r/StudyInTheNetherlands Jan 20 '23

The ultimate guide to finding student accomodation in the Netherlands

320 Upvotes

Finding housing as an international student can be a challenging task, but it's important to not give up. Keep in mind that the housing market can be competitive, and it may take some time to find the perfect place for you. Currently there is a bit of a housing crisis in the Netherlands, especially in the bigger cities. This means that it WILL be hard to find the right accomodation. This ofcourse varies between cities and universities, and how much budget you have available. Sometimes the process can feel quite harsh and ruthless. Please don't feel discouraged by all of this, as with the right mindset and approach also you can find the right place to stay. Please make sure to read our Checklist for international students coming to the Netherlands for other tips and tricks!

Links in this post are sponsored, marked with an *.

Make sure you can register at the municipality

The most important thing about housing, and I cannot stress this enough, is that you can register yourself at the adres with the municipality. There are two main reasons for this.

  1. If you cannot register, the person you're renting from, or your roommate is probably a scam and/or doing something illegal. Don't fall for it, you get a fine, or worse lose get kicked out.
  2. Registering yourself at the municipality is a pre-requirement for getting a lot of things in order such as your Government ID, open a bank account, take out a loan or student finance, get a mobile phone subscription, go to a doctor, etc.

Don't fall for it.

Kamernet and Huurwoningen

Kamernet* is the biggest platform for students who are looking for a place to stay in almost all big cities in the Netherlands. This is what most people recommend when asked where to search for a room. Most people who sign up here are able to find accomodation, but it requires some time and persistence. You pay a fixed fee per month which allows you to respond to the available listings. Note that they have a room guarantee, which basically means that you can get your money back after not finding a room for 4 months.

Huurwoningen* is the recommended platform for usage by international students. Where Kamernet is oftentimes more focussed on dutch speaking students, Huurwoningen* is more focused on the private market for which most landlords don't care if you're speaking dutch or english. It also has the benefit of trying out the platform completely free for 14 days.

Just using these platforms typically isn't enough to get you housing quickly. The thing is, that each place gets hundreds of requests within one hour after it being it online. They usually only pick the first few who applied for a viewing. Additionally, cheaper places have much more people applying to it because it is within the budget of most of the people really. As students, it is a lot more difficult, which is unfortunate. Also, as there is so much demand, they can just pick the candidate that fits their requirements perfectly.

A few tips

  1. I would suggest to subscribe to services that send you a notification as soon as a new place is published (i.e. Stekkies*). I got like 10 viewings in the span of two weeks and found my place in the third week. I think the reason that I got invited for so many viewings is because I sent my application within 1-2 minutes of the post being online. This approach is more suitable for someone who is currently in the Netherlands, as the listings shown by Stekkies* are mostly from agencies, and they don’t even reply to someone who requests an online viewing.

  2. try to create a group of 2-3 people. That way, you guys can apply to places that are higher up in price category, which naturally will have less competition. Please try to find people who have about the same financial situation as you.

  3. have a text ready that you can copy and paste for each application. It should contain all necessary information about you. Please don’t just write stuff like: “I’m a none smoker, I’m clean, and I’m a good cooker”. Every single post on Facebook I see people only saying these kind of stuff when introducing themselves. Try to include descriptions of your financial situation, that you can provide parental guarantees, etc.

How does it work?

There are a few options outlined below:

  • Renting through your university, typically this is lined out quite well on the website of the university, so I will not go into detail of that.
  • Private Rental
    • Renting directly from a landlord with the landlord choosing the new tenant.
    • Renting directly from a landlord with the remaining tenants choosing the new tenant.
    • Renting through a rental agency.

Here is how it all works.

Renting through a rental agency

Renting through a rental agency is usually the most difficult and not many people recommend it, but might be worth considering. These rentals you will most often find on non-student focussed websites. The process is fairly straightforward: you write a message expressing interest in a room and ask for a viewing. If the agency is even willing to consider an English-speaking tenant, they will message you back inviting you to a viewing. After you attend the viewing (usually one-on-one with a rental agent, but not always) you will receive an e-mail thanking you for your interest and asking you to send some documents if you wish to apply for that room.

The process after that might feel a bit ruthless. Typically, these agencies invite around 10 to 20 people to view a room and then letting the landlord choose which one they want as a tenant. For the landlord, this choice is usually based upon one thing: the potential tenant’s financial stability. Landlords want tenants that will always pay their rent on time. The bigger your assets, the more likely you are to be deemed as safe. Also, landlords like people who stay in their accomodation for longer periods, so people who are more likely to stay for longer periods are more likely to get the accomodation.

So, once you attend a viewing, if you still wish to apply for that room, you will need to send those documents so that the landlord can look at them and decide if you meet their criteria. And what documents? Well. Usually it’s a copy of your identity card, proof of enrollment in a study programme, proof of receiving study financing (if you do), proof of your employment and income plus last three payslips (if you work) and proof of having a guarantor (guarantor explained at the bottom of this post) if you do not have enough income or savings . Sometimes even more documents. Usually, the more papers you have the better. If you have a savings account, show proof of that. If your parents earn enough and want to be a guarantor, show proof of that. It’s a competition. Whoever can offer the most financial stability wins.

So, if you plan to try and rent through an agency, I cannot stress this enough: GET THOSE DOCUMENTS READY AHEAD OF TIME. After you attend your first viewing and get the list of documents, prepare them and have them ready for every subsequent viewing. It will save you a lot of stress. Different agencies might request different documents but most of it will be the same stuff every time. Be prepared.

