STEM in Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands
STEM in Amsterdam

About the Program

Study in the model city for engineering and urban planning. Immerse yourself in a world of cutting edge technology and data that works to improve city services and environmental sustainability. With the STEM in Amsterdam program, you can dive into courses in the Faculty of Science and choose from a list of about 100 courses in English. Study Computer Science, Mathematics, Biology, Health Sciences, Geology, Environmental Sciences, and more. Many courses even include a laboratory component, so be sure to check the course descriptions for details. CEA CAPA students are integrated directly with degree-seeking international and Dutch students. This program is offered in Fall, Spring, and the Spring-Extended semesters.

Program Notes


VU Amsterdam is a highly competitive program. Students applying for this program will be waitlisted for admission, and will know their acceptance decision no later than March 15 for fall semester and October 15 for spring semester. We encourage you to work with your CEA CAPA Student Advisor to identify a backup program option.

Requirements

Overview

Location:

Amsterdam

Dates:

late Jan 2026 - late Jun 2026

Price:

$23,795

Credits:

15 - 18

Deadlines

Apply By:

9/15/25

Withdraw By:

10/15/25

Requirements

$95 Online Application Fee
Complete Application
Transcript - Official
Copy of Passport
Program Participation Agreement

Eligibility

Course Prerequisites:

Some courses may have prerequisites.

Minimum GPA:

3.0

Education Completed:

1 Year of College completed prior to program start

Get a Flight Credit worth up to $500 when you apply with code* by January 1, 2025

Where You'll Study

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) was founded in 1880 and is now ranked one of the top 100 universities in the world. With a focus on research and academic excellence, VU Amsterdam hosts abo...

Clubs & Organizations
Clubs & Organizations
Student Government
Student Government
Student Center
Student Center
Student Lounge
Student Lounge
15-18

Credits

Program Structure & Courses

You’ll enroll in 4 to 5 VU courses. Each semester is divided into block periods. Block periods are each 8 weeks, with 7 weeks of classes and 1 week of exams. In the Fall semester, you select from courses offered in Period 1 and Period 2. In the Spring semester, you select from courses offered in Period 4 and Period 5. In the Spring-Extended semester, you have the option to extend your stay in Amsterdam and take an additional course in Period 6.

You take two courses per Period. You have the option to enroll in an elective focused on Dutch language or culture. This elective runs across two Periods and is taught in the evenings.

Each semester, you take a minimum of 12 credits and a maximum of 15 credits. If you select the Spring-Extended semester, you can take a minimum of 15 credits and a maximum of 18 credits. Courses are generally awarded 6 ECTS credits, which transfer to 3 US Credits per course.

Classes generally meet Monday – Friday. Active learning components required by courses may be scheduled any day of the week. Classes are not necessarily offered on the same day each week. For this reason we highly recommend that, within each period, you choose electives from the same thematic area to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Prior to departure, you will indicate your preferred courses, as well as two alternative options per Period. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines. Registration for all classes will take place before you arrive on campus, so you will have your finalized schedule in place early.

Academic accommodations are available at VU Amsterdam for students who provide documentation from a psychologist or health care provider. Policies at VU may differ from those available at your home university. Please contact CEA CAPA directly if you will be applying for academic accommodation so that we can connect you with the correct application procedures. 

Students receive a transcript from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam upon completing the program.

All Levels Course Structure

Courses

The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings will not be finalized until the start of the term.

*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.

Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Contesting Images - Period 4 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Biochemistry - Period 4+5 * 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Discover Dutch: Language & Culture 100 Ot 84 3
Imagining the Dutch: Themes Dutch History 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Data Engineering - Period 4 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Asset Pricing - Period 4 400 En 84 3
Financial Markets and Institutions- Period 4 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Beyond Gender Inequalities - Period 4 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Social Media Analytics - Period 4 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Modern Philosophy - Period 4 200 En 84 3
Philosophy of Mind - Period 4 100 En 84 3
Philosophy of Science - Period 4 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
From Quantum to Molecule - Period 4 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
History of Political Thought- Period 4 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Emotion and Social Cognition - Period 4 300 En 84 3
Sensation and Perception - Period 4 300 En 84 3
Stress and Health - Period 4 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Global Supply Chain Management- Period 4 100 En 84 3
Procurement and Supply Management - Period 4 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Accounting- Period 5 100 En 84 3
Auditing-Period 5 300 En 84 3
Management Accounting - Period 5 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Anthropology of Religion - Period 5 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Language Testing - Period 5 300 En 84 3
Life Writing - Period 5 100 En 84 3
Psycholinguistics - Period 5 100 En 84 3
World Heritage and Conflict - Period 5 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Introduction to Statistics - Period 5 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Literature in a Visual Culture 2 - Period 5 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Behaviour and the Brain part 1: Addiction - Period 5 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Continental Philosophy- Period 5 100 En 84 3
Metaphysics - Period 5 300 En 84 3
Philosophy and Ethics - Period 5 200 En 42 1.5
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Themes in Political History - Period 5+6 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Empowering People for Societal Changes - Period 5 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Business Processes- Period 6 100 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Language Policy in Multilingual Settings - Period 6 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Advanced Practical - Period 6 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Security and Safety Engineering - Period 6 200 En 84 3
Software Engineering Processes - Period 6 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Epidemiology - Period 6 200 En 84 3
Immunology - Period 6 100 En 84 3
International Public Health - Period 6 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Ethics - Period 6 200 En 84 3
Language, Culture and Variation - Period 6 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Mathematical Modelling of Dynamical Systems - Period 6 100 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Behaviour and the Brain 2: Cognitive Neuroscience - Period 6 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Philosophy of Science and Ethics - Period 6 300 En 84 3
Text Course II - Period 6 300 En 84 3

Interested in taking your career to the next level?

Where You'll Stay

*Housing options may change and will be confirmed on the housing application form prior to the start of the term. Below are the housing options that have been offered in the past.

Excursions

Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.

What's Included in your Program

From housing to excursions, our programs include a variety of inclusions to enhance your study abroad experience! Here are examples that may be available in Amsterdam. Inclusions vary by program – please contact our Enrollment and Advising team to find out what options are available for you.

  • Personalized Pre-Departure Advising
  • Visa & Immigration Advising
  • Financial Advising
  • Tuition and Registration
  • Airport Pick-up
  • Onsite Orientation
  • City Tour
  • Onsite Staff Support
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance
  • Travel Medical Insurance
  • International Emergency Service Support
  • Welcome & Farewell Events
  • Centrally Located Housing
  • Wellness Activities
  • Cultural Engagement
  • Excursions
  • Student Clubs & Organizations
  • Host Institution Services & Amenities
  • Official Transcript(s)
  • VU Scholarship Opportunities

Sample Calendar

The calendar for this program is coming soon; please check back later.


Sample Budget

The sample budget is unavailable at this time. Please check back later or ask your CEA CAPA Admissions Counselor/Site Specialist for a comparable program's sample budget.