It depends a great deal on the programme. Many bachelor's at UvA have admission based on meeting the requirements (diploma, English, possibly mathematics) plus a matching procedure with a non-binding recommendation, so they are accessible if you have the right profile. The highly sought-after programmes, with a Numerus Fixus (for example Psychology, Communication Science or PPLE), have competitive selection for a fixed number of places and are harder to get into. For Romanians, a solid Baccalaureate plus English at the required level (IELTS 6.0-6.5) is the starting point. For Numerus Fixus the motivation letter and academic results also count.

As an EU citizen, you pay the statutory EU fee, approximately EUR 2,694 per year, with a 50 percent reduction in the first year (approximately EUR 1,347 in year 1). A non-EU student pays the institutional fee, from approximately EUR 12,000 up to over EUR 34,800 per year, depending on the programme. Accommodation Amsterdam: EUR 600-EUR 1,000/month. Food: EUR 250-EUR 350/month. Transport and expenses: EUR 100-EUR 150/month. Total cost per year all-in: approximately EUR 14,000-EUR 18,000. Total tuition over 3 years of a bachelor's: approximately EUR 6,735. Research university bachelor's degrees in the Netherlands last 3 years (180 ECTS).

Numerus Fixus means that a programme has a fixed number of places set annually, so selection is carried out among candidates. These programmes have an earlier deadline, 15 January, and a selection procedure (grades, motivation letter, possibly a test or interview), with results generally by 15 April. At UvA the Numerus Fixus programmes vary from year to year and often include the most sought-after bachelor's, for example Psychology, Communication Science or PPLE. Programmes without Numerus Fixus use a matching procedure with a non-binding recommendation and have a later deadline. Always check the status of your programme for the given year on the UvA website.

Studielink is the national platform through which you apply to all public universities in the Netherlands. You create an account, identify yourself (EU citizens use DigiD or registration as an international student), choose University of Amsterdam and the programme you want. After you submit your request through Studielink, you receive access to UvA's own application, where you upload the documents: the Baccalaureate diploma (or certificate), the transcript of records, proof of English (IELTS 6.0-6.5), passport and a motivation letter if the programme requires it. Watch the deadline: Numerus Fixus programmes have a 15 January deadline, the rest have later deadlines (often 1 May for EU citizens), but it is best to apply early.

Yes, UvA is an English-speaking university for a wide range of programmes. It offers over 20 bachelor's taught entirely in English, among them Economics and Business Economics, Communication Science, Political Science, Psychology, PPLE (Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics) and Liberal Arts and Sciences. At master's level the English-language offer is even broader, with UvA being among the universities with the most English-taught master's programmes in Europe. You do not need Dutch to study an English-taught programme, although learning the language helps with day-to-day life and with a job. For the English-taught programmes you need IELTS 6.0-6.5 or equivalent. WIB note: the Dutch Wet internationalisering in balans law, currently being phased in, aims to rebalance internationalisation and may gradually reduce some English-taught programmes; check the exact language of your programme when you apply.

UvA is a comprehensive university with clear strengths in social sciences, communication and media, economics and the humanities. Communication Science is consistently ranked among the best in the world. Other strong points: Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Economics and Business Economics, Law, plus the humanities (history, philosophy, languages, media). Interdisciplinary programmes valued by international students: PPLE (Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics) and Liberal Arts and Sciences. If you are interested in the exact sciences, UvA also has a strong Science Park (computer science, physics, biology, mathematics).

No. As a Romanian (EU) citizen you do not need a visa or residence permit to study in the Netherlands. You only need a valid Romanian passport or identity card. After arriving in Amsterdam you register with the municipality (gemeente) in the BRP register and receive a BSN (Burgerservicenummer), the personal number needed for a bank account, health insurance and a part-time job. You need health insurance (the European Health Insurance Card at first, or Dutch insurance if you start working). As an EU citizen you also automatically have the right to work part-time without a permit.

Yes, as an EU citizen you automatically have the right to work in the Netherlands without a visa or work permit. The Netherlands has a strong, international economy, with major hubs in Amsterdam: technology (Booking.com, Adyen, Uber EMEA), finance (ING, ABN AMRO), media, consulting and a large ecosystem of international companies with English as the working language. Many UvA graduates stay in Amsterdam because the job market works well in English. With an EU degree, you can later work anywhere in the European Union without a visa. English is enough for many jobs, but Dutch helps for certain roles and for long-term integration.