Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence at the University of Amsterdam is a comprehensive and innovative master’s program designed to prepare students for the rapidly evolving world of intelligent systems. This programme provides in-depth knowledge of core AI techniques, including machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, and knowledge representation. Students will explore both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of artificial intelligence, enabling them to develop intelligent solutions across various domains such as healthcare, finance, and technology.

The curriculum is structured to foster critical thinking, technical expertise, and ethical awareness in AI development. Students will engage in rigorous coursework combined with hands-on projects, often collaborating with industry partners and research institutes. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, encouraging students to integrate insights from computer science, mathematics, linguistics, and cognitive science to enhance AI methods and their real-world implications.

Throughout the programme, students will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories dedicated to AI research. They will learn to design, implement, and evaluate intelligent algorithms and systems, utilizing modern programming languages and data analysis tools. The diverse faculty comprises leading researchers and practitioners who ensure the education remains at the forefront of AI innovations.

Graduates of the Artificial Intelligence master’s program at the University of Amsterdam will be well-equipped to pursue careers in academia, industry, or entrepreneurship. They will possess the skills to develop cutting-edge AI solutions while understanding the ethical, social, and legal issues associated with artificial intelligence. This program aims to produce responsible AI professionals capable of addressing complex challenges and contributing to technological advancement with integrity and societal awareness.

Master's programme Artificial Intelligence

The two year programme consists of obligatory core courses, advanced AI courses and elective courses, a specialisation and thesis. In your first year you take the obligatory core courses. In the second semester of the first year you choose your specialisation in an area of your choice. In the second year you work on your specialisation and on your thesis.  

The curriculum of the Master’s Artificial Intelligence leaves ample space for you to explore what you find interesting in and around the field of AI. You can specialise in one of the core topics or you can follow a direction that cuts across research areas.

Year 1 

Courses on core topics (42 EC)

These topics are taught by leading researchers in their fields and provide you with a solid basis and understanding of current AI research.

• Computer Vision
• Evolutionary Computing
• Information Retrieval 
• Knowledge Representation
• Machine Learning 
• Multi-Agent Systems
• Natural Language Processing

​Advanced AI courses and Elective courses (18 EC)

Year 2

In the second year of the Master’s programme you choose a specialisation in an area of your choice.This can be in a core topic or in your own designed specialisation. Both specialisations work towards a Master’s thesis through research with an associated research group at UvA or VU or in a company with an industrial problem. 

The specialisation stage consists of:

• Advanced AI courses and Elective courses (24 ECTS)
• Master’s thesis AI (36 ECTS)

Specialisations

A few examples of specialisations that you can do:

• Artificial Intelligence and Data Science

At the core of Data Science are methods for analysis of large volumes of data. Recently much more data has become available in electronic form, methods for analysis and modelling these data for prediction, classification and optimisation have become much more effective. Recent technical innovations, such as Deep Learning, provide increasingly powerful tools that make it possible to find complex patterns in very large datasets.

Much of the Master's AI is about Data Science. The obligatory courses on Machine Learning address key technology and theory for modelling large amounts of data. The courses on Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Information Retrieval and Computational Intelligence all have a strong focus on data-driven methods. For the “AI courses” in the curriculum students can choose advanced courses on these topics: Machine Learning 2, Computer Vision 2, Natural Language Processing 2, Information Retrieval 2, Deep Learning, Data Mining Techniques, Information Visualisation and Probabilistic Robotics. All these courses are about modelling data. These can be complemented by courses outside AI, for example on distributed computer systems, privacy and ethical questions, or on statistics.

• Artificial Intelligence and the Web

Many applications of AI involve the use of the World-wide Web. The WWW makes information from around the world available. The ability to find information in this enormous resource and to combine different pieces of information to answer complex questions is a challenge for AI. Data available from the web make it possible to find the context of a query and thereby produce a better ranking. The solution will be in combining information search and retrieval with reasoning methods.

The Master's programme AI makes it easy to take this as a focus. AI courses for this specialisation are Information Retrieval 2, Knowledge Representation on the Web and Knowledge Engineering. These courses extend and deepen the knowledge from the first year courses Information Retrieval 1 and Knowledge Representation. The courses Natural Language Processing 2 and Applied Language Technology further extend this knowledge to natural language interactions and to machine translation, enabling queries to be answered from information in multiple languages. 

Applicants with a Bachelor's degree

Students with a Dutch Bachelor's degree in Artificial Intelligence or Computer Science may be admitted to the programme.

Students with a Bèta-Gamma or Future Planet Studies bachelor degree from the UvA with a major in AI may also be admitted.

Other students, who hold at least a Bachelor's degree in an area closely related to AI, may also apply. The main requirements are: 

• Overall academic level: above average
• Basic programming and computing skills courses and experience with developing software (equivalent of at least two months)
• Basic mathematics, in particular calculus, linear algebra and probability/statistics (3-6 EC for each)
• Basic Computer Science (algorithms, systems; at least 6 EC) and Artificial Intelligence (at least 6 EC)
• Proficiency in English 

Applicants may be required to take additional courses before admission or during the Master's programme.

Additional information for international students

Online application and required documents  

After registering in Studielink, within 48 hours you will receive an email with your UvA student number (UvA-net ID) and an email with instructions for the next step of the application process. You need your UvA-net ID to submit your online application via Datanose.

