The UvA benefits from its membership in the League of European Research Universities (LERU). This European association of leading research universities was founded to strengthen the position of European universities in the arena of international scientific research.
The UvA is a research university with a broad spectrum of academic programmes. Many of its Master's programmes reflect leading research in a given field of study, thus exposing students to groundbreaking research during their studies. Research Master's programmes are offered in nearly every discipline. The research Master's programmes are designed specifically to prepare students for PhD research and for research careers in academic and non-academic environments.
The research activities at the UvA have a broad significance extending beyong the confines of the academic community. The research findings are at the end meant to benefit society at large. At the same time problems and issues affecting society provide the impetus for the scientific studies.
The close proximity of cultural and scientific institutes, such as the Maison Descartes, the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), the Goethe Institute, SARA Computing and Network Services and the International Information Centre and Archives for the Women's Movement (IIAV), further facilitates and enriches research and independent study.
