Information for accepted students
Do you have a question about our admissions requirements, application procedure, grades needed or the process of enrolling at AUC? Please contact our Admissions Office directly using the link below and select "Admissions/application" as the subject of your question. This will ensure that our Admissions Officers have the time to carefully consider your enquiry and give you a complete answer.
If you would like to speak directly with our Admissions Office, you can:
Visit the page below to access the Zoom link.
Do you have a question that's not answered on the website or in the information you've received? You can open a "call" in the Digital AUC Service Desk. This will allow us to send your question directly to the correct staff member who can work to resolve your issue.
Please allow for up to four (4) working days for us to answer your question. After opening a "call", you will receive a confirmation email and "call" number. Please save this number for future reference to avoid opening multiple calls on the same topic.
Students who receive an offer to study at AUC will also be invited to a webinar with our Admissions Office. These webinars will explain important details about your offer, discuss what steps you need to take to confirm your offer and how to start your enrolment at AUC. We'll also cover what you can expect in the coming months in terms of communications, deadlines and things you may need to arrange such as entry visas and how to select your room.
You will be invited to register for these webinars by email.
We receive applications from all over the world and understand that some applicants may not have had the chance to visit AUC before accepting their offer. While students and parents/guardians are welcome to join a campus tour that fits their schedules (held on Tuesdays and Thursdays), we're organising two special days specifically for accepted students. In addition to touring the academic building and meeting current students, you'll be able to visit the student residences and view different types of rooms.
Early-bird applicants (applying before the 1 December deadline) will receive a decision on admission in the first week of February. If you've been admitted to AUC, you will receive an email with instructions on how to accept your offer in Embark. The deadline to accept your offer is 7 March 2024 at 23:59 (CEST).
Regular deadline applicants (applying before the 1 February deadline) will receive a decision on admission in the first week of April. If you've been admitted to AUC, you will receive an email with instructions on how to accept your offer in Embark. The deadline to accept your offer is 27 April 2024.
If you're accepting your offer to study at AUC, don't wait until the last minute to accept your offer in Embark. You should do so as soon as possible to ensure the acceptance is received and processed on time.
Once you've accepted your offer to AUC, you'll need to finalise your enrolment in Studielink. Please wait until our Admissions Office informs you of this procedure by email. All students will first be registered at (and eventually pay tuition to) the University of Amsterdam. You will receive an email about how to proceed from our Admissions Office after you accept your offer in Embark.
Early-bird applicants will receive instructions by email on how to complete their enrolment in Studielink in the second week of March (after the 7 March deadline to accept your offer).
Regular deadline applicants will receive instructions by email on how to complete their enrolment in Studielink in the final week of April.
Make sure you've completed your enrolment at the University of Amsterdam in Studielink for the programme "Liberal Arts and Sciences" preferably before 1 May.
A DigiD (Digital Identification) is an online ID (username and password) that provides access to government administration websites in the Netherlands.
If you had already started your enrolment or an application in Studielink for "Liberal Arts and Sciences" at either the University of Amsterdam or VU Amsterdam before being requested to do so, please leave your account as-is and await further instructions from our Admissions Office.
It's typically OK to have open enrolments for other study programmes until the start of May. If you still have open enrolments or applications for other study programmes at the beginning of May, you will be asked to cancel these to allow your enrolment at AUC to proceed.
If you are a non-EU/EEA national, the UvA Immigration Office will contact you after you have completed your enrolment in Studielink. You will typically receive this email in early May.
As an international student who is not an EU/EEA national, all visas, permits and other issues involving immigration will be handled by the University of Amsterdam (UvA). After you have accepted your offer to study at AUC, our Admissions Office will inform the UvA's Immigration Office who will in turn contact you by email. The UvA Immigration Office usually contacts international students starting in early May.
Please note that the UvA uses your nationality (not residency status) when determining the necessary protocols for completing immigration documents and procedures.
Depending on your nationality and the country you'll be coming from, you will be asked to upload several documents to apply for your residence permit. All international students who are not EU/EEA nationals need to apply for a Dutch residence permit (VVR). After receiving your documents, the UvA Immigration Office will review your application. If it's deemed complete, they will submit your application to the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). Once the IND has approved your application (which can take some time), they will inform the UvA who will contact you about the approval.