In Datanose, we expect you to upload the following documents:

1. A motivation letter
2. Your Curriculum Vitae
3. A copy of your high school grade list and diploma
4. A list of courses of your final year (if you have not yet finished your current academic programme)
5. A copy of your Bachelor transcript and diploma, including an explanation of your University’s grading system
6. A description of your Bachelor thesis/project
7. Two academic reference letters
8. Proof of English proficiency

Grade point average

Applicants are expected to have an overall grade point average (GPA) equivalent to at least:

• 3.0 (American system)
• 2.1 (a second class upper/division one degree in the British system)
• C (ECTS-system)

English language requirements

All our international programmes are conducted in English, therefore, applicants must show their ability to write and speak in English on an academic level. Students with a Bachelor’s degree from a Dutch university and students who successfully finished a full academic programme at an esteemed institute in one of the following countries are exempt: UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Please note we only accept the TOEFL Test, the test of the International English Language Testing Service (Academic IELTS) or a Cambridge Examination Score. For Non-EU/EEA students the required English test result should be received on or before 1 February in the year of application by the International Team at the Faculty of Science. If this in any case is not possible, contact the International Team first, before applying. For EU/EEA students the deadline of submitting the test results is 1 July.

TOEFL Test

The minimum scores required on the TOEFL Test are:

• Internet-based test (iBT): 92 with a minimum of 20 on each subject
  
  Exceptions:
• Artificial Intelligence, Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Information Studies: 98, with a minimum of 22 for reading and listining and 24 for writing and speaking
• Software Engineering: 98 with a minimum of 22 on each subject

Please note the TOEFL-code for the Faculty of Science of the University of Amsterdam is: 8628. 

 IELTS Test (only Academic IELTS is accepted)

• Minimum score 6.5, at least 6.0 on sub-scores (listening/reading/writing/speaking). 

Exceptions

• Artificial Intelligence,  Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Information Studies> minimum score 7.0, sub-scores on writing and speaking at least 7.0, sub-scores on listening and reading at least 6.5 
• Software Engineering > minimum score 7.0, at least 6.5 on each sub-score (listening/reading/writing/speaking)
• The UvA offers the IELTS test for free to current UvA students to assess their English language proficiency.    

Cambridge Examination Score

A Cambridge Examination Score with a minimum test result of C1 Advanced (CAE) A or B will also be accepted. For the C2 Proficiency test (CPE) a minimal score of C is required.

Nuffic Certificate for Chinese students

Chinese applicants are required to take an IELTS test or the TOEFL (Internet-based test only). These are the only two tests accepted by the Nuffic, which provides certificates to all Chinese students who wish to study in the Netherlands.

Please note there are some differences between the TOEFL and IELTS test. Available practice material, test dates, prices and locations differ per country.

• Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship, Faculty of Science
• Amsterdam Merit Scholarship, Faculty of Science

The University of Amsterdam offers various financing options for students enrolled in its Artificial Intelligence Master’s program. International students and Dutch students alike can benefit from a range of scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs designed to support their academic pursuits. The university provides detailed information on its official website regarding tuition fees and financial assistance programs, which applicants are encouraged to review early in the application process.

Students may be eligible for the Holland Scholarship, which is aimed at talented students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and provides a monetary contribution towards tuition fees. Additionally, the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship is available for outstanding students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and motivation. For EU/EEA students, tuition fees are generally lower than for non-EU students, and they may qualify for government-funded student loans or grants, depending on their specific circumstances.

The university also offers information about external funding opportunities such as scholarships from the Dutch government, Erasmus+ programs, and international organizations supportive of higher education. Admission to certain programs may qualify students for research assistantships, teaching assistantships, or other forms of financial support, which can help cover living expenses and enhance their academic experience.

Moreover, students planning to study at the University of Amsterdam are advised to explore financial planning options and consider applying for part-time work during their studies, which is permitted within the guidelines of their residence permits. The university’s student support services provide guidance on managing finances, applying for scholarships, and understanding the costs associated with studying in Amsterdam.

In sum, while specific details about financing for the Artificial Intelligence program may vary yearly, the University of Amsterdam offers a comprehensive suite of financial aid options tailored to diverse student needs. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to consult the university's official financial aid webpages and contact the admissions office for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

The Master's in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Amsterdam is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and apply advanced AI techniques across various domains. This program emphasizes a solid foundation in the theoretical principles of artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and computational intelligence, along with practical experience in designing and implementing AI systems. Students will explore a wide range of topics including natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, and ethical considerations related to AI development. The curriculum is structured to foster critical thinking and innovation, encouraging students to undertake independent research projects and practical assignments that address real-world problems.

The program is suitable for students with backgrounds in computer science, mathematics, engineering, or related fields who are interested in pursuing careers in academia, industry, or entrepreneurship within AI-related sectors. The University of Amsterdam's location offers excellent opportunities for collaboration with leading tech companies, research institutes, and startup ecosystems, providing students with valuable networking and internship opportunities. The program also emphasizes ethical issues in AI, ensuring graduates are prepared to develop responsible and transparent AI solutions. Graduates of this program will be well-equipped to contribute to the development of intelligent systems, advance research in artificial intelligence, and make meaningful impacts across diverse industries including healthcare, finance, security, and autonomous systems. The program's combination of rigorous academic coursework, research projects, and industry engagement aims to nurture innovative thinkers and responsible AI practitioners ready to address the challenges and opportunities of the digital future.