Soft Landing

Finding student housing in Amsterdam is a difficult task. Demand is high, but unfortunately, the supply is sometimes far from sufficient. That’s why it’s important to join Facebook groups, register for websites and/or real estate agents, as soon as you know that you want to go to Amsterdam. Be patient in your search for a place to live, because you won’t find a suitable home with all the necessary facilities within a day. When you are eventually offered a room, it is also important to check out what kind of neighborhood the house is located in, the distance to Roeterseiland and supermarkets.

The UvA offers student housing to first-year students (both for Bachelor’s and Master’s students). This housing contract only covers your first year in Amsterdam. Thus, after finishing your first year, you will need to search for housing yourself.  Furthermore, there is a high demand for this offer. Therefore, the UvA makes a priority list: the further away you live from Amsterdam, the higher you are on the priority list, and therefore, have a bigger chance of getting offered a house. This means that European students, especially from countries that share borders with the Netherlands have a smaller chance of getting housing through the UvA. If that is the case, the advice would be to start searching for housing yourself. 


Districts of Amsterdam

In order to get a clear and more structured view of the city of Amsterdam, where you can find some more information about how the city is geographically organized. To get an overview, let’s divide Amsterdam into several districts: Centre, North, South, West, East, South-East, New-West, and Westpoort.

In the center of Amsterdam, you will find canals, many tourists, beautiful churches, most museums, and other cultural hotspots. In the north of the center lies Central Station, from where you can travel to every city in the country, but from here you can also easily travel from one district in the city to another.

Amsterdam North (Noord) is amongst other things home to the NDSM area, an area with sheds where many artists work, trendy cafes can be found, and where quite a lot of students live. Furthermore, North has some of the greenest parts of Amsterdam and is home to many suburban families. Last but not least, various cultures disperse across the streets and therefore there are many shops offering various cultural products. North is gradually becoming more and more booming with trendy places. 

South (Zuid) is known for its parks and business center called the Zuidas. In this beautiful part of the city live the generally more affluent people. If you like architecture you can see the beautiful architecture style of the Amsterdamse School here. The neighborhood de Pijp is also part of Amsterdam-Zuid. Here you can find trendy cafes, shops, and restaurants.

Amsterdam West (West) is home to the classic ‘Amsterdammer’. Residents with a somewhat modal income live mostly in this part of the city. But also here the diversity in culture is very much to be found, which gives the West a cozy and convivial atmosphere. In Amsterdam West, quiet, beautiful residential areas alternate with busy, pleasant shopping streets. If you’re looking for a place of tranquillity or busy summer days, do visit Westerpark! A great place to go for a walk or a coffee in a diverse cultural area is for example the Kinkerstraat, Jan van Galenstraat, and the Jan Evertsenstraat.

In Amsterdam East (Oost) you will find the Roeterseilandcampus, where you will be spending most of your time studying. But Science Park is also located in this district. Furthermore, Oost is mainly known for the many students that are housed here, but also for the Young Urban Professionals, the many canals, and multicultural shopping streets, like the Dappermarket!

South East (Zuidoost) is a bit further away from the center of Amsterdam. Most people who live in this area earn a little bit less than average. That is why many family homes, flats, and industrial estates are located here. If you like football: The Johan Cruijff Arena, the football stadium of AFC Ajax is also located in this area. Finally, there is a good chance that your exams will take place in the Southeast. 

New-West (Nieuw-West) is mainly dominated by green parks, houses, and hip, more alternative coffee places. However, on the other side, the area is also known by its many multicultural flats and single-family houses. South of New-West is the airport Schiphol located. 

Last but not least, Westpoort consists mainly of the port and industrial estates. However, new, modern residential complexes are also being built here on the border of this area, lying close to Amsterdam West. In principle, Westpoort is not really interesting to visit, but mainly a place for people to go to their work.





Furniture and Homeware

Second hand:

Here is a website with an overview of all the second-hand stores in Amsterdam.

The IJhallen is a flea market where you can basically get anything. It is held twice a month during the weekend. More details can be found on their website.

Another way to get second-hand stuff is Marktplaats. It is a platform to buy and sell second-hand stuff. It is very handy if you want to buy budget-friendly homeware, bikes, clothes, or anything else that you can think of. Additionally, you can also sell your stuff if you would like to make some extra money! It is important to always pay attention to not get scammed.

