General

The Faculty of Medicine was established in 1950. In its early years education took place at a number of locations spread over Amsterdam. Various hospitals in Amsterdam were involved in students’ practical training. In 1966 the University Hospital Vrije Universiteit (AZVU) was founded. With about 700 beds, 22,000 patients are admitted every year, while 275.000 consultations are given in its outpatient department.

Shortly after the establishment of the University Hospital the Faculty of Medicine was built on the campus of the Vrije Universiteit, next to the University Hospital. As neighbours it has been and remains easy for faculty and hospital to build up a strong degree of cooperation in both education and research as well as with other faculties located on the campus.

The faculty has grown considerably since 1950, and has taken up a prominent position amongst the eight medical faculties in The Netherlands. A solid reputation has been built up in the fields of education, research and patient care.

In January 2001 the Faculty of Medicine and the University Hospital Vrije Universiteit merged into the VU University medical center (VUmc).

The number of students entering the VU University medical center every year is regulated nationally by an independent organization and amounts to 350. Besides medical students, the VUmc also provides education for students in medical biology. In training these students the faculty cooperates with the Department of Biology. About 120 students start with medical biology studies every year.

Besides training medical doctors, both faculty and hospital are also involved in postgraduate

Training for medical specialists and PhD students. About 90 students a year receive a PhD degree. The Research Institutes of the faculty organize special short training courses for PhD students.