Amsterdam is one of the most vibrant, multicultural cities in the world. The city is a great place to live for students, offering a unique experience to people from all walks of life.

However, finding student accommodation in Amsterdam can be challenging. Student.com will make your search for student housing in Amsterdam a lot easier.

Use our search filters and mapping feature to find fully furnished student apartments with reasonable prices near the city centre. Our student housing options in Amsterdam range from shared student rooms to fully private single room studios.

To learn more about how we can help you with your student accommodation in Amsterdam, call us or send a quick message through live chat on the bottom right-hand corner of this page.

Amsterdam at a glance

Amsterdam is located in a flat and low-lying area mainly on the south bank of the IJ in the Netherlands. The city first took shape as a small medieval settlement on dikes containing the Amstel, which was dammed to control flooding, hence its name.

Despite not being as big as some European megacities, the city is the biggest in the Netherlands, its capital and the principal commercial centre. It has a network of canals and there are about 90 “islands,” and 1,500 bridges and viaducts.

The small-town metropolis is more than 700 years old. And while it lacks the monumental architecture like imposing statues found in other capitals, there are other reminders of its great history.

The superbly preserved patrician and gabled houses, noble brick facades clad with sandstone, centuries-old canals, richly decorated cornices, the music of carillons and barrel organs form a living museum of a bygone age.

Amsterdam possesses a modern metro system with reliable trams, buses and trains but the bicycle remains the preferred mode of transport for many - a symbol of the city balancing tradition with innovation.

Amsterdammers love their two-wheeled friends. Whether rain or shine, they ride them everywhere. And there is good reason why. ‘The city of cycles’ is extraordinarily flat, so it is naturally very easy to get around. It is also easy and inexpensive to travel further afield.

Exploring further

If you feel like exploring the rest of the Netherlands, or if you need a study break in Paris, are in search of creative inspiration in Berlin, or want to enjoy a post-exam party or beach holiday in Barcelona, you’re in luck.

Because of its location and convenient transportation links, Amsterdam is a gateway to the rest of Europe with other exciting destinations a hop, skip and a short flight away.

Amsterdam is a cosmopolitan city

Although you can easily get out of town when you want to, it is not like you’ll necessarily need to however, considering the level of activity and interest in Amsterdam.

As a cosmopolitan city with a liberal ethos, Amsterdam has much to offer students and people from all walks of life.

With some of the world’s best museums, galleries and concert venues, art and culture is a way of life in Amsterdam. With around 40 museums and over 100 galleries, the arts play a pivotal role in the Amsterdam economy, employing thousands of people and generating nearly $1 billion in revenues annually.

Student life in Amsterdam

With its great social life and small city feel, Amsterdam provides a rich student life experience for both domestic and international students.

The city is popular amongst students ranking 11th worldwide in Mercer’s 2019 ‘Quality of Living Survey’, 1st in Europe, and 4th globally in The Economist’s Safe Cities Index 2019.

With welcoming, happy people in tight-knit neighbourhoods and an atmosphere of freedom and tolerance, you’ll feel right at home in multi-cultural, multi-lingual Amsterdam.

Part of what gives Amsterdam its rich and varied culture is its open-minded attitude. Everyone is welcome, so it’s no surprise that the city’s population of one million is made up of people from over 180 countries.

If you’re an English speaker, you won’t have to worry about learning Dutch or any other language because English proficiency is exceptionally high in Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands. The world’s most widely spoken language is used as an official second language.

This is one of the primary reasons the city is one of continental Europe’s most popular choices for international study, with an international students’ community as diverse as the general population.

You’ll have lots of company, and your social calendar will surely be packed. The city’s impressive range of museums and galleries and a wide array of activities are perfect for filling those gaps between classes.

Nightlife

Amsterdam is ready to party every night of the week and has something for everyone from electro beats, live rock bands, or an intimate jazz show.

Nightlife in the centre of the city is largely clustered in the Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein areas which offer a variety of venues, including dance clubs, bars and casual clubs that are popular with students.

Leidseplein offers a wide variety of live music venues and a cluster of cosy Irish pubs. Amsterdam’s three biggest venues – the Ziggo Dome, Johan Cruijff ArenA, and AFAS Live are all located in Amsterdam Zuidoost, a vibrant cultural melting pot with large-scale entertainment. There is also a range of clubs throughout the city, with many of the most popular ones located on the outskirts of the city.