New stuff:

IKEA has everything! Loads of students buy their homeware at IKEA. You can also look at second-hand or thrift stores. Other practical stores to get homeware are the Action, the Xenos, the Hemma, and the Blokker. Action is probably the cheapest store, Xenos has all sorts of tableware,





Real Estate Agents

For those who have the budget for it and prefer convenience and security above all, there is the option to contact a real estate agent who will actively look for a suitable living space for you. Be sure to check this link for an overview of real estate agents that are specialized in helping out internationals.





Room via Facebook

Become a member of Facebook groups:

  • Kamer Te Huur Amsterdam (VIV Enterprise) (English translation: Room for Rent Amsterdam (VIV Enterprise))
  • Zoekt kamer in Amsterdam Community (English translation: Looking for room in Amsterdam Community)
  • Woonruimte Aangeboden/Gezocht (Amsterdam) (English translation: Living Space Offered/Wanted (Amsterdam))
  • Kamer Gezocht/Aangeboden (English translation: Room Wanted/Offered)

Loads of available rooms are posted there, and you should send an email to a room you are interested in. In the Netherlands we work with hosting evenings, where a few people interested are invited to view the room. This evening is for the people hosting a moment to see who you are and if you are suitable as a roommate for them. The key is, be patient. And keep sending emails and keep replying. You definitely won’t be invited to all the rooms you are interested in. And it will probably take you some time to find a room, so start in time. Lastly, the best way to get a room is via your network. A study association such as VSPA can help you meet new people and expand your network.





Other Housing Websites

There are other very handy websites that you can make use of while searching for an apartment. 

Funda

Funda is a website where you can search for apartments and studios. It showcases houses for every budget range. Always read the descriptions very carefully to see if the house is suitable for students because some house owners do not want students renting their properties. You cannot apply for a house directly through the website, however, you can arrange viewings, which are always recommended to have before applying for the house! You do not need to pay any money to use this website

Pararius 

Pararius is a website very similar to Funda. The only difference is that Pararius has more advanced filters that come in handy especially if you are searching for a house for more than 2 people. Many houses in the Netherlands do not allow 3 people to register at the same time unless they are a family. On pararius you can see whether registration is possible through the filters and the descriptions of the houses. If you want to find an apartment/studio, check out their website.

Kamernet

Kamernet is a website that lets you rent a room in an apartment. If you are struggling to find roommates, Kamernet might be the best option for you! You can directly apply for a room through their website, however, you need to pay to have a premium account. Without a premium account you cannot apply for the houses, nor can you schedule a viewing. The monthly fee for the subscription is €34 but there are other subscription options as well. To get a more clear picture, check out their website





UvA Housing

The University of Amsterdam itself also offers help to link students to a house. Throughout the city there are buildings with only UvA student rooms. So you will also be surrounded by fellow students. There are four different types of rooms with their own price range. This site explains everything very clearly, so be sure to take a look!

The UvA has reserved a certain amount of student rooms with different housing providers and can accommodate roughly half of the newly incoming (1st-year Bachelors or Masters) international students. If they cannot offer you a room, you will have to find accommodation on your own (check out the section RentSlam and other housing websites). We advise you to apply for student housing as soon as you can, as Amsterdam is experiencing a significant housing crisis and there is a considerable shortage.



When you finally move to Amsterdam it is important to register immediately with the Municipality of Amsterdam. This registration is an official confirmation for living in Amsterdam. If you are going to live in Diemen, for example, you have to register with the municipality of Diemen. It is of utmost importance to arrange your registration within a week after your arrival by going to one of the town halls in your neighbourhood. By registering you will also receive a Citizen Service Number (BSN). The registration can be compared to applying for your ‘visa’ in Amsterdam. For more information on your BSN and registration: check out this section!


BSN Social Services

The BSN (burgerservicenummer) social services number (or what was called the Sofi or Social-Fiscal number) is a very important personal code and with that a bureaucratic issue that internationals in the Netherlands have to deal with.

A BSN (burgerservicenummer) literally translates to ‘citizen service number’, a unique registration number for everyone who lives in the Netherlands. The BSN will facilitate any interaction with the Dutch authorities: starting a job, opening a bank account, deducting your taxes and social security contributions, using the healthcare system, applying for benefits, announcing a change of address etc. It is also used to combat identity fraud and misspelled names.

How to apply for a citizen service number?

