For best experience please turn on javascript and use a modern browser!
You are using a browser that is no longer supported by Microsoft. Please upgrade your browser. The site may not present itself correctly if you continue browsing.
Educational style, grading and credits
The educational style at the UvA trains students to be independent, take initiative, and invest in research. Grading and credits are organised according to national and European systems.
Educational style
If you’re coming from abroad you may also notice a difference between the educational style in the Netherlands and your home country.
In the Netherlands, students are expected to take on a high level of individual responsibility and initiative. We also encourage students to develop an independent and critical way of thinking.
Difference between research and applied universities
The University of Amsterdam is a research university. Unlike in many other countries, Dutch higher education makes a distinction between research universities and universities of applied sciences (hbo).
Programmes at research universities like the UvA focus more on theoretical aspects of the field of study and prepare students for undertaking independent research. Study programmes at universities of applied sciences prepare students for particular professions and tend to be more practically oriented.
Grading
The Dutch grading system scale ranges from 1 to 10:
8.5 - 10
excellent
7.5 - 8.4
good
6.5 - 7.4
satisfactory
5.5 - 6.4
sufficient
1.0 - 5.4
fail
Teaching and evaluation
Your Bachelor’s or Master's programme is divided into various courses. For each course, you will attend class once or twice a week for two to three hours.
Classes may have different formats including lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical training and fieldwork.
In your courses, you will be evaluated based on one or more of the following methods: class participation, oral presentations, assignments, final papers and final exams.
Language
International students doing an English-taught programme are not required to know Dutch. We do recommend that you take a Dutch course when coming to study in Amsterdam as it will help you feel at home in the city and engage with Dutch culture.
Most courses are worth 6 or 12 ECTS (European Credits). One ECTS credit represents 25 to 30 hours of study (including class attendance).
To complete a full-time programme, students must complete 60 credits per academic year (30 credits per semester).
To find out how ECTS credits compare to credits at universities in other countries, consult the programme coordinators at your home university or the programme/study adviser for the programme you'd like to take at the UvA.
Cookie Consent
The UvA uses cookies to ensure the basic functionality of the site and for statistical and optimisation purposes. Cookies are also placed to display third-party content and for marketing purposes. Click 'Accept all cookies' to consent to the placement of all cookies, or choose 'Decline' to only accept functional and analytical cookies. Also read the UvA Privacy statement.