Arrival in the Netherlands

Better safe than sorry! 
Carefully check and complete the Steps Towards Enrolment:

• For Bachelor’s students
• For Master’s students 
  

• Check the info on Student Housing
• Register as soon as possible on the national housing platform Room.nl
• Find out if you are eligible for priority. Please note! Priority will only be granted after payment confirmation of your tuition, and is only during a specified period. We recommend also applying during that period for rooms that might not be your first choice
• If you’re considering renting a room outside the official student housing organisations, be very careful and watch out for housing scams
• Check the condition of your room. Student rooms in the Netherlands are usually unfurnished. Also, a Wi-Fi router may not be provided.

TIP: Ask the rental agent how to get in touch with the current tenants. Often you can take over furniture.   

More information about what to pack for your studies in Wageningen.

You are legally required to have health insurance when studying in the Netherlands. You will be invited - per email - to attend an online presentation about insurance. We strongly advise you to attend this meeting! 

• For Non-EU/NON EFTA students: the Student Service Centre arranges your health insurance (inluding Liability)
• EU/EFTA Students: apply for an EHIC Card and consider which additional insurance is necessary.

For more information, see the AON website.

Before starting your student life in Wageningen the Annual Introduction Days (in August) are a great way to meet people, get to know the city and learn what being a student in Wageningen is really like. Sign up for the Annual Introduction Days.

For International students we organise the W’Meet U days in August (after the AID) and February. These days give international students a practical – and fun – start to their student life in Wageningen. You’ll find out about Dutch culture and the university system, but you’ll also learn how to ride a bike. More info and sign-up for the W'Meet U Days.

Do you want to ask a question about student life in Wageningen, being a student at our university, career paths, or talk to a student of a specific course? Then ask our students or alumni! They are happy to answer your questions and share their experiences.

Do you want to connect with fellow students before arrival in Wageningen? Find students from your study programme, home country or or who have similar interests  and make Check your e-mail for the invite and download the app.

We advise you to arrive in Wageningen in good time – if possible, a few days before the start of the AID. That way, you’ll have time to settle into your room and do any necessary shopping.  

If you don’t have a credit card or European Bank account, we advise you to bring (500-700 euro) cash for the first few days in Wageningen. Please realise that not all shops in the Netherlands take credit cards.

At Schiphol Airport, we advise you to take the train with the final destination 'Nijmegen'. Then, get off at the stop 'Ede-Wageningen' station. Once you walk outside the station, you will directly face the bus station. Take there bus line 303 to Wageningen Campus (stops Wageningen/Omnia or Wageningen/Forum). Allow about 75 minutes for the journey.

Tickets 

Use OVpay. Simply check in and out at the gates or card readers - when you enter the train station - using your contactless debit card, credit card or mobile phone. There is no need to buy a separate public transport card.

If your bank card does not support contactless payments in the Netherlands, you can buy a ticket at the blue/yellow NS ticket machine at Schiphol Airport or at the counter (they take cash)

Check-in for the bus takes place at the bus entrance and exit.

Tip: Use the NS app (train) or the app 9292 (all public transport) to plan your journey and buy tickets, check prices and departure times and platforms. Also you get updates on delays etc.

Welcome! Get settled in.

For second-hand furniture you can visit a ‘Kringloopwinkel’. Some shops offer delivery. Additionally, second hand furniture is offered via the telegram group Wageningen Centraal. Tip: ask your housemates for advice.

A good moment to practice: WUR Campus is very quiet during summer and weekends. Don’t be ashamed - we all had to learn. 

You can buy a bike at a Kringloopwinkel like Emmaus. Check the website Cycling in Wageningen for useful info on buying the right bike, learning to ride, traffic rules etc.

A Dutch mobile number makes it easier to stay connected during your studies.

• Check if your phone supports e-SIM. Quick and easy. Activate digitally.
• Compare providers – search for instance “SIM-only & The Netherlands”
• Already have a SIM card? Check with your provider if international roaming is included.

With the MyWUR app, you can access all the information you need for your studies at Wageningen University quickly and easily on your phone.

If you are planning to stay in the Netherlands for more than four months, you must register at the municipality where you live.

In August & February it is possible to register on campus (for Wageningen only). Check your e-mail for details and reserve a timeslot. We recommend registering on campus! You will receive your BSN (Citizen Service Number) immediately while when registering at city hall it may take several weeks. Please note that your BSN number is not the same as your v-number on your residence permit. 

More information on how to register.

Students living in Ede or Bennekom

If you live in Bennekom or Ede, you can make an appointment with the municipality of Ede. The address is Raadhuisplein 3, Ede.

After receiving your BSN, we recommend applying for a DigiD. A DigiD allows you to identify yourself online when accessing services from the Dutch government, educational institutions and healthcare providers, for example when making an appointment with a GP or the GGD vaccination centre.

Non-EU students who paid a Living Allowance Deposit to Wageningen University need to open a Dutch bank account, so we can refund the deposit. Check your e-mail and register your bank account in our system. For other international students opening a Dutch bank account is optional.

The following banks offer an English language website and app: ABN AMRO, ING, Revolut & Bunq. Please note: if you are younger than 18 years and from a NON-EU country, you can only open bank account via Revolut.

Banks may have special conditions for international students. Check at the concerning bank what’s needed in advance. Banks may charge a monthly fee from €0 to €4.

When your residence permit card is ready, WUR receives a pick up letter from the IND. We will inform you by e-mail on the next steps. For students starting in September, the IND organises the Central Collection Days in Utrecht, where all non-EU students can collect their residence permit. You will receive an email to book a timeslot at the Central Collection Days. For all other start moments, you can make an appointment following the steps in the email.

All students enrolled at Wageningen University receive a WURcard that can be used as your:

• Student ID & access to university buildings 
• Library card
• Access to Sports Centre De Bongerd (with a valid subscription)
• E-wallet (Kuario)

How will I receive my WURcard?

If you have a Dutch address (registered in Studielink), your WURcard will be sent to you by post before the start of the academic year.

If you do not have a Dutch address, you will receive an email explaining when and where you can collect your WURcard from the Student Desk in Forum. Please bring a valid ID.

If you upload your photo after the start of the academic year, you can collect your WURcard from the Student Desk (Forum), Monday to Friday, 10:00–14:30.

More information about the WURcard.