Practical info
You want to be well prepared before you start your chemistry degree. Find out about housing, visas and permits, insurances and public transport. Also get info on textbooks, laptop specifications as well as important documents like the degree statute and enrollment regulations.
Before you arrive in the Netherlands
Before you arrive in the Netherlands, you need to arrange some practical matters. You need to organize your accommodation, for example. And, depending on your nationality, you might need to arrange a visa.
Housing
As a Chemistry student, you need a suitable place to live. A place within easy distance of the campus and where you can feel at home. The HAN Housing Office helps international students like yourself find a room. Are you from outside the EU/EEA? You get priority: a guaranteed room. From the EU/EEA? You can go on the waiting list.
Visa info
To study Chemistry at HAN, you need the right visas and permits. Are you from the EU/EEA? Then you don’t need any visas or permits. You just need to register at city hall. Are you from a country outside the EU/EEA? Then you need a residence permit. You might also need an entry visa.
Once you arrive in the Netherlands
Once you arrive in the Netherlands, you need to know about some other practical issues. For example, about working, insurance, public transport and the government.
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Healthcare and insurance
Going to study in the Netherlands? Then you need to know about the healthcare system. And you need to organize your student health insurance. Are you from the EU/EEA? Your health insurance policy in your home country might cover you. Non-EU/EEA students receive health insurance through the financial guarantee. Other useful insurances are liability insurance, repatriation insurance and household contents insurance.
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Working
The rules on working depend on your nationality. Are you from the EU/EEA? Then you are free to work in the Netherlands. Are you from outside the EU/EEA? Then you are free to do self-employed work. If you work for an employer, you need a work permit and the hours are restricted. All international students working in the Netherlands must have Dutch public health insurance.
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Public transport
The Netherlands has excellent public transport. In the Nijmegen and Arnhem area you can get almost everywhere by train or bus. In the bigger cities, you can also use the tram or metro. To pay for these services you use an OV chip card (OV-chipkaart in Dutch).
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Government
When living in the Netherlands, you need a citizen service number (BSN). This number is important for all your dealings with the government. For example, to open a bank account or to visit a doctor. You get a BSN number after registering at city hall.
Timetables, Lecture times, Calendar and Books
Are you (almost) about to start your studies and are you curious about your timetable or class? If you have a HANaccount, you can find that info on Insite. That's the online environment for HAN students. Look under the heading Timetables, Lecture times and Calendar.
Order your textbooks online
You are free to order your books from whichever online seller you like. You could try amazon.com, for example. Have you considered 2nd-hand books? They’re cheaper and more environmentally friendly. Lots of 2nd-hand books are available online, for example at Bookmatch.nl. Amazon also offers used versions of many of its titles. Just make sure you buy the right edition.
2024-2025 learning materials and textbooks
Laptop and labjournals
Small laptop (Advice: Windows 11, max 14 inch and not older than 3 years)
REMARK 1: Operating system: Windows (preferred) or MacOS (See remark 2), for use of several applications like Microsoft365, digital lab journal, digital learning platform and digital testing. This is not possible on a Chromebook or tablet. The laptop must have an HDMI port. If not, you must have an additional HDMI adapter. The Microsoft365 software and all its functionalities (Word/Excel/Powerpoint/Teams/etc) are actively used. A Microsoft365 license is provided for free by the HAN, it is linked to your personal HAN-account. The Microsoft365 applications need to be installed to make use of the full functionality. Check carefully whether you can do this on your laptop or laptop to be purchased.
REMARK 2 for MacOS USERS: During the degree program, at least one Windows-Only application will be used. If you have a MacBook, you will need to borrow a Windows laptop from someone (e.g. classmate) for this or run a Virtual Windows on your Macbook (Bootcamp, Parallels, VMware, etc). Any additional costs will not be reimbursed by the HAN.
Digital lab journal: LabArchives
For the digital lab journal, the HAN uses Labarchives. This license will be provided and paid for by the HAN. The only thing you need to do is to create a FREE account with your HAN email address on https://www.labarchives.com. When you are invited by your practical teacher for your first practical lesson, you will automatically be linked to the HAN license.
Student services and support
Study coaching
When you start studying at HAN you will be assigned a study coach. The study coach guides you during your studies, lends a listening ear and advises you if you fall behind. And if you need more specialized help, they can refer you to the right person. The senior coach, student counselor or psychologist, for example.
Studying with Special Circumstances
Do you have a disability or other special circumstance that will affect your studies? HAN offers support and services to ensure your study environment fits your needs. For example, extra time on exams. Or alternatives to certain parts of the study program.
International Office
As an international student, there are lots of practical matters you need to arrange. International Office knows about all these issues and can lend you a helping hand. Going abroad for a semester as part of your program? International Office can answer all your questions about this as well.
Student Support Center
Do you want to work on your study skills? Or perhaps you want to improve your writing skills? Or do you need to see a counselor or psychologist about a personal matter? HAN Study Success provides counseling, training courses, workshops and coaching for all HAN students. The aim? To give you the tools to study successfully.
Campus facilities
The HAN campus in Nijmegen has all the facilities you need: modern lecture halls, study and multimedia centers, sports facilities, canteens and cafes. Also important: a reliable wireless network (Eduroam). And you can easily reach the campuses by train, bus or bike.
Degree Statute & Enrollment Regulations
Use the links below to see find all the regulations about enrollment, education and examinations for the Chemistry program at HAN. Also find detailed descriptions of the education.
HAN International Intro
Get a good start to your studies during this week of orientation:
- learn about living in the Netherlands
- become familiar with the campus
- get on board with your degree program
- make new friends!
The location
HAN Nijmegen campus
Laan van Scheut 2
6525 EM Nijmegen
Ready to start?
Apply now
