VoCoVoorlichtingscommissie
Student Information Committee Hi there! As Voorlichtingscommissie we would love to tell you more about the bachelor Human Geogaphy and Planning. The presentation (and video of it) that we give in high schools are currently only available in Dutch, but we have translated all of our extended answers to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) that we provide on this page.
Here, we try to provide useful information about the program, based on our experiences as students. All the official info is easily found by searching online for 'UvA Human Geography and Planning' or by clicking this link. Would you like to talk to someone about our program?
Didn't find what you were looking for? Or don't know what you are looking for? Feel free to email us or the education desk. |
Committee members 2023-2024Clara Sengers (Chair)
Sam van der Vorst Noa Deutsch Stefan de Groot |
FAQ about the contents of the program
WHAