Social Sciences Study Abroad Programs in Netherlands

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and the perfect destination if you’re looking for a unique yet highly European study location. Founded in the 12th century as a fishing village, Amsterdam became an important trading port during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century, creating the iconic canals and low-laying brick buildings quintessential to the city today. Though a large city of over 850,000 inhabitants, Amsterdam is relatively compact, and you'll find that it is very accessible. This highly diverse cultural hub is known for its renowned museums and art, all with an undeniably cozy and laid-back atmosphere. In this interdisciplinary and academically rigorous program, students learn alongside Dutch and other international students for a semester or full academic year at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). Course offerings are highly specialized, focusing on research methodology across various disciplines. Students use Amsterdam as their classroom for labs, field trips, and other activities to facilitate deeper engagement with course material.

Unlike traditional study abroad or tourism experiences, Semester at Sea offers a unique opportunity for deep, authentic engagement with countries and cultures around the globe. It's more than just the adventure of a lifetime. It's a transformative experience that will give you a global perspective to take on the challenges of tomorrow. Fall 2026: European, African, South American, and Asian Adventure Embark: September 9, IJmuiden, The Netherlands Disembark: Dec 22, Bangkok, Thailand Itinerary: Portugal, Morocco, Brazil, St. Helena, South Africa, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Hong Kong Spring 2027: Asia, Africa, and Europe Embark: Jan 5, Bangkok, Thailand Disembark: Apr 20, Bremerhaven, Germany Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, Scotland

Bring your interest in the Dutch language, society, politics, and culture to the multicultural city of Amsterdam! As one of the most historically rich cities in all of Europe, the capital city of the Netherlands acts as the perfect backdrop to your immersive semester abroad. Designed for students across various social sciences and humanities disciplines, this rigorous academic program allows you to choose from multiple courses: political science, sociology, anthropology, European studies, film studies, history, international relations, media, psychology, cultural studies, and more. When class is in session, you study at our partner host institution, the University of Amsterdam (UvA). You can also take classes at CIEE Amsterdam, a quick walk from the UvA and the historic city center. All courses are taught by highly qualified CIEE and UvA faculty. Outside the classroom, participate in CIEE excursions and activities to enhance your studies and provide a nuanced intercultural perspective of the Netherlands, particularly to scrutinize preconceived cultural notions.

Study abroad in the beautiful city of Amsterdam, Netherlands with IES, one of the oldest and most trusted programs in the business. With IES Abroad Amsterdam Semester and Year program, students can explore peaceful streets and canals that wind in and out of historic houses and neighborhoods. The IES Abroad Center is located on the Universiteit van Amsterdam campus so students are able to easily explore the heart of the city and have a communal place to gather. Students have the option to independently structure their classes so that they can really experience Amsterdams perfect balance of modern culture and history.

Explore the complexities and paradoxes of gender and sexuality in the Netherlands and Morocco. In Amsterdam, study how gender and sexuality intersect with race, class, and religion, while interrogating the city’s reputation for tolerance through theory, policy, and lived experience. Learn directly from activists, academics, and practitioners, and visit organizations such as COC Netherlands and the Prostitution Information Center. A two-week excursion to Morocco highlights how religion and culture shape gender and sexuality in a Muslim-majority country. SIT’s program in the Netherlands offers the opportunity to earn a minor in global gender & sexuality studies. MONEY MATTERS SIT has given an average of over $1.3 million in scholarships and grants to SIT Study Abroad students in recent years and is committed to ensuring you have the information necessary to apply for such funding. Our program costs include academics, excursions, accommodations, airport transfers, and health insurance. Meal arrangements vary by program. Be sure to discuss how study abroad costs are handled at your school with your study abroad advisor and read the website for more specific information.