You will receive your BSN when you register with the municipality (gemeente) of the area you will live in. Everyone who lives in the Netherlands, either for all or a significant part of the time, needs to register with their municipality within five days if they are planning to stay for more than four months.

When registering and thus receiving your BSN, EU citizens will need to provide a valid proof of identity (such as a passport, not a driver’s licence) and their address to be registered, while for non-EU expats other documents (such as your residence permit and employment contract etc.) have to be presented too.

What do you do if you have lost your BSN?

Lost your BSN number? No worries, you can find your number on a number of official documents, such as:

-Tax assessments or return letters sent to you by the Dutch Tax Office

-Your Dutch identity card / passport

-Your Dutch driver’s licence

If your identity document does not state your BSN number, simply go to the Dutch municipality where you are registered and request your BSN number there.

For more information, check out the website of I Amsterdam!





Register with the Municipality of Amsterdam

When you finally move to Amsterdam it is important to register immediately with the Municipality of Amsterdam. This registration is an official confirmation for living in Amsterdam. If you are going to live in Diemen, for example, you have to register with the municipality of Diemen. It is of utmost importance to arrange your registration within a week after your arrival by going to one of the town halls in your neighborhood.

Register with the Municipality of Amsterdam

As a tenant of accommodation in Amsterdam, you are legally obliged to be registered with the municipality in which you live. You must therefore be registered at the address where you actually live. The municipality regularly checks whether the registrations still correspond with the actual residential addresses. If this is not correct or if you live illegally, the municipality has the possibility to hand out penalties. 

You need the registration for the following services

  • Creating a passport, an identity card, or a driving license. 
  • Voting in the elections
  • Provision of allowances
  • Collecting taxes
  • It is important for the police, ambulance, and fire brigade to have an overview of the household when they have to act in case of an emergency. 

Students can drop in to register as a resident at any City Office within 5 days of arrival, Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 18.00. Thursday from 08.00 to 20.00. Contact the City within 5 days of arrival to schedule an appointment. Call the City of Amsterdam’s information line 14 020. Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 18.00.  (From abroad: +31 20 624 1111)

What you need to bring to the municipality:

  • A valid proof of identity: a passport or an ID card (not a driver’s licence).
  • Proof of an Amsterdam address. For example the rental contract, or an Address registration permission form (PDF) signed by the main occupant and a copy of his or her proof of identity.
  • Proof that you are a student at a Dutch school or university: a student card (studentenkaart) or proof of registration (bewijs van inschrijving).

Depending on your housing situation, you need to bring:

  • If you own your own house: the proof of purchase (koopcontract).
  • If you rent your home: the rental contract (huurcontract), or an Address registration permission form (PDF) signed by the main occupant and a copy of his or her proof of identity, such as a passport or an ID card.
  • If you live in an institution, for example a nursing home: an Address registration permission form (PDF; in Dutch) signed by the institution.
  • If you do not have a home address, for a postal address (briefadres): an Address registration permission form (in Dutch) signed by the main occupant and a copy of his or her proof of identity, such as a passport or an ID card. A postal address enables you to temporarily receive mail at the address of someone you know.
  • If you do not have a European nationality: proof that the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has approved your stay.

For more information about supplies and services in Amsterdam and other opportunities in this beautiful city, check out the following website.

Check out surrounding towns, Haarlem, Diemen, Amstelveen



As an international student coming to the Netherlands, it is very important to create a Dutch bank account. Many shops do not accept credit cards and because of the current technology, cash is no longer often used as a means of payment. 

The condition to open an account is that you live in the Netherlands and are registered with a municipality. In addition, you must have a Citizen service number (BSN) and a residence permit if you are from a non-EU country. If you are not registered at a municipality and you do not have valid identity papers, it is not possible to open an account.


Bank Options

ING 

ING is one of the most used bank options in the Netherlands for international students. You can create a student account without any monthly costs.

You can open a student account via your phone by following the instructions on this website if:

  • You have a Dutch passport or ID card (no driver’s license)
  • You have an iPhone 7 or higher (Apple) or a phone with NFC (Android)
  • You live in The Netherlands
  • You are 18 years or older

If you do not apply to the criteria above, you can go to an ING-Service point with an appointment to create your account. Make sure to bring the following documents with you:

  • A valid ID (passport, ID card, official residence document)
  • A copy of your registration at a Dutch educational institution (full-time study), so-called proof of enrollment
  • If you are an international student without Dutch ID: an original extract from the Personal Records Database (BRP), not older than 3 months
  • Your burgerservicenummer (BSN) or, if you don’t have one, your Tax Identification Number (TIN). When you register in the BRP you will receive a BSN.