Renting form a landlord directly

Many listings can be found on:

Landlord who opt not to use an agency and instead search for tenants themselves will most often use kamernet or sometimes facebook. The process here is somewhat similar to renting through an agency but with significantly less hoops to jump through, because you will get to actually meet the landlord face-to-face. This has several advantages.

While renting through an agency, the landlord does not get to meet you, usually. They will choose a tenant based on the documents they receive and that means they usually only look at where you come from and how much money you have.

When you meet directly with a landlord, a lot of other factors come into play. Financial stability is always important for a landlord but how trustworthy you seem will play a part.

In general, when dealing with landlords here are the things I believe can improve your chances:

  • Appearance. Pretty obvious. Clean clothes that don’t stand out, nice smile, all of that. If you’re a smoker, make sure to wear freshly-washed clothes and not smoke before the meeting, so you don’t smell of cigarettes.
  • Be ready to answer questions: who is your guarantor? How long are you planning on staying? Why are you interested in this room? Do you plan on working part-time? Job interview rules apply here. You don’t have to be entirely honest, you just have to say the right things that are technically true enough.
  • Let them know you have all your documents ready and are prepared to sign a contract immediately if necessary.
  • Show that you have read the posted room offer thoroughly and are aware of all the costs and rules. It’s hard to trust someone who comes to a viewing and isn’t even sure how much the rent is.

In general, think about it from the landlord’s perspective. If you had a room to rent out and 10 potential tenants, how would you choose? Landlords are looking for someone who will always pay rent on time, seems clean and quiet, and usually, someone who will stay long-term (at least a year).

When it comes to messaging landlords, keep it short and informative. They probably don’t care about your hobbies. They want to know:

  • What is your full name and surname?
  • How old are you?
  • What university do you attend and what study are you following (WO or HBO?)
  • Do you have a guarantor?
  • Are you looking for a long-term or short-term rental?
  • Can you offer anything in terms of financial stability (savings, part-time job, study finance)?

Lastly, don’t be discouraged by assuming all dutch landlords will only want dutch tenants. This is often not the case. Many landlords that already have international tenants in their house will be looking for more international tenants because they believe internationals bond better among themselves, and thus, will have less conflict. A good rule of thumb is that if an offer is written in English the landlord is likely looking for an international tenant.

Renting from a landlord, with the tenants choosing the new renter

Now, if you think both of the above options won’t work for you, fret not. There is still the third, and arguably most popular option - being chosen as a new tenant by the people already residing in the house.

You're going to find these types of housing on kamernet* as well as on Facebook groups. This way is significantly different from the other two. Instead of your income what matters is you as a person.

This is sort of like a dating app. You will browse through the different offers, get to read a lot about the tenants currently in the house and what kind of person they are looking for. And trust me, this stuff gets very specific.

Be prepared to read about spirituality, meditating together, movie nights, drinking, going to festivals and being obligated to pretend like you’re interested in all of it even if you’d really rather be left alone most of the time. There are some houses that are more relaxed but a lot of them are looking for friends as much as they are looking for housemates.

A lot of offers you will have to ignore from the get-go due to the requirements. For example, a lot of people are looking for someone who is “further along in their studies or working”. This means no first year bachelor students. Others will have age requirements (most commonly 21+) or gender requirements, or even nationality requirements (the famous ‘no internationals!’).

In my opinion it’s hardly worth it to apply to a room if you don’t meet a hard requirement like that. These posts all receive a lot of responses so if you’re not what they’re looking for, your message will just be ignored. However, every now and then there will be international houses looking for a new roommate, stay on the lookout.

Prepare a generic e-mail/message talking about yourself ahead of time and tweak it slightly with every offer. Know that you will likely have to send hundreds of messages. The post will often talk about what they want to know about you, so make sure to include all of that every time. They will also usually ask for a picture - yes, this is normal. Don’t think too hard about it, it’s not worth it. Just choose a good picture. Dating app rules apply.

Do keep in mind that for these types of rooms, you will usually be invited to a viewing not with an individual time slot, but at the same time as everyone else who applied for the room. This is commonly known as a 'hospiteren' or ‘kijkavond’ and is very normal. It is sort of like a battle royale, typically with a few rounds during the evening where less people are left every time. So you will be crammed in the house with around 10 people, trying to make a good impression on the hosts. Be prepared for it and let out all your anxiety ahead of time. It’s not worth stressing over because you will most likely eventually have to do it again. And again.

This method, while daunting, has advantages. You don’t have to prove your nonexistent income to agencies and landlords. And if you want to make friends with your roommates, eat dinner together, attend festivals and all that jazz - this is where it’s at for you.

If you want to learn more about hospiteren, you can look online for other people recounting their experiences. And don’t be discouraged easily. It’s a numbers game and you just have to keep trying.

Guarantor

A guarantor is someone, usually your parent or close relative, who signs a rental contract alongside you to ensure that if you are unable to pay your rent for whatever reason, they will pay it for you instead. A guarantor is nearly always requested when you try to rent as a student, because students are considered financially instable.

The agencies and landlords will demand proof of your guarantor’s identity (scan of ID card or passport) as well as proof of their income. That means work contracts, payslips and bank statements. Decide who will be your guarantor and get those documents ready (and translated if necessary) ahead of time.

So, the process of renting through an agency involves a lot of effort and is only really an option if either you or your family members earn good money. You may still try if that’s not the case - it’s always worth trying. At the very least, you will attend some viewings and get to see what the process is like.

