You are about to apply for the bachelor's programme mechanical engineering of the VU Amsterdam and the University of Twente, in Amsterdam. You can do this through the Studielink website.
On this webpage, you will find practical information about things you need to arrange before you can start your studies, such as registering your preferences for the overnight stays in Enschede and purchasing a notebook. You will also find more information about travelling between Amsterdam and Enschede, finding a room in Amsterdam, buying books and much more. Please read all the info carefully. If you have any questions, we are here to help you.
Apply via the University of Twente
During this study programme, you will spend most of the time at the VU Amsterdam, but eventually, you will receive an engineers degree from the University of Twente. Because of that, you apply for the University of Twente via Studielink.
VISA application
By Dutch law, students cannot apply for a visa themselves. All applications and extensions for (entry) visas, residence permits and Change of Purpose are coordinated by the University of Twente. The Visa Office coordinates the visa applications for the Bachelor, Master and Exchange students. Please see our Visa FAQ for more information.
Commuting to Enschede
You will be studying in Amsterdam for 75% of the time and 25% in Enschede. That means that you regularly will be in Enschede for two consecutive days, to follow practicals and tutorials. Because travelling between Amsterdam and Enschede is on weekdays, we advise Dutch students to choose a student week OV card. International students have to take the extra travel expenses into account.
Overnight stay in Enschede
The lectures in Enschede are mostly on Thursdays and Fridays (about once every two weeks). On the first day the lectures will start at 10:45h, so you have time to travel to Enschede in the morning. On the second day, the lectures start at 08:45h. Because of that, we advise you to stay the night in Enschede. We offer several options you can choose from. More information about this and the form to submit your preferences can be found on this webpage.
Purchase a high-end notebook
On day one of your studies, you need a notebook with high graphic performance and a powerful processor. You can bring your own device or purchase a new high-end notebook via the annual notebook project of the University of Twente. In this project, we offer selected notebooks for a competitive price, of which we can guarantee that they conform to the requirements of your study programme.
Housing in Amsterdam
Dutch students can sign up via studentenwoningweb to find housing in Amsterdam. In your registration you can enter that you will be studying at the VU Amsterdam and when you get housing allocated, you must be able to prove that you study in Amsterdam for a large part of the time.
For international students, the International Office VU offers accommodation in Amsterdam. More information about this can be found on the website of the VU. In order to make use of this, you need to fill out this form.
Study association
It can be useful to become a member of the study association of Mechanical Engineering. Because this programme is a collaboration between the VU Amsterdam and the University of Twente, the study association for this study programme is a combination of study association Mens (VU) en W.S.G. Isaac Newton (UT). Both associations organise study-related activities.
Study books with a discount
Study association W.S.G. Isaac Newton is also the place where you can buy your study books with a discount. You will receive more information about this from W.S.G. Isaac Newton by email, in the summer period.
Introduction period
The start of this study programme is also the start of a new phase: your student life. A time full of new experiences, adventures and possibilities. We kick off that phase with the introduction week! During a six-day programme - three days in Amsterdam and three days in Enschede - you will get to know your study programme, the city of Amsterdam, the VU Amsterdam and the University of Twente. Make sure you are there! You will receive more information about this by email in the summer.
Assistance by International Office VU
The International Office of the VU Amsterdam will assist you in registering with the municipality. They will also inform you on how to make an appointment with the Health Clinic (for Tuberculosis tests, if needed) and how to arrange your insurance and Dutch bank account.
Contact
Do you have questions about practical matters, like the application process, the overnight stay in Enschede or studying in Enschede? Please contact the Study Information Centre.