Information for term Social Sciences + Humanities
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenBring your interest in Dutch language, society, politics, and culture to this progressive, multicultural city for coursework across social science and humanities in English at CIEE Amsterdam and our cosmopolitan partner, University of Amsterdam (UvA). Select from Dutch language learning at the Dutch Language Institute (INTT) which is part of UvA and courses across disciplines including anthropology, European studies, film studies, history, international relations, media, psychology, sociology, urban studies, and more. All courses are complemented with CIEE co-curricular activities and excursions beyond the city to enhance classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding.
Follow our Travels:
Unique Experiences
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Get around by bike
– it’s the Dutch way – and the best way to get a closer perspective of this multicultural city.
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Get a multinational perspective
on everything you study by working side by side with the international student body at University of Amsterdam.
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Live like the locals
by taking a bike tour, attending a special exhibition at the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, or another world-class institution.
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bridges
1281 -
nationalities
180 -
annual visitors to the Anne Frank house
1.2M
Location & Culture
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Your Destination
If you find yourself wondering why it’s so easy to feel at home in Amsterdam, chalk it up to “gezellig.” Roughly translated, that’s Dutch for cozy or home-like – a sensibility commonly associated with this city. Compact and easy to navigate by bike or on foot, Amsterdam houses more than 6,000 buildings from the 16th century forward that are protected for historic importance. It’s loaded with charm and treasures, from the gabled houses that stand shoulder to shoulder along the canals, to glorious masterpieces by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Matisse, and more.
The Culture
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- Travel overnight to experience life in another Dutch city or slip out of urban life at a coastal preserve.
- Take day trips that highlight Dutch innovation outside the city rings of Amsterdam.
- Cheer alongside Dutch fans at a soccer match, or experience Dutch theatre or dance at a historic performance hall.
- Team up with a student coach from the University of Amsterdam’s International Student Network (ISN), and enjoy city outings with your own group of international students at the UvA.
PROJECTS
- Get to know Dutch youngsters by volunteering to teach English once a week at a local Amsterdam school.
- Join one of several weekly activites. From exploring Amsterdam’s multicultural composition, to its status as a global culinary capital or a hub for business innovation, there’s a way to pursue nearly every interest and explore nearly every facet of Amsterdam.
- Take part in a Power and Privilege workshop to explore the uneven distribution of power and privilege in the Netherlands along gendered, raced, and classed lines.
- Lend your voice to the Student Representative Council and help shape CIEE Amsterdam’s activities and programming.
- Sign up for a weekend homestay, and get to meet and spend a weekend with a Dutch family.
Program Blogs
Click to OpenProgram Blogs
Daily Life
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HOUSING
Homestays: Live with a Dutch host and immerse yourself in the local language and culture. Whether you’re placed with a single person or a family with children, you’ll have daily breakfast and lunch plus one additional meal with your host each week.
Residence Hall The Student Hotel: The Student Hotel Amsterdam West provides a comfortable housing option that American students may be most familiar with. Students live in single rooms with a private bathroom. Located about 20 minutes by bike or public transportation from the city center, this is a great option for students who prefer an American dorm style experience abroad.
Residence Halls De Key: Housing agency De Key provides studio apartments in a modern building, which is shared with Dutch and other international students. Students live in single rooms with a private bathroom and kitchenette. Located in Amsterdam West about 20 minutes by bike or public transportation from the city center, this is a great option for a student wanting to live as Dutch students do during their semester abroad.
Transportation: Students are responsible for paying their own travel costs in and around Amsterdam. The best way to travel around the city is by bike. Through rain or shine, the Dutch will steadfastly cycle to work, school, and back home – and you can too! CIEE staff will recommend how to get a bike once you arrive on site.
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MEALS
Students in residence halls are responsible for their own meals. Students in homestays are responsible for dinner, six days a week; at a minimum, they will share a meal with their host one evening per week.
Amsterdam, Netherlands Where You'll Study
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A
CIEE STUDY CENTER
Steps from the University of Amsterdam, on the eastern side of the city center.
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B
UNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, FACULTY OF HUMANITIES
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C
Getting Around
An exceptionally walkable and bike-friendly city, Amsterdam also has easily accessible public trams, busses, and metros.
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
This program invites students to study a range of social science and humanities courses at CIEE Amsterdam and University of Amsterdam (UvA). Semesters at UvA consist of three 8-week blocks but CIEE students are only present for the first two blocks. Courses run either for one or two blocks. Students can also take CIEE classes which are taught at two locations in the vicinity of the UvA Roeterseiland campus.
University of Amsterdam (UvA) is the third oldest university in the Netherlands and one of the largest universities in Europe with over 30,000 students divided over seven major faculties.
Dutch Language Institute at the University of Amsterdam (INTT) offers Dutch courses at all levels to students of the University of Amsterdam and other highly educated foreign language speakers.
CIEE Amsterdam is conveniently located across the street from UvA in a thriving, student-friendly neighborhood with cafés, restaurants, and picturesque canals.