Places to relax

If you prefer to chill and relax, the recreational options in Amsterdam are extensive.

The Amsterdam Woods (Amsterdamse Bos), the seaside resort of Zandvoort and Sloter Lake (Sloterplas) to the west along with many smaller lakes to the south and north of the city offer plenty of opportunities for students to recharge.

Also, several of the city’s coffee shops or brown cafes serve up good food and drinks in ambient atmospheres with a calming effect.

Plenty of student discounts

Being on a budget while studying in Amsterdam doesn’t have to mean missing out on any of the fun.

You’ll get a lot of chances to save as a student in Amsterdam. Practically all the museums in the city offer student discounts, some even offering free admission.

Most cinemas in Amsterdam, including Pathé, the largest cinema chain in the Netherlands, have special discount prices for students during the week.

Try your luck at the Dutch National Opera and Ballet that offer some good unsold seats at a fraction of the original price.

By taking advantage of well-known retail stores that offer student discounts, you can look your best during your student years without putting a hole in your wallet.

Use your International Student ID Card (ISIC) in stores or online to save on everything from dining out to travel.

Amsterdam is one of the safest cities in the world

Your uni years are meant to be enjoyed and one of the best guarantees of a great student experience is studying in a safe location.

Amsterdam prides itself on its high level of safety and is often considered one of the safest cities in the world, consistently ranking inside the top ten of Safe Cities Index Reports.

Where to study in Amsterdam?

The Netherlands’ higher education system dates back to the 16th century, making it one of the oldest and most highly respected in the world. Its capital has a history of academic excellence and will set you up for the career of your dreams.

University of Amsterdam 

The University of Amsterdam (Universiteit van Amsterdam or UvA) is a modern research university with roots going back to 1632.

If you enroll at UvA, you’ll be studying at a university that ranked as the 14th best university in Europe and the 55th best in the world in the 2022 QS World University Rankings.

A member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), UvA is accredited by the Dutch government and the NVAO (The Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders).

The university’s 40,000 students from over 100 countries can choose from a vast range of subjects to study, from media to psychology, business and artificial intelligence. It ranks as one of the best in the world for Communication Science & Media.

UvA offers a wide range of English-taught degree programmes, so if you’re looking for a university where you have a lot of options for studying in English, the University of Amsterdam is a great option.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Founded in 1880, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) is an internationally renowned research university.

VU Amsterdam is a modern campus university that is consistently listed among the world’s top universities in various rankings, including QS’s 2022 World University Rankings where it placed as the 209th best university in the world.

It offers over 170 programmes in English at the Bachelors, Masters and PhD levels.

The university conducts cutting-edge research of scientific and societal importance through interdisciplinary themes including Human Health and Life Sciences, Science for Sustainability, Connected World and Governance for Society.

Out of its 26,000 students, about 4,000 are international students from over 120 different countries from all over the world, creating a dynamic international academic community.

Frequently asked questions about student accommodation in Amsterdam

How do I apply for student apartments in Amsterdam on Student.com?

Applying for student apartments in Amsterdam is easy with Student.com. Once you find a student property you would like to rent, click on ‘View rooms’ to go to the property page. There you’ll need to choose your preferred room type and click ‘Enquire’ or ‘Book Now’ to book it or to request more information. One of our booking consultants will then call you to take you through the next steps of the booking process or to answer your questions.

Do you list shared rooms as well as single rooms and studios?

We have three different types of rooms available in Amsterdam.

Shared Rooms accommodate two or more people in one bedroom. Additional living spaces such as living room, kitchen and bathroom are shared with other tenants from other rooms.

Private Rooms accommodate one person per bedroom. Depending on the property, your bathroom may be either private or shared. Other living areas are shared with other tenants from other rooms.

The Entire Place is a fully private property with completely private living spaces. This is a fully self-contained studio property with your own bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette.

Do you list rooms near the city centre?

Yes, some of the rooms we list are within walking distance of the Amsterdam city centre.

Are the rooms you list fully furnished?

Yes, all the student apartments we currently list in Amsterdam are fully furnished.

Do I have to pay a deposit to secure my booking?

Yes, a deposit will be required to secure your booking with the landlord. You’ll get more information about paying the deposit from your booking consultant once you are ready to sign your rental agreement.