Should you need a visa to enter the Netherlands (check which countries require a visa here), you will be instructed to make an appointment with the Dutch embassy in your home country to have your biometrics taken and receive your entry visa. This will allow you to travel to the Netherlands.
You will be informed by email of a specific date and location where you can collect your residence permit from the IND. The University of Amsterdam typically arranges two days in September when international students can visit an IND location to collect their permits.
The UvA has support systems, specialists and years of experience in helping international students get settled in the Netherlands. Information regarding issues related to migration, visas, residence permits and more practical matters for international students such as insurance will be communicated to you by the University of Amsterdam. You can find more information on visas and residence permits by following the link below.
If you have already completed or will complete (the equivalent of) at least 30 European Credits (EC), you can apply for a transfer of credit up to 30 EC (and in exceptional cases 60 EC). You can send the completed transfer of credit request form and all required accompanying documentation to AUC Admissions before 15 June 2024. Make sure to complete this request on time. While you can submit course waiver requests at any time throughout your time at AUC, a transfer of credit can only be requested before you start at AUC (and with a deadline of 15 June).
You can find more information about the difference between course waivers and transfer of credit requests, along with how to request a transfer of credit, via the link below.
All offers made by AUC are conditional until we receive your final secondary school diploma(s), transcripts and test results/final exam scores (if applicable). Please make sure our Admissions Office receives these before 1 July.
Our Admissions Office is aware that certain education systems only release the final results, transcripts and/or diplomas shortly after this deadline (A-Levels, International Baccalaureate, Irish Leaving Certificate, etc.). If you're part of one of these systems, simply send the documents to our Admissions Office as soon as possible.
If you already know that there will be a substantial delay in receiving these documents (i.e. you won't receive them by 23 August), please contact our Admissions Office.
AUC can accept certified digital copies of transcripts and test results when sent directly by your secondary school or issuing institution. Certified digital copies of transcripts, grades or results can be sent to servicedesk@auc.nl. Please note that certain test and exam results (including AP results, IELTS, CAE and TOEFL results) must be sent directly to AUC from the issuing institution. These test results cannot be sent by you or your secondary school.
You can send certified paper copies of your official documents by post to AUC's postal address. We strongly recommend using a courier service to ensure that these are delivered securely.
Postal address
Amsterdam University College
t.a.v Admissions Office
PO Box 94160
1090 GD Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Using DHL as a courier service? Use AUC's visiting address
If you are using DHL to send your documents, you must send them to AUC's visiting address.
Please note that it is your responsibility to make sure the necessary documents are sent and received by the Admissions Office on time. If you're unsure if certain documents have been received, please contact our Admissions Office to check.
If you are required to take an OMPT test to fulfil a maths admissions requirement, or if you've indicated that you'll be taking an OMPT test to remedy a deficiency, please make sure the passing results are received by the Admissions Office before 1 July. If the results are not received before 1 July, you will not have met the conditions for entry to AUC. This means that your offer of admission will no longer be valid and you will not be able to start your studies.
In the case that your maths system is not listed on our website and you will take the OMPT test before 1 April 2024, you may be eligible to have the cost of your OMPT test covered by AUC. Please contact the admissions team to discuss the details of having these costs covered by sending an email.
AUC does not participate directly in the processing of tuition fees. All AUC students pay their tuition fees to the University of Amsterdam (UvA). You can choose from four ways to pay your tuition fees. Please note that you must pay your tuition fee before 31 August to finalise your enrolment in Studielink.
It is important to note that if you want to pay your tuition fee in instalments (instead of all at once), you'll need to use the "Digital authorisation (direct debit)" option. To use this option, you'll need a bank located in the SEPA area.
In May (at the earliest), you will receive a message from Studielink about the amount of the tuition for the coming academic year and how to arrange payment. You need to ensure that payment of the tuition fee is arranged by 31 August at the latest. It's good to note that arranging the payment of the tuition fee does not always automatically mean your enrolment has been completed. You should always check the status of your enrolment in SIS.
