the Examination Board before departure. If you obtain less than 30 ECTS abroad, you can compensate for the shortage of credits in the minor with separate courses from a maximum of one minor. 

    PLEASE NOTE: the registration period for studying abroad during the first semester of your third year is early in the second year of your study. If you're considering exchange, read more about Studying Abroad here. 

    Possibilities within the electives of Law 

    As a Bachelor's student of Law you will have a minor in the first half of the third year. The minor is worth 30 credits. You can use the minor space to delve further into some aspects of your own field. Another option is to broaden your knowledge by looking further than your own field. You have various options for completing your minor. 

    Exchange programme abroad - Law

    Within your minor space you can also go to a partner university abroad for a semester via an exchange programme. For six months you will live, study and experience an international environment. This way, you work on your CV and your personal development. It is an adventure that increases your independence and allows you to improve your languages. You can also build an international network this way. At a partner university you can put together a package of electives yourself. If you obtain 30 EC in courses, you will not incur any delay in your studies. The courses must be approved by the Examination Board before departure. If you obtain less than 30 ECTS abroad, you can compensate for the shortage of credits in the minor with separate courses from a maximum of one minor. 

    PLEASE NOTE: the registration period for studying abroad during the first semester of your third year is early in the second year of your study. If you're considering this, read more about Studying Abroad here. 

    When you do a minor abroad, the grades obtained there are often sent by the university concerned when you have already returned to the Netherlands. VU Amsterdam will only enter the grades and credits after an official list of grades has been received. For the courses Plea Exercise and Bachelor's thesis you must resp. have 99 and 120 credits registered before the enrollment deadline closes. If you have completed all courses of the 1st and 2nd year, you meet that requirement. But if that is not the case, it is wise to calculate whether you have the correct number of credits registered at the right time.

  • MED

    When can you go abroad?

    During the bachelor's and master's programme there are a number of times when you can go abroad: 

    • During the bachelor's programme
      During the bachelor's programme you can follow the practical internship in care abroad at the end of the first year. You can also study at a foreign university during your minor in the first semester of the third year. 
    • During the master's programme
      During the master's programme, there are many opportunities to do an internship or internship abroad: clinical internships, internships in general practice and social medicine, semi-arts internship, scientific internship and elective education. 

    For all regular internships or internships that you do abroad - and for which you also receive credits - you can apply for a contribution from the faculty fund of € 250.00. You can apply for an Erasmus grant for an internship within Europe of at least two months. When an Erasmus grant has been awarded (approximately € 220.00 per month), you are no longer eligible for a contribution from the faculty fund. For more information, see also finances and grants. 

    Within the VUmc compass there are various options for doing one or more internships abroad. The entire range of internships abroad can be found in the Canvas course "Studying Abroad". For these internships, VUmc offers you thorough preparation, as well as help with any incidents or calamities during your internship abroad. 

    The degree programme explicitly points out that it does not grant permission to, nor takes responsibility for, students who are doing an internship (or will do work) in a foreign hospital outside the regular programme offered. 

    Therefore, the following rules apply: 

    • For internships that fall within the curriculum (i.e. are curricular and lead to credits for your certificate), contact the International Cooperation Office to make your choice known and to prepare thoroughly for your internship. This preparation is mandatory. 
    • You may not follow internships or activities other than those referred to in the previous point abroad. 
    • If you go to a foreign hospital to work there and report on the spot that you are studying at VUmc, this will not lead to assistance in the event of incidents. All costs and risks are for your account. 
    • The International Cooperation Office (BIS) and / or the student administration will not provide proof stating that you fall under the responsibility of the programme during these activities.

  • SBE

    During electives, you can spend a semester at a partner university abroad, where you live, study and experience an international environment. This way, you work on your CV and your personal development. It is an adventure that increases your independence and allows you to improve your languages. You can also build an international network in this way. 

    At a partner university you can put together a package of electives yourself. These electives must meet the requirements of the Examination Board. Your passed and approved courses will be converted to ECTS by the International Office and your Examination Board. You must complete a course approval form to apply for exchange courses. You can send the completed form to the department exchange courses from the Examination Board through courses.exchange.sbe@vu.nl.

    PLEASE NOTE: the registration period for studying abroad during the first semester of your third year is early in the second year of your study. If you are considering exchange, read all the information about Studying Abroad here. 

    IBA 

    IBA students are obliged to go on an exchange to fill in the minor space. The process of registering via IO is the same for all study programmes, and it is mandatory. You must complete a course approval form to apply for exchange courses (this must be completed by all study programmes). You can send the completed form to the department exchange courses from the Examination Board through courses.exchange.sbe@vu.nl.

    Master's programmes

    It is not possible for Master's students of the School of Business and Economics to go on an exchange.

The Faculty of Dentistry has an own Roadmap for an internship abroad [in Dutch].

As an AUC student you have the opportunity to either spend the second semester of your second year or the first semester of your third year abroad.

You have to choose between (and limit yourself to) to applying to either the AUC exchange programme (AUC’s own partners), UvA Global Exchange Programme (partners outside Europe) or VU exchange programme (partners within Europe). It is not allowed to apply to destinations from multiple exchange programmes. VU destinations are only open in the first application round, for AUC students wishing to go on exchange in the first semester of their third year.

