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.
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!
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.
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?
Learning more about the Dutch education system and life as a Dutch student!
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.
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
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. 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.
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.
| 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 2023-2024 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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