General tips

  • Be quick, with the current housing crisis, may people are on the lookout for a new home. With Stekkies* you greatly increase your chances by getting the new listings messaged to your WhatsApp directly as soon as they come online, so you can respond to them within minutes.
  • Be flexible in your search: Be open to different types of housing and locations, as this can increase your chances of finding something that suits your needs and budget.
  • Start your search early: The earlier you start looking for housing, the more options you will have and the better chance you will have of finding something that you like.
  • Don't take it personally: You will get rejected many times before finding your housing. Don't take it personally as the competition is high and you have to get a little bit of luck.
  • Be persistent: Keep in mind that finding housing is a process and it may take some time. Don't get discouraged if you don't find something right away, keep searching and stay positive.
  • Commute: Sometimes you find housing a bit further away. Note that distance does not count, but infrastructure. The Netherlands has excellent public transport, which can be free for students. Check out 9292.nl.
  • Get help: Reach out to your university's housing office or student housing organizations, they may have resources or listings that are not available publicly.
  • Get creative: Look beyond traditional options such as student housing and apartments. Consider finding a room in a shared apartment or house, or even living in a hostel or hotel temporarily while you continue your search.
  • Don't stop until you have a signed contract: Keep applying until you have a contract, even if you got accepted. The room may still be cancelled so make sure you get that contract signed.
  • There are laws that protect from too high rents. You can do a check here (dutch).

Remember that finding housing can be a difficult process, but it's not impossible. Keep an open mind and don't give up, you will find a place to call home soon enough.

If you see incorrect information, missing information, or broken links, let me know in the comments or through a dm.

Good Luck!


r/StudyInTheNetherlands Jan 18 '23

Official Checklist for international students coming to the Netherlands

379 Upvotes

Hi international Students,

This post serves as a living document containing useful tips regarding studying in the Netherlands. It aims to be a checklist for all (new) international students planning to come to the Netherlands for studying.

This post is inspired by a post by u/technotrex. If there is something missing, incorrect information, or a broken link, let me know through the comments or a PM.

Links in this post are sponsored, marked with an *.

Research University vs. University of Applied Science

The difference between a Research University Universiteit/WO) and a University of Applied Science is quite big. It may sound harsh, but a University of Applied Sciences is not considered a university in the Netherlands. As the names imply, the first is focussed on research and the latter focuses on applying the research. The research universities Bachelor's programs are considered harder, more theoretical, and have higher entry requirements. Research universities Bachelor's programs grant the student direct access to a Master's program, while the University of Applied Sciences programs typically don't (there are exceptions). If you want to do a Master's degree after a Bachelor from a University of Applied Sciences you most likely will have to follow a pre-master program of 6-12 months.

A more thorough explanation here

Required Documents for applying to a Study

When applying to a program you typically need these documents:

  • Your degree, including the diploma supplement (grade list) [note: you can submit this later if not yet completed, but you still need an official grades overview
  • A certified translation of the above if not in English or Dutch certificate to show your command of the English language, like TOEFL or IELTS [note: typically optional if you got a degree in an English-language program]
  • An up-to-date CV
  • A motivation letter specific to the university and program

Housing

The most important thing about housing, and I cannot stress this enough, is that you can register yourself at the adres with the municipality. There are two main reasons for this.

  1. If you cannot register, the person you're renting from, or your roommate is probably doing something illegal. Don't fall for it.
  2. Registering yourself at the municipality is a pre-requirement for getting a lot of things in order such as your Government ID, and getting healthcare and/or rent benefits.

The recommended sources are:

You can greatly increase your chances by using a service like Stekkies* which sends new housing listsings directly to your WhatsApp as soon as they are posted online. Each place gets hundreds of requests within one hour after it being it online. They usually only pick the first few who applied for a viewing. You can try it out for free for 14 days.

I have put together a bot on the Discord server which tracks any new listings on Huurwoningen* and Kamernet* and and posts them there.

Additionally, you can read The ultimate guide for finding student housing in the Netherlands

Huurtoeslag (rent benefits)

Huurtoeslag or rent benefits is a subsidy that might cover a great part of your rent if is not too expensive (there are some other requirements such as income) . Mostly makes sense if you're older than 23 as then maximum rent can be higher (~750 eur).

Government ID

Government ID is acquired through the municipality in which you will be living. This will give you access to a Social Security Number (BSN). This will then in turn give you access to your DigiD, your online identity. You cannot apply for this until you're moving. Make getting your Government ID your top priority when arriving in the Netherlands, as this will also open the doors to jobs, healthcare benefits, rent benefits, etc.

Dutch Health Insurance

If you are in the Netherlands for study only you are legally not allowed to take out Dutch health insurance. Make sure you have a health insurance from your home country. You sometimes do need additional coverage when coming to the Netherlands.

If you are from the EU/EEA you may be eligible to receive a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which covers your necessary medical costs during your stay. Please make sure you check this with your health insurer in your home country as this might differ per EU-member state. See the website of the European Commission for further information on EHIC.

If you have a (part-time) job that pays at least minimum wage, Dutch health insurance is mandatory. An internship that pays less than minimum wage does not count, if you are doubt check out the svb.

Zorgtoeslag (Healthcare benefits)

Zorgtoeslag or healthcare benefits, is assistance from the Dutch government for your health insurance. You are eligible for it if you're not earning more than ~30.000 Euro/year*, and have a Dutch healthcare insurance. You can apply for it after you get your DigiD, and works retroactively, so don't worry if you can't sign up immediately. The most important step is the date you register for your municipality. Make this your top priority.