When applying to a VU destination, make sure to select a study programme that is related to your major or main study area at AUC.

For more information about the study abroad requirements, please refer to the AUC Study Abroad Canvas page.

Within your free-choice component, you can spend a semester abroad at a partner university, where you live and study in an international environment. This way, you work on your CV and your personal development. It is an adventure that increases your independence and improves your languages. It also helps you build an international network. 

At a partner university you can put together a package of electives yourself. This package must meet the requirements for optional courses and must be approved by the Examination Board of your programme prior to your trip abroad. Upon your return, you submit a certified grade list at the International Office. The EC of the passed and approved courses are converted to the Dutch study system. 

PLEASE NOTE: the registration period for studying abroad during the first semester of your third year is early in the second year of your programme. If you are considering this, read all the information about Studying Abroad here.

Within your electives you can also spend a semester at a partner university abroad, where you live and study in an international environment. This way, you work on your CV and your personal development. It is an adventure that increases your independence and improves your languages. It also helps you build an international network. 

At a partner university you can put together a package of optional courses yourself. These electives must meet the requirements of your faculty's board of examiners. Ask the Examination Board of the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences in advance to be allowed to use the courses in your free-choice component and check the requirements. Always add a completed copy of this form to the registration form for approval of the courses. 

Your passed and approved courses will be converted to the Dutch study system by the International Office and your Examination Board. 

PLEASE NOTE: the registration period for studying abroad during the first semester of your third year is early in the second year of your programme. If you are considering exchange, read all the information about Studying Abroad here.

During electives, you can spend a semester at a partner university abroad, where you live, study and experience an international environment. This way, you work on your CV and your personal development. It is an adventure that increases your independence and allows you to improve your languages. You can also build an international network in this way. 

At a partner university you can put together a package of electives yourself. These electives must meet the requirements of your Examination Board and has to be approved before leave. Check the requirements for the electives. Your passed and approved courses will be converted by the International Office and your Examination Board to the Dutch study system. 

PLEASE NOTE: the registration period for studying abroad during the first semester of your third year is early in the second year of your study. If you are considering this, read all the information about Studying Abroad here.

The first semester of the third bachelor year is the electives. The electives have a study load of 30 EC. 

All students who are going to fill in their electives completely or for 24 or more ECTS, must meet the requirement that at least 12 ECs are courses of “level 300” (advanced level). This means the following for the different ways in which you can fill in your elective space: 

In order to be allowed to go abroad on exchange to fill in your elective space, you must have completed the first year of the bachelor's programme at the time of departure, and have obtained a total of at least 90 EC. To be eligible for selection, you must have obtained at least 60 EC of your bachelor's degree when you register. Registration and placement is done through International Office. 

Also check the page on electives. 

Courses abroad 

It may happen that you do not pass all courses at a foreign university and then have to fill in the remaining space with a course at VU Amsterdam or elsewhere when you return. In that case, the following applies: 

  • a student who has completed 24 of the 30 EC with courses abroad, may complete the remaining 6 EC with a course of level 200 or 300; 
  • a student who has completed 18 ECs with courses abroad must fill in the remaining space with at least one course at level 300; 
  • a student who has obtained 12 EC or less in foreign courses must fill in the remaining space with at least two courses of level 300.

During electives, you can spend a semester at a partner university abroad, where you live, study and experience an international environment. This way, you work on your CV and your personal development. It is an adventure that increases your independence and allows you to improve your languages. You can also build an international network in this way. 

At a partner university you can put together a package of electives yourself. These electives must meet the requirements of your Examination Board and has to be approved before leave. Check the requirements for the electives. Your passed and approved courses will be converted by the International Office and your Examination Board to the Dutch study system. 

PLEASE NOTE: the registration period for studying abroad during the first semester of your third year is early in the second year of your study. If you are considering this, read all the information about Studying Abroad here.

You can go on exchange during your third bachelor year if you can take courses during that exchange that you can include in the minor space. The term electives is only used at LAW for the master. This is minor space for the bachelor. You cannot just bring any subject from abroad into the minor space. There are level requirements for this and (broadly speaking) the courses must also be related. 

Options within the Electives of Criminology 

As a Criminology student you will have to a minor in the first half of the third year. The minor has a study load of 30 credits. You can use the minor space to delve further into your own field. Another option is to broaden your knowledge by looking further than the boundaries of your own field. You have various options for completing your minor. 

Exchange programme abroad - Criminology

Within your minor space, you can also go to a partner university abroad for a semester via an exchange programme. For six months you will live, study and experience an international environment. This way,  you work on your CV and your personal development. It is an adventure that increases your independence and improves your languages.  It also helps you build an international network. At a partner university you can put together a package of electives yourself. If you obtain 30 EC in courses, you will not incur any delay in academic progress. The courses must be approved by the Examination Board before departure. If you obtain less than 30 ECTS abroad, you can compensate for the shortage of credits in the minor with separate courses from a maximum of one minor. 

