STUDENT GUIDE 2019/20 1 CONTENTS Welcome 4 Important dates 5 arrive Visa information & Health insurance 6 Before you you Before Checklist 8 Arriving in Amsterdam 9 How to get to ONCAMPUS 10 Netherlands Arriving in the Enrolment and Induction 11 What’s going on in the city 14 Points of interest 16 Living in Amsterdam 18 Getting around 19 Amsterdam Around campus 20 Teaching buildings 21 Dutch culture and language 22 Student support and advice 24 Health and wellbeing 26 Your responsibilities 28 Attendance 30 Clubs and societies 31 studies During your During your Paying your fees 32 UFP Passing and progression criteria 34 Contact details Back 2 IMPORTANT DATES WELCOME ACADEMIC YEAR 2019/20 Students on all courses at ONCAMPUS Amsterdam will follow Dear Student, the same term dates, as follows: Welcome to ONCAMPUS Amsterdam. During your time with us we hope you Term 1 16 September 2019 – 13 December 2019 We hope that your preparations for will be inspired to learn and to enjoy starting your studies with us are going your learning, to develop new skills, Term 2 06 January 2020 – 13 March 2020 well and that you are looking forward to understand different cultures, and to the next exciting step in your to make friendships that will last a Term 3 23 March 2020 – 07 June 2020 education and learning. lifetime! Term 4 (August finishers only) 08 June 2020 – 14 August 2020 We believe that successful students We are looking forward to meeting and need a strong learning community. welcoming you. Please note: term dates for MQP are 26 August 2019 - 10 July 2020. Students taking this course must not arrive late. Late arrival Progression to University of Amsterdam Please inform us of your arrival plans and Degree courses will begin the year after flight details as soon as you have them. You your foundation course on 31 August 2020. should only book a flight once you have We strongly advise you to return to Centre Head Deputy Centre Heads received your visa in your passport. If you Amsterdam before 24 August 2020 so that think you will arrive late you must tell us as you can take part in the University’s Sally Romary Esther Albers / Ali Brown soon as possible. Please send all this introduction programme. Telephone: +31 (0)20 525 4188 Telephone: +31 (0)20 525 4190 information to amsterdam@oncampus. E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] global or call +31 (0)20 525 7122. E-mail: [email protected] Student Recruitment and Support Curriculum Information Officer Public holidays Officer (UvA) Melissa Douglas King’s Day - 27 April Juriaan Beuk Telephone: +31 (0)20 525 4189 Liberation Day - 05 May Telephone: +31 (0)20 525 7122 E-mail: [email protected] Ascension Day - 21 May E-mail: [email protected] Whit Monday - 01 June Student Support Officer Kayleigh Vedder Telephone: +31 (0)20 525 5196 E-mail: [email protected] 5 Immigration on your arrival HEALTH VISA INFORMATION Passport Control When you arrive at Schiphol Airport you will need to pass through immigration INSURANCE Obtaining a Dutch Visa Students can always contact the ONCAMPUS so follow the signs to Passport Control. Amsterdam team for assistance during the If the Immigration Officer asks you about You are required to have appropriate health In order to be able to study in the visa application process. the purpose of your visit then please insurance for the duration of your stay in the Netherlands, non-EU students need to apply explain that you will be studying in the Netherlands. You must arrange your health for residency. Once you are officially enrolled [email protected] Netherlands and make sure that you are insurance prior to entering the country. The to the ONCAMPUS Amsterdam programme, For more information about the visa process able to show the following documents: AON Insurance Certificate for Students (ICS) the University of Amsterdam (UvA) applies please have a look at the University of • Passport Complete+ package covers medical costs in for a residence permit on your behalf. UvA Amsterdam’s website too www.uva.nl/en the Netherlands, liability, household contents Student Services will send you an invitation • Original academic documents (see and luggage, accidents and legal assistance. by email to register on the University of To download our country-specific Visa guides checklist on pg. 8) The package costs around €53 per month. Amsterdam’s online system, after which please visit www.oncampus.global/europe/ • Proof of accommodation you need to upload the required documents. visa-advice • Certificate of Enrolment Students who aim to get a part-time job need Once the University has received everything, Basic Health Insurance which is about €100 Please note that before you arrive in • Dutch Entry Visa (if required) per month. they will send your application to the Amsterdam you will receive emails from Immigration and Naturalisation Department Make sure you have all your supporting UvA Student