Your arrival as a degree student

Practical arrangements

• Step 1: Collect your room key

  • If you are renting accommodation through VU Amsterdam, you will receive additional information by email from your housing provider regarding key collection.
  • If you are renting accommodation on the private market, you will need to arrange key collection directly with your landlord.

• Step 2: Register with the municipality

  If you will stay in the Netherlands for more than four months, then you need to register with the local authorities, also called the municipality. If you are going to live at student campus Uilenstede, you need to register at the municipality of Amstelveen.
  
  More information about registering with the municipality can be found here. During the Practical Matters Days, it will also be possible to register at the municipality of Amstelveen directly.

• Step 3: Set up a bank account (if necessary)

  You will need to have an IBAN bank account in order to arrange your day-to-day activities in the Netherlands.
  
  As an EU/EEA student, you do not need to open an extra Dutch bank account. If you are a non-EU/EEA student, you need to make an appointment at a bank office in order to get a student account (and thus an IBAN bank account).
  
  More information about opening a bank account can be found here.

• Step 4: Pick the right insurance

  It is important that you are properly insured during your time in the Netherlands.
  More information about possible insurances can be found here. 

  During the Practical Matters Days, our partner Aon will also be present. You can arrange your insurance then and there. However, we advise you to arrange this before coming to the Netherlands.

• Step 5: Register with a General Practitioner (GP)

   As an international student at VU Amsterdam, you can register at the University General Practice. In this video we will explain how you can register. More information can also be found in this document. 
  
  The Dutch health care system and how to get access to health care services might be different than what you’re used to. A General Practitioner (GP) is your first point of contact for health care in the Netherlands, as they provide referrals to all specialists and, if necessary, to a hospital. Registering with a local practice is one of the first things you need to do.

  The Dutch College of GP's and H4i (Healthcare for internationals) recently introduced a new online service GPinfo.nl. GPinfo provides online information in English, such as information about the most common health complaints, tips on what you can do yourself if you feel unwell, what to expect from your GP and how to prepare for your GP visit, how the Dutch healthcare system works and what to do if you need other medical expertise.
  
  You can only register online. However, during the Practical Matters Day there will be someone present from the GP Practice to answer your questions.
  
  If you live outside of Amsterdam, you can look for a GP close to your home. More information about health care in the Netherlands can be found here.

• Step 6: Find out your options for cycling and public transport

  Find all relevant information on cycling in Amsterdam and using the public transport system.

Other useful information

• International Onboarding Guide

  In our International Onboarding Guide for Bachelor's and Master's students you can find contact details and general information about studying at VU Amsterdam. We invite you to take a look at it! Please note that this guide is not applicable for exchange and Semester in Amsterdam students.

  International Onboarding Guide

• Financial matters

  Experience shows that living and studying in the Netherlands for one year costs a student between €1,000 and €2,000 per month (not including tuition fees). Some students manage to spend less, but this of course depends on your own lifestyle.

  To help you plan your finances during your time at VU Amsterdam (and after) we have gathered all relevant financial information. Read this page for details on estimated living costs, working regulations for non-EU/EEA students, insurance, DUO finance and more.
  

• Your personal dashboard & Canvas

  Your personal dashboard

  During your stay you will have access to your personal dashboard on vu.nl. You were sent your login details when you first applied to VU Amsterdam. It is important that you familiarise yourself with this dashboard, as a great deal of important information is only available via this network. Registration for courses etc is also carried out via your dashboard.

  Canvas

  Canvas is the digital learning environment from VU Amsterdam. It is a tool that supports our education and is used by both students and teachers. You can log into Canvas with your VUnet-ID, or through your personal dashboard on vu.nl. For students, there is a VU Canvas Student Guide available that shows you how to work with Canvas. You can also watch a short video about the system.

• Study books

  For your studies, you will need books. Click here to order them at the VU Bookstore.
  
  Which textbooks you need is published in this booklist. Textbooks are sold in our main building at the VU Bookstore or at the Students' Unions.

• Learning Dutch

  Would you like to learn Dutch to help you feel more at home on campus? Of course you do! Luckily, VU-NT2 offers two course modules (8 weeks per level) of the Basic Dutch on Campus course at a greatly reduced rate for international students. You will learn to introduce yourself, do some shopping, order a meal and chat with local students and teachers. Finished the course? Then you receive a ‘Basic Dutch on Campus’ certificate. Check out the website of VU-NT2 for more information.

• Student card

  First-year students will receive a student card after completing their enrolment and uploading a photo. 

  When & where can I pick up my student card?

  If your card is ready on time, you can pick it up during the Practical Matters Days. Further information on where to collect your card if it is not ready by then will follow later.

  What do I need to bring when picking up the student card?

  To collect your student card, you will need to show the notification and a valid ID. Your student card is not required to attend your classes. Therefore, you do not need to collect it right away. The Student Desk will hold onto your card until you collect it.

  What if my card is not there?

  If you haven’t uploaded a photo that meets the requirements, please do so as soon as possible (see Upload your photo). 
  
  If you are not yet fully enrolled, your card will not be issued. Once you are fully enrolled and your picture meets the criteria, the Student Desk will request your card. You will receive an email when your student card is ready to be picked up.
  
  If you have any questions, please contact the Student Desk.

• SIM cards 

  Long-term phone plan 

  In general, we advise you to choose a Dutch SIM-only plan, as this will be the best long-term option.  

  • You can actually already request a Dutch SIM card online at Lebara before arriving in Amsterdam. This SIM card is usually free and allows you to add credit for calling, texting, and internet data. It is easy to download the app for iOS or Android and to top up credit on your phone. The SIM card can be used in all EU countries without extra costs.  
  • Alternatively, you can pick up a SIM card at one of the many supermarkets or other shops around the city after arrival. 
  • Make sure your phone is not SIM-locked before your departure to Amsterdam.  

   If you need a temporary SIM option for your first weeks in Amsterdam: 

  • If you have an international SIM card (with enough roaming) this can probably serve as a temporary solution before you settle on a Dutch long-term phone plan. 
  • Alternatively, you may wish to use an eSIM during your arrival period. 
  • Again, make sure your phone supports eSIM in that case and your device is unlocked.  
  • Your current banking app (such as Revolut) might also include an option to purchase an eSIM at favourable rates.  

Route descriptions from Schiphol to housing providers

• Amsterdam-North

  • BOLD
  • Student Experience Minervahaven

• Amsterdam-South and Amsterdam-Buitenveldert

  • De Boelelaan
  • Student Experience Zuidas

• Amsterdam-New-West

  • Cornelis Lelylaan
  • Krelis Louwenstraat
  • Mosaic World
  • StuNest
  • The Social Hub West (formerly called The Student Hotel)

• Amsterdam-East

  • Eerste Ringdijkstraat
  • Pierre Lallementstraat

• Amsterdam-Bijlmermeer and Diemen

  • OurCampus
  • OurDomain
  • Student Experience Amsterdam Amstel

• Amstelveen (including Uilenstede)

  • EuroParcs Amsterdamse Bos
  • Uilenstede

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