Next steps after admission
Dear exchange student, this overview will provide you with important links and information for your next steps.
Contact Exchange Coordinator
Your initial contact at Wageningen University is your exchange coordinator. You have already been in touch with him/her so you will know who it is. See contact details here.
Join us on Facebook
If you want to get in touch with other students coming to study in Wageningen and students from Wageningen who are going to study abroad please join our Facebook group.
This can be useful for finding a room or for tips about (student) life in Wageningen.
Immigration information
Please click here to download the immigration leaflet. Students (staying longer than three months) who need an entry visa and/or a residence permit for studying in the Netherlands, will be contacted by the Student Immigration Office (SIO) of the Student Service Centre (SSC) of WUR. This also applies to non-EU students who are currently living in an EU country.
Housing
It is not easy to find housing in Wageningen. Although it doesn’t guarantee accommodation we
strongly recommend to subscribe to Room.nl (a platform where student rooms from housing company Idealis are advertised). However, we advise looking for housing through other channels as well.
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The subscription fee for Room.nl is €35,- and your account is valid for 8 years. With a Room.nl account it is possible to respond to multiple room offers from Idealis simultaneously. The e-mail address that you use for your Room.nl subscription should be the same address that you use for your correspondence with Wageningen University.
Whether you get offered a room is often on the basis of your registration period with Room.nl. The longer you are registered, the higher your chance to find a room. How quickly you apply for a room has no influence on your final place in the waiting list.
More options for finding housing can be found here. You can advertise on some of these pages, increasing the chances of finding accommodation.
Be aware that you do not fall victim to fraud. Please never transfer money to a landlord before you have viewed the room, in any case not more than the rent of one month. You can find some tips on how to recognise scams e.g. on this website.
Registration as a student
Within two months after your Learning Agreement has been approved and you have been accepted as an exchange student (and, if applicable, the legal residence application has been approved) you will be registered in our student administration. You will receive a student enrolment e-mail and later an e-mail with information about your WUR card, pass photo upload and WUR account.
Municipality registration
Registration at the municipality is very important and compulsory for students who stay longer than 4 months. After you have registered you will receive your BSN (Citizen Service Number). A BSN is also required to activate your Dutch bank account (see header "Opening a Bank account" below for more information).
Medical assistance
If you need medical assistance, the first person to consult is a General Practitioner (in Dutch: huisarts).
For urgent assistance in life-threatening situations, call 112. This emergency number can also be contacted if you witness a crime or in case of fire.
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The Student Medical Center Wageningen (not part of Wageningen University) accepts new patients and is experienced with student care. A BSN number is required for registration.
Note: Fill in “not available” on the registration form in the field BSN number if your stay is less than 4 months.
The Healthcare Hub has daily walk-in hours for students. They provide information about the Dutch healthcare system, answer questions and help students find the right care in the right way. The Healthcare Hub is situated in the Vaccination Centrum on Campus. Visit their website for more information.
Introduction
We strongly advise incoming exchange students to participate in the Annual Introduction Days (AID) (in August for semester 1 students and in February for semester 2 students).
If you are not able to participate, we advise arriving a few days before the start of the lectures, so you have time to arrange the municipality registration and all kinds of practical issues.
Registration for courses
After you have carefully planned and selected your courses, you have to register for them via Osiris Student. Please check the deadlines of registration for courses per period and the academic calendar here.
International Student Associations
ESN Wageningen organises more than 100 events for students throughout the year.
ISOW organises diverse language and cultural courses, activities and excursions.
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You can join both international student associations if you cannot decide which one you would like to join.
We strongly recommend you to participate in the ESN Buddy Programme. An ESN membership means having access to international, national and local advantages or discounts. They also rent bikes for a fair price (also for your visiting friends).
Arrival
The overview of all WUR locations is provided here. A map of the campus can be found here.
You can plan your trip via 9292.
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In the Netherlands you pay for the use of public transport with the OV-chipkaart or with OVpay.
Check here the possibilities to travel with discount (mainly during off-peak hours) per train. Another option for discount is to buy a group ticket.
Insurance
All students who come to study in the Netherlands are obliged to have a health insurance that has sufficient coverage in the Netherlands. Please note that you can be fined for not having one.
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If you do not have an insurance yet, or your insurance has expired, you can arrange a new one with AON. AON is the insurance company used by Wageningen University. Make sure to apply for the Complete+ student insurance.
EU/EEA/Swiss students can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with their local health insurer in their country of origin before travelling to the Netherlands. With EHIC you will be covered for emergency costs in the Netherlands although you need to pay the costs first and have them reimbursed later.
If you have any questions about insurances, you may contact the Student Desk of Wageningen University through ssc@wur.nl.
Costs
Exchange students will pay tuition fees at their Home Institution during the exchange period. They will be exempted from paying tuition fees at Wageningen University.
Regarding living expenses: The minimum amount you will require is approximately € 1225 a month. This includes housing (approx. €450 a month), food, books and study materials.
Opening a Bank account
For more information about opening the bank account click here. This is not necessary if you already have an international bank account number (IBAN).
Laptop rental offer
Please be informed that there is also a possibility for students to rent a laptop.
Studying with a disability & Training and Support
If you have a functional limitation it is possible to use extra facilities. If you want to have a contact with the Student Dean/Student counsellor beforehand, please send an e-mail to studentdean@wur.nl.
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In your application you can indicate that you are interested in additional support needs.
Student Training & Support offers practical workshops and short training courses. You can work on your study skills, improve your (mental) well-being and explore your talents.