Amsterdam, Netherlands

Social Sciences & Humanities

Study Abroad
Program Options:
Direct Enrollment, Global Pillars Courses
Length:
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

At a Glance

Housing:

Shared Housing

Credits:

15 to 17 per Semester

Language of Instruction:

English

Language Prerequisites:

None

Visa Required:

Yes

About the Program

Our Social Sciences & Humanities Program takes advantage of the city’s unique balance of history and contemporary culture, and lets you structure your studies at the prestigious Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) and at the IES Abroad Center. With a strong focus on internationalism, the UvA offers a wide range of courses in many areas of study, including Conflict & Cultural Diversity, Globalization & International Relations, Migration Studies, and Sociology.

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Take Classes Like a Local

Attend courses with incredible students from all over the world.

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Learn About Arts and Culture

Take an IES course in Art, Sociology, or Dutch.

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Enjoy the Activities with Fellow Study Abroad Students

Join in on field trips and activities to learn about Dutch culture.

2025 Fall

Program Dates:

August 18 - December 20

Application Deadline:

Program Advisor

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Lindsay Smith

Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!

📱 800.995.2300 ✉️ study@IESabroad.org

About the Destination

Why Amsterdam?

This progressive city is known for its cutting-edge contributions to the arts, business, politics, and social policy, and for its importance in the history of Europe and the world. The IES Abroad courses offered in this program are taught by international faculty from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.

Learn More About Amsterdam

Get to Know Your New City

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Cycle Everywhere

Rent or buy a cheap bike and get around Amsterdam the way the Dutch do!

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Enjoy Traditional Dutch Dishes

From coffee to stroopwafels, eating in Amsterdam is a real treat.

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Appreciate Art

Visit world-renown art museums like the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum.

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Swing Out Over Amsterdam

Try riding the swings on the observation deck of the A’DAM Tower.

Fall Ball Abroad in Amsterdam

In Amsterdam, student athletes have the option to add on a baseball or softball training program on top of their coursework. Fall Ball Abroad in Amsterdam provides college baseball and softball players high-quality coaching and access to world-class training facilities.  Students who wish to participate will apply to an IES Abroad Amsterdam program, and once accepted, choose the baseball or softball add-on. We know how important it is to your sports performance to continue working and improving in the offseason. Why not work with international coaches and get stronger in Amsterdam?

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The Student Experience

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Housing

student apartment in amsterdam with wooden furniture including a desk, bed, and tall windows
  • Shared Housing

Shared Housing

A home with amenities! In our housing, you will meet IES Abroad students, international students, travelers, and (young) professionals. During orientation you will get an extensive neighborhood tour from our onsite staff. Additionally, reception staff will be available to answer any questions you might have. All housing locations are in safe areas with public transport.

Base Option: You will have a single or shared room with an ensuite bathroom. Your room will be fully furnished with a bed, wardrobe, and shared kitchen,

Premium Option: You will have a single room with an ensuite bathroom. Your room will be slightly larger than the Base option. Your room will be fully furnished with a bed, wardrobe, and shared kitchen. This option carries an additional cost.

Premium Plus Option: You will be centrally located in Amsterdam at this housing option. You will have a single room with an ensuite bathroom. Your bedroom will be furnished with a bed, wardrobe, and desk. You will share a kitchen with other IES Abroad students. This option carries an additional cost. 

Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. 

We offer unique courses that explore Dutch language, culture, and the arts. The world-class professors and course options at the Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class. 

While in Amsterdam, you take 15–17 credits per semester. UvA courses and IES Abroad courses are worth up to 6 credits each. 