If you cancel your enrolment in Studielink prior to 31 August, you will not have to pay any tuition fees. Any digital direct debit authorisation you issued will then be cancelled and any excess tuition fee you paid will be automatically refunded. Please note that this only applies to the tuition fee and not housing fees.
All students are required by law to have appropriate health insurance when studying in the Netherlands. Students are also advised to take out an appropriate general third-party insurance. Please note that liability insurance is mandatory for non-EEA/EU students when requesting a residence permit through the UvA.
Before you come to the Netherlands, we encourage you to carefully check whether your insurance will cover the complete period of your stay abroad and what type of coverage it provides. Health insurance, liability insurance and insurance against fire and theft are all either required and/or strongly recommended.
You can find more information about the various types of insurance, how to take out a policy and other practical issues (such as working during your studies as an international student) as they relate to insurance in the Netherlands via the link below.
In July, you will receive an email from the AUC Registrar's team requesting you to submit your course preferences for the 16-week period of the first semester. Each semester at AUC is 20 weeks long and divided into a 16-week period (September to December; February to May) and a 4-week period (January; June). The form sent by the AUC Registrar will guide you through your options for selecting courses.
In the future, you will register yourself for courses after meeting with your tutor. For the first 16-week period (meaning your first four courses), the Registrar will collect your preferences and create a course schedule for you. In the 4-week period of your first semester (January), you will typically take either "The Global Identity Experience" or another course of your choice (depending on your major).
Once you have your UvAnetID and finalised your housing selection and payment, you should request your University of Amsterdam student ID card. You can use your student card to identify yourself, borrow books in the library, print on campus and pay for things at vending machines.
You can apply for your student ID card one month before the start of your studies at the UvA. You will need a UvAnetID in order to submit your application. Go to mijnuvapas.nl to upload a passport photo for your student ID card. This can prove difficult on a tablet or mobile phone, so please make sure to use a laptop or desktop computer.
Make sure to apply for your student ID card on time.
Did you provide a home address outside of the Netherlands? In that case, an email will be sent to your UvA mail address (not your personal email) to let you know when you can pick up your new student ID card at one of the UvA service points. This process requires a valid identity document such as a passport or government ID card.
Did you apply for your student ID card before 1 September?
If you registered using an address in the Netherlands and applied for your student ID card before 1 September, you will receive your card at your home address in the Netherlands. If you applied for your card before 1 September and have not received your student ID card by 14 September, please drop by one of the UvA service points or contact the Facility Services Service Desk.
Did you apply for your student ID card after 1 September?
Did you apply for your student ID card after 1 September? In that case, an email will be sent to your UvA mail address to let you know when you can pick up your new student ID card at one of the UvA service points. This process requires a valid identity document such as a passport or government ID card.
There are a few key documents that you need to be aware of while studying at AUC. Ranging from helpful hints to important academic procedures and protocols, you can read and review these documents below.
The Academic Standards and Procedures (AS&P) contain a complete explanation of the academic programme, including grading, requirements for graduating, attendance policies and more. While your academic tutor can assist you, it is your responsibility to read and understand the information in the AS&P. The student website (student.auc.nl) will answer many of your questions about being a student at AUC and contains an overview of the resources available to you, while the Social and Academic Codes of Conduct include information on what we expect from you as a member of the AUC community. The Board of Examiners Rules and Guidelines highlight the role of the Board of Examiners in upholding and interpreting the Academic Standards and Procedures.
Overview of important dates to keep in mind.
Activity | Early-bird applicants | Regular applicants |
Attend AUC housing webinar | 23 April | 21 May |
4-person Housing Mixer (only if registering for a 4-person house) | 13 May | 3 June |
Log in to uh.room.nl & view available rooms | 15 May | 5 June |
Select a room from available offers | 16-17 May | 6-10 June |
Sign contract, upload documents & pay | 31 May | 24 June |
Collect your keys and move-in | From 1 August 2024 | From 1 August 2024 |
If you accept your offer, you will pick your preferred room in May (arly-bird applicants) or June (regular deadline applicants) using uh.room.nl. This is a digital selection platform used by housing association DUWO. DUWO is the housing association that you will rent your room from. AUC has an agreement with DUWO, but does not directly own or manage the student residences.
