Pre-Arrival

Congratulations on being accepted at ONCAMPUS Amsterdam, we look forward to welcoming you. Before you arrive here's more information about what you need to bring with you, and what will happen during Induction.

If you have any further queries please contact the ONCAMPUS Amsterdam team: amsterdam@oncampus.global

Pre-arrival requirements 

If you need to contact centre staff in an emergency outside of office hours please call: +31 (0)65 202 7689 

• Visa information

• What to bring with you

• How to pay

• What to expect on arrival

• How to get to ONCAMPUS

• Accommodation

• Enrolment and induction

• Term Dates

Visa information

In order to be able to study in the Netherlands, non-EU students need to apply for residency. Once you are officially enrolled to the ONCAMPUS Amsterdam programme, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) applies for a residence permit on your behalf. UvA Student Services will send you an invitation by email to register via an online system, after which you need to upload the required documents. Once the University has received everything, they will send your application to the Immigration and Naturalisation Department (IND).

If you require an entry visa (MVV) for the Netherlands, we advise you to not book a flight ticket, at least not one that cannot be changed, until you are have received your visa sticker in your passport. You can contact the ONCAMPUS Amsterdam team for assistance during the visa application process at amsterdam@oncampus.global. For more information about the visa process please have a look at the University of Amsterdam's website too www.uva.nl/en

Download our country-specific Visa guides 

Please note that before you arrive in Amsterdam you will receive emails from UvA Student Services (visa process, housing process and Start Appointment), your housing corporation (for example De Key or DUWO) and from the ONCAMPUS Amsterdam team. Please make sure you reply to all the emails that you receive from the different departments. The ONCAMPUS Amsterdam team can always help you if you have any questions.

Health insurance

You are required to have appropriate health insurance for the duration of your stay in the Netherlands. You must arrange your health
insurance prior to entering the country. The AON Insurance Certificate for Students (ICS) Complete+ package covers medical costs in
the Netherlands, liability, household contents and luggage, accidents and legal assistance. The package costs around €53 per month. Students who aim to get a part-time job need Basic Health Insurance which is about €100 per month. Book the AON Complete+ health insurance at: www.students-insurance.eu

What to bring with you

You will need to show your ONCAMPUS enrolment documents to the Immigration Officer on arrival so make sure they are placed safely in your carry-on hand luggage. 

• Confirmation of acceptance for studies (CoE) letter
• Passport with valid visa (if applicable)
• Original supporting academic documents (high school certificate, IELTS, academic transcripts)

Money

Payment options in Amsterdam

In the Netherlands, credit cards are accepted in hotels, most restaurants, large department stores and tourist attractions. However, you can’t use a credit card for smaller transactions, for instance in the supermarket. Cash is still widely used but the most common method of payment is “pinnen”: using a debit card plus PIN code.

Clothing

You should have enough warm clothing for your flight and subsequent journey. Several layers of lightweight clothes are better than a single shirt or dress. It is probably cheaper and easier to buy warm winter clothing in the Netherlands rather than in your home country.

Consider bringing items of your national dress to wear at social events alongside photographs of family and small items from home to help you create your new home away from home. It is useful to bring some passport-sized photographs of yourself.

How to pay

We want to make paying your fees as easy as possible. They can be paid using our online payments platform: WU® GlobalPay for Students.

Pay Now with WU Global Payments for Students

This fast and reliable service allows you to pay in your local currency via bank transfer, Visa/Mastercard, or by using a wide range of local online payment options including WeChat Pay, UnionPay, India NetBanking and more, without incurring any transaction charges.

Klarna and bank transfer are also available for UK domestic payments through the platform.

Benefits

• Pay fees in your local currency
• Avoid fees and international foreign exchange charges from your bank
• Easy to use on smartphones and other mobile devices
• Pay online or by bank transfer
• Rest assured knowing your payments are received in full by OnCampus
• Track your payment status by text and email
• Get price and payment options upfront with a price comparison too

Pay Now with WU Global Payments for Students

If you need any further payment assistance, please call our Finance team on +44 1223 341308. You can also see the video below on how to pay through WU GlobalPay for Students.

Important: A payment reference must be provided so that the college can identify funds on safe arrival into our account. This must be the student reference number as stated on your offer document. This reference means that we can then allocate the funds against your invoice accordingly. Failure to include a reference may mean we have to contact you again to establish your proof of payment.

What to expect on arrival

Passport Control

When you arrive at Schiphol Airport you will need to pass through immigration so follow the signs to Passport Control. If the Immigration Officer asks you about the purpose of your visit then please explain that you will be studying in the Netherlands and make sure that you are able to show the following documents:

• Passport
• Original academic documents
• Proof of accommodation
• Certificate of Enrolment
• Health insurance papers
• Dutch Entry Visa (If required)

Make sure you have all of these supporting documents in your carry-on luggage if you are flying to the Netherlands; you will not have access to your luggage until you have cleared immigration. Failure to show the right documents will result in delays.

How to get from Schiphol Airport to the City Centre

Train to Amsterdam central station

Direct trains to Amsterdam Centraal Station run every 10 to 15 minutes between 06.00AM and 12.30AM (every hour during other times). The trip takes 15 minutes and costs under €5. Train tickets and public transport chip cards are available from the yellow ticket machines near the platforms at Schiphol Plaza. Tickets are also available from the NS Service desk, which is situated close to the red/white-checked cube at Schiphol Plaza. Staff at the ticket offices will also be able to provide you with train departure information.

Private taxi

You’ll find plenty of private taxis for hire in the taxi line just outside the main entrance to the arrivals and train station level at Schiphol. The fare will be around €50, please ask for a price indication before departure. Also make sure you have money with you to pay the driver. You can either pay in cash or with credit card.

How to get to ONCAMPUS 

ONCAMPUS Amsterdam – UvA Roeterseiland campus, J/K Building, room 1.58, Valckenierstraat 65-67, 1018 XE Amsterdam, The Netherlands 

Accommodation

It is compulsory for under 18s to book ONCAMPUS approved accommodation. Please see the accommodation guide below, for any queries please email amsterdam@oncampus.global.

ONCAMPUS Amsterdam Accommodation Guide

View Interactive

Download PDF

Enrolment and induction

Enrolment is an essential part of your induction (whether online or face-to-face). After you enrol, you are officially a student of ONCAMPUS Amsterdam. Remember to bring along all the essential documents mentioned under Enrolment documents.

Term Dates

Undergraduate Foundation Programme (UFP)

Master's Qualifying Programme (MQP)