Masters Degrees in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Situated within the Dutch province of Holland, the picturesque city of Amsterdam is the capital of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. There are two research universities in Amsterdam, alongside a range of other higher education institutions, and the city has over 65,000 resident students.

What’s it like to study a Masters in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam takes its name (surprisingly enough) from a dam built upon the River Amstel. It has since become famous for the beautiful network of canals (now a UNESCO world heritage site) that manages the river’s flow. The city was one of the first centres of international trade and finance in the modern world and continues to be an important economic hub, but is also a popular tourist destination, renowned for its many museums.

You may have heard about Amsterdam’s more notorious tourist attractions, but postgraduate students in the city enjoy the benefits of a socially liberal and open-minded environment, with a rich cultural history. Local museums and galleries house some of the world’s most famous paintings (including many of the works of the Dutch Master Rembrandt and the Dutch Expressionist Vincent van Gogh). Over 180 nationalities are represented in the population of Amsterdam, making it one of the world’s most diverse cities. Its reputation as a welcoming destination for international arrivals is well-earned.

Amsterdam also offers a vibrant nightlife with a range of bars and clubs clustered around lively squares such as the Rembrandtplein and the Leidseplein.

The densely populated nature of Amsterdam means that accommodation is often at a premium. However, rooms are available through universities and local housing corporations at relatively affordable prices. Depending on your situation, you can apply for studio flats, shared dorms and unfurnished rooms.

Universities in Amsterdam

The oldest university in Amsterdam is the University of Amsterdam, founded in 1623 at the height of the Dutch Golden Age. It is the third oldest university in the Netherlands and is regularly ranked within the world top 100 and European top 20 universities.

As well as the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam is home to VU University Amsterdam. Masters degrees in Amsterdam are also offered by a range of smaller or specialist higher education providers, including the Gerrit Rietveld Academy (a school of Art and Design), the Amsterdam School of the Arts and the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (Hogeschool van Amsterdam).

Although Dutch is the primary language of instruction, the city’s popularity among international students means that there are plenty of English-taught Masters programmes in Amsterdam.

Careers in Amsterdam

If, like many postgraduates, you decide to stay in Amsterdam after you’ve finished your Masters, there are plenty of multinational companies that are either headquartered or have offices in the Dutch capital. Amsterdam enjoys a modern, service-based economy that offers lots of opportunity for skilled work as well as entrepreneurship.

Some of the largest employers in the region include Heineken, Airbus, Phillips, KLM and KPMG. Amsterdam also has a proud reputation as an innovative hub for tech start-ups.