GPA
3.0
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Additional Requirements
Students must be juniors or seniors when the program starts.
Program Requirements
- Students must take at least one course at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) but the remainder of classes can be CIEE courses.
- Students should take at least two classes in each block.
Program Credit
Total credit: 15 U.S. semester/22.5 quarter
Course Credit
- CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours
- University of Amsterdam courses: typically, 3-6 U.S. semester/4.5-9 quarter credits; 30-60 contact hours
Academic Culture
Classes are held Monday through Friday. Students should be ready to take initiative and approach coursework more independently than they may be accustomed to.
Class Format
While CIEE classes are composed only of CIEE students, classes at the University of Amsterdam usually feature a combination of Dutch students and international students from all over the world. Classes typically meet twice a week for a lecture and discussion session. While discussion sessions are capped at 25 to 30 students, lectures can be significantly larger.
Grading
Grades are based on a range of assessment methods, including presentations, papers, and written exams, along with class participation. Grades are awarded on a scale of 1-10. CIEE will convert grades to a U.S. letter-based scale.
Language of Instruction
English
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
Course Notes
- The UvA semester runs on a block system and CIEE students are present only for the first two of the three semester blocks. The fall semester is the 1st semester of the academic year and therefore starts with block 1. The spring semester is the 2nd semester of the academic year and therefore starts with block 4.
- Most CIEE courses run during the first two blocks of the semester.
Spring 2021 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenBusiness, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Health Professions and Related Programs
Languages and Cultural Studies
Psychology
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Host Institution Courses
Click to OpenUNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM COURSES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
The following list of courses constitutes a representative sample of course offerings through the University of Amsterdam and is subject to change. Not all courses listed are offered every semester, and some courses have pre-requisites. The final list of courses is made available before the semester begins.
College of Social Sciences
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Political Science
- Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Social Geography and Urban Planning
- Sociology
- Communication Science
- Cultural Anthropology
- Child Education and Development
Faculty of Humanities
- Arts, Religion and Cultural Sciences
- Dutch Studies
- History
- Archeology and Area Studies
- Language and Literature
- Media Studies
- Philosophy
- Modern European Languages
UNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM - DUTCH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE COURSES
Beginners
For those who understand some Dutch but are incapable, or almost incapable, of making themselves understood in Dutch. The main objectives of the course are to help participants acquire a basic vocabulary of Dutch, enable them to understand simple spoken and written Dutch, and teach them how to make themselves understood in elementary spoken and written Dutch.
Pre-Intermediate
For those who have a global understanding of simple, everyday Dutch, and can make themselves understood in simple, everyday Dutch that is still full of mistakes. The aim of the course is to help participants extend a basic vocabulary of Dutch, enable them to understand simple spoken and written Dutch, and teach them how to make themselves understood in simple spoken and written Dutch.
Intermediate
For those who have a reasonable understanding of everyday Dutch and of Dutch used in the media and can make themselves understood in simple everyday Dutch but still make many mistakes. The aim of the course is to help participants extend a basic vocabulary of Dutch, enable them to understand spoken and written Dutch in a variety of familiar contexts, and teach them how to make themselves understood in both spoken and written Dutch.
Pre-Advanced
For those who have a good understanding of everyday Dutch and of Dutch used in the media, and who can make themselves understood in everyday Dutch but still make quite a few mistakes. The aim of the course is to help participants to extend their vocabulary of Dutch, enable them to understand spoken and written Dutch in a variety of contexts, and improve their basic writing and speaking skills.
Advanced
Even those who have a thorough understanding of everyday Dutch and a good understanding of Dutch at an academic level still make systematic mistakes. Therefore, the advanced course can help those students who have a Dutch language background but are still looking to improve. Objectives of the advanced level are to improve participants’ writing and speaking skills. Some attention is paid to reading, listening, and extending vocabulary.
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers more than $8 million in scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2021 18 weeks | Nov 1, 2020 | Jan 25, 2021 | May 29, 2021 |
$20,450
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Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $14,733 ** Housing = $5,250 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $20,450Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $2,600 † International Airfare = $1,250 †† Local Transportation = $125 Books & Supplies = $450 Visa Fees = $200 Personal expenses = $2,750 Other = $359 ††† Total Estimated Costs = $7,734Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** breakfast and one other meal per week are included in the homestay option; no meals are included in the residence hall option † for students in the residence hall; homestay students should budget $1600 per semester for meals not included in fees †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure ††† onsite visa fee |
| Fall 2021 18 weeks | Apr 1, 2021 | Aug 19, 2021* | Dec 21, 2021* |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Looking for funding?
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Jonathan Key
Director
As the Director, Jonathan is first and foremost committed to ensuring that students who study in Amsterdam are afforded every opportunity to pursue their academic interests during their study abroad experience.
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Ruth Sudholter
Program Manager
As Program Manager at the Amsterdam Study Center, Ruth works with customized programs and coordination of the Social Sciences program...
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
2
CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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