Services (visa process, Book the AON Complete+ health insurance (IND). documents (see checklist) in your housing process and Start appointment), at: www.aonstudentinsurance.com/ carry-on luggage if you are flying to the If you require an entry visa (MVV) for the your housing corporation (for example De ONCAMPUSUvA Netherlands; you will not have access Netherlands, we advise you to not book a Key or DUWO) and from the ONCAMPUS to your luggage until you have cleared Remember, you should arrange all these flight ticket, at least not one that cannot be Amsterdam team. Please make sure you immigration. Failure to show the right aspects of your studies before you arrive. changed, until you have received your visa reply to all the emails that you receive from documents will result in delays. sticker in your passport. the different departments. The ONCAMPUS Amsterdam team can always help you if you have any questions. 7 CHECKLIST ARRIVING IN AMSTERDAM Preparing to come to Amsterdam Before you leave Transport from the airport Amsterdam Airport (Schiphol) is situated approximately 20 km south-west of Amsterdam. The Make sure you have a valid Check your transfer to Amsterdam arrival and departure halls are located under the same roof as the train station. From Schiphol passport and passport if you are travelling independently you can chose from a selection of transportation methods into Amsterdam. There is also a wide photographs Buy currency selection of bars, restaurants and shops. For more information about the airport please visit www.schiphol.nl/en/ Satisfy conditions of offer (if Pay tuition fee deposit (if applicable) applicable) Free baggage trolleys are available. Check your luggage allowance and Obtain visa (if applicable) pack your luggage appropriately Put the emergency telephone Apply for accommodation numbers into your mobile phone (to be put in your hand luggage) Have medical examination and vaccinations (if applicable) Pack photographs from home and addresses and phone numbers of Arrange medical/travel insurance friends and family Train to Amsterdam Centraal Station Private taxi Decide how to pay for your tuition Pack an adaptor for electricity fees sockets Direct trains to Amsterdam Centraal Station You’ll find plenty of private taxis for hire in the Pack all relevant original run every 10 to 15 minutes between 06.00 and taxi line just outside the main entrance to the Decide how to pay your documentation or certified copies* 24:00 (every hour during other times). The trip arrivals and train station level at Schiphol. The accommodation fees/pay Confirm arrival date with the takes 15 minutes and costs under €5. Train fare will be around €50, please ask for a price accommodation deposit centre tickets are available from the yellow ticket indication before departure. Also make sure machines near the platforms at Schiphol you have money with you to pay the driver. You Plaza. Tickets are also available from the NS can either pay in cash or with credit card. *Documents including: Service desk, which is situated close to the • Original IELTS/TOEFL Certificate red/white-checked cube at Schiphol Plaza. • Original High school diploma and transcript in original language and English Staff at the ticket offices will also be able to translations provide you with train departure information. • GAOKAO or CSAT if applicable • University transcripts (MQP students) Please make sure you check in to the train • Accommodation offer letter with your ticket before heading to the platform • Copy of Health Insurance at the airport. Failure to do so may lead to difficulty exiting Amsterdam Centraal Station. These are needed to fully register and enrol on your course. 8 9 When you arrive in Amsterdam During induction week, please bring the following when you come to enrol: HOW TO GET TO • Your passport • Tell your family you have arrived • Your visa (if applicable) Once you have had your Start • Your original academic certificates ONCAMPUS appointment with UvA Student and transcripts (for example, High Services, you will know how to: School Diploma, A-level results, IELTS • Open a bank account Certificate, first degree certificates and other qualifications). Please Students should arrive during the week before induction starts • Have your tuberculosis test (if remember that ONCAMPUS will as the keys for University accommodation can only be picked applicable) only accept original documents up during office hours, De Key: 8.30—16.30 (Mon-Fri), DUWO: • Register with city hall 8:30—17:00 (Mon), 12:00—17:00 (Tue—Fri). If you rent a room from • Your Dutch address, telephone • Buy a personal OV-chipcard (once a private provider such as Our Domain or The Student Hotel, please number and personal e-mail you have a Dutch bank account) read your room offer letter carefully for instructions on when, • Details of someone to contact in case of where and how to pick up your room keys.