Utrecht University and Utrecht School of the Arts

Utrecht - Netherlands

www.uu.nl/internationalstudents
www.hku.nl

City

The city of Utrecht, like Amsterdam, is characterised by its pretty canals that give a special feeling to the city.  Outdoor living, particularly in the summer, can be enjoyed at many cafés and restaurants near the canals.  The old centre of the city is very attractive with many different styles of architecture. Also like Amsterdam, here the bicycle rules!  Almost everyone seems to ride a bike and this appears to be the main means of transportation within the city, although there is a light rail service and buses as well as trains which connect Utrecht to all of the Netherlands and Europe.  

The population is over 260,000 which makes it the fourth largest city in the Netherlands.  The city has many museums, art galleries, cinemas etc and the Dutch Film Festival is held here.

The cost of living in Utrecht is quite reasonable and the city is easily accessible from Amsterdam by train (about 1-1.5 hours). In general, the network of trains and buses across the Netherlands is very impressive, reasonably priced and incredibly efficient.

All Australian exchange students will need a residence permit which is called a VVBR (Verblijfsvergunning voor Bepaalde tijd Regulier).  Students need to apply for a VVBR as soon as they arrive in the Netherlands.  It is advised that students should check that they meet the conditions for obtaining the VVBR before they travel to the Netherlands.  Australia is considered a Group II country and the cost for the VVBR is approximately €433.

Utrecht University

Utrecht University is among some of the most prestigious institutions in Europe, and is the naming member of the extensive and well known Utrecht network, through which Australian students are exchanged.

The University has a modern campus with good facilities on the edge of the city on the ring road.  A number of buildings in the Old Town are also home to some of the university faculties including the Faculty of Arts. Students make up a large part of the population of Utrecht.

Semesters at Utrecht are divided into two block half-semesters, with subjects running during that time. Students should be advised that they are required to participate in the full academic semester and cannot cram all their units into effectively one quarter.

In Holland an additional expense which students incur is €433 for a resident’s permit of 6 month’s duration.  An extension to the resident’s permit costs approximately €130.

English is widely spoken across the Netherlands, and students will have no problems getting around in Utrecht. It is a very safe option for students looking to do something a little different without going too far.

Orientation

There is a two day orientation program at the beginning of each semester which includes information on housing, city registration, application for a residence permit, insurance, completion of university registration, information on opening a bank account and university services.  Orientation also includes the showing of the film, The Spanish Apartment to give an idea of international student life.  A tour of the city is also organised on the second day of orientation which includes a canal tour drinks and an international buffet dinner.

Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Utrecht is no simple feat and housing is very difficult to find. Owner-occupied houses are expensive and rents on the private market are rather high.  Please refer to the Utrecht web site www.uu.nl/uupublish/homeuu/homeenglish/ (under “A place to stay) for information on how to find accommodation.
         
International Office and General Information
The International Office has been reorganised and the Study Abroad office in on the ground floor of one of the major buildings on the main campus.

Faculty of Law
The Faculty has eight LLM programs including International Criminal Law, Human Rights, and International and European Law on a fee-paying basis. 

In their Exchange Programs they have 50/60 split between Socrates and the US, Canada and Australia.  It is possible for Australian exchange students to go into the Masters program – there are 25 English language bachelor courses and 40 masters courses taught in English.  Students can enter the masters if they have done 3 years study in Australia.  There is however, a capacity problem and there is limited access for some courses and the Faculty is not seeking an increase in numbers.

Exchange students are offered ‘sample’ lectures in the first week of term when students can change their subjects but they are not able to make changes after the end of the first week.  Naturally, the students would have to seek approval from their home university before changing their registered subjects.

Faculty of Arts
The Faculty of Arts offers many courses in English and because of this many Dutch students from other faculties take courses in English in Arts.  The Faculty also offers Theatre, Film and TV Studies (entrance into this course requires the assessment of the potential student’s portfolio), Conflict Studies – but for these popular courses there are limited places.

In April/May each year the courses for the academic year go on line.  The timetable for all courses is also available on line.

Utrecht School of the Arts

The Utrecht School of the Arts (HKU) is housed in the Central Building on one of the major streets in the older part of the city, but is very modern inside.  It has more that 3,200 students and is one of the largest art and culture-oriented universities of professional education in Europe. 

As with most creative arts institutions, admission is by portfolio or cd.  Admission is very restricted and there are very few courses taught in English. The School also offers projects and internships and a small number of short courses.

Media and Technology are not offered in Utrecht itself but in Hilversum. The Faculty has an excellent reputation. This is one area which is open to exchange students.   There are approximately 100 incoming and 140 outgoing exchange students each year.

Accommodation

As with Utrecht University accommodation is extremely difficult to find.  However the Office for International Relations of Utrecht School of the Arts offers assistance for which students pay mediation costs.  Once an exchange student has been accepted, the OIR will sent an accommodation form which should be completed and returned as soon as possible and within the deadlines indicated. 

Orientation

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) provides an ESN-mentor system. This system links Dutch student mentors to a group of foreign students. A mentor can give exchange students practical information about living in the Netherlands and studying in Utrecht, but he or she can also help  in getting acquainted with the city and fellow students, both Dutch and foreign. Exchange students can also ask their mentor to pick them up at the train station on arrival.

Office for International Relations and General Information
The OIR is located in the Central Building at Lange Viestraat 2B.   Information about the VVBR, housing, visas and permits etc. can be obtained from the office.  Students are requested to contact the office as soon as possible after arrival.  The OIR staff are helpful and welcoming.

Several faculties of the School are in or near the old city.  There is a close link between the School and the City which is expressed by the many art festivals and concerts which are organised.