Frequently Asked Questions
Scroll down for frequently asked questions, or click to jump to a topic.
Application
Please take these 5 steps into account when applying for an exchange at Utrecht University:
- Verify with your home university that they have an Exchange Agreement with Utrecht University.* Your home university will inform you on the procedures that lead up to a nomination
- Check with your home university's international coordinator whether you are required to take an English proficiency test
- After you are nominated by your home university, we will contact you with a link to our online application system, and the further instructions on how to complete your application. Make sure to take note of our application deadlines
- After checking your application, we forward it to the respective faculty or department for official acceptance. Conditions are availability and the match between your background and the courses you have chosen. It usually takes about a month until we know whether you can be accepted
- If you are admitted as an Exchange student you will receive information about the services that the university offers. This includes the visa procedure (if applicable)
*Does your University not have an Exchange agreement with Utrecht University? It may still be possible to apply as a visiting student instead.
Are you interested in a UU Honours program? Please read the information as the application procedure differs from the standard exchange procedure.
Are you a refugee bachelor student from Ukraine? You may be able to enroll as an exchange student, even if your home university does not have an exchange agreement with Utrecht University.
If your home university has an exchange agreement with Utrecht University, you do not have to pay us an application or tuition fee. You will need to pay your standard tuition fees at your home university.
Keep in mind that you may need to pay fees in case you need a visa.
If your home University does not have an Exchange agreement with Utrecht University, it may still be possible to apply as a visiting student. For more information on the possibilities kindly contact the UU faculty or honours college you wish to apply to.
Academics
No. We require a bachelor diploma from students who want to attend courses at master level.
You can find the course catalogues from the faculties on our webpage Course Information.
We require students to study fulltime (30 EC) during their exchange.
You can choose courses from a maximum of two faculties.
Yes, you will need to be present at the lectures and your presence will be noted.
No, we do not accept students to sit in on a lecture when they are not registered for it.
Yes, but only in the courses that still have available spots. You will need to contact the Student Desk of the faculty for more information.
You can find the academic calendar here.
The courses will be held on campus. At the moment, it is not possible to follow the courses or your entire exchange from your home country.
Yes, most bachelor courses require a B2 level for English and most master courses require a C1 level English. Courses in other languages will have specific requirements that can be found in the course catalogue. You will need to prove language proficiency during your application. For more information, please read the information on the Application page under Language Requirements.
Yes, we offer an online Dutch course. You can find more information on the Welcome to Utrecht website.
You can contact the International Office of the faculty where you are going to follow courses. They can assist you and help you with any questions you might have.
Examination
Most exams have a retake, but you can only take the retake under certain conditions. For more information, please read the information on the Policies and Procedures website (under grades at Utrecht University) or contact the Student Desk of the faculty you are taking courses in.
You will need to fill out a form or let the study advisor know that you are ill. Please make sure to do this before the exam, otherwise you might lose the right to a retake. You can find more information on where to deregister before an exam, on the website of the faculty you are taking courses in.
You cannot take your exams at home, you will need to be present at Utrecht University.
Yes, if you have followed the course but not taken the exam, you will be registered as absent during the exam and you will get a fail. The courses you have failed will be shown on your Transcript of Records.
The grading system at Utrecht University might differ from your home university. You can find more information on how grading works on our website Grading System.
Arrival at Utrecht University
- ID/passport (make sure it is valid during your exchange and until 2 months after the end of your exchange)
- Health insurance card
- Debit card (you cannot pay with a creditcard in most supermarkets)
- Laptop or tablet (check the compatibility of your chargers with European outlets)
- Personal items
Please read all the relevant information on insurances on our Welcome to Utrecht website.
We organize a welcome week for all of our international students: the UU Welcome Week! This event is the ideal way to start your stay in Utrecht. You can get information about practical matters, meet your fellow students and get to know more about student life in Utrecht. Since there are many different activities, there is something for everyone!
There will be a UU-wide program, a faculty meeting and a meeting specifically for exchange students. You can read all the information on the website, and you will receive an invitation to the faculty and exchange meeting as well.
When you are officially enrolled in your courses, you will have an overview of your timetable in the MyTimetable website. You need your SolisID to log in. You can also download the MyUU app, where you can see your timetable and much more.
You will not get a physical student card, but you can use the MyUU app to show your digital student card.
For all the information on how to use public transport in the Netherlands, please read the Welcome to Utrecht website.
Yes ofcourse! There are many student organisations you can join. ESN Utrecht is also very active and will organize trips and meetings for international students.
There are also many sports clubs you can join, for example Sports Centre Olympos (located at the Utrecht Science Park).
Visa
For information specifically for exchange students, please read the information on the Visa website. There is a special FAQ dedicated to all the visa questions you might have. You can find the FAQ on our Welcome to Utrecht website.
Housing
You can read our housing information or check the housing FAQ for more information. If you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via StudentServices@uu.nl.