Study in Europe › Netherlands › VU Amsterdam

BSc Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Faculty of Social Sciences) · Amsterdam, Netherlands

100% taught in EnglishApply via Studielink, not the CAOOpen entryOpen entryFieldworkMaths required
Duration3 years
StartsSept 2027
EntryOpen entry
Deadline (EU)1 May 2027
EU fee 2026/27€2,694 / yr

About the course

Looks at social issues such as climate and migration through an anthropological lens, focusing on culture, power and identity. You can choose a research, practice or creative path, with optional fieldwork.

Entry requirements for Irish students

  • Leaving Certificate (Established) with at least 6 exam subjects, including 2 at H5 or higher and 4 at O6/H7 or higher, plus a minimum of 350 CAO points. The LCVP is also accepted (6 subjects plus Link Modules, same grade rules and 350 points).
  • You must show sufficient maths proficiency. VU accepts Dutch VWO diplomas of all profiles, and its entrance exam for applicants without enough maths is at Dutch Mathematics C level (pass 5.5/10, or 60% in the OMPT-E online test). VU does not publish a Leaving Cert maths grade, so confirm with admissions. Proof of English proficiency is also required.

How to apply

  1. Apply in StudielinkSelect Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology in Studielink before 1 May 2027 (EU/EEA).
  2. Choose the English trackIn your VU dashboard, confirm the English-taught track, upload your documents (PDF) and pay the €100 fee for non-Dutch diplomas. Complete within six weeks, and no later than one week after the deadline.
  3. Study Choice CheckTake part in the Study Choice Check (on campus in June 2027, date announced in February). Not mandatory but recommended.
  4. Decision and enrolmentVU aims to decide within 4-6 weeks of a complete application. Send final Leaving Cert results and pay fees by the deadline VU gives you (31 August in the 2026-27 cycle).
Deadline for Irish/EU applicants: 1 May 2027 (EU/EEA applicants, via Studielink).

Costs

  • Standard Dutch EU fee: €2,694 (2026/27). The 2027/28 fee is set by the Dutch government each year (expected to be close to €2,800).
  • EU students may be eligible for a Dutch tuition-fee loan (DUO).
Open-entry course: if you meet the requirements, you get a place. There is one Studielink entry for both language tracks; you pick the English-taught track in your VU dashboard.

At a glance

CountryNetherlands
CityAmsterdam
LanguageEnglish
Apply viaStudielink
PlacesNo cap
EntryOpen entry
Admissions ↗Irish diploma requirements ↗How to apply ↗← Back to all European courses

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Checked against the official VU Amsterdam website: September 2026 (2027 entry). The Irish Leaving Cert rule comes from VU’s 2026-27 diploma list, and decision times and the 31 August payment deadline come from the 2026-27 apply page, so please confirm with the university. Always confirm details with the university before applying.