Amsterdam University College

Excellence and Diversity in a Global City

The AUC student community
As a member of the AUC student community you belong to a vibrant international group of young people interested in studying real-world problems that cross the boundaries of academic disciplines. Through working in a diverse environment of different languages and cultures, you will develop your creativity and critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills. You are driven by a strong motivation to learn and a great commitment to the diversity of the AUC student community. From this foundation, you aim to contribute to important debates about the world and its future and to make a difference!

The AUC programme

Amsterdam University College (AUC) is a joint institute of the University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam. A commitment to excellence, diversity, and the global perspective defines and drives AUC. The AUC programme challenges you from day one to think and debate about the ‘big questions’ in science and society. You will engage on a daily basis in intensive and small-scale seminars with high calibre international staff. As students of today and leaders of tomorrow, you will learn how to cooperate and compete at the international level. AUC offers a liberal arts and sciences programme, leading to a Bachelor (Honours) degree. A liberal education teaches you to read intelligently, think critically and write effectively. At AUC you will be trained to analyse complex issues from different perspectives and academic fields of knowledge. Discussions start from ‘Big Questions in Science and Society’ and lead to in-depth study in a wide range of disciplines.

You can major in the sciences, social sciences or humanities.

Six interdisciplinary themes provide an orientation to your major:

• Energy, Climate and Sustainability
• Life, Evolution, Universe
• Health and Well-being
• Information, Communication, Cognition
• Social Systems
• Cities and Cultures

Substantial emphasis is placed on scientific reasoning within an interdisciplinary approach. AUC enrolls up to 50% science majors. Each semester you will select your courses from the AUC course catalogue. Outside of the obligatory academic core courses, your course options will be influenced by your choice of major and theme. An AUC tutor will support you in this process, to ensure that the programme you put together is solid and coherent.

Admission to AUC

As a residential and selective honours college, AUC attracts students from all over the world. Applicants are assessed on the basis of their academic performance, interests and motivation. The AUC Scholarship Fund promotes diversity in the student body with generous support from the international business community.

The AUC campus

Your time at AUC will become a true intercultural and social learning experience. AUC students live and study together on our modern international campus, located in the Science Park Amsterdam.

After AUC

As an AUC graduate you will be prepared for continuing your studies at the Master and PhD level at major research universities in the Netherlands and abroad, or to pursue a career in international corporate or public organisations.
Some key data

• AUC’s student population: 50% international
• AUC’s faculty: approximately 70% international background
• Focus on science: AUC enrolls up to 50% science majors
• AUC is accredited by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO).

For more information see: www.auc.nl