Honors Program

Amsterdam, Netherlands
Honors Program

About the Program

Take excellence to the next level by digging into the advanced academics that VU Amsterdam has to offer. This highly competitive program, available only in the Spring semester, allows you to complement your coursework with honors courses from a variety of themes. Honors courses are interdisciplinary, small seminar-style courses which emphasize student discussion. You'll study alongside degree-seeking international and Dutch students for an integrated experience. A Spring-Extended option is available for students who want to earn additional credits.

Program Notes


VU Amsterdam is a highly competitive program. Students applying for this program will be waitlisted for admission, and will know their acceptance decision no later than October 15. We encourage you to work with your CEA CAPA Student Advisor to identify a backup program option.

Requirements

Overview

Location:

Amsterdam

Dates:

1/30/25 - 5/31/25

Price:

$23,195

Credits:

12 - 15

Deadlines

Apply By:

Closed

Withdraw By:

10/15/24

Requirements

Transcript - Unofficial
Complete Application
$95 Online Application Fee
Program Participation Agreement
Motivation Letter

Eligibility

Education Completed:

1 Year of College completed prior to program start

Course Prerequisites:

Some courses may have prerequisites.

Minimum GPA:

3.5

Get a Flight Credit worth up to $750 when you apply with code* by October 17, 2024

Where You'll Study

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) was founded in 1880 and is now ranked one of the top 100 universities in the world. With a focus on research and academic excellence, VU Amsterdam hosts abo...

Clubs & Organizations
Clubs & Organizations
Student Government
Student Government
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Student Lounge
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12-15

Credits

Program Structure & Courses

By choosing the Honors Program, you will apply for specific honors courses and electives during the Spring semester. The semester is divided into block periods. You will choose one VU Core Honors course and one VU elective course for Period 4 and one VU Core Honors course and one VU elective course for Period 5. You may also choose to add on a Dutch Culture course, for 3 US credits, that spans over Periods 4 and 5. If you enroll in the Honors Spring-Extended program, you will add another elective course in Period 6. Enrolling in the extended option allows you to stay an extra month in Amsterdam.

Elective courses are taught during the day and Honors Core courses are taught in the evenings. Classes generally meet Monday – Friday. Active learning components required by courses may be scheduled any day of the week. Classes are not necessarily offered on the same day each week.

If you enroll in the Spring program, you will enroll in 12-15 credits. If you choose the Extended semester option, you will enroll in 15-18 credits. Courses are generally awarded 6 ECTS credits, which transfer to 3 US Credits per course.

Prior to departure, you will select your preferred Honors courses. Acceptance into each Honors course is determined by a committee at VU Amsterdam. You are required to submit a Motivation Letter for each Honors course you wish to enroll in. There is no guaranteed placement in the Honors courses.

Students will need to select two alternative elective courses for each Period. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines. Registration for all classes will take place before you arrive on campus, so you will have your finalized schedule in place early.

Academic accommodations are available at VU Amsterdam for students who provide documentation from a psychologist or health care provider. Policies at VU may differ from those available at your home university. Please contact CEA CAPA directly if you will be applying for academic accommodation so that we can connect you with the correct application procedures.

Students receive a transcript from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam upon completing the program.

All Levels Course Structure

Courses

The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings will not be finalized until the start of the term.

*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.

Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
The Future Entrepreneur - Period 4+5 400 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Rebuilding Education - Period 4 400 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Illness, Image, Metaphor: Cancer in Public Discourse - Period 4 400 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Robust Timetabling for Railway Systems - Period 4 400 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Brain and Behavior - Period 4 400 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Sacred Scapes - The City and Beyond - Period 4 * 400 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Contesting Images - Period 4 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Biochemistry - Period 4+5 * 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Discover Dutch: Language & Culture 100 Ot 84 3
Imagining the Dutch: Themes Dutch History 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Data Engineering - Period 4 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Asset Pricing - Period 4 400 En 84 3
Financial Markets and Institutions- Period 4 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Beyond Gender Inequalities - Period 4 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Social Media Analytics - Period 4 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Modern Philosophy - Period 4 200 En 84 3
Philosophy of Mind - Period 4 100 En 84 3
Philosophy of Science - Period 4 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
From Quantum to Molecule - Period 4 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
History of Political Thought- Period 4 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Emotion and Social Cognition - Period 4 300 En 84 3
Sensation and Perception - Period 4 300 En 84 3
Stress and Health - Period 4 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Global Supply Chain Management- Period 4 100 En 84 3
Procurement and Supply Management - Period 4 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
International Development - Period 5 400 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Robot Law - Period 5 400 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Statistical Evidence - Period 5 400 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Music: Listening and Philosophy - Period 5 400 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Thinking and Emotions - Period 5 400 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Accounting- Period 5 100 En 84 3
Auditing-Period 5 300 En 84 3
Management Accounting - Period 5 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Anthropology of Religion - Period 5 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Literature in a Changing World 2 - Period 5 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
History of Social Science - Period 5 200 En 84 3
World History 1800-Present - Period 5 100 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Language Testing - Period 5 300 En 84 3
Life Writing - Period 5 100 En 84 3
Psycholinguistics - Period 5 100 En 84 3
World Heritage and Conflict - Period 5 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Introduction to Statistics - Period 5 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Literature in a Visual Culture 2 - Period 5 300 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Behaviour and the Brain part 1: Addiction - Period 5 200 En 84 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Continental Philosophy- Period 5 100 En 84 3
Metaphysics - Period 5 300 En 84 3
Philosophy and Ethics - Period 5 200 En 42 1.5
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Empowering People for Societal Changes - Period 5 300 En 84 3