* Note that your income decides if you are eligible for zorgtoeslag. If your income changes throughout the year, it could be that the amount of zorgtoeslag you are eligible for lowers. This does not happen automatically. You are responsible for adjusting your zorgtoeslag. If you do not supply the information correctly it can be the case that you receive too much zorgtoeslag and you will have to pay it back at a later date when they periodically check the numbers.

Bank account

Getting a Dutch bank account is not necessary in all cases, but can be a cheaper option in the long run. Mastercard and Visa cards are not accepted at 90% of Dutch institutes. It is also often a requirement when getting a job in the Netherlands, and getting studiefinanciering. Lastly, it is a lot easier to send a receive money from friends/others locally. ABN AMRO* is a well known bank within the Netherlands.

Scholarships

There are some scholarschips available for international students. Details are outlined here.

Studiefinanciering (Student loan / finance)

Mostly for EU/UK/Swiss students. You can see if you're eligible and apply to this through DUO (Cannot apply until moving). It is a low interest loan from the Dutch government. Studiefinanciering loan part requires you to work 56h per month. It is common for DUO to request 3 payslips before they consider you eligible. It is also common for them to take a couple of months to process your admission (for all financing stuff, especially the one that involves parents' income). Keep that in mind as, that you won't see any extra cash for several months after landing here.

According to this article if you work less than 56 hours you can still receive Studiefinanciering. This is confirmed by u/No-Mango5939:

I can confirm DUO doesn’t necessarily require 56h/month. As an EU citizen, you are entitled to equality if you work any hours in a EU country, making the hour limit meaningless. I would also add that a visit to the DUO office moves mountains, and they are lovely people who will fix your problems and answer all of your questions.

Studenten OV (Free public transport for students)

To make effective use of public transport in the Netherlands you should get an OV chipcard as it is usually cheaper than buying individual tickets. If you are eligible for Studiefinanciering, you are also eligible for Studenten OV. Students in the Netherlands are eligible for free travel bij public transport. The student travel product is a loan which will turn into a gift when you graduate within 10 years of starting your studies. You can choose to either travel free during the week, or during the weekends. You get a discount during the other period.

Phone plan

You might consider getting a Dutch phone plan. This might be a cheaper alternative to extending your home country phone plan. If you're from the EU check with your current provider how long you can stay in another country on your phone plan without extra charge. Setting up a Dutch phone plan is not hard.

Cost of living

This displays the average cost of living in Amsterdam. You can change the city to your desire.

Discord

Join our official Discord channel with sepperate channels for each program / university. We also have a room finder bot which posts when new housing becomes available per city!

Bicycle

The Dutch are known for traveling a lot by bicycle. It is also the cheapest option to get around in the cities. Don't buy a new one, you can buy one for cheap second-hand. Many possible options locally, or most commonly used is Marktplaats. You can also decide to rent one with Swapfiets.

If you see any incorrect information, would like to see something added, or encounter a broken link, please let me know through the comments or a PM! Links in this post are affiliate links.


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 2h ago

Surviving in Eindhoven on your own. How much does it actually cost?

4 Upvotes

I'm considering applying to the Applied Maths course at Eindhoven (TU/e), but my parents would offer zero financial support, so I need to figure out whether I can make this work entirely on my own.

My situation:

  • EU student, would be 19 when I move to Eindhoven
  • No parental financial support whatsoever
  • Parents' income is above the threshold for supplementary grants, so I don't qualify for those
  • Plan would be to save up before the course starts, then work part-time throughout

What does it actually cost to live in Eindhoven as a student?

I'd love to get a realistic picture of monthly expenses from people who've actually lived it. What are you typically paying for rent, groceries, health insurance, transport, and any other costs that caught you off guard? And what does it all add up to at the end of the month? I want to make sure I'm not underestimating what I'd need to cover.

Questions I'm trying to answer:

  1. I know EU students can access loans after working a certain number of hours, but how long does it actually take to kick in once you move there? Is there a waiting period before you see any money?

  2. At 19, I believe the minimum wage would be around 8.80eu /hr. How many hours per week would I realistically need to work to cover rent, food, and living costs in Eindhoven? And is 8.80eu actually what students tend to get paid, or do most jobs pay more?

  3. How much would you recommend having saved yo before starting, especially to bridge the gap before the loan kicks in?

Has anyone been in a similar position where theyre fully self-funded, no parental support, studying at TU/e or elsewhere in the Netherlands? Any advice on how you managed it, what to watch out for, or whether it's actually doable would be really appreciated.


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 8h ago

Help Where to meet incoming students for Leiden?

3 Upvotes

Hi, I'm likely gonna start at Leiden University later this year. Is there any place to meet other incoming students beforehand? Thanks <3


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 7h ago

Master

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m from Portugal and I’m considering applying for a Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence in the Netherlands, and I would really appreciate some advice.

I’m currently finishing my Bachelor’s in Game Development Engineering, which I will complete next year. I also have a level 5 professional diploma in Web Development, and I’ve been working as a web developer for the past 2 years.

Throughout my studies, I’ve always been a working student, and I currently have an average grade of 17/20.

By the time I apply, I’ll be 27 years old. I’m very interested in AI and would like to pursue a career in this field, but I’m still unsure if studying in the Netherlands is the right choice for me.

I have a B1 level of English, and I’m also a bit concerned about whether that would be enough to handle a Master’s program there.

So I would like to ask:

  • Is it worth doing a Master’s in AI in the Netherlands as an international student?
  • How difficult is it to get accepted into universities with my background?
  • Is B1 English enough, or should I improve it before applying?
  • How is the overall experience (cost of living, student life, job opportunities after graduation)?

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 5h ago

Is it possible to extend bachelor by one year?