PLEASE NOTE: the registration period for studying abroad during the first semester of your third year is early in the second year of your study. If you're considering exchange, read more about Studying Abroad here. 

Possibilities within the electives of Law 

As a Bachelor's student of Law you will have a minor in the first half of the third year. The minor is worth 30 credits. You can use the minor space to delve further into some aspects of your own field. Another option is to broaden your knowledge by looking further than your own field. You have various options for completing your minor. 

Exchange programme abroad - Law

Within your minor space you can also go to a partner university abroad for a semester via an exchange programme. For six months you will live, study and experience an international environment. This way, you work on your CV and your personal development. It is an adventure that increases your independence and allows you to improve your languages. You can also build an international network this way. At a partner university you can put together a package of electives yourself. If you obtain 30 EC in courses, you will not incur any delay in your studies. The courses must be approved by the Examination Board before departure. If you obtain less than 30 ECTS abroad, you can compensate for the shortage of credits in the minor with separate courses from a maximum of one minor. 

PLEASE NOTE: the registration period for studying abroad during the first semester of your third year is early in the second year of your study. If you're considering this, read more about Studying Abroad here. 

When you do a minor abroad, the grades obtained there are often sent by the university concerned when you have already returned to the Netherlands. VU Amsterdam will only enter the grades and credits after an official list of grades has been received. For the courses Plea Exercise and Bachelor's thesis you must resp. have 99 and 120 credits registered before the enrollment deadline closes. If you have completed all courses of the 1st and 2nd year, you meet that requirement. But if that is not the case, it is wise to calculate whether you have the correct number of credits registered at the right time.

When can you go abroad?

During the bachelor's and master's programme there are a number of times when you can go abroad: 

  • During the bachelor's programme
    During the bachelor's programme you can follow the practical internship in care abroad at the end of the first year. You can also study at a foreign university during your minor in the first semester of the third year. 
  • During the master's programme
    During the master's programme, there are many opportunities to do an internship or internship abroad: clinical internships, internships in general practice and social medicine, semi-arts internship, scientific internship and elective education. 

For all regular internships or internships that you do abroad - and for which you also receive credits - you can apply for a contribution from the faculty fund of € 250.00. You can apply for an Erasmus grant for an internship within Europe of at least two months. When an Erasmus grant has been awarded (approximately € 220.00 per month), you are no longer eligible for a contribution from the faculty fund. For more information, see also finances and grants. 

Within the VUmc compass there are various options for doing one or more internships abroad. The entire range of internships abroad can be found in the Canvas course "Studying Abroad". For these internships, VUmc offers you thorough preparation, as well as help with any incidents or calamities during your internship abroad. 

The degree programme explicitly points out that it does not grant permission to, nor takes responsibility for, students who are doing an internship (or will do work) in a foreign hospital outside the regular programme offered. 

Therefore, the following rules apply: 

  • For internships that fall within the curriculum (i.e. are curricular and lead to credits for your certificate), contact the International Cooperation Office to make your choice known and to prepare thoroughly for your internship. This preparation is mandatory. 
  • You may not follow internships or activities other than those referred to in the previous point abroad. 
  • If you go to a foreign hospital to work there and report on the spot that you are studying at VUmc, this will not lead to assistance in the event of incidents. All costs and risks are for your account. 
  • The International Cooperation Office (BIS) and / or the student administration will not provide proof stating that you fall under the responsibility of the programme during these activities.

During electives, you can spend a semester at a partner university abroad, where you live, study and experience an international environment. This way, you work on your CV and your personal development. It is an adventure that increases your independence and allows you to improve your languages. You can also build an international network in this way. 

At a partner university you can put together a package of electives yourself. These electives must meet the requirements of the Examination Board. Your passed and approved courses will be converted to ECTS by the International Office and your Examination Board. You must complete a course approval form to apply for exchange courses. You can send the completed form to the department exchange courses from the Examination Board through courses.exchange.sbe@vu.nl.

PLEASE NOTE: the registration period for studying abroad during the first semester of your third year is early in the second year of your study. If you are considering exchange, read all the information about Studying Abroad here. 

IBA 

IBA students are obliged to go on an exchange to fill in the minor space. The process of registering via IO is the same for all study programmes, and it is mandatory. You must complete a course approval form to apply for exchange courses (this must be completed by all study programmes). You can send the completed form to the department exchange courses from the Examination Board through courses.exchange.sbe@vu.nl.

Master's programmes

It is not possible for Master's students of the School of Business and Economics to go on an exchange.

Outgoing Student Exchange Team

+31 (0)20 59 85745 (between 10:00 - 12:00, Monday, Wednesday and Friday)

Do you have a question? Mail us!

Consultation hour (walk-in, no appointment required):
Every Tuesday between 12:30 - 13:30 in the Global Room (HG-1A36). There will be no consultation hour on Tuesday, 5th of March due to a pre-departure meeting. 

Zoom consultation hour: 

to make an appointment please use this link

Emergency number for VU exchange students abroad: +31 (0) 20 6444117. This is the VU-wide emergency number. Emergencies for example include natural disasters, assault and (mental) health issues.