VU University Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) is a public research university in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) was founded in 1880 by a group of Calvinists led by Abraham Kuyper. Kuyper was a theologian, journalist, politician, and prime minister of the Netherlands from 1901 to 1905. He founded VU Amsterdam as a Protestant Christian university, and over the years it has interpreted this unique identity in many ways.

In the early days, VU Amsterdam was small and located in the center of Amsterdam. The main building was at Keizersgracht 162, where three faculties were housed: theology, law, and humanities. By the beginning of the twentieth century, the university had begun to grow. In 1904, the university moved to its current location in the southern part of Amsterdam.

VU Amsterdam continued to grow throughout the twentieth century. In the 1960s and 1970s, the university experienced a period of rapid expansion. New faculties were added, including economics and business, social sciences, and the natural sciences. The university also expanded its campus.

VU Amsterdam is a vibrant and dynamic university with a rich history. The university is committed to providing its students with a high-quality education and to conducting research that makes a positive impact on the world.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2025, VU University Amsterdam is positioned as the #221 top university in the world, which makes it the #9 top university in Netherlands. The university's global rank decreased by 14 points from last year.