Imagine studying international business and global economics in beautiful Amsterdam, one of Europe’s leading cities for business and progressive social and economic policy. It’s also a hub for entrepreneurship and start-ups. With its central location in Europe and full-member status in the European Union, the Netherlands is the perfect place to study abroad and understand not only business and economics in the Netherlands, but across all of Europe—its significant trading partners are Germany, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom.
By enrolling in this program, you’ll have the unique opportunity to choose from a large variety of Business and Economics courses at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). Located in Amsterdam’s business district, the School of Economics & Business Administration has applied for AACSB accreditation and offers courses in Business Information Systems, Finance, International Business Law, Global Supply Chain Management, Organization Theory, and many other topics. You can also supplement your studies at the VU with an IES Abroad course taught at the Center in Art History, Art, Cultural Studies, Dutch, or Gender Studies.
Amsterdam and the Netherlands will be your classroom. You will get a first-hand understanding of how business and trade work in the European Union and how changes in border policy (both in Europe and abroad) might produce unforeseen circumstances. Field trips will take you off the beaten path to places like Rotterdam, Maastricht, or Texel Island, and course-related trips in and around Amsterdam will provide valuable insight into what you’re learning in the classroom.
We want you to feel at home in Amsterdam, so we do everything we can to help you integrate into life in the city. From housing to cultural events, our job is to make sure you have the most authentic study abroad experience possible.
After you are admitted, refer to the Travel Dates section of the Predeparture Information in your MyIESabroad account before booking travel.
Coming Soon!
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.
While in Amsterdam, you take 15-19 credits per semester at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam’s School of Economics & Business Administration, which is awaiting AACSB accreditation.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional components:
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.
VU University Amsterdam (VU) Courses
You can find more information about the options offered at the VU through the links below: You can find the 2017-2018 VU course information here. Click on Bachelor courses to find course descriptions for individual courses and on Minor programmes for info on minors.
*Please note the following
About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU)
The VU, founded in 1880, enrolls about 25,000 students, and offers courses in eleven faculties covering arts and science fields, and takes pride in a very studentcentric teaching style. The VU is situated on a campus (unlike many European city universities), just outside of central Amsterdam, near the business district in South Amsterdam.
Originally set up as an institution of higher education separate from church or state, the current day VU takes this heritage seriously. Students will feel comfortable on campus, and can access the many resources available, including modern buildings and infrastructure, the Griffioen Cultural Centre, shops, cafés, and an extensive library.
The VU boasts a strong international environment; its goal is to have one in four students in its English-taught programs be an international student.
Course-related excursions are academic trips associated with courses. They are organized to complement IES Abroad courses and contribute to a general knowledge of Dutch culture and society/ Participation is based on course registration.
Examples could include:
Student Apartment Suites – Live in a single room in a mixed gender apartment suite with five to six other students. You share a kitchen, bathroom, and living spaces. Located in Amsterdam South, just a five-minute walk from the VU academic buildings. No meals are included.
Residence Hall – Live in a single room with a private bathroom. You share a kitchen with other students on your floor. The building features 24-hour reception and a gym. This option carries an additional cost. No meals are included.
Part of making you feel at home in Amsterdam is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is the orientation program that makes you feel prepared, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips and walking tours that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.
Our orientation introduces you to the IES Abroad Amsterdam staff, your fellow students, and the city of Amsterdam.
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins right when you arrive and continues through the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.
You also participate in a VU-led orientation to get to know the VU staff and facilities, and have the option to join the European Student Network’s (ESN) orientation for international students, led by Dutch students.
Local field trips and activities are also arranged, as well as an overnight orientation trip, where you’ll have the opportunity to further sample elements of Dutch culture and get to know the other students.
Redefine the way you live and learn in Amsterdam through cultural events, such as:
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. You share a portion of the cost with IES Abroad. Here are a few possible destinations:
Island of Texel2 Days| FallTour this small island by bike and observe the natural beauty and wildlife. Visit a seal rescue and take a trip on a shrimp boat.
Maastricht2 Days | SpringExplore 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.
Rotterdam1 Day | Fall & SpringSee Rotterdam's amazing modern architecture on a guided walking tour through this rebuilt city. In the afternoon, you can explore Rotterdam's many museums.
About the Center
The IES Abroad Amsterdam Center is housed in the Oranje-Nassau Kazerne, former military barracks now turned into offices and apartments, and located across from the famous Artis Zoo. Features include: a small library, classroom space, staff offices, WiFi Internet access, and space for students to meet and study.
Chantal Omloo earned an M.A. in History of International Relations at the University of Utrecht and an MSc in Development Studies at the School for Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. Her academic focus was centred on economic development in Sub Saharan Africa and she has published a number of articles in this field.
Prior to joining IES Abroad in 2001, Chantal worked for Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO), an NGO based in the United Kingdom. Chantal managed customized programs for IES Abroad out of the London Center before moving back to her native Netherlands to become our Amsterdam Center Director.
IES Abroad Staff Anabelle GouletteStudent Affairs and Office Coordinator
Diana KaekebekeAcademic and Student Affairs Coordinator
Faculty Depending on your program, you will be taught by faculty from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Vrije Universiteit, the Universiteit van Amsterdam or IES Abroad.
Fees coming soon.
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