ABN Amro 

ABN Amro is another bank in the Netherlands that offers a free student account. Creating an account on ABN-Amro is very easy through their app. All you need is a Dutch ID or a valid passport for international students. You can check out their website for more information on how to create an account.

Bunq 

Bunq is another very easy-to-use online banking option in the Netherlands. Additionally, it is a sustainable bank! To open an account, all you need to do is download their app. The only downside of this option is that you need to pay a monthly fee of €2,99. Bunq has different plans that you can check out through their website to choose a plan with benefits that fit you. Please note, they are completely online and have no physical branches.

Some other sustainable options can be, Triodos, SNS, and ASN. However, this may be a bit more costly compared to other banks.





Ideal payment system

In the Netherlands, iDeal is a well-known payment system. Through this system it is possible to complete your payments safely and quickly with any Dutch bank.

iDeal is not an app, it’s an online system! You don’t have to download anything to get access. If you apply for a Dutch bank account, there will never be any problems with iDeal payments. When transferring money from your mobile banking app to another bank account, iDeal takes care of the online transfer. You will also immediately get a notification if the transfer successfully is completed. Other advantages are not having to enter account numbers and other data, it’s very easy to transfer money via your smartphone or tablet and last but not least, no extra costs are charged.

Another great app to download is Tikkie. With this app, you can send payment requests to everyone who uses iDeal. So if a friend paid for your dinner and he wants you to pay him back, he will just send you a ‘tikkie’ and within 3 clicks on your phone, the money has been transferred to his bank account through iDeal. Incredibly quick and safe as well.

Last but not least, usually Dutch people give a 10% tip to the waiter in a restaurant. It is possible to pay this in cash or with your bank account.



Health is crucial! Also when coming to Amsterdam. Click on the options below for more information about general practitioners and dentists. 


Covid-19

If you would like information about the coronavirus, please visit https://www.thuisarts.nl or the RIVM website: https://www.rivm.nl/coronavirus/covid-19/ question-answers

RIVM is the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu) and you can find the latest updates on their official website linked above.





Health & Travel Insurance

Studying overseas or being offered an internship can be a valuable and exciting part of your tertiary education. It is important to be insured during your study overseas in case anything should happen to yourself in The Netherlands or if you suddenly have to return home due to a sick relative.

Check out this website for an overview of insurances perfectly fit for international students.

Are you going to be working while in the Netherlands? Then by law, you must get a Dutch Health Insurance, or you may face a 400EUR fine for non-compliance. AON offers easy-to-set-up insurance for students, found here.





Dentist

Studentist

This is the dentist for students in Amsterdam. It is possible to register online and schedule appointments. The dentist is also located near several university buildings
It’s incredibly easy to switch to this dental practice. First, make an appointment online and on-location all papers will be filled in and will be sent. It takes little time to make the switch between dental practices and all the administration is largely done for you.

Lastly, Studentist indicates to be very cheap, and especially younger dentists work at this practice.

Click here to go to their website.

ACTA

ACTA is a knowledge institute where research is carried out, students are educated and 350 patients are cared for on a daily basis. ACTA even ranks among the top 5 dental research institutes in the world. The institute is a collaboration between the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam. 

Also, dental care is available at the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), where treatment is provided by university dental students who are supervised by qualified dentists.

Treatments can take slightly more time because they may be carried out by several students, but the cost is lower (65% of the normal fee, on average).

A selective examination will be carried out before you can register at ACTA in order to establish whether you are a good candidate for treatment by students. It is possible that you will not be admitted to ACTA as a patient.

For more information about ACTA, click here

Click here to see what the UvA recommends.





General Practitioner

There are loads of different General Practitioners (GP) in Amsterdam. For internationals who may not know a GP is a doctor based in the community who treats patients with minor or chronic illnesses and refers those with serious conditions to a hospital. The health care system in The Netherlands might be different than what you are used to. For more information about insurance, you can check out the UvA website and their advice.

To know the closest General Practitioner in your area, search on Google for GPs in your area. For example, “General Practitioner in Amsterdam East”. Then a list of GPs in your district will be shown. You can also find GPs in your area on this website. The UvA also provides information about GPs. Click here for more information. 