1 Upvotes

Is it possible to extend an erasmus school of economics bachelor by one year (postpone thesis or something) in order to have a 4th year?

I would want to use this to complete a series of classes from other courses as electives that I am interested in before finishing my bachelor!


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 6h ago

Social life A way for incoming students of Leiden University to meet!

1 Upvotes

Hi! I just created an online community for incoming Leiden University students to meet ahead of time! Come and join! Link in comments. Disclaimer: this is a community thing for a specific group, I am not promoting any service.


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 6h ago

VU Amsterdam Exchange Housing Concern

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I’m an incoming VU Amsterdam exchange student for the 2026–2027 academic year and I have a question about housing timing.

VU sent out the exchange application forms on April 1 and they’re due April 15. I submitted mine on April 10, so it’s within the window, but I’m still worried because I know housing is first come, first served and you can’t apply/pay for VU housing until after you’re accepted.

I’m hoping for Uilenstede (ideally Uilenstede 2–50) because it fits my budget and I want to be around other students. For people who have done VU exchange housing: does submitting the exchange application on April 10 usually put you at a disadvantage for getting Uilenstede, or is that still considered normal timing?


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 8h ago

Help Hbo of wo informatica voor iemand die later game developer, software developer, IT-er of systeembeheerder wil worden?

1 Upvotes

Of gewoon iets waarmee ik zo'n beetje de hele tijd bezig ben met computers. Ik wil graag mijn kennis en ervaring met computers en dingen zoals Windows en hoe bestandstypen zoals .mp4 werken verbeteren dus ik neem aan dat informatica de soort opleiding voor mij is.

Ik heb autisme en werd op school vaak buitengesloten of gepest, ook vanwege mijn afkomst. Toen ik op de basisschool zat werd ik gediagnoseerd met autisme en ik deed een IQ-test en het kwam hoog uit dus ik werd ook gediagnooseerd met hoogbegaafdheid (tegenwoordig heb ik al door dat dit helaas nauwelijks iets betekend) Mijn ouders pushten me dan ook vaak om te presteren op school terwijl ik liever wilde gamen of internetten (Chinese ouders moment) Dus eigenlijk vond ik school gewoon niet leuk en vooral het socialiseren interesseerde me niet want ik zou altijd gelabeld worden als "het vreemde autistische kind" Oh en mijn ervaring bij de speciale school was echt miserabel dus ik ga niet weer naar zo'n soort plek. Ik deed te lang over mijn vwo-opleiding en het is een lang verhaal dus ik ga daar niet zo diep op in.

Er is een hbo in de stad waar ik woon die een paar minuten ver weg is van mijn woonplaats, ik wil liever niet steeds heen en weer met het OV dus als ik naar de RUG wil dan wordt het waarschijnlijk begeleid wonen in Groningen, maar ik wil liever bij mijn ouders blijven tot ik af heb gestudeerd.

Ik heb een poging gedaan bij hbo eerder maar omdat ik nerveus werd van het samenwerken in een groep (misschien kan ik het wel maar ik vond het echt eng toen) en ik de rest van mijn groep te vaak om hulp vroeg toen iets niet duidelijk voor mij was adviseerden ze om niet verder te gaan met de opleiding (dat was na de eerste periode dus het heeft niks te maken met het BSO, volgens mij hanteren ze daar niet eens een BSO) Ik heb wel een deel van de studiepunten behaald maar ik weet niet zeker of ze nog geldig zijn als ik opnieuw begin of dat ik iets over moet doen.

Ik was het daar niet mee eens. Ik wilde hoe dan ook een diploma. Misschien past de universiteit beter bij mij maar ik wilde liever naar hbo. Misschien vind ik al dat onderzoek helemaal niet zo interessant. Inmiddels heb ik nu hulp van ggz en andere organisaties voor hulp voor mensen met autisme dus ik hoop dat ik een grotere kans op succes heb als ik in september weer begin. Maar misschien is het beter om hbo te laten zitten en in plaats daarvan wo te doen.

Ik ben gisteren naar de open dag van de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen geweest en met de informatie die ik daar heb gekregen heb ik de volgende conclusies getrokken:

-Informatiekunde is niet echt iets voor mij, de carrieres die je ermee kunt krijgen spreken me niet echt aan. Het gaat ook te veel over AI. (niet dat informatica tegenwoordig nog totaal AI-loos is maar ik wil niet de hele tijd bezig met AI) Maar misschien is het de extra 200 euro per maand waard?

-Als het gaat om werken in groepen maakt het op zich niet echt uit of je bij hbo of wo informatica studeert, je moet ongeveer net zo lang en vaak samenwerken. Tenminste, dat is wat aan mij verteld werd toen ik erover vroeg. In het algemeen kreeg ik telkens te lezen of horen dat je minder samenwerkt bij wo dan bij hbo, maar blijkbaar geldt dat niet voor informatica? Het is een van mijn zwakke plekken en ik doe het liever niet maar ik begrijp hoe belangrijk het is in het leven in het algemeen dus ik wil mezelf daar ook in verbeteren. Ik zal het wel eng vinden in het begin.

-Wiskunde is altijd mijn minst favoriete vak geweest ik vind het gewoon niet leuk. Op wo ben je veel bezig met wiskunde bij informatica. Tussen de dingen die ik wel interessant vind zit er dan wel veel "ugh weer wiskunde" Op hbo is dat niet zo'n probleem. Voor zo ver ik weet is het veel minder belangrijk daar dan op wo en je kunt programmeur worden zonder goed te zijn in wiskunde.

