Utrecht, Netherlands - Utrecht University
Utrecht University is one of Europe's leading research universities. The university is situated in Utrecht, a lively student city in the heart of the Netherlands. Utrecht was recently voted the most competitive region in Europe. The university is recognized internationally for our high-quality, innovative approach to research and teaching. The university has student population of 30,000 of which 1,500 are international students. These students come to the university to take English-taught degree programmes and other courses. Students work and study closely together, learning to operate in an international environment from the outset. This is essential for scientists and scholars in our increasingly globalized world.
To apply for the Exchange Program:
- Confirm that this program works for you both academically and financially. Check the courses offered and speak with your academic advisor on which courses you should try to take while abroad that will count towards your degree. If you are receiving financial aid or want to apply for financial aid for the study abroad program, contact Nicole.Brennan@umb.edu so you know what you can expect in aid for the program.
- Once you are sure this is the program for you, apply on this website for the program (click apply at the bottom).
- Once completed, contact the Office of Global Programs to have your nomination submitted to Utrecht. From there you will also need to submit the exchange application through Utrecht University directly: https://www.uu.nl/en/education/exchange-and-visiting-students
For all of the steps and information on applying to study abroad through UMass Boston, download the checklist:
Study Abroad Steps to Stay on Track 2020.pdf
COURSES
Courses available in the faculties of Humanities; Social and Behavioural Sciences; Geosciences; Law, Economics & Governance; Science. Courses in Biomedical Sciences in the faculty of Medicine are open to exchange students.
CREDITS
Students must study full time at the home and host Institutions. With the completion of the Request for Prior Approval of Transfer Credit of Study Abroad Programs form, your credits (not grades) will transfer towards your degree at UMass Boston. This form can be obtained from the Study Abroad office.
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Semester I: 1st week of September – 3rd week of December
Semester II: 1st week of February – 4th week of June
ELIGIBILITY
Undergraduate and graduate students who have currently completed at least one year of full-time study with the most recent semester completed at UMass Boston are eligible. Students must be in good academic standing (at least 2.75 GPA) with no disciplinary problems. Students will be nominated to the university by the UMass Boston study abroad office, and will then have to complete an online application through Utrecht. Excellent knowledge of either ENGLISH or DUTCH is required. Intensive language course in August (also EILC) and special Dutch beginner's level course for exchange students starts in September and February with a tuition fee. For more information:
www.babel.nl
COSTS
See Budget Sheet. Please note, the Office of Global Programs use estimated price values for our UMass Boston Reciprocal Exchange’ budget sheets. Actual prices may vary, please contact your program provider for more details.
Do you receive any financial aid, such as scholarships or grants to fund your education? Find out if your financial aid will apply towards studying abroad using the following Financial Aid Guide
here
The Financial Aid Guide provides lots of information. However, prior to applying it is advised to contact Financial Aid services for financial aid inquiries and concerns. Link to Financial Aid services website: https://finaid.umb.edu/
HOUSING
Due to a large number of students and shortage of rooms it is usually very hard to find housing in Utrecht. Therefore Utrecht University reserves a certain number of housing options for exchange students with the independent housing corporation (SSH). Students have to arrange housing themselves, either via SSH or independently. The number of accommodation that Utrecht University reserves with SSH is limited, and is offered on a first come first serve basis. If a student applies in time, chances of finding accommodation through SSH Short Stay are good.
VISA
You are responsible for obtaining the correct visa before you travel.
If you are a citizen of the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Monaco or Vatican City, you need to apply for a residence permit. You do not need a visa to enter the Netherlands.
To study in the Netherlands for more than 90 days if you are a resident of a non-EU country, you will have to obtain a residence permit. Typically, the university will apply for a residence permit on the student's behalf after acceptance. For more information, visit the Utrecht website.
Be sure to check out the following Visa Process link provided by NAFSA for more information:
https://www.nafsa.org/Professional_Resources/Browse_by_Interest/Education_Abroad/Visas_For_Education_Abroad/
Finalize your enrollment
Once you have been admitted to your study programme, you will need to finalize your enrollment in our online system. These procedures will start approximately four months before the start of the semester. In this system, you will be asked for all the necessary details for your registration, residency and visa procedures, emergency contact details and proof of health insurance.
Your residence permit has to be approved before the start of your programme (1 February or 1 September).
Immigration procedure
Utrecht University will process the application for a residence permit for the purposes of study on your behalf. It is therefore not necessary to contact the Immigration and Naturalization Department (IND) yourself unless you intend to request a residence permit for purposes other than study (e.g. family reunification). Please note that:
Please check to see the fee for the residency permit. This fee is not refundable.
The procedure can take several months
Necessary Documents
- A valid passport
- Proof of health and liability insurance
- Proof of finance
- Antecedents Certificate (on your online account with Utrecht)
Funds to finance your stay in the Netherlands – this amount does not include you tuition fee
Funds to finance your tuition fee – not applicable to exchange students
Your documents will first be checked online after you have successfully submitted your file for immigration. To complete the actual residence permit application for the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND), you will need to send in the above documents.
All documents must be in Dutch, English, French or German. If your documents are in another language, you must arrange for the documents to be translated by an official translator.
Duration
Student residence permits will be issued for the duration of the nominal study programme plus three months. The nominal duration of study programme is three years for a Bachelor’s programme and one or two years for a Master’s programme.
Start Appointment
After you have finished the enrollment procedure, you will receive an invitation for a Start Appointment upon your arrival.
Download:
Netherlands Country Information and Visas.pdf
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Pre-decision Phase Instructions:
This is a UMass Boston Reciprocal Exchange Program. There are two separate applications. First, students apply to the program by completing this online UMass Boston application. If eligible to study abroad, the UMass Boston Study Abroad Office nominates the student to the university abroad. The student is then informed with a letter or an email about next steps to complete the university's abroad application (online or hard copy forms). Please
click here for application instructions.
Post-decision Phase Instructions:
The final decision to accept a student is made by the university abroad and the student will be emailed. Once accepted by the university abroad, UMass Boston students must complete all the requirements indicated by the university abroad, in addition to completing all forms and submitting all the post-acceptance documents to UMass Boston Study Abroad Office. Please
click here for instructions and forms.