The rooms in the residences include single units (studios) and shared units (two or four students per unit). Some shared units are two- or three-room apartments, while others are large open-plan spaces. All units have a kitchen corner and private bathroom (toilet and shower). The prices, exact sizes and practical details of each room will be clearly listed in the uh.room.nl selection system.
While there are a limited amount of furnished rooms available, the vast majority are unfurnished. It is indicated in the selection system whether a room is furnished or unfurnished.
Unfurnished rooms
If you select an unfurnished room (whether 2- or 4-person shared, or a single room) you will have to arrange your own furniture and appliances upon arrival. This includes bringing your own bed and kitchen appliances such as hotplates, a microwave and/or a refrigerator.
Furnished shared rooms
If you select one of the furnished shared rooms, there will be a single bed, wardrobe, armchair, desk, chair and basic kitchen appliances (fridge, hot plates) for both you and your roommate. Each room will also include two basic kitchenware kits and a set of sheets, pillows and bedding. If you select a furnished room, you will need to move to another room in the student residences at the end of your first year as these are for short-stay occupancy (maximum of 1 year). There are no furnished single rooms.
Please keep in mind that it is not possible to live off-campus for any of the three years of your degree. In some extreme circumstances, such as a severe housing shortage, AUC might ask students to volunteer to live off-campus. Should this be the case, a request would be shared with all students. No individual requests to live off-campus are taken into consideration.
In April (early-bird applicants) and May (regular applicants), there will be webinars hosted by the Services and Communications team responsible for housing. These webinars will explain the details of the room selection procedure, what you should prepare, how to confirm your room, what you'll need to do to pay your deposit and what to keep in mind before moving in.
For both early-bird and regular deadline applicants, all housing contracts offered will need to be signed, the appropriate documents uploaded and the first month of rent paid before a given deadline in order to confirm your room. If you select a room and do not confirm (by signing, uploading your documents and paying) before the given deadline, the reserved room will be allocated to another student.
Our advice is to take the required actions as soon as possible after you select a room. DUWO will need time to verify your documents (especially your identification), and only after their verification can you pay the first month's rent and receive a confirmation.
Please note that if you do not sign the contract, upload the required documents and pay for the first month of rent by the date indicated in the portal, you will be placed on a waitlist for housing which means that a room can no longer be guaranteed (and you may not be able to study at AUC).
Your contract with DUWO will begin on 1 August 2024 (and you'll need to pay rent for August). DUWO will arrange dates and times when you can pick up your keys. If necessary, it's also possible to pick up your keys on an alternate date or time by making an individual appointment with DUWO. We recommend that all students move in at least a few weeks before the start of the Introduction Week (26 August - 30 August 2024) in order to have time to buy furniture and focus on getting settled.
It's important to keep in mind that most rooms in the AUC student residences are unfurnished. This means you will need to bring or buy all of your furniture and appliances. This can take more time than you expect.
You may want to check if the current tenant of your room would be interested in selling some of their furniture or appliances. To contact the current tenant of the room you selected, you first need to sign your contract with DUWO. Once your contract has been signed and you have an account on duwo.nl, you can send a message to DUWO asking to be put in contact with the current tenant. Please follow these steps:
If the current tenant is interested in contacting you, you can typically expect an answer within a week.
Students who are currently living in the residences and moving out will be donating a variety of items they no longer need to the AUC Pop-UP Free Store throughout July. These items include things such as books, bikes, kitchenware, furniture, appliances and other practical household items as long as they are in good condition and fully functioning.
In August, the AUC Pop-UP Free Store will be open to all incoming students to take anything they may need for their room. By the start of the semester, any remaining items will be donated to a charity shop (“kringloop”), so they won't go to waste. The dates and locations will be announced closer to move-in.
