Are you a Dutch-speaking student? If so, you can also join our Dutch-taught bachelor’s programme in Human Geography and Planning. Please note that the curricula of the two programmes may differ.

Yes! I’m interested in the Dutch Bachelor’s programme

Please note that the total study load amounts to 40 hours per week. In the first year of the Bachelor's there are around 14 contact hours per week. This means that your classes amount to 14 hours a week, these are either with your entire cohort or in smaller tutorial groups on campus. The self-study hours are spent reading or writing in preparation for classes and assignments. Our year consists of six blocks. Blocks 1, 2, 4 and 5 consist of 6 teaching weeks, 1 exam week and 1 teaching-free week.

Our advice is to work no more than 8 hours. The programme assumes daily (Monday to Friday) availability for classes.

You can also study Human Geography and Planning at Utrecht University, Groningen University and Radboud University. The programme at the University of Amsterdam is the only one in the city. Despite shared interest, there are differences between these programmes.

First, there are differences in terms of language of instruction. This programme is taught entirely in English in Groningen, in Dutch in Utrecht and Nijmegen, with English-taught courses as well. At the University of Amsterdam, you can choose between the English taught programme or the Dutch-English taught programme. 

Secondly, there are thematic differences. Utrecht University focuses more on the city, migration, economy and environment. Groningen focuses more on economics, cultural geography, real estate and planning. Nijmegen focuses on the environment and policy. The University of Amsterdam focuses on urban economic geography, environment, development studies, real estate, governance, and is unique in mobility and political geography.

Students conduct fieldwork on various topics throughout their studies. You will learn to apply acquired research skills in daily geographical practice. We will start with that on the first day of the programme. You conclude the first year with the course Spatial Programming and Design, in which you research a spatial issue put forward by the municipality and present a solution. In the second year, you will investigate a socio-geographical or planning issue outside the Randstad using various research methods. Later that year you will travel to conduct research based on a specific theme. Finally, you conduct independent research in your thesis.

Our study association Sarphati helps students become familiar with and easily navigate their way through the programme, the university and the city of Amsterdam. We want students to feel heard and known through active participation in (the organisation of) educational and social activities. In addition, students can always contact Sarphati for questions, comments and advice related to their programme. For more information, please visit the website of study association Sarphati.

There are 120 students in the first year, of which usually an equal number of men and women. The tutorials consist of 20 to 30 students, depending on the tutorial teacher and the course. This is a relatively small programme in which students and staff know each other. As the English taught programme will start in the 2023 - 2024 academic year, we expect around 200 students in the first year.

Amsterdam is a very popular place to live. Students (Dutch and international), as well as many others are looking for places to stay, and therefore affordable housing is scarce. In this tight housing market, UvA International Student Housing has a limited number of rooms (approx. 3000 units) reserved, which can accommodate roughly half of the newly incoming international students every semester for one year only. This means that the other half must find a place on their own. Do not underestimate this, it often takes weeks or even months to find suitable accommodation. It is not a smart idea to only start searching when you arrive in Amsterdam for your studies. Therefore, we encourage everyone to start in time, and look for accommodation independently, even if you also applied for the UvA Housing service. Please note that the UvA urges you not to come to Amsterdam for your studies unless you have secured proper housing. An accommodation (with registration) is especially important for non-EU students, as it will allow you to apply for a residence permit. For more information on UvA Housing, please visit this website.