All students take a 4-credit Dutch language course offered at four levels throughout the academic year in addition to regular university courses. Fall semester and full-year students are encouraged to take an intensive Dutch language course offered before the start of the academic year in August. Students with adequate proficiency in the Dutch language may take courses from all departments in the university for which they are qualified. Dutch students from UvA serve as mentors, providing guidance and an introduction to Dutch cultural and social life. Housing Students are typically housed in university dormitories in the center of the city.
Rooms are single or double occupancy with shared baths and kitchens.
The cost of housing is included in tuition. The University also offers a variety of clubs, although most activities are conducted in Dutch. Students who make an effort to learn the language and communicate with the Dutch students are warmly welcomed and accommodated. In order to attract some of the best students from around the world, UvA has developed very strong mainstream academic programs in English, taught by distinguished faculty. The University as a whole enrolls close to 23,000 students in 17 faculties, including more than 1,200 international students and researchers.