Study in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands and is also referred to as the Venice of the North since it is located in the Northern part of Holland. The reference to Venice comes from the fact that the city has a large number of beautiful canals that attract tourists. The city has plenty of tourist spots including the Hermitage Amsterdam, Amsterdam Museum, Heineken Experience, etc. which are popular locations that international students also visit often.

The city of Amsterdam offers candidates an essence of the country even if they are unable to travel far and wide within the country during their stay. Due to this being the capital, it is well-connected to different parts of the country making it easier for students to explore the different scenic locations within the country. This city has an oceanic climate with warm summers and cool winters though one can expect occasional snow in winters as well.

Benefits of Studying in Amsterdam

This city has a lot of cultural and historical elements that attract students from all over the world to study there. The place is known for the waterfront buildings, parks, museums, and numerous festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. The Netherlands is also one of the smallest countries in Europe which makes it one of the best locations to start exploring Europe. And to get an essence of the Netherlands, candidates should live and study in Amsterdam. A few of the benefits of studying in Amsterdam include-

• Candidates will be able to study in Amsterdam at affordable rates especially if they get admission to public universities. The universities offer both undergraduate and postgraduate courses at a subsidized tuition fee which will let the student complete the course debt-free.
• Since the Netherlands has an open economy, and since Amsterdam is one of the central locations in the country, candidates will be able to find internship and job opportunities either during or after their studies.
• Candidates will be able to learn the Dutch language if they immerse themselves in the culture of the city thereby giving them better opportunities in the international job market.
• Amsterdam has a well-connected transport system that spreads across the entire country allowing students to travel throughout the country during the duration of their study.
• Candidates who are studying in the Netherlands will be able to get an additional year after the completion of their course when they will be able to look for jobs without requiring a job permit.
• Amsterdam is a relatively small city that allows candidates to explore its nook and corner without having to travel far and wide for the same.
• Since Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands, it attracts a lot of tourists throughout the year which has made the local population friendly and welcoming to all those who visit them. International students will be able to blend in well with the crowd and learn more about them due to this mentality.
• Amsterdam is a relatively safe city for international students when compared to most other cities in Europe. The city is known for its tolerant nature and also for the nightlife it provides people with.

Places to Live in Amsterdam

While moving to a new country or city, international students will have the concern of finding a good locality to live in which is close to the university they have enrolled in and provides them with ample entertainment options. Considering Amsterdam, both of these options will be available to candidates due to the relatively small size of the city. Every location that students choose to live in will be close to the universities they are studying in and the entire city has a large number of entertainment options to choose from.

• Amsterdam East- This locality is found between the Amstel River and the IJ. It is considered to be one of the safest locations in the city for international students and migrants. This location has a large number of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs that students will be able to visit. Candidates will be able to eat in places like Grand Caf� de Tropen, Bar James, etc. which are known for being brunch spots.
• Amsterdam de Pijp- This locality is found in the southern part of the city and is referred to as the Old South. This neighborhood has most of its streets named after painters and other artists and is one of the places where students choose to live the most. There are city markets located here which are open 6 days a week and are an important tourist destination. There are other tourist destinations in the vicinity that candidates will be able to go to along with countless bars and restaurants.
• Amsterdam Noord- This is one of the cheapest locations that students can live in within the city. It is located north of the IJ River and has a large population of ex-pats living there which will make international students feel at ease especially if it is their first time outside their own country. The place is not completely flocked by tourists which is also an appealing feature for candidates who wish to live peacefully.

Cost of Living in Amsterdam

While Amsterdam is an expensive city to live in, it is not one of the most expensive cities that candidates will find within Europe and can be said to be a fine space to live in if one is to find budget-friendly accommodation rates. The average living cost within the city can be estimated to be between €1,000 to €1,500 depending on the way the candidate plans their budget.

Accommodation and Utility Expenses

The cost of living in the city is high especially when it comes to accommodation expenses but most often students choose to live in shared apartments and hostels which solves part of the problem. The rent that candidates will have to pay in a shared apartment can be anywhere above €400 per month whereas studio apartments can have rates above €700 per month. Candidates that are looking for a single apartment will have to pay an amount above €900 per month to live in the city. The cost of electricity is extremely high in the city. Candidates might have to spend anywhere between €120- €200 for both gas and electricity.

