Student support services within VU

• Academic Advisor

  The academic advisor can help with all study-related questions, personal issues and practical questions around stuyding. The academic advisor is also the first point of contact for referral to other support services.

  The academic advisor (or lecturer) can also be contacted in case of social unsafety. As a lecturer or academic advisor, you can provide (initial) relief, advice and support and discuss with the student what is needed to solve the problem. If students are unwilling or unable to talk to a lecturer or academic advisor, they can always contact the confidential counsellor for students. As a lecturer or academic advisor, you may also refer the student to the confidential counsellor for students.

• Student Psychological Counsellor

  Student psychological counsellor offer solution-oriented support for students experiencing study-related and/or personal problems. During a brief exploratory interview, the student psychological counsellor will refer the student to a training course, self-help modules or schedule an intake interview. Student psychological counsellor do not diagnose or offer long-term treatment for serious, long-term psychological/psychiatric problems, such as addictions, eating disorders, suicidal behaviour or trauma treatment.

• Student Counsellor

  The student counsellor supports and provides advice or information on (legal) regulations and provisions. You can think about enrolment and deregistration issues, DUO provisions, urgent housing, help with an application to the student support fund and other (financial) provisions.

• Confidential Counsellor Students

  If students encounter socially unsafe behaviour, such as bullying, discrimination, racism or (sexual) harassment, or behaviour of concern, they can turn to the confidential counsellor students at VU. The Confidential Counsellor Students welcomes students, advises on the various avenues open to them to resolve the problem, guides students if they wish to seek mediation or file a complaint, and ensures that students receive aftercare, if necessary.

• Report and complain mechanisms for social safety

  VU Amsterdam is committed to fostering a study and work environment where social safety is a central priority, allowing students, staff, and PhD candidates to grow and thrive.

  That’s why we are collectively working towards an open and inclusive culture—one that embraces diverse perspectives. By addressing each other respectfully, listening actively, and contributing to mutual understanding, we ensure that our community leaves no room for bullying, discrimination, racism, or (sexual) harassment.

  Should students nonetheless experience inappropriate behaviour, it is important that they know what to do and where they can turn to within VU Amsterdam. Look here for information on social safety and here for report and complaint mechanisms for students.

• Ombudsman for students

  Students can go to the student ombudsman with complaints about the improper application of laws and regulations, about the organisation, teaching or behaviour of an employee. The complaint may also concern the organisation or accessibility of university facilities. The ombudsman provides information on relevant regulations and procedures and explains rights, obligations and possibilities for the student to solve the problem.

• Student Wellbeing Point

  At the Student Wellbeing Point (SWP), trained students help other students with wellbeing-related questions or offer a listening ear. The informal living room on the VU campus provides a safe space to catch your breath, find out more about other VU services, and/or have a helping conversation over a cup of tea.

• Support services outside the VU

  Besides VU's own counselling chain, there are also external parties who can offer help such as 113, Victim Support, Rutgers, Arkin or Centre for Sexual Violence. Want a full list of external help parties? Then contact studentenwelzijn@vu.nl

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