If you go to college/university in the United States and are interested in this program, check it out on the IES Abroad website—designed for students like you looking to study or intern abroad outside of the United States.
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.
Your Student Counselor is your study abroad ambassador and supporter. They join your application journey when you’ve confirmed you’re interested in studying abroad. At this point, they guide you through each stage of the application, notify you of the documents you need, let you know when your admission results are in, and walk you through the next steps, including class enrollment and organizing pre-arrival tests.
Amsterdam’s IES Abroad Center takes you to the enchanting heart of local Amsterdam, to a welcoming part of the city. Here, at your study abroad hub, you meet friends for life and dive into European charm. In this renovated 1930’s clothing factory, history hangs on the walls. And as you study in the well-equipped classrooms and student library or hang out with friends new and old in the lounge, you look over one of the canals at the epicenter of the Amsterdam experience.
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.
“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
From academics to visa requirements, our structured process helps you choose the right program and university for your goals. Complete a strong application, and prepare for success abroad.
Each student has unique academic goals for a study abroad experience. As you think about studying abroad, your SAF Counselor will help you plan for success and support you every step of the way.
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.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional components:
NOTE: This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your account. Additionally, SAF and IES Abroad reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.
| Course name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AR/MS 240 - Experimental Media and the Internet in Contemporary Art | Spring | English | 3 |
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 2022-2023 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:
Depending upon availability, you may also take classes in the Faculty of Humanities in one of the following areas:
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.
Language Test Score Requirements
To prove your language proficiency, you can use any of the following:
When studying abroad, you will want to consider the time of year and how long you are away. Most programs follow the host university's academic calendar.
The dates shown below are general estimates, and as you get closer to the start of the term, you will get more detailed information from SAF. If you have any questions, your Student Counsellor and Program Specialist are always here to support you and point you to the correct information.
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.
Canals and tulips, artists, windmills, and history in abundance, Amsterdam is a vibrant city with a youthful feel. The IES Abroad Center is in a renovated clothing factory on Geldersekade, in the old city center, just a short walk from Nieuwmarkt Square. It’s near all the big-name tourist spots—Anne Frank’s house, the Nine Streets, and Rijksmuseum—but it has a more local atmosphere.
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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.
Visit Rotterdam, a major port city in the Dutch province of South Holland. Take a guided walking tour, visit the famous cubic houses, and enjoy a museum visit or free time.
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.
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.
Enjoy a cycling trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, a quintessential Dutch town, famous for its windmills.
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.
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.
The process of studying abroad could quickly feel overwhelming, but we have been doing this for decades and do everything we can to support you through it.
Many SAF staff are alumni and have walked this path. They have real-life experience to draw on as they advise and support you through every step of our comprehensive services. They’re in your corner, taking care of all the details and explaining what you need to do next.
Take the first step in your study abroad journey by scheduling a consultation with your closest Student Counselor. You can discuss your for-credit academic courses and language programs and explore internships, research programs, and study tours. When you know what you want to do, we guide you through the pre-program steps, help you arrange your visa and transport, and finalize your accommodation or digital experience.
From academics to visa requirements, our structured process helps you choose the right program and university for your goals. Complete a strong application, and prepare for success abroad.
Each student has unique academic goals for a study abroad experience. As you think about studying abroad, your SAF Counselor will help you plan for success and support you every step of the way.
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Studying abroad is an unforgettable experience, one that stays with you in your career, your contacts, your future. It can define you. At any of our prestigious university partners, you can build personalized for-credit programs that can last up to a whole year.