Grocery Expenses

The price for grocery items in the city is as follows-

• Milk- €1.08 per liter
• Cheese- €11.93 per kg
• Apples- €2.11 per kg
• Potatoes- €1.55 per kg
• Wine- €7 for 1 bottle

Popular Programs to Study in Amsterdam

A few of the popular programs one can study in Amsterdam are-

• Law
• Museum Studies
• Sociology
• Information Technology
• MBA
• Artificial Intelligence

Top Universities in Amsterdam

A few of the top universities in Amsterdam include-

University of Amsterdam

This university was established in the year 1632 and is a public research university that provides courses at undergraduate, postgraduate, and research levels. It is the third-oldest university in the country and the largest research university within Europe. This university has a student population of around 31,000 and has around 2,500 staff. They offer courses under 7 faculties which include humanities, social sciences, economics and business, law, medicine, etc.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

This university was established in the year 1880 and is also a public research university that translated to “Free University”. They offer bachelor’s, master’s, premaster’s, postgraduate, minor, and exchange programs to candidates. The university has 10 faculties that come under the themes of human health and life sciences, science for sustainability, connected world, and professional services. They offer around 130 master’s programs alone and the university has a reputation of having more international students than domestic students.

Amsterdam University of the Arts

This vocational university focuses on the education of arts in the fields of fine arts, music, film, theatre, dance, museology, etc. The academies that come under this university include the Netherlands Film Academy, Academy of Theatre and Dance, Academy of Architecture, etc. This university offers both bachelor’s and master’s programs to candidates in full-time and part-time modes. They also offer candidates with workshops and courses in topics like course light assistance, course production assistance, etc.

Amsterdam Fashion Institute

This institute was established in the year 1951 and offers programs in English for international students. They mainly offer bachelor’s programs in subjects that are relating to fashion ranging from branding and designing to management and marketing skills. They also offer flexible programs in fashion-related subjects like 3D hyper craft, fashion, and denim, international production, etc.

Tinbergen Institute

This institute was established in the year 1986 and is based in the fields of economics, econometrics, and finance which makes it an ideal location for management students from around the world. It is a graduate school that offers master’s programs and research opportunities for candidates who wish to work in these fields of study. They provide advanced programs in game theory, econometrics, mathematics, microeconometrics, macroeconometrics, asset pricing, etc.

Entertainment Options in Amsterdam

Amsterdam offers international students and candidates innumerable options for entertainment that caters to the different interests of the people. The city also celebrates over 300 festivals with candidates who will be able to visit during the duration of their study. The city holds a few many historical monuments and culturally rich sites that candidates can explore during the day and is also known for its nightlife. A few of the options that candidates have for entertainment are-

Places to Visit in Amsterdam

The city has a lot of theatres, events, and sites that candidates can visit especially if they are interested in learning about the culture and heritage of the Netherlands. A few of the must-visit places in Amsterdam are-

• Van Gogh Museum- This museum is a place visited mostly by artists and art enthusiasts who wish to learn more about Van Gogh. The museum contains over 200 paintings and 500 etchings and drawings made by Van Gogh. The place also offers a detailed presentation of the life and works of the painter which tourists will be able to see before they explore the works of art that have been displayed.
• Dam Square- This location is well-known among tourists and locals for the number of entertainment options available. Candidates will be able to visit the New Church, Wax Museum, and the National Memorial Statue when they are in this place. The place also has a few many street vendors that sell souvenirs and street food which the candidates will be able to enjoy at their leisure. The place also has a Ferris Wheel and street performers from time to time which makes it a perfect place to relax and have fun, especially for students.
• Rijksmuseum- This is a national museum that has rare collections of art and antiquities which date from the 13th century to the present day. The museum also has a library that contains over 35,000 books and offers guided tours for the tourists who flock to the place. It will be ideal for candidates to prebook the tickets online due to the number of people who come to visit every day.

Things to Do in Amsterdam

Apart from visiting the culturally rich sites in the city, candidates will be able to do plenty of things in the city that can enliven their experience of living in the city. This includes being an active part of the nightlife in the city and even exploring the art and music tastes the city holds. Candidates will also be able to see ballet and dance performances in the city and visit the cinemas which are known for the films shown in exotic languages.

• Visit the Cinemas- Amsterdam has over 50 locations where people will be able to enjoy movies from around the globe. These movies will be played with Dutch subtitles for the most part and candidates will have to ensure that they learn about the movie before they visit the cinema to avoid watching a movie made in some exotic language. A few of the popular cinemas are Pathe Arena, Tuschinski Theater, and Filmhallen.
• Explore the Nightlife- The nightlife of Amsterdam is quite famous around the world with its nightclubs, cafes, cinemas, and theaters along with different locations that thrive with entertainment sources during the night. A few of the must-visit places during the night are Dam Square and Leidseplein which contain clubs, theaters, and even casinos that people can visit.
• Attend the Festivals- The Netherlands is known for the number of festivals they hold throughout the country during the entire year. Amsterdam alone holds over 300 festivals every year which students will be able to visit to learn more about the country. A few of these festivals are the Holland Festival, Chopin Festival, Amsterdam Music Festival, and Light Festival.