Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions received from incoming exchange students at the Faculty of Business and Economics.

These are the most common questions we receive from incoming exchange students at the Faculty of Business and Economics at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.

Once you've read them through and you still have questions, please contact us.

Email us

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Questions overview

Here's a list of questions covered in this section. Scroll down to see their replies.

Exchange application

How can I apply for an exchange at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences?

First your home university needs to nominate you. After your nomination has been accepted, you will automatically receive instructions by email to submit your online application in the Students Come and Go Portal. See more information about how to apply(opens in new window), including admission requirements and deadlines.

What are the application requirements?

If you are nominated, you need to create and complete your own SCAGO profile. You need to fill out the required information before the application deadline.
Students who need a residence permit for study purposes need to go through the AUAS immigration process. See more information here(opens in new window).
You are responsible to arrange health insurance(opens in new window) covering the Netherlands and to upload this in your SCAGO profile in time before your arrival!

How do I get insurance in the Netherlands?

See this online insurance checklist(opens in new window).
We recommend AON insurance: https://www.aonstudentinsurance.com/students/en/(opens in new window)
EU students do not need extra health insurance. They can obtain an European Health Insurance Card, which simplifies the process of receiving medical assistance during their stay in a European Union member state. Check with your insurance company/health service.
Use our overview for more information on insurance(opens in new window).
Do you plan to work during your exchange? In that case, you will need to take out Dutch publich health insurance(opens in new window).

What are the nomination and application deadlines?

Nomination deadlines

The nomination deadline for the Fall semester is 10 April.
The nomination deadline for the Spring semester is 10 October.

Application deadlines

The application deadline for the Fall semester is 15 April.
The application deadline for the Spring semester is 15 October.

When will I know if I am accepted as an exchange student?

After you have submitted your application, the AUAS International Office will process your application in about 1-3 weeks. You will receive a confirmation email when your application is accepted.

Immigration

I am an international non-EU student and need a residence permit for study purposes. What is the immigration process like?

You can find all information on the AUAS immigration page(opens in new window). The AUAS immigration department will help you step-by-step during the immigration process and will apply for a residence permit for study purposes on your behalf. An important step in the immigration process is providing the proof of financial means for living expenses(opens in new window).

Starting your exchange in September? The immigration department will email you in May with instructions.
Starting your exchange in February? The immigration department will email you in November with instructions.

What are the costs of the immigration process?

Check the overview of the immigration costs here(opens in new window).

I have another question about immigration.

Check the frequently asked questions page about immigration here(opens in new window).

Accommodation and living costs in Amsterdam

How can I find accommodation in the Netherlands?

You can apply for accommodation through our AUAS housing department. See more information on the AUAS housing department website(opens in new window). You will receive an email inviting you to apply online for student housing about one month after your application is accepted.

What are the costs of living in the Netherlands?

Check here an indication of likely expenses(opens in new window) and the costs of AUAS student housing(opens in new window).

I have another question about housing.

Check the frequently asked questions page about AUAS housing here(opens in new window).

Course curriculum

What courses can I choose as an exchange student?

Exchange students can choose either a 30ECTS minor or major programme(opens in new window) or choose individual courses(opens in new window).*
* In the exchange course catalogue, please select the correct academic year and Faculty Business and Economics. We try to update this page as much as possible but the links may be outdated at times.

How and when do I enrol for courses?

A few weeks after the approval of your exchange application, you will receive an email inviting you to enroll for courses in the Students Come and Go portal. Check out the course enrolment checklist(opens in new window) to help you keep an overview.

Starting your exchange in Fall (September)? Course enrolment will be in May.
Starting your exchange in Spring (February)? Course enrolment will be in November.

What are the course schedules?

The course schedules are finalized about 2 weeks before the semester starts. This means you will not know the course schedules when you enroll for courses. When the course schedules are finalized, we will inform you by email.

When will my course enrollment be confirmed?
What courses you are officially enrolled for is confirmed about 2 weeks before the semester starts. You will be informed by email.

Studying at AUAS

What is the level of education?

All courses available to exchange students are taught in English and at undergraduate/bachelor level. The exchange programme is aimed at students in their 3^rd academic year. Some courses require or advice students to have some prior knowledge in the subjects before you can study them.

What is the level of English?

We expect that exchange students have sufficient proficiency in English. It is not necessary to submit an official English certificate but we strongly advise that you have a min. B2 level. Students are unlikely to pass their exams or obtain the necessary credits if they do not possess this level of English.

What is the Dutch teaching style like?

The teaching style is interactive and student-centered
Focus on teamwork which makes it easy to meet Dutch and other international students
A large part of our study programme is dedicated to working in groups and writing papers to analyse and solve specific problems

Where will the classes be taught?

Almost all classes are taught at the Corry Tendeloo Building(opens in new window) (Fraijlemaborg 133, Amsterdam). Some minor programmes take place in the Wibauthuis(opens in new window) (Wibautstraat 3b, Amsterdam).

Preparing your arrival in the Netherlands

What do I need to do before I arrive in the Netherlands?

You can find everything you need to do before or upon your arrival in the Netherlands on the Upon Arrival website(opens in new window).

Where can I get my Erasmus/Arrival/Learning Agreement form signed?

You can send any forms that you need to have signed to incoming.fbe@hva.nl. Before you send it, fill out the form as much as possible by yourself.

Please note:

Arrival forms are signed after the first official date of the semester has passed.
Learning Agreements are signed after the course schedules are finalized.

When do I need to submit my Erasmus/Arrival/Learning Agreement form?
The deadline to have any of these forms finalized is provided by your home university. From the AUAS side, we do not require any of these forms and have no deadline for you. If you're unsure about when you need to submit a form to your home university, please contact the International Office of your home university.

Contact information

Who can I contact if I have further questions?

If you have any further questions, please email the International Office at incoming.fbe@hva.nl.