Where are these locations? Use the Room Finder
You may be wondering how to find these rooms in the student residences. The AUC Student Association has developed a tool to locate rooms in one of the three buildings. Access the AUCSA Room Finder.
Amsterdam has an extensive transport network, comprising of trams, buses, trains, metros, and ferries, all operated primarily by the GVB (Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf). For seamless travel, the OV chip card is the most user-friendly option. With this card, you can hop on trains, buses, trams, and metros as it encompasses all these transport possibilities.
To use an OV chip card, simply load it with travel credit at major train stations' ticket offices or the yellow ticket machines. These machines accept various payment methods like debit and credit cards, but do not accept banknotes. For train travel, make sure you have a minimum balance of €20 on your OV-chip card, while for other public transport there is no minimum requirement.
It's worth noting that the GVB and the Dutch National Railways (NS) are distinct operators. Although you can purchase single tickets for your journeys, opting for the OV chip card streamlines your travel experience.
For students, Student Mobility is an independent organisation offering a customised public transport card, coupled with an ISIC Student ID, featuring special discounts for international students. This card covers all forms of public transport throughout the Netherlands, including trains, trams, metros and buses. Furthermore, upon arrival in the Netherlands, Student Mobility provides a reduced-rate train ticket. Additionally, they offer a programme for bike rental or purchase.
For those seeking assistance in planning their routes, a helpful resource is the website https://9292.nl/en, which encompasses all modes of transport and provides valuable route planning information.
Every term, the University of Amsterdam arranges specific procedures with the local authorities of Amsterdam (Gemeente Amsterdam) to facilitate the registration of its students. These designated registration days are exclusively reserved for UvA and AUC students, and as an exception, you will receive your BSN (Burger Service Nummer - Citizen Service Number) immediately.
To ensure a swift and efficient registration process, we kindly request that you refrain from making a regular appointment with the local authority outside of designated moments.
Students are asked to complete a pre-registration procedure with the City of Amsterdam before 13 September. It is recommended for AUC students to complete this pre-registration as soon as possible after receiving the housing contract from DUWO. Complete the pre-registration procedure by creating a pre-registration account via www.amsterdam.nl/students.
You will be asked to upload the following documents
The City of Amsterdam will evaluate your pre-registration request and send you an email with an invitation to an in-person appointment between Monday 19 August and Friday 20 September. This invitation will contain a date, time and location for you to visit the municipality and finalise your registration with the city. At this appointment, you will receive your Dutch citizen service number (BSN number). Please be sure to check your spam or junk folder for the confirmation and invitation from the municipality.
Registration on the designated days is strongly recommended, as the process is much easier and faster. If for some reason you cannot complete the pre-registration procedure, you will need to schedule a regular appointment after September by calling +31 20 624 1111 or visiting the municipality's website. Please note that it can take several weeks to get a regular appointment and a few more weeks to receive your BSN.
Upon arriving in the Netherlands, it is beneficial to consider opening a Dutch bank account for various reasons:
You can find more information about suggested banks, documents you'll need and how to open an account via the link below.
Please note that only students who require a residence permit (VVR), but not an entry visa (MVV) will have to complete this step once they have arrived in Amsterdam. You can find the list of applicable nationalities on the UvA website. If you require an entry visa, you will have already submitted your biometric details during your appointment with the embassy.
Once the IND has approved your application, you'll have to make an appointment to provide your biometrics at the IND at a location in Amsterdam prior to picking up your residence permit. During the appointment, you will submit your biometric details which the IND uses to create your residence permit card. The UvA Immigration Office will inform you of how to make this appointment by email.
About three weeks after having provided your biometrics, your residence permit card should be ready for collection. For students who require an entry visa (MVV), you will already have submitted your biometric details during your visa appointment.
Update: August 2024
The IND is organising three days on 24 August, 14 September and 5 October 5 for students to collect their residence permits in Utrecht. You will be invited to book a time slot for one of these days once the IND has informed the UvA that your permit is ready for collection after approval. It is important to ensure your biometrics have been provided to the IND as soon as possible to participate in the centralised collection days.
Please check the UvA 'Upon arrival' page via the link below for complete details and updates as more information becomes available.