Welcome to Mechanical Engineering UT-VU (2020-2021) | Mechanical Engineering (location Vrije Universiteit)

Welcome to the Mechanical Engineering programme at the University of Twente (UT) and VU Amsterdam! We can’t wait to see you in September 2020. We’re currently preparing all the information you’ll need to get started this September. Due to COVID-19, some information might still be under construction, so keep an eye on this page to find the latest updates. In the meantime, the following information may answer some of the questions you have right now. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

Not starting in September 2020?

The information on this web page is for students who are starting their studies in September 2020. If you are still orienting, please visit this webpage for more general information.

What education in September 2020 will look like

The start of the academic year 2020-2021 will be slightly different due to COVID-19. Not all details might have been figured out yet, but we will keep you updated via this webpage.

Education at VU Amsterdam

In period 1 (September/October) our education will have a hybrid form: online and if possible on campus. All lectures and exams will be given online. As we foresee it now, you will meet your fellow project group members and our staff members once a week at the VU campus during evening hours. We will try to continue with this approach in period 2 (November/December). We will not be able to offer online alternatives for on-campus activities.

Education at University of Twente

Your first practicals at the University of Twente will be in the last week of September (week 40). You will be informed later about how and when exactly this will be organised. We will not be able to offer online alternatives for the practicals.

Corona measures

In home quarantine if you're from abroad?
The number of people infected with the coronavirus is increasing again and a number of countries or certain parts of countries have recently received an orange travel advice (holiday trips not recommended, only necessary trips) or red travel advice (trips not recommended). On https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl you will find the most up-to-date information.

You can read in the travel advice whether you are required to stay at home for 10 days after arriving in the Netherlands. This is called (self) quarantine. Follow quarantine rules if you return from a COVID-19 risk area. This is a country or area with an orange travel advice due to corona and also applies for students entering the Netherlands to study at the VU Amsterdam and University of Twente.

Corona FAQ's

VU Amsterdam created a special landing page for VU-wide corona updates. The University of Twente also has a similar page for UT-wide updates. Please note that this information is not specific to your programme. Specific updates regarding Mechanical Engineering can be found on the website you are now visiting.

Non-Dutch speakers can follow all current events related to corona in the Netherlands on the website 'DutchNews'.

Two universities, two sources of information

While this Mechanical Engineering programme is offered by two universities, UT and VU, you might also get information regarding your studies from both universities. Despite the fact that we try to limit this to one sender as much as possible, it's not always possible. On this page, we will let you know what information you can expect from what sender (or on which website you can find the information).

Information overview

In the table below you will find what types of information you can expect when and from which source. We divided the information into three categories. It also contains links to web pages where you can find more detailed information. In case you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

Application phase

Topic	Description
Admission	To finalise your application make sure you have completed all the steps. You are going to study at VU Amsterdam most of the time, but you will receive a degree of the University of Twente. That's why the application process goes through UT. The official deadline for your application is 31 August, but we have a small request for you. In case you decide to choose for Mechanical Engineering at UT-VU, we would kindly ask you to complete all steps of your application as soon as possible (before 1 August). Then we can make sure that your enrollment will be processed and finalised in time, so you will have both your UT and VU account in place before the start of the academic year. That way, you are ensured of a smooth start of your student life at two universities.
VISA (int. students only)	UT will help international students to get a VISA. You will receive an email about this via UT.

Topic

Description

Admission

To finalise your application make sure you have completed all the steps. You are going to study at VU Amsterdam most of the time, but you will receive a degree of the University of Twente. That's why the application process goes through UT.

The official deadline for your application is 31 August, but we have a small request for you. In case you decide to choose for Mechanical Engineering at UT-VU, we would kindly ask you to complete all steps of your application as soon as possible (before 1 August). Then we can make sure that your enrollment will be processed and finalised in time, so you will have both your UT and VU account in place before the start of the academic year. That way, you are ensured of a smooth start of your student life at two universities.

VISA (int. students only)

UT will help international students to get a VISA. You will receive an email about this via UT.