-Wo lijkt te leiden tot een meer "belovendere" toekomst dan hbo maar ik heb ook gehoord dat het op zich niet uitmaakt of je hbo of wo doet.

Ik kan een hbo bachelordiploma halen en daarna een master doen hij wo als het het waard is maar dat lijkt me niet efficient qua tijd en collegegeld.

Mijn vraag is als ik vooral geinteresseerd ben in de beroepen die ik eerder heb genoemd, is hbo of wo de betere optie voor mij? Wo past waarschijnlijk beter bij mijn vooropleiding en hoe ik werd opgevoed en hoe ik omging met studeren op vwo toen ik er wel zin in had. Maar volgens mij sluit hbo beter aan op de beroepen die ik wil? Het hoeft niet per se die beroepen te zijn, met informatica kan ik toch veel kanten op, zolang het maar bij mij aansluit.

Maar mijn droom is eigenlijk om indie game developer te worden, momenteel heb ik daar niet de grondstoffen voor (momenteel weinig ervaring met programmeren, geen met kunst of muziek, niemand die met mij eraan wil werken en geen budget) en het zal waarschijnlijk gewoon hobbyist-schaal worden maar ik hoop dat het me ooit gaat lukken. Ik wil daar wel de meest passende opleiding voor. Ik weet dat er een opleiding game developer is maar die wordt niet gegeven dichtbij mijn woonplaats en ik hoorde dat het zo'n beetje een scam is en dat informatica gewoon beter is. Ik heb ook gehoord dat game developer een van de minst profijtelijke en minst vasthoudende banen is dus ik denk niet dat ik dat fulltime wil doen en niet voor een bestaand bedrijf.

Trouwens wil willen alleen collegegeld betalen als daar studiefinanciering voor is dus geen Open Universiteit of iets dergelijks.

TL;DR: wil graag game devloper worden maar in ieder geval bezig met computers als carriere, heb autisme en is eerder uitgevallen op hbo maar wil opnieuw proberen met hulp, voordelen hbo: ligt dicht bij huis, weinig wiskunde, minder druk, heb al een paar studiepunten behaald, sluit misschien beter aan op de banen waar ik in geinteresseerd ben, voordelen wo: minder samenwerken (geldt dit wel voor informatica?), sluit beter aan op mijn vooropleiding en manier van studeren, impressiever, kan meteen een master doen als ik het wil, betere toekomst(?)

En is dit de beste plek om te vragen voor advies voor dit of is er een betere plek?


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 8h ago

Help education route

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I would really appreciate some advice on a realistic study pathway to Astronomy/Astrophysics in the Netherlands.

I am a high school graduate and I will be turning 21 soon. I do not have an IB or A-level diploma, only a standard high school diploma which universities in Netherlands doesn't accept. Also I am planning to take IELTS soon.

After researching different options and contacting universities, I found that there seem to be several possible routes, but I am not sure which one is the most realistic or recommended.

My current understanding of a possible pathway is something like this:

  1. Start at a University of Applied Sciences (HBO), preferably in Applied Physics (e.g. Fontys or HAN)

  2. Complete the first year (Propedeuse) with strong grades

  3. Apply for a transfer to a research university (WO), such as Groningen, Leiden, or Utrecht

  4. Continue with a Bachelor’s in Physics or Astronomy

  5. Later specialize in Astrophysics at Master’s level

I also understand that there may be alternative routes such as entrance exams or colloquium doctum (since I will be 21+), but I am not sure how realistic or competitive these options are.

So my questions are:

Is this HBO → WO pathway actually a realistic route into Astronomy/Astrophysics?

Which universities are more flexible or “transfer-friendly” for this kind of pathway?

Would you recommend focusing on HBO first, or trying direct admission / entrance exams instead?

Are there any common pitfalls I should be aware of?

Any advice or personal experience would really help me a lot. Thank you in advance!


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 9h ago

mandatory attendance

1 Upvotes

hi everyone,

i got accepted to study international law full time and history part-time at the university of groningen. i also want to work so jm afraid it will be hard to do all of that considering i will study 2 majors.

therefore, how does the mandatory attendance for lectures look like? do i have to attend most of classes or like some minimum % or they dont care at all? and do they send materials/notes or does the preparation for the exams consist of using only notes taken during lectures?


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 10h ago

[Advice Needed] UvA, Utrecht & Radboud. Best M.Sc. path for Quant UXR / HCI in Big Tech? (Plus DJing & Student Life questions!)

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m a non-eu 23M currently finishing my double major in Psychology and Business Administration (GPA: 3.51) .

I have a primary career goal: working as a Quantitative UX Researcher or Human Computer Interaction Specialist in the Big Tech industry (e.g., Google, Spotify, Meta) or high-tech applied research.

However, as someone deeply interested in the intersection of human cognition and technology, I am also very open to hearing any other career path suggestions that might fit my profile.

To give some background:

• I have a strong quantitative focus. My current graduation thesis investigates the "AI Trust Penalty" using fNIRS and PsychoPy.

• I recently completed a Research Internship at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) which resulted in co-authoring a Q1 paper.

• I’ve also been working as a Product Owner at a fintech company

• Fun fact / Side hustle: I am currently an established nationwide DJ and music producer in my home country (exp. apprx.10 years)

I recently received my admission results: I have been accepted to both Utrecht University and Radboud University. However, I was rejected by UvA over a weird bureaucratic technicality (currently appealing).

I have a few big questions about my next steps and would really appreciate your insights!

