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Exchange Programme
Science

Courses

On this page:

Courses for exchange students

At the Faculty of Science students learn first-hand about the most recent research developments and experience the expertise, enthusiasm and passion with which lecturers practise their discipline. The Faculty's vision on teaching and learning strongly focuses on training students to use modern equipment and complex data analysis and to familiarise them with working in interdisciplinary teams. Our campus at Science Park is fully equipped for these purposes, featuring labs for practical training in a variety of disciplines. 

Below you can find more information on the course options for exchange students. 

  • Bachelor's (undergraduate) courses

    Bachelor's level courses are taught in Dutch and English. Exchange students need to be fluent in the language they wish to take the courses in.
    The English taught courses are categorized by field of study. Almost all courses have specific course entry requirements which are indicated in the course catalogue. 

    NOTE: There are fewer English taught courses offered in semester 2. If there is not a full semester load of courses offered in your study field, you can choose additional Interdisciplinary courses or courses in Scientific Programming, both at bachelor level (see below).

    Below you can find a list of the standard entry requirements for the particular fields of study.

    • Artificial Intelligence - application possible for 3rd year students of AI (and related sciences), English taught courses in semester 1 only
    • Biology - application possible for 3rd year students of Biology, English taught courses in semester 1 only
    • Biomedical Sciences - application possible for 3rd year students of Biomedical Sciences (and related sciences), English taught courses in semester 1 only
    • Chemistry - application possible for 3rd year students of Chemistry
    • Computer/Information Sciences - application possible for 3rd year students of Computer/Information Science (and related sciences) 
    • Future Planet Studies - application possible for 2nd and 3rd year students of Environmental Studies (and related sciences)
    • Mathematics - application possible for 3rd year students of Mathematics
    • Physics and Astronomy - application possible for 3rd year students of Physics and Astronomy, most English taught courses are offered in semester 1
    • Psychobiology - application possible for 3rd year students with a Biology or Psychology background, English taught courses in semester 1 only

    The following fields are open to students from all study areas:

    • Interdisciplinary courses - application possible for students of all study areas
    • Courses in Scientific Programming - application possible for students with a Science background
  • Master's (graduate) courses

    Students with a degree comparable to a Dutch Bachelor's degree can apply for courses at a Master's level. All Master's programmes are taught in English.
    Please note that master courses are only open to students who will have obtained a bachelor degree or an equivalent (first three years of bachelor equivalent to 180 EC) in the required field of study, before their exchange period.
    Please note that some master programmes are (partially) restricted or not open for exchange students. More information on restrictions can be found below. 

  • Courses outside the Faculty of Science

    Exchange students can apply for a maximum of two courses at another department/faculty. Please note that placement for courses at other departments is difficult and cannot be guaranteed. 
     

    Highlighted: Dutch culture and language courses 

    The University of Amsterdam offers various courses on the Dutch society, culture and/or language, for example the course 'Dutch Culture and Society'. For more information go to the UvA Course Catalogue. 

    Furthermore, it is always possible to enroll for Dutch language courses at the Institute for Dutch Language Education (INTT). For more information go to INTT. Keep in mind that a tuition fee is required for the INTT courses, though exchange students receive a discount. 

  • Restrictions

    The following courses/programmes are restricted to exchange students:

    • Courses of the master programme Forensic Science are (partially) restricted. 
    • Courses of the master programme Earth Sciences are (partially) restricted. It may therefore not be possible to take 30 EC of Earth Sciences courses in one semester. 
    • Courses of the master programme Artificial Intelligence. Elective courses are open to exchange students, mandatory courses are not. More information can be found in the Course Catalogue. 
    • Courses coordinated by the Vrije Universiteit (VU). If VU is indicated under 'lecturer' or 'coordinator', the course is coordinated by the VU and taught at the VU. 

    The following courses/programmes are not open to exchange students:

    • Courses of the master programme Biomedical Sciences.
    • Courses of the master programme Security and Network Engineering.
    • Courses offered by the Vrije Universiteit (VU).
    • Courses taught at Amsterdam University College (AUC).
    • Academic skills courses (Academic English, Teaching skills, Professional skills, etc.).

Course Catalogue

To view the courses, you have to search the UvA Course Catalogue > Programme: 'Exchange Programme Faculty of Science'. When applying for semester 1 next year, you can select the current academic year as the course catalogue for the next academic year is not yet available (is available in June). 

We cannot guarantee that all the courses in the current course catalogue will be taught in the next academic year, though most courses will be. You can enter the courses you want to enroll for in the application form. You will be notified as soon as possible if we cannot register you for a course, so you can select another course.

Academic calendar

The semester is divided into three blocks: 8 weeks, 8 weeks, and 4 weeks. Courses can start at each of these blocks and will run for one or two blocks. Exams are at the end of each block or at the end of the semester. The recommended study load is 12 EC in an 8-week block and 6 EC in a 4-week block.

Please note that exchange students are required to be in Amsterdam when courses start. On the UvA academic calendar page you can verify the exact start date of your exchange semester. 

1st semester: September - January  block  duration
 September- October  1  8 weeks
 November - December  2  8 weeks
 January  3  4 weeks
 2nd semester: February - June    
 February - March  4  8 weeks
 April - May  5    8 weeks
 June  6  4 weeks