Before you start

Topic	Description
Student card	You will receive a student card from both UT and VU. The VU ID card will be sent later than the UT student card but don't worry if you haven't received the VU ID card at the start of the academic year. You don't need it to follow courses. More about the UT student card More about the VU ID card
Housing Amsterdam	The VU offers accommodation to international students (no guaranteed accommodation). International students will receive an email of the VU International Office about this. For Dutch students, we also have a few useful links that can help you find a room in Amsterdam.
Housing for the UT visits	You will travel to Enschede from time to time, to follow courses at UT (more about this under "During your studies" > "Commuting between Amsterdam and Enschede"). We offer you the possibility to stay overnight in a lodge or hotel on the campus of UT. In due time you will receive a link to an online preference form, in which you can submit your preferences for this stay. After registering your preference, you have to pay the costs beforehand via an internet payment. We will update the information on this page as soon as we know more in relation to the current COVID-19 situation.
Introduction period	Arrival days VU for international students Normally VU would welcome all new international exchange students on campus in August, but due to COVID-19 that's not allowed. You will be informed about how we are going to organise this by email and we will update the information on this page as soon as we know more. You can also find more information about the Arrival Days on the website of the VU. Kick-in introduction UT You also have the possibility to get to know your fellow Mechanical Engineering students by participating in the UT Kick-In introduction which will take place on the UT campus. The Mechanical Engineering days will start on Monday the 24th of August, 10:00 AM. If you are willing to sign a Health declaration and compliance with UT COVID-19 regulations, then you will be picked up by bus at Bijlmer ArenA station in Amsterdam on Sunday 23^rd of August and will be brought back to Bijlmer ArenA station on Wednesday 26^th of August. Your overnight stay at the UT will be arranged. You will receive more information about the exact programme via email by the UT Kick-in committee in collaboration with Study Association Isaac Newton. More information can also be found on the Kick-in website. During the introduction, you will also receive a useful checklist and help from current Mechanical Engineering students to arrange the last things to get started with your studies, like registering for courses, checking your ICT account etc.
Study books	Once you have registered for the Kick-In and became a member of study association W.S.G. Isaac Newton, you can purchase your study books with a discount. You will get more information about this during the introduction days. The books will be delivered to your home address. During the first week of the academic year, no books are needed. Your study material for this week is available online.
Notebook	For the study programme Mechanical Engineering you need a notebook with high graphic performance and a powerful processor in the first week of your study. 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. The notebook can be delivered to your home address.
Course registration	For Semester 1 you can register up until 30 August through Osiris Student. You can register for the whole semester and are then automatically enrolled for all courses in that semester.
Timetable	You can find your timetable via rooster.vu.nl and rooster.utwente.nl.

During your studies

Topic	Description
Educational/ICT systems	Because you are a student at both UT and VU, you will make use of different ICT systems. In the first week of your studies, there will be a presentation about these systems. In case you need help on one of the systems, we have student assistants available to you.
Commuting between Amsterdam and Enschede	During your studies, you frequently travel to Enschede to follow courses at the UT. This would normally be right from the start of the programme, but due to COVID-19, we will postpone your second visit to UT until the end of September (week 40). You will be informed about this and we will update the information on this page as soon as we know more.
Personal circumstances	In case you encounter personal circumstances which can limit you from studying or performing during your study, please know we have a study advisor available for you. You can contact study advisor Janine de Schutter by sending her an email or making an appointment.

Topic

Description

Educational/ICT systems

Because you are a student at both UT and VU, you will make use of different ICT systems. In the first week of your studies, there will be a presentation about these systems. In case you need help on one of the systems, we have student assistants available to you.

Commuting between Amsterdam
and Enschede

During your studies, you frequently travel to Enschede to follow courses at the UT. This would normally be right from the start of the programme, but due to COVID-19, we will postpone your second visit to UT until the end of September (week 40). You will be informed about this and we will update the information on this page as soon as we know more.

Personal circumstances

In case you encounter personal circumstances which can limit you from studying or performing during your study, please know we have a study advisor available for you. You can contact study advisor Janine de Schutter by sending her an email or making an appointment.