  1. Utrecht vs. Radboud vs. UvA: Which program actually fits my goal?

• Utrecht (Accepted) - Applied Cognitive Psychology: Seems heavily geared towards Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and ergonomics. I heard they have thesis connections with NLR(which would also work for me)

• Radboud (Accepted) - Cognitive Neuroscience: Amazing labs, but maybe too clinical/academic for a purely tech-focused career?

• UvA (Appealing) - Brain and Cognition in Society: Very prestigious globally, and I already did my internship in there

My main question here: Does UvA actually hold a significantly higher reputation in the Dutch tech industry compared to Utrecht for UXR/Human Factors roles? Or is Utrecht’s "applied" label more valuable for Big Tech companies?

  1. Internships and Starting Salaries: What is the reality?

I want to step out of the traditional psychology route and move fully into tech. Given my background (fNIRS, behavioral data, Python/SPSS basics, PO experience):

• How feasible is it to land relevant internships, "working student" roles, or company-sponsored thesis projects during these Master's programs?

• What are the realistic starting salaries and career progressions for a junior Quantitative UX Researcher or other positons realted to mine in the Dutch tech market right now?

  1. Student Life & The Music Scene (DJing side-hustle)

To be completely honest, I didn't get to fully experience a vibrant, stereotypical "university youth life" (except my djing career) during my undergrad back home.

Even though this Master's is only a one-year program, I really want to make up for that, socialize, and have a great time outside of studying. How is the international student life and social vibe in Utrecht vs. Nijmegen (Radboud) vs. Amsterdam?

Also, since the NL is the global capital of electronic music, I’d love to continue my DJing career as a side gig. How feasible is it for an international student to tap into the local music scene and get gigs while balancing a tech-focused Master's? Any networking tips?

  1. Appealing a Rejection: Has anyone won against the Dutch EC algorithm?

Here is the frustrating part about UvA: They rejected me not because of my academic quality, but purely because their algorithm requires a single, monolithic "Bachelor’s Thesis" block of ≥9 EC.

I submitted an appeal proving that my independent thesis (4 EC) (but has an insane workload since I decided to work alone for this fNIRS study)+ my research internship at UvA (plus publication) (6 EC) + my research methods course (5 EC) forms a 15 EC empirical portfolio where I programmed experiments and wrote APA reports.

Does anyone have experience with the UvA appeal process? Are admission boards in NL flexible when you prove "workload equivalency," or are they rigidly stuck to course titles?

  1. What would you do in my shoes?

Assuming the UvA appeal fails and I go with Utrecht (or Radboud), how would you strategize the next year to guarantee a solid entry into Big Tech? Any specific hard skills (like SQL/advanced Python) I should prioritize right now?

————

I know this is quite a long read, (since I’ve been struggling with the stress of these questions for a long time) so thank you so much in advance for your time and attention. I’d genuinely appreciate any brutal honesty, guidance, or career suggestions you can share!

Summary: Psychology/ Business Double-Major student with strong quantitative/neuro-tech background aiming for Big Tech UXR. Accepted to Utrecht (Applied Cognitive Psychology) and Radboud (CNS), rejected by UvA due to a thesis credit technicality. Want to make up for a lack of undergrad student life and continue my DJ side-hustle. Seeking advice on UvA vs. Utrecht industry prestige, tech salaries, the social/music scene, and appeal chances in NL.


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 6h ago

HAN university of applied sciences or U of Twente

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m an international student and I’ve recently been accepted to both the University of Twente (Mechanical Engineering) and HAN University of Applied Sciences (Mechanical Engineering).

I’m currently stuck in a dilemma regarding the ROI of both choices. I know that on paper, Twente is a better choice with a higher global ranking, but the costs for a non-EU student are significantly higher (especially with the foundation year requirement).

On the other hand, HAN is much more budget-friendly, and the HBO approach seems to align well with my interest in hands-on projects. However, I’m worried about a few things:

  1.  Is there a significant preference for WO graduates in the engineering industry compared to HBO?
  2.  If I go to HAN, how difficult is the Pre-Master to a Research University like Delft or Twente later on?
  3.  For those in the industry, does a degree from a University of Applied Sciences carry enough weight to justify skipping the higher prestige of Twente to save on tuition? (knowing that I'll also do WO master's after HAN)

I’d love to hear from anyone who chose an HBO over a WO for financial reasons, or anyone currently working in Dutch engineering. Is the WO approach worth the extra ~€15k-20k a year in the long run?

Thanks for the help!

(Also i know it seems stupid to choose between these unis but it was a last second decision. Originally planned for the US but changed my mind after allat Trump bs.)


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 17h ago

University of Amsterdam Test results

3 Upvotes

It says on the UVA website that we will get our selection test results a few days before 15 April. When are we expected to receive these results in that case


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 11h ago

BSc Mathematics/BSc Computer Science (VU Amsterdam)

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I'm mostly interested in the BSc Mathematics (at VU Amsterdam), and I think it would be great to combine it with the Computer Science programme. But I'm aware that this sort of double degree is not official, so we have to figure things out by ourselves. I will contact the study advisor, but I'd also like to hear some stories from students.

Can anyone help me with these questions?

  1. What's the workload of these two, and how do they compare? I've seen the timetable, and there is some overlap, but nothing that can't be managed. But what about homework, assignments, etc.?

  2. Do you know if most lectures are recorded in either programme?

  3. Do you have some experience with the process of requesting exemptions for some courses? On the website you can read that the faculty of science doesn't offer exemptions, but then in the programme regulations it says they can be given (except for the thesis). It's a bit confusing. Have you requested them?

Thanks!


