University of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam is one of the major
comprehensive universities in Europe
First founded as the Athenaeum Illustre in 1632, the University of
Amsterdam was built to educate students in Trade and Philosophy. During
the early days, when this establishment was not yet a proper university, the lessons were generally given at the
homes of the professors. Until the nineteenth century, the Athenaeum
remained as a small institution, with no more than 250 students and eight teachers.
Universiteit van Amsterdam - UvA
In 1877, the Athenaeum Illustre saw its boom when it was changed to
Universiteit van Amsterdam, now known as UvA or University of Amsterdam. It was also during that time that the
University of Amsterdam was permitted to bestow the highest educational degrees.

Since the name change, years of
rapid growth lay ahead. By 1900, it was recorded that there were about 900 students studying at the University of
Amsterdam. This number had risen to 2,500 by 1935, and to 7,500 by 1960. The following years, more fields of study
and research were introduced and the new university departments were formed.
One of the major European universities
The University of Amsterdam these days has already more than 22,000
students. (Amsterdam provides good apartments and studio
accommodation outside the university.) It is also worth noting that from Trade to Philosophy, the original
Athenaeum Illustre had expanded into a comprehensive university offering almost 60 disciplinary fields. Of these
fields, the field of technology is an exception.
With its number of students, the University of Amsterdam achieved the
title of being one of the major comprehensive universities in the whole continent of Europe. The title is also
attributed to the university’s budget of 487 million euros. The University of Amsterdam currently has a strong
internalization programme and as an Amsterdam-based university, they offer a number of Dutch and English language
courses. In addition, the University has seven faculties covering humanities, social and behavioral sciences,
economic and business, medicine and dentistry, science, and law.
Comprehensive range of academic studies
It is further interesting to know that the University of Amsterdam
offers a comprehensive range of academic study programmes. They also publish scholarly articles of around 7,500
every year. As it is highly claimed, the fundamental academic research of the university is top of the
international league in a number of respects. And, in terms of their applied research programmes, it has been noted
that these programmes are often of interdisciplinary nature and they generally often focus on the social
issues.

The University of Amsterdam accepts students from around the world, giving it an international
atmosphere.
What’s more interesting to know is the fact that the University now
has a number of great libraries and museums. In particular, there is the University Musuem, Art and the UvA, Allard
Pierson Museum, Museum Vrolik, Schriftmusuem J.A. Dortmond, UvA Computer Museum, Zoological Museum Amsterdam, and
Libraries. All of these carry a great collection of necessary materials like documentation, records, art crafts,
and a lot more.
International academic environment
Finally, as a well-known and reputable institution, the University of
Amsterdam now strives so hard to offer an inspiring and broadly oriented international academic environment where
both members of the staff and students can enhance their capabilities to achieve an optimum result. It is
interesting to know that the University of Amsterdam is now characterized by a critical, creative and international
atmosphere, open minded and strongly engaged with society. And, since it was founded in both the historic and
modern buildings spread throughout the city, the University greatly forms an integral part of the
Amsterdam.
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