The UvA manages a large number of historical and comtemporary collections. The main function of these collections is to support teaching and research in the UvA, but generally they are also available to interested parties from outside UvA.

The University Library holds an extensive general collection in all subject fields, but its main focus is on the humanities. Furthermore, there are historical and contemporary collections managed by its Special Collections department.

The faculties have library collections in their fields of study and in some cases also historical research collections.

The UvA museums manage the UvA museum collections.