Headshot of Emma Basco.
“There is something intangible about attending international university, walking over that bridge that passes under the giant social sciences building, meeting students from all over the world, and having it dawn on you every morning when you arrive on campus or in the evening when you descend the metro to commute home that you're studying in Amsterdam, and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity you'll never forget.”
Emma B. • Sarah Lawrence College • Amsterdam – Social Sciences & Humanities

Partner Institution

A large brick building sits on the Universiteit van Amsterdam's campus.
  • Universiteit van Amsterdam

Universiteit van Amsterdam

The Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) prides itself on its wide range of multidisciplinary offerings and its strong focus on internationalization. These qualities are reflected in the large number of international and study abroad students at the Universiteit. Rooted in 17th century Amsterdam, the university is known for its rich intellectual, artistic, and commercial history, and for its contributions to contemporary scholarship, business, and politics. 

The Social Sciences & Humanities Program is part of the Amsterdam Exchange Program - Social & Behavioral Sciences.

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Courses

Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional components. You take 15-17 credits per semester. These credits can be a combination of IES Abroad area studies courses (up to 3 per semester) and courses offered at the Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA), known for strong offerings across disciplines. If you want to take all of your courses at the UvA, that is also an option.

  • 1-5 courses at the Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) (at least one UvA course is required, credits vary, minimum of 6 UvA credits) 
  • One or more IES Abroad course(s) (optional, credits vary) 

NOTE: This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.

IES Abroad Courses

Disciplines (19)

Art (1)

Course name Term Language Credits
AR/MS 240 - Experimental Media and the Internet in Contemporary Art Spring English 3

Partner Institution Courses

Universiteit van Amsterdam

As an IES Abroad student, your course of study falls largely under the Amsterdam Exchange Program - Social & Behavioral Sciences within the College of Social Sciences. Requests to take a course outside of the Social & Behavioral Sciences are handled on a case-by-case basis, as the individual departments at the UvA have the final admission decision to each specific course. 

Course Lookup

To look up Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) courses, first navigate to the UvA's website. Once on the main UvA page, click on the "course" button. On the bottom right corner, click "all courses". This will take you to the catalog for the 2024-2025 academic year. Once on this page scroll down until you see the "programme tab", then click "show all". Click until you reach "Exchange Programme College of Humanities", "Exchange Programme Social and Behavioral Sciences", and "Exchange Programme UvA Economics and Business." IES Abroad students are eligible to enroll in classes ONLY offered through these programs. 

Visit the Social & Behavioral Sciences course catalog to get a sense of courses that may be offered during your term abroad.   

Courses at the UvA are listed in ECTS credits. 2 ECTS credits equal 1 U.S./IES Abroad credit. For example, a course worth 12 ECTS is worth 6 IES Abroad credits. 

You can select from courses in: 

  • Anthropology 
  • Art 
  • Conflict and Cultural Diversity 
  • Dutch Society 
  • Ethnicity, Migration, & Nationalism 
  • Geography Planning & Development 
  • Gender & Sexuality 
  • Globalization & International Relations 
  • Media & Communication 
  • Politics, Governance, & Democracy 
  • Sociology 
  • Urban Studies & Global Health 

Depending upon availability, you may also take classes in the Faculty of Humanities in one of the following areas:

  • Arts & Media Studies 
  • English & Literature 
  • European & American Studies 
  • History 
  • Philosophy & Discourse 

Please note that these opportunities are limited. We recommend having backup courses in this Faculty in case your top choices are full.

You may also register for only one Faculty of Economics and Business course, whose Amsterdam school of Business (ASB) is EQUIS-accredited.

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PRO-TIP

Apply for your passport today!

Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.

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Field Trips

Even though your adventure starts in Amsterdam, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).

NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability. 

Keukenhof

1 Day ($) Spring

Keukenhof is one of the world's largest flower gardens. Take in over 7 million followers, including 4.5. million tulips and a variety of sculptures at this historic park.

Texel

2 Days ($) Fall & Spring

Join us for a weekend away in one of the Dutch Islands, Texel. Come bike around, explore the Northern Sea and its dunes. We'll be taking a ride on a shrimp boat and visiting a local seal sanctuary.

windmills near a lake in Amsterdam

Zaanse Schans

Half Day ($) Fall & Spring

Enjoy a cycling trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, a quintessential Dutch town, famous for its windmills.

