Private business schools in Amsterdam range from short professional courses to full degree programs, so check what each one actually awards. UIBS teaches in Amsterdam in English, and our Amsterdam campus carries Dutch quality labels. This guide covers quality labels, work rules, student rents and how study with us in Amsterdam works.


At a glance

  • UIBS teaches business in English in Amsterdam, with up to 8 start dates a year
  • Our Amsterdam campus holds CRKBO registration and the NRTO quality label
  • Non-EU students may work up to 16 hours a week, or full time in June, July and August
  • Average student room in Amsterdam: about €379 a month (2025)

What should I know about private business schools in Amsterdam?

Private business schools in Amsterdam differ in what they award and how they are checked, so ask what you earn and what covers it.

Some private schools in the Netherlands offer professional training, while others offer full degrees. That matters, because the answer shapes how employers read your qualification. So when you compare private business schools in Amsterdam, start with three questions:

Qualification

What exactly do you receive at the end: a certificate, a diploma or a degree?

Quality

Which registration, quality label or accreditation covers the program?

Complaints

Where can you take a dispute that the school does not resolve?


How does UIBS work in Amsterdam?

Our Amsterdam campus teaches business in English as part of United Institute, and it carries Dutch quality labels: CRKBO registration and the NRTO label.

As one of the private business schools in Amsterdam, we have held both Dutch quality marks since 2017, and we are an NRTO member. These Dutch quality labels sit alongside our institutional accreditation. If a complaint is not resolved with us, it can go to the NRTO Geschillencommissie, the independent disputes committee.

From Amsterdam, you can also move to another of our 9 city-center campuses each quarter, or continue online. Our campuses page shows every location, and our Master programs page lists our graduate programs.

For the wider picture, “United Institute is institutionally-accredited by the EQAR-listed British Accreditation Council (BAC). Its main constituent school, UIBS, further holds programmatic accreditation from the EQAR-listed ‘Fundación para el Conocimiento Madri+d’ for its Professional Master’s programs, and from the CHEA-recognized Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) for several of its Bachelor’s and Master’s programs.” Our quality page sets out each body and its scope.


Why study business in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a base for international business: more than 3,000 international companies have invested in the city, according to I amsterdam.

That matters for business students, because international employers bring internships, guest speakers and projects. So private business schools in Amsterdam sit close to a large international job market. You can read how the city presents itself to companies on the I amsterdam business pages.


Can international students work while studying in Amsterdam?

Yes. EU students can work freely, while non-EU students may work up to 16 hours a week, or full time in June, July and August.

The rules for work while studying in the Netherlands depend on your nationality:

  • EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need no work permit, according to the European Union’s Your Europe service.
  • Non-EU students may work in paid employment for no more than 16 hours a week. Alternatively, they can work full time in June, July and August only. In both cases, however, the employer must apply for a work permit, according to the IND.

Work rules change, and we last checked them on 29 October 2026. So confirm them with the IND before you plan. Our student visas page explains what to prepare.


What does it cost to live in Amsterdam as a student?

Housing is the largest cost: an average 18 m² student room in Amsterdam cost about €379 a month in 2025, according to NVM data.

The Netherlands uses the euro, so these figures are in EUR. We checked them on 29 October 2026.

Cost Price (EUR) Source
Average student room in Amsterdam, 18 m², excluding service costs about 379 a month NVM data for 2025, published by Kamer.nl
Average apartment of 77 m² in Noord-Holland province about 1,619 a month NVM data for 2025, published by Kamer.nl

Then start your housing search early. Tuition is separate, and it also differs between private business schools in Amsterdam. Our fees and scholarships page sets out the current fees.


Frequently asked questions

Are private business schools in Amsterdam accredited?

It varies, so check each one. At UIBS, United Institute holds institutional accreditation from the BAC, and our Amsterdam campus holds CRKBO registration and the NRTO quality label.

Can I start in Amsterdam and move to another campus?

Yes. UIBS students can transfer between campuses each quarter, across 9 city-center campuses in Europe and Tokyo, or continue online.

Do I need to speak Dutch to study at UIBS Amsterdam?

No. UIBS teaches its programs in English, so you can study in Amsterdam without Dutch. Some Dutch still helps in daily life.

When can I start in Amsterdam?

UIBS offers up to 8 start dates a year. Our guide to business schools with multiple start dates in Europe lists them.


Join us to study business in Amsterdam, in English, with the rest of Europe and Tokyo within reach.

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