Programs/Bachelor/General programmes
★ StudyPath verdict
7.5/10
Best for students interested in classical antiquity seeking interdisciplinary bachelor in history, archaeology, philosophy and literature at VU Amsterdam. Tradeoff: broad scope may lead to specialisation in masters.
Tuition · Intl
€17,500
EU: €2,694/year · click ↗
Duration
3 years
180 ECTS
Start
Sep 26
apply by May 26
Language
English
IELTS 6.5+
Accred.
NVAO
NVAO 2020
Admission
Open
no intake cap
Enrolled/yr
12
DUO ↑100% ↗
Intl. %
?
no data yet
S:F ratio
25:1
institution-wide ↗
Min. English
6.5
IELTS required
Entry route
Any VWO
profile required ↗
Satisfaction
?
no data yet
Employment
?
no data yet
Median salary
?
no data yet
Alumni
?
no data yet
↗ Real values are sourced; tiles marked “?” aren’t collected yet · Enrolled/yr is live from DUOLast sync: 23 Jun 2026
About this program
Was Caesar the first populist? Can Harry Potter be regarded as a mythological hero? The Bachelor's programme in Ancient Studies investigates the Classical cultures that lie at the roots of our modern world. You will gain insight in the art, literature, philosophy, history, and mythology of Antiquity. You will learn to conduct solid research into ancient topics and use your historical knowledge to develop a critical outlook on contemporary trends and developments. Five reasons to choose Ancient Studies at VU Amsterdam: * You use historical knowledge to understand contemporary events and phenomena. * You approach these topics from different disciplinary perspectives, from archaeology and history to language and literature studies. * You can tailor your degree to your own interests by choosing one of five specialisations: Archaeology, Ancient History, Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Ancient Greek or Latin. * The programme has a small-scale setup and you enjoy close personal contact with your lecturers. * The programme is offered in a unique collaboration between the two Amsterdam universities, VU Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam (UvA).
Institution’s own description (HOVI via Studiekeuzedatabase)
English180 ECTSBachelor of ArtsField area: Language & CultureSector: Kunst en CultuurCode of Conduct (intl.)Full-timeBachelor
About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) is a public research university founded in 1880. Known for its international outlook and innovative research, VU has over 30,000 students and offers programs across humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
Living in Amsterdam
Student cost of living
Rent · room
€700/mo
Monthly total
€1,000–€2,000
Cost of living
High
Population
873k

Bustling, international, and culturally rich. Amsterdam balances historic charm with modern innovation. The city is bike-friendly, walkable, and offers endless opportunities for exploration and networking.

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Specializations
Year 3 tracks
?No data yet
Curriculum
Course structure by year
?No curriculum data yet
Career outcomes
Graduate surveys · field-group level
Where bachelor graduates continue
Oudheidstudies24%
Field-group estimates from national graduate surveys via Studiekeuzedatabase — not measured per programme
Progression & cohort
Official register statistics
Women among first-years63%
Official register statistics (1cijferHO) via Studiekeuzedatabase
Student voices
First-party reviews — not collected yet
?No reviews yet
Application timeline
Application deadline
2026-05-01
Non-EU deadline
2026-04-01
Application deadline
2027-05-01
Non-EU deadline
2027-04-01
Application deadline
2028-05-01
Upcoming open days
Open day
6 Nov 2026
Open day
7 Nov 2026
Open day
6 Feb 2027
Admissions
Minimum language scores · from StudyInNL
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • TOEFL iBT: 92
Internships
?No data yet
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