Interested in taking your career to the next level?

Where You'll Stay

*Housing options may change and will be confirmed on the housing application form prior to the start of the term. Below are the housing options that have been offered in the past.

Excursions

Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.

What's Included in your Program

From housing to excursions, our programs include a variety of inclusions to enhance your study abroad experience! Here are examples that may be available in Amsterdam. Inclusions vary by program – please contact our Enrollment and Advising team to find out what options are available for you.

  • Personalized Pre-Departure Advising
  • Visa & Immigration Advising
  • Financial Advising
  • Tuition and Registration
  • Airport Pick-up
  • Onsite Orientation
  • City Tour
  • Onsite Staff Support
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance
  • Travel Medical Insurance
  • International Emergency Service Support
  • Welcome & Farewell Events
  • Centrally Located Housing
  • Wellness Activities
  • Cultural Engagement
  • Excursions
  • Student Clubs & Organizations
  • Host Institution Services & Amenities
  • Official Transcript(s)
  • VU Scholarship Opportunities

Sample Calendar

Below is a tentative itinerary for your program. Please note, dates and events below may change without prior notification. Contact CEA CAPA before purchasing airline tickets.

You will receive a finalized itinerary once you arrive onsite.

Note: Additional cultural activities/excursions or required course-related activities may be incorporated into your final itinerary. You are advised not to make personal travel arrangements until you have the final dates.

Date Description
January 30
Arrival/Program Begins

Official Program Start Date. Students must arrive at the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on this date in order to be eligible for airport pickup. Students will then be transferred to their assigned housing.

February 01
Orientation

Mandatory Vrije Universiteit (VU) Orientation will be held.

February 02
Orientation

Mandatory CEA CAPA Orientation will be held.

February 03
Classes Begin

Classes begin at VU on this day.

April 28 - May 02
School Break

VU is closed for Spring Break. No classes will be held.

May 28
Classes End

This is the last day of classes at VU.

May 31
Program Ends/Move-Out

Official Program End Date. Students must move out of housing no later than this day.

Sample Budget

This budget contains costs that you can take to your financial aid office. Please note that amounts may fluctuate; we've included a range of costs.

Federal law allows the use of financial aid to cover "reasonable" costs of study abroad including round-trip transportation, tuition and fees for the program, living costs, passport and visa fees, health insurance, and more.

Please note that all costs and charges listed below are subject to change without notice. With the exception of Program Price, all costs are estimates and may vary.

Description Low-Cost High-Cost
Program Fee
Tuition and fees, registration, orientation, airport pickup, welcome and farewell receptions, housing, official transcript, cultural excursions/activities, student support services, CEA On-site Staff and administrative costs.
$23,195
$23,195
International Airfare & Transfers
Cost varies depending on time of purchase, point of origin and time of travel.
$600
$1,500
Immigration Requirements
Includes passport and additional requirements such as visa, entry and exit fees, French Carte de Séjour, French University Administrative Fee (if applicable), or Italian Permesso di Soggiorno.
$515
$515
Books, Materials and Supplies
Includes books, school supplies, art supplies, and course fees. Does not include fees or supplies for optional courses. This cost varies depending on the course choices of the student.
$56
$140
Meals
Includes the average expected cost for food in addition to your meal plan, such as eating out at restaurants.
$1,691
$2,898
Personal Expenses
Includes telephone, laundry, local transportation, personal necessities and upfront payments for potential doctor visits. Please note, certain locations may require deposits to secure spots in CEA organized activities and excursions (deposits are returned at the end of the program if student attends activities/excursions or cancels participation before set deadlines). Some of these costs vary according to the spending habits of the student.
$560
$1,120
Travel Expenses
Includes additional travel outside of CEA excursions. This cost varies according to the spending habits of the student.
$1,208
$4,830
TOTAL EXPENSES $27,825 $34,198