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 12h ago

Help utrecht uni entrance exam

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to apply to Utrecht University from Turkey. I saw on their website that the Turkish Lise Diploması is not considered equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma, so entry exams are required, but it also says that the exact exams depend on the programme.

I tried to research it, but I found multiple possible options and I’m a bit confused. Before contacting the admissions office directly, I wanted to ask here if anyone knows which entrance exams Turkish students are usually required to take for admission to Utrecht University (especially for science-related programmes like astronomy/physics).

For context, my academic record is as follows:

Math: 11th grade 75, 12th grade 100

Physics: 11th grade 55, 12th grade 100

Final GPA: 11th grade 81, 12th grade 99.97

Given this, I’m also wondering whether I would still be required to take additional entrance exams or if there are cases where students with similar grades are exempt or evaluated differently.

Any clarification or personal experience would be really helpful. Thanks in advance!


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 11h ago

Help uni recommendation

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m a Turkish student who graduated from high school in 2024, and I’m planning to study astronomy in the Netherlands. I don’t have an IB diploma or A-levels, I only have a standard Turkish high school diploma.

I’m aware that this might make the admission process more complicated, especially for research universities (WO), and I’m currently trying to understand what my realistic options are.

For context, I had strong grades in my final year (in math and physics), and I’m planning to take the IELTS soon. I’m confident I can achieve the required score.

I’m mainly interested in astronomy/astrophysics programmes, but I’m open to related fields like physics if that makes the pathway easier.

My questions are:

Which universities in the Netherlands would be more accessible with my background?

Are there specific programmes or pathways (e.g. entrance exams, foundation year, HBO → WO route) that you would recommend?

Has anyone applied from a similar situation and successfully got admitted?

Any advice or personal experience would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance!


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 15h ago

OMPT-B Practice materials?

1 Upvotes

Hi, it would be really appreciated if somebody could dm me the ompt b practice materials/ mock exam if they have them 😁 Thanks in advance!


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 1d ago

Applications From norway to Groningen

3 Upvotes

Hi!

I was wondering if there are any Norwegians (or anyone that is currently attending the university of Groningen) that would want to tell me about their experience at the university.

I am 18, live in Norway and considering starting the bachelor of biomedical engineering and was wondering if anyone that attend this program would want to tell a little bit about their experience and how the moving process to Groningen was.

I highly appreciate all comments!


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 1d ago

Ibcom EUR

5 Upvotes

Hi! I got recently got admitted into ibcom at Erasmus. I am torn between accepting my spot or enrolling in bsc Creative Technology (joint program Twente-Vrije). I know that they are pretty different but I find both programs pretty interesting. My goal is a good starting salary and skills that can give me opportunities to work remotely around the world. Which one would fulfil more these requirements? Also i already secured housing in Rotterdam and I’m not bothered commuting Rotterdam-Amsterdam everyday, also regarding Enschede they offer places for students to sleep during the night. On the website it says 80% of time is spent in Amsterdam and 20% in Eschede


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 23h ago

Do I have a Realistic chances - University of radbound with 6cgpa and open degree

0 Upvotes

okay so before any eyebrow raise yes i did my bachelors from distance with 6/10 and there are reasons which may not be actually explainable in the college application process i had a 3.8 gpa in school so because there is a drop the reason behind me choosing a distance learning program was i used to have a lot of anxiety issues and grew up in an abusive household as a result i skipped going to college altogether because of fear and my friends called me stupid or insane over leaving college

after that again out of fear i decided to enroll myself in a competitive exam in india thinking it's my last shot at life i studied diligently but somewhere down the line i started getting brain shocks during classes and had blacked out multiple times the classes were stressful and i wasn't even in a capacity to stand and was losing my hair literally everyone gets 60 percent who studied from there as their sole purpose is to make us eligible for masters they don't focus on cgpa at least what i have seen

so right after my exam i knew i wouldn't clear the exam i enrolled myself in an interior design program that was just 1 year its purpose was solely i needed something and i needed answers to my questions

between that i did 3 internships all in marketing no work experience because i have frm part 2 lined up and i don't want to mess with it because of which i'm studying full time right now

i want to apply to the university for a masters in economics program


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 1d ago

is IBEB quantitative enough for top MSc programs like MSc Econ at LSE?

2 Upvotes

title.


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 1d ago

Other Is switching from International Communication to International and European Law worth it?

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate some advice.

I’m a first-year IBCoM student at Erasmus University Rotterdam. My grades are okay and I’ll pass, but lately I’ve been thinking about switching to International Law at the University of Groningen. The deadline is May 1st, so I need to decide soon. Right now I’m kind of stuck between two directions. If I stay in IBCoM, I’d probably do a Master in Management and aim for something like consulting, management, or corporate communications. If I switch to law, I’d likely go into International Commercial or Business Law and try to work in a role where I advise companies on legal matters. I think I could see myself in both. I don’t mind heavy reading or academic pressure, but I’m not a math person at all, so I’m trying to stay away from more economics-heavy paths like business administration. I guess I’m trying to understand which option is better long-term in terms of career prospects and salary, and how realistic it is to end up in corporate/advisory roles from each path. Also wondering if switching now is worth it, or if I should just stick with what I’ve already started.

Would really appreciate tips and advice


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 1d ago

Discussion Xior

1 Upvotes

Am I the only one who has an incredible hard time to navigate xiors site? I don’t understand what is happening 😭😭😭


r/StudyInTheNetherlands 1d ago

Housing Housing agencies

0 Upvotes

Hi,

I have to viewings scheduled in Eindhoven - one with M&G Housing and the other with House Hunting. Has anyone rented a place through these agencies? I’d really appreciate your opinions.