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Cheese & Clog Making at Local Farm

1 Day ($) Fall & Spring

Get introduced to Dutch culture by getting your hands dirty and making your own Gouda cheese wheel at this local farm! We'll not only be sampling cheese, but also traditional Dutch apple pie.

A student walks along a stone path in Maastricht on a bright day.

Maastricht

2 Days ($) Spring

Explore this university city with its beautiful medieval architecture and lively arts and culture. Visit the famous labyrinth caves of Limburg, and take a walk in the spectacular hilly countryside.

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your current college or university to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your school's policies, and other factors.

Fall 2024

Tuition
$
17,309
Housing
$
5,595
Insurance
$
245
Total
$
23,149

Academic Year 2024

Tuition
$
31,140
Housing
$
11,190
Insurance
$
490
Total
$
42,820

Spring 2025

Tuition
$
17,828
Housing
$
5,770
Insurance
$
245
Total
$
23,843

2025 Fall

Tuition
-
Housing
-
Insurance
-
Total
Pending

Use Our Budget Worksheet to Calculate Your Costs

See the Worksheet
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

$7 Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.

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About the IES Abroad Center

The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad. 

The IES Abroad Amsterdam Center is in the old city Center nearby the famous Nieuwmarkt Square, and easily accessible via public transport from Amsterdam Central Station. With plenty of study space, classroom areas, and meeting rooms, the Center is your study abroad hub. 

 

Orientation

Start at Home
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to meet the IES Abroad Center staff, fellow students, and the city.
Arrive in Amsterdam
Orientation continues when you arrive onsite with activities focusing on adjusting to Amsterdam. Detailed information about other important topics is also covered.
Get to Know the University
Participate in a VU-led orientation to get to know the VU staff and facilities, and join the European Student Network’s (ESN) orientation for international students.
Learn from the Locals
All students have the option to join the European Student Network’s (ESN) orientation for international students, led by Dutch students, to learn from locals.
Settle In
Orientation continues throughout the semester with field trips allowing you to both further sample elements of Dutch culture and get to know the other students.

Health & Safety

With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.

Support You Can Expect to Receive on Our Programs

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CISI International Health Insurance

In the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional.

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24/7 Emergency Support

Whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city.

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Mandatory Cell Phone Policy

Receive any emergency updates from IES Abroad staff via call or text.

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Location-Specific Information

Health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff.

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TripTracker System

Allowing you to share independent travel plans.

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Crisis Drills

So that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise.

Program Dates

Fall 2024

Program Dates:

August 19 - December 21

Application Deadline:

Academic Year 2024

Program Dates:

August 19 - May 30

Application Deadline:

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

January 27 - May 30

Application Deadline:

2025 Fall

Program Dates:

August 18 - December 20

Application Deadline:

Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Application Requirements
  • Acceptance Process
  • Passport & Visa Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  • 18 years of age
  • In good standing at your home school
  • 3.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale
  • Junior or senior standing when program begins
    • To be considered of junior standing, applicants must have four complete college semesters (about 60 credit hours) by the start of the program. Transfer credits from AP Exams are not counted towards this total.
  • This is a competitive program. Applicants will be selected based on an overall evaluation of your application and the comparative qualifications of other applicants.
  • Final admissions decision rests with the Universiteit van Amsterdam
  • Please note: the Study Amsterdam program will not review applicants with cumulative GPAs below 3.0.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact a Previous Student

Student Ambassadors

No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.

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The Student Experience

A traditional French dish called Beef Bourguignon, a stew of sorts
Jimmy Xu,

Food.

I write about the experiences I've had at different restaurants in Paris as well as what I've been eating besides that.

How will study abroad redefine your world? We can’t wait to find out.

Apply Now
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