Practical information

Who wouldn’t want to study in the vibrant and innovative capital of the Netherlands: Amsterdam? Tio Amsterdam is located just a three-minute walk from Amsterdam Sloterdijk station.

Welcome to Tio Amsterdam

Tio Amsterdam is the largest of all of Tio’s locations, but with around 650 students, it retained its intimacy. It is a modern location with a hint of that typical Amsterdam bravura and an international character. At Tio Amsterdam, students can choose both Dutch- and English-language bachelor courses.

About Amsterdam

Amsterdam represents the perfect union of the hotel industry, event management, tourism and business. It is a metropolis with an abundance of lively streets and places to go out. The city is home to the highest number of five-star hotels in the Netherlands and it plays host to many major events and festivals, such as the Amsterdam Dance Event. Moreover, more than 700,000 passengers per year visit a business event in Amsterdam.

New country, strange language and even stranger habits. So how do you find a place to live?

Student housing

Campus accommodation is not common in the Netherlands. Most students rent a room in a student house. If you need help finding a place to live, Tio will assist you. Students requiring a student visa will automatically be offered housing via Tio.

Since there is a high demand for student accommodation, we recommend starting your search as soon as possible and, where possible, letting Tio help you. Average accommodation prices for student housing in the Netherlands vary between €450 and €800 a month. Should you decide to try to find your own place to live, here are some helpful links:    

Keep in mind that most student housing is not furnished unless otherwise specified and you will only be renting a room, and may have to share the other facilities with other students. More info about student housing on Study in NL.

Daily expenses

Your daily expenses include food, public transport, books, clothes, and cinema tickets. But you also need to take into account the costs for housing and insurance. Experience has shown that students living and studying in Holland for one year spend between € 800 and € 1,100 a month (source: Studyinholland.nl).

In the Netherlands there are various ways of travelling around the country.

Bicycles

Most students use a bicycle for their transport in town (as you will see on your arrival in the Netherlands). If you plan to stay in Holland for a few months, it is advisable for you to buy an (old) second-hand bike. Ask the Dutch students where to buy them, but make sure you buy a legal one (so do not buy a bike you think might be stolen). Second-hand bike shops sell bikes at the reasonable prices of €50 – €100.

Bus service

The bus station is located near the railway station. If you want to travel by bus, you have to be in the possession of a public transport card (OV-kaart). This OV-kaart can be reused. The OV-kaart can be bought at the ticket office, train station or cigarette stores. Busses are used to travel relative short distances (never more than 20 km).

Taxi service

Taxis are rather expensive in the Netherlands. There is start price of € 7.50 regardless of the length of the ride. For each consecutive kilometre a surcharge is applied. Always ask the price of the ride and check if the price matches the prices that should be announced inside the taxi. Do not go with unregistered taxis that solicit for a ride.

Train service

Trains are, when compared to other European countries, neither very expensive, nor very cheap. The quality is relatively good. There are regular services all over the country. As Amsterdam and Utrecht have a large train stations, you will always have easy connections to all the big cities from the central train station. Please check www.ns.nl/en. You can travel first class (expensive, but more comfortable) and second class (the least expensive one) when you have the right ticket. Return tickets are only valid on the day of issue. When traveling from one city to another, it is common to travel by train.

Discount cards

There are some possibilities to travel for less money. There are several types of discount cards. More information can be given at the railway station, or consult www.ns.nl/en. Be aware of the fact that travelling without a valid train ticket could cost you a great deal of money (if caught you have to pay a fine of 40 euro + the price of the ticket you had to buy) and if you cannot pay (in cash only) straight away, the fine will be increased with administration costs!

If you require a student visa to come and study at Tio and in the Netherlands, please note that applying for a visa takes time. Always make sure that your passport is valid for the entire duration of your exchange and provide the necessary paperwork as requested upon your acceptance. Students who have been accepted to Tio, will receive more information about the visa procedure.

Do I need a visa?

If you are a citizen from outside the EU-EEA, you need an entry visa (MVV) and residence permit to study in the Netherlands at Tio. For some students coming from a country with a visa waiver programme, the MVV is not necessary, but the residence permit is. Any visa and residence permit needs to be applied for by Tio. After receipt of the necessary paperwork Tio will apply for the visa. The usual time for a visa application is 4-6 weeks.

After arriving in the Netherlands it is always necessary to report within 72 hours at the Immigration Department. The Dutch immigration law is strict. This means that if you break the rules of the visa (such as working while this is not allowed) you will have to leave the Netherlands and be heavily fined. It will also mean exclusion of future entrance.

Tio expects students to have personal liability insurance as well as health insurance. EU/EEA students can study at Tio based on insurance taken out in their home country. Tio will organise the required insurance for non-EU/EEA students.

For more information on student insurance please visit Tio’s partner in insurance matters: aon.nl.

Prior to the academic year the welcome days will take place. The welcome days are all about meeting your fellow students, getting to know the city and student society Cognatio, getting a look behind the scenes at businesses in the industry and, above all, having a good time. The welcome days are held late August.

This factsheet contains all the info you need for studying at Tio.