Experience an unforgettable summer taking classes and traveling through Europe! The Ultimate Summer in Europe program is a multi-city summer study abroad program that visits some of Europe's top cities. Classes are taught by an international team of professors who travel with you. In the evenings and on weekends, enjoy free time to explore and sightsee on your own. Make friends from around the world while gaining valuable professional and academic experience. This is Forum-Nexus! Ultimate Summer in Europe: 5 Countries, 8 Cities in 1 Month Program itinerary: Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Milan, Paris, Lugano, Verona, Riva del Garda Program dates: June 28 - July 25, 2026 Shorter sessions are also available. Don't miss our early bird discount! Visit our website for more details, including how to apply for free.

Maastricht, the Netherlands, forms a unique environment for studying psychology and neuroscience. Maastricht University (UM) specializes in cognitive and biological psychology; its unique research infrastructure enables a groundbreaking study of the brain and behavior. It is home to a European Centre of Excellence that combines state-of-the-art technology (three MRI scanners of 9.4, 7, and 3 Tesla) with clinical know-how, access to patients, and expert post-acquisition processing of data. During this program, students compare scientific research methods in the Netherlands to those of their home country. They also follow courses and seminars taught by leading experts and gain insight into the latest topics in psychology and research in a European setting. The program starts with a two-week introduction, which includes CES services, the Berlin Study Trip, a tour of Maastricht and the surrounding area, UM orientation, a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) workshop, and integration into Dutch student life.

In Amsterdam, we offer a range of programs that allow you to dive into the city’s unique culture from a fresh perspective. Our programs include Business & Economics, STEM in Amsterdam, Social Sciences & Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies, Summer in Amsterdam, Computer Science, and our Honors Program. Aside from your core program classes, you'll have a variety of elective courses from Art Management, to Anthropology, Biology, and many more. When you’re not studying or in class, enjoy CEA CAPA excursions and cultural engagements to help you get the full experience of living abroad. Take a trip to Utrecht, the capital of the Netherlands’ second-smallest province, and explore its medieval towns and cathedrals. Visit the iconic Keukenhof Tulip Gardens, home to over 7 million flowering bulbs. CEA CAPA ensures your housing, health, safety, social engagement, and other needs are taken care of. Giving you the best possible study abroad experience is our top priority. Interested in going abroad with CEA CAPA? Contact us to get started!

This three-week program explores the web of relationships between people and places. As a philosophy and practice, placemaking is concerned with improving urban spaces by including its users in the transition for change. Through a bottom-up planning process, it intends to give the right to the city back to its inhabitants. This innovative course borrows from human geography, experimental and environmental psychology, history, and sociology, problematizing the urban environments in which we live. Course topics include public space, community, diversity, and 'the right to the city.' Experiencing Amsterdam is at the heart of this program. It presents exciting alternative ways to understand how people live in, respond to, and imagine their cities. Urban spaces can be imagined as territories of negotiation. Sensory experiences often inspire a strong sense of belonging and might, therefore, play an important role in the co-creation of space. In the afternoon, we will use Amsterdam as our living laboratory, exploring placemaking practices at various locations.

Study abroad in Amsterdam and spend your semester in one of the world’s most multicultural cities! Stroll along its picturesque canals, explore world-class museums, and join in vibrant festivals that showcase the city’s rich history, culture, and spirit of openness. Known for its freedom of expression and tradition of tolerance, Amsterdam offers an inspiring environment for international students. Through the Semester in Amsterdam programme, you can choose from more than 1,100 English-taught courses, allowing you to design a study abroad experience that’s uniquely yours and tailored to your academic ambitions.

Visit three countries in 14 days! This program is ideal if you wish to study abroad. Global Learning Opportunities (GLO) programs provide various unique opportunities: -Network with executives by visiting global companies to learn how they conduct business and the challenges they face while running a multinational organization. -Earn university credit while applying the knowledge you've learned in the classroom to real-life business settings. -Gain a competitive advantage for your career by experiencing international policies, political climates, and international business environments while building confidence, cultural understanding, and an ability to adapt to different situations. -Experience some of the world's well-known attractions and destinations on both group excursions and during provided free time. Dates: December 29, 2025 – January 11, 2026. If you’re considering studying abroad in Europe, these dates mark an excellent opportunity. Locations: London, UK; Paris, France; and The Hague, the Netherlands.