Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
Inside the UvA Main Library
Right
VU Boekhandel
Amsterdam for Students
UvA Courses
The largest university
with buildings in the
centre, UvA (Universiteit
van Amsterdam) offers
English-language
International Study
Programs in a range of
subjects from under-
graduate level upwards.
For information, contact
the Office of Foreign
Relations. d
Office of
Foreign Relations: Binnen-
gasthuisstraat 9
•
Map N5
•
020 525 8080
•
www.uva.nl
VU Courses
In a suburb of
Amsterdam, VU (Vrije
Universiteit) runs English-
language courses in
economics, law, arts and
social sciences for
exchange or contract
students (whose home
university has no official
exchange relationship
with the VU). d
VU
Student Information: 020
444 5000
•
www.vu.nl
Summer
University
Every year, from the
middle of July to the
beginning of September,
the Amsterdam Summer
University offers arts and
sciences courses in the
Felix Meritis Building. d
Keizersgracht 324
•
Map L4
•
020 620 0225 or 623 1311
•
www.amsu.edu
Bookshops
Most major book-
shops stock English
textbooks, but the best
academic bookshop is VU
Boekhandel. d
VU Boek-
handel: De Boelelaan 1105
•
020 644 4355
card in Amsterdam is
no guarantee of
discounted prices, and
only Dutch students are
entitled to the
OV
Jaarkaart
, which gives
them free use of public
transport. Anyone under
the age of 26 is eligible
for a
Cultureel Jongeren
Passport (see p136)
,
which costs €12.50 from
Tourist Offices or the
AUB
(see p134)
.
Unions
Foreign students will
find ASVA-OBAS the
most useful of the
various Dutch student
unions. It offers all kinds
of assistance, including
an accommodation
service. SRVU will also
give VU students help
and advice
(see above)
.
d
ASVA-OBAS: Binnengast-
huisstraat 9
•
Map N5
•
020
623 8052
Libraries
To borrow from the
UvA Main Library, you
need a
Universiteit
Bibliotheek
card. Foreign
students are eligible if
they are studying in the
city for at least three
months. To borrow from
the VU Main Library, you
must become a member.
d
UvA Main Library: Singel
425. Map M5. 020 525
2266
•
VU Main Library:
De Boelelaan 1105. 020
444 5200
Services for
Foreign Students
An independent organiz-
ation, the FSS (Foreign
Student Service) provides
advice, support and help
for foreign students, as
well as arranging social
events. Under the
auspices of the UvA, the
International Student
Network (ISN) is a group
of students that provides
mentors to introduce
foreigners and freshmen
to university life.
d
FSS: Oranje Nassanlaan
5. 671 59 15. Map A6
•
ISN: 020 525 3721.
isn@stuc.uva.nl. www.isn-
amsterdam.nl
Accommodation
UvA's Housing
Department helps
students find lodgings.
If you are studying at VU,
the university has a
guesthouse in Uilenstede.
Alternatively, SRVU, the
VU students' union, will
help you.
d
UvA Housing
Department: Binnengast-
huisstraat 9. Map N5. 020
525 2744
•
SRVU: De
Boelelaan 1083A. 020 444
9424
Visas
All foreign students
who plan to stay in the
country for longer than
three months must
register with the
Vreem-
delingen Politie
(Aliens
Police) within three days
of arrival. They must then
apply for a VTV (residence
permit) and register with
the civil registry.
Student Cards
Producing your
student union or ISIC rail-
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