HKU in the coming academic year

Find out what's happening in the coming academic year at HKU. What does the corona crisis mean for your application and the start of the new school year?

Coming from abroad

Before Arrival

We recommend to start your preparations for studying in the Netherlands in time. Due to the situation with the coronavirus it can be expected that travelling will be more time consuming.

There will be measurements and restrictions you need to take into account when you plan to come to the Netherlands to start your study at HKU in September. These measurements and restrictions will be continuously subject to change. Make sure you are well informed about your local situation and the regulations concerning the Netherlands.

An EU entry ban is in effect for people travelling from non-EU countries with a high COVID-19 risk, unless the purpose of their trip falls under one of the exemption categories.
As a non-EER students you fall into an exemption category if you have a long-stay entrance visa for study or hold a letter of notification from the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) stating that your residence permit for study has been approved. You can apply for the entry visa and/or residence permit for study only via HKU. More information: https://studentportal.hku.nl/visa&permit

Prove purpose of your journey non-EER students
At the airport in the Netherlands you need to prove the purpose of your trip. As HKU student you have the long-stay visa sticker in your passport (MVV study). Or you hold a letter of notification from the Immigration and Naturalisation Service for long-term stay (VVR study). This letter has been provided by HKU after your VVR application has been approved.
What you need to prepare for your travel and arrival in the Netherlands depends on the area you come from and the way in which your area is marked. Within the EU/Schengen the areas are marked safe or as high risk region. Outside the EU the areas are marked as safe, high risk, very high risk and very high risk with a virus variant of concern.

How your area is marked and all the information necessary for your traveling and arrival can be found on the checklist of the Dutch government.
If you are travelling by air you must complete a health declaration form and carry it with you. Some airlines allow you to complete this health declaration digitally when you check in.

Upon Arrival

Whether you need to go into a mandatory or highly advised self-quarantine after arrival in the Netherlands depends on the area you are from and how this is marked.

How your area is marked and all the information necessary can be find on the checklist of the Dutch government.

You do not need to self-quarantine when entering or returning to the Netherlands from a country within the EU/Schengen area.
No mandatory self-quarantine needed? You are advised to take a coronavirus test after arriving in the Netherlands. Do a self-test before you meet other people or go to work or school. This applies for EU and non-EU students, even if you have been vaccinated.

If you have symptoms, stay at home and make an appointment with the GGD to get tested as soon as possible.
Please make sure you are well insured for your medical costs during your stay in the Netherlands. More information about health insurances: https://www.zorgverzekeringslijn.nl/english/

Please also check the website of Zorgverzekeringslijn for important information about health insurances and COVID-19:
https://www.zorgverzekeringslijn.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Covid-19-coronavirus-digitale-flyer-internationale-studenten.pdf
On the website of the government you can find all the information about the current measures:
https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19
In 2021 everyone aged 18 and over in the Netherlands will be invited to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Being vaccinated will protect not only you, but also your family, friends and vulnerable people in your surroundings. International students with a registered Dutch address in the BRP (Personal Records Database) will be automatically invited for the vaccination programme.
More information: https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/dutch-vaccination-programme

More information about address registration: https://studentportal.hku.nl//address_registration
If you have symptoms such as a cold, cough, fever or sudden loss of smell or taste, you can get tested to see if you are infected with coronavirus. This will help us control the spread of the virus and protect one another. Read more about testing for COVID-19:
https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-test
We would like to point out that a solid financial situation is very important for you. There are limited possibilities to work in the Netherlands, and HKU is not allowed to support students financially. You need to be (financially) prepared to sudden changes on which you have to act on immediately.
Information about working during your study: https://studentportal.hku.nl/homeen/student-affairs/finances/work-information.htm

Information about scholarships and grants: https://studentportal.hku.nl/homeen/student-affairs/finances/scholarships-and-grants.htm

If you have any questions, please contact HKU Service Desk Student Affairs via sz@hku.nl or +31(0)30-2091540.

Timetables

HKU is busy with preparations for the new academic year. As you have probably heard through all kinds of news channels, higher education must take into account government measures (including the 1.5 meter rule), agreements with the safety region and the pressure on public transport when drawing up timetables. We are in constant dialogue with all parties about this.

You can rest assured that the coming year, with all the challenges that exist, HKU will also provide good education: didactically well thought-out programs with a lot of attention for blended learning (a combination of online learning and contact education).

The timetables are expected to be published no later than the last week of August.

Introduction to HKU

Within the available options, HKU wants to introduce new students physically to the institution and each other as much as possible. Due to the corona measures, the introductions will take a slightly different shape than usual this year. The setup differs per school.