Finally, the GP also deals with the mental health of the student. If you are having problems related to your mental health that are not study-related (if it is check out the UvA Psychologists) you should get a consultation appointment with your GP and they will refer you to a professional (psychologist or psychiatrist).

What documents do I need to register at a Dutch GP?

Registering to a GP takes little time and is very user-friendly. You can register for the GP of UvA (details down below) or any other GP usually via a from or through a phone call. Also, if you are unhappy with your current GP transferring from one GP to another is very easy. Just fill in a few forms and a few days later all the data is transferred.

What you need to fill in:

– Information about your previous General Practitioner
– Personal information, so your name, address, etc.
– Your Citizen Service Number (BSN in Dutch)
– Details about your health insurance

https://www.huisartsenamsterdam.nl/international/

This is a general practice in the center of Amsterdam. The practice cooperates with the UvA and the HvA, which means that every student from these institutes can contact this general practitioner. Here they specialize in students, taking into account the body of students but also the lifestyle of the student. They are specialized in burn-outs, travel advice & vaccination, birth control, drugs, STD’s etc. They also give a lot of attention to E-health. On the internet, it is possible to follow the training, carry out tests and follow therapy.

https://www.centraldoctors.nl/

There are also general practitioners in the Amsterdam Centraal Station. They are ideally located for residents of the city center who are looking for a new, easily accessible general practitioner with extended opening hours. Travelers and commuters can also contact them. All kinds of investigations are carried out via their own laboratory collection point. You can also get medication at the adjacent pharmacy. This is ideal to keep in mind in case of emergencies as well (the UvA GP can get crowded certain times of the year) since they accept walk-ins.




Roaming in the Netherlands

Recently the roaming rules changed within the EU. The new “roam like at home” rules mean that when you use your mobile phone while travelling outside your home country in any EU country you don’t have to pay any additional roaming charges. The new rules are intended for people who visit a country for a short period of time – it is not meant to be used for permanent roaming . If you are planning to stay for a longer period in the Netherlands, we strongly advise against roaming since you can get a big fine if you get caught.





Prepaid or contract

You can choose between a contract (Abonnement) or a prepaid card. The prepaid option is easier to get and there are cards available with internet included which will save you roaming costs. You can top it up with cards from the supermarket or online.

A contract will usually work out cheaper if you know that you will use your mobile often and will stay in the country for a year or more. In order to sign a contract you’ll need:

-proof of identity

-an address

-an official bank statement 

& bank account details.

If you have an unlocked phone, it’s also possible to buy only a Dutch sim card.

How to save money on international calls

Making international calls can be really expensive. One of the cheapest ways to keep in touch with your family and friends is to use an international prepaid calling card.

Prepaid international calling cards offer you a wide range of advantages on international calls:

  • They usually offer the lowest rates available – you can save up to 90% of the cost of a normal call.
  • You can use them from every phone (work, home, mobile and public phone)
  • If you use a toll-free number, you can call from work or a friend’s phone without them being charged for the call.
  • It’s easy to control your spending and avoid the ‘bad surprise’ of an astronomical monthly phone bill. Card providers offer such cheap calls because they buy high quantities of international minutes at large discounts. Prepaidzero is an international calling card provider.




Expat Mobile

Expat Mobile is a mobile phone operator specialized in the expat and student market. They provide cheap national and international rates, so you can always keep in touch with friends and family back home. No residence permit or Dutch bank account needed. So, get yourself connected with a sim card from Expat Mobile! Go to expatmobile.nl and check it out!



Even though Amsterdam is not a big city, it’s still too big to walk everywhere. Below are some different transport options:


Traffic Rules

Strict traffic rules have been drawn up in the Netherlands and in Amsterdam in order to allow all residents to move around the streets as safe as possible. Here are the most important rules:

  • Firstly, it is forbidden to drive a vehicle with alcohol or drugs in your body. This is life-threatening. It is forbidden to cycle with alcohol in the body, so be very careful! The police do not check bikers with any alcohol in their blood. However, it is still forbidden. If you are not an experienced cyclist, be careful on the road. Even experienced cyclists regularly fall hard on the ground when they’re drunk.
  • All vehicles drive on the right side of the road. Left overtaking is allowed.
  • Since 2019 it is forbidden to hold a mobile phone while riding a scooter, motorbike, moped, or bicycle. This law was introduced this year because of the many accidents on the road, caused by one or more drivers who hold their phones. Calling is also not allowed except hands-frees, such as a mobile holder on the handlebars or earphones. Fines for holding a phone when driving on the road are €95,-.
  • Traffic from the right has priority
  • Trams always have priority (watch out for tram rails on bicycles!)
  • On the motorway, in most cases, the maximum speed is 100 or 120 km/hour.
  • Everywhere in the city of Amsterdam, there are cycle paths. Drive on these paths and avoid the asphalt roads where cars drive.
  • The most important rule of cycling in Amsterdam: many people abide by the rules. The bicycle network in Amsterdam does not run on a system but on intuition. Lots of people ignore the stop signs/red lights, cycles fast, and maneuvers swiftly past other cyclists, pedestrians, cars, and trams. Be aware that it takes time to get used to the bicycle system because you have to make the system your own.




Public Transport

OV-chipcard

Within Amsterdam, it is easy to travel quickly by bike, but also by public transport. The tram, bus, and metro are good means of transport to travel throughout the city. The infrastructure in Amsterdam is so good that the trams, buses, and metros follow each other in quick succession.

To pay for public transport it is important to buy a public transport chip card. With this card, you can check in when you arrive at the means of transport and check out when you disembark. No more cash is accepted in Amsterdam.

Regular public transport OV-chipcard (personalized)

Only Dutch students can get free public transport. International students can buy a public transport chip card. The card is valid for 5 years.

With this link, you can fill in your details and request a personal chip card (OV-chipkaart).

  1. Then you have to upload a personal photo which can be seen on your personal chip card.
  2. Then you can indicate the function to automatically upload the OV-chipkaart. This means that when the amount of money is lower than a certain value, the OV-chipkaart will be charged with money from your bank account. This action takes place automatically when this threshold is reached.
  3. Then you check everything and fill in your payment details.
  4. You can only pay with iDeal and PayPal.
  5. Within a few working days, you will receive the OV-chipkaart at home.

Anonymous public transportation OV-chipcard

There is also a possibility to travel with an anonymous OV-chipkaart. When people don’t travel much with OV or don’t want to share their personal information, you can choose to travel anonymously. You can share the card with the whole family (but not at the same time). For example, you travel to the library by metro with the anonymous card and your flatmate uses the same card one day later to go to football by bus.

  1. The card is available at railway stations, metro stations, tobacco shops, and service desks.
  2. If you load a balance on it, the card can be used immediately.
  3. The card is valid for five years from the date of production.
  4. A disadvantage of the card is that you can use prices that are not related to age. So a child will cost the same price as an adult.

Deals and discounts

NS is the principal passenger railway operator in the Netherlands. This company offers plenty of discounts and package deals for student public transportation, which are called ‘Flex Subscriptions’. These deals are structured in such a way that you pay a monthly rate and in return have access to many advantages for example a 40% discount on public transportation during the weekend or a 20% of discount during peak hours.

For more information, you can visit this website and decide which deal is best for you.

Night buses

Night buses also run between 01.00 and 05.00 hours in the Amsterdam region. The OV-chipcard can also be used or you can buy a separate ticket on the bus. The prices are a bit more expensive and there are fewer buses at night.

The University of Amsterdam: public transport

The University of Amsterdam also wrote information about public transport in Amsterdam. For more information, check out their website.




Grading System

The dutch grading system is on a 10-point scale, from 1 til 10, with at the UvA, a 5.5 meaning a pass. Grades are rounded (usually) by the .5, expect at the pass-fail point, where either you get a 5 or a 6.

The grades at the UvA are weighted, using Testvision, there is usually a ‘guessing chance’ counter-measure. More information can be found under the Exam Regulations of each course, on Canvas or via Studiegids.

Something that especially new students find difficult to realize, that equivilant to UK and US grade, an 8.5 is usually already a 1st/A, and receiving a 10 is extremely rare due to the grades being weighted. Therefore, a realistic expectation should be held for yourself, to balance student and study life.





Ordering your Books!

You can find all the books you need in the study guide. Here is the link to the psychology bachelor in the study guide.

There are multiple ways to get the books, you can search them online, get them from another (older) student, or buy them through us, the VSPA.

The VSPA makes a book list for each year, and makes it easy for you to order all the correct books. As a VSPA member, you also get a huge discount (up to 200,- a year)! The books will be sent to you within 24 hours. Delivery within the Netherlands is free of charge.

You can order the books at ‘Book Sales’. You have to sign in with your VSPA account to be able to order them.





Free: Office 365 ProPlus

As a UvA student, you can get Office 365 ProPlus for free! This means you can use all the latest versions of Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. For more information on how to download the software you can visit the following link:

https://student.uva.nl/en/content/az/software/office-365-proplus/office-365-proplus.html





Education Programme

During the year you follow several courses. For each course, an exam takes place at the end of each month. This ensures that the first two weeks of the month are fairly quiet, then the third week is hard work required, and the fourth week you will be locked in the library to learn.

European Credits 

For each completed course a student will receive credits, called ECTS, but they’re better known as EC’s (European Credits). It is an international European credit system and it emphasizes the study load of a course. An easily achievable course with a very short longitude will probably earn you 3 points, while a difficult course that takes 4 months will earn you 12 points for example. Students need to earn 60 points per year to receive their Bachelor’s degree in three years. All together, the courses in the first year are worth 60 points. Of course, it can happen that you don’t pass a course, in that case, you can retake the exam at the end of the year. If students fail the exam again, they will not receive any credits.

Binding Study Advice 

Students are issued with a Binding Study Advice (BSA). This means that students must obtain sufficient study credits in the first year of their Bachelor’s programme to be permitted to continue studying in their second year. This BSA is 48 points for Psychology at the UvA. So this means that if you have not obtained a 12-point course or two 6-point courses, you can still move on to the second year! However, in your second year you will have to make up for the shortfall. If you haven’t obtained the 48 points,  you sadly have to stop studying Psychology at the UvA, except if you have specific personal reasons that have prevented you from working optimally on the course.

Year 1, semester 1 (September until January)

– In the first four months you follow the course Introduction to Psychology & Cognitive Psychology. Cognitive Psychology deals with mental activities and the acquisition of knowledge for observations and information processing. Research Methods & Statistics will be followed during the same period. It covers what science is, what scientific research is, how you do your research and finally you will be introduced to statistics.

– In the last four weeks of the semester (January), the course Developmental Psychology discusses the development of humans from birth to death.

– Throughout the first semester you will also learn how to write a scientific piece. This will also take place during the second semester.

– The Christmas holidays are the first break during the year. It takes place from December to January, specific dates depend on the year.

Year 1, semester 2 (February until June)

– In the second semester everyone will start with Social and Work & Organisational Psychology for 8 weeks. During Social Psychology you will learn mainly about group processes and in W&O you will learn about the psychology behind the employee in a company.

– You will then have Clinical Psychology & Brain and Cognition for 8 weeks. Clinical Psychology treats mental disorders and in B&C you learn about the substances and parts in the brain.

– The May Vacation is the second break in the year, it lasts a week and usually takes place around the beginning of May.

– As the last course of the year you will have Professional Orientation. This course helps you choose a specialization for the second year.

For more information, check out the link of the UvA-website for the Psychology Bachelor.





Your Schedule

The UvA Schedule is the website where you can find your courses, the lecture and tutorial times, the locations of the lecture or tutorial and your lecturer/teacher. For your information, the website is called www.rooster.uva.nl. Rooster is the Dutch word for schedule. The UvA schedule is quite a difficult one to find out, so do not hesitate to ask other people if you do not get how it works. I hope we can give you enough information about how it works to make sure you know where to be when. I will explain it step-by-step, so hopefully, you have your schedule in your timetable after these steps.

Step 1: go to www.rooster.uva.nl and log in with your UvAnetID (your student number and password) in the top right corner.

Step 2: To see your schedule, you have to add your schedule to the timetable. You can do so by clicking on “Add timetable”.

Step 3: To see a shared programme, click on “Programme of study”. For first year students your whole first year is a shared programme. For second years, most of your year is a shared programme.

Step 4: search for “Psychology” in the search bar

Step 5: click on “Bachelor’s in Psychology year ….” and then your year and click on “Add timetable in the bottom right corner”

→ now you will see a lot of classes in your schedule. These are all of the classes there are, so now you have to specify your own tutorial groups. I will explain this for the first-year classes.

Step 6: On the right of the screen, you find a list of all timetables comprising your personal timetable. Hover your mouse over the Tutorials Academic Skills/Reading and Writing of Scientific Texts – 7201620PXY_Sem1_Blok_1en2en3  timetable and click the button. Because it says Sem1_Blok_1en2en3 you know it is for semester 1, blocks 1, 2 and 3. Now click on “Filter Activities”.

Step 7: click on the tutorial group that is assigned to you and you will see your schedule!

For more information about the timetable, go to https://rooster.uva.nl/help.





Roeterseiland Campus

The UvA has different buildings and campuses located in different parts of Amsterdam. The psychology department is located on Roeterseilandcampus, Roetersstraat 11. This is the center of Amsterdam, and the place you will have most of your lectures and tutorials. However, your exams mostly take place at another location, mostly at IWO, Meibergdreef 29, Amsterdam.

The different buildings at Roeterseiland Campus:

  • A, B, C: you will have most lectures in these buildings. These are the bordeaux red, light orange, and lila buildings on the map. Big chance that your tutorial groups will take place here as well.
  • D or “De Brug” (the Bridge): De Brug is a canteen on a bridge over the canal on the 4th floor and has an amazing view over the campus. It is the green building on the map. So, for a nice view during your lunch, you should definitely go there.
  • E: Faculty of Economics & Business
  • G: the Psychology Department. The VSPA room is also situated in this building. This is the place to get your summaries, ask your questions about extracurricular activities and meet fellow psychology students. This is the orange building on the map.
  • H: In building H, the red building in the top left corner, is the general canteen. Here you can buy sandwiches, soup, and a changing assortment of warm meals, such as Vietnamese, Indian or Mexican food. Building H also has workspaces, a library, and computers to work on.
  • JK: there is a chance that your tutorials will take place in the purple JK building.

For a nice study break, a good lunch, some coffee, or a beer, CREA is the place to be. CREA is a cafe and a cultural student center, where you can do a lot. You can follow courses in music, dance, film & photography, theatre, creative skills, fine arts and much more with a discount for UvA students. For more information about CREA go to their website, or head over to ‘Enjoy Your Stay’.

For other food around campus, you should go to “De Brug” or the canteen in the H building. Luckily, the buildings are very well marked on campus with their letters. And you can always ask someone at the service desk of a building. Furthermore, the campus has practical facilities as well. There are computers in the library, you can print on campus, and you can book your own rooms via https://uva.mapiq.net/.

Around campus, there are loads of facilities. There’s a supermarket, Albert Heijn, around the corner. There are tram and metro stops close by, which makes the campus easy to reach. Moreover, there are bars, cafes, and restaurants in the streets around campus as well.

For the campus tour you can watch the following video:





VSPA

A study association (not to be confused with a student association) is a non-profit organisation that represents the interests of students in a particular field of study. It consists of many different committees which organise study-related (extracurricular) activities, such as educational trips, lectures and excursions as well as social activities like borrels (typical Dutch get-togethers), dinners and parties. Study associations are run for students, by students, and are a great way to get to know like-minded people and make your life as a student easier. Keep in mind though that it is not obligatory to join one or a necessity for passing the year! Still, joining one could definitely help you out since these associations oftentimes offer students great opportunities, benefits and discounts!

The VSPA, is an association run by Psychology students, for Psychology students. VSPA stands for: Vereniging van Studenten in de Psychologie te Amsterdam (the Association of Students in Psychology in Amsterdam). It is over 80  years old and with that one of the oldest and biggest study associations of the Netherlands!

The VSPA consists of about 1600 members, all looking for ways to expand their student lives in both a social and a study related way.

The association is built on her many committees that organise all kinds of study related activities such as: an international conference, different lectures, workshops and excursions, just to name a few. Besides these events, there are many opportunities to make social connections by means of the various parties, trips and ‘borrels’ that are organised. As a member you can join all these activities and even better; you can organise them yourselves! Basically, about 90% of Psychology-related things you experience on campus besides lectures and tutorials, are done by or with the VSPA. The VSPA is constantly growing and developing, just like its members. Make sure to stop by and check it out to see if there’s something we can offer you! Now: ‘where to find us?’, you may ask. Keep reading!

The VSPA room is where the board of 6 students stays every working day. Here, they fulfill all of their tasks to coordinate the organisation and keep everything running. But don’t be confused: the VSPA room is just as much a home for members as it is an office! All members are welcome to come together and chat with each other or with the board while enjoying a free cup of coffee. Also you can: get your study books with a great discount, buy summaries, receive information on activities, pick up free pens, markers, notebooks, snacks, merch and so much more. The VSPA room is located in the G-building of the Roeterseiland Campus, room GS.25. Do not hesitate to stop by once in a while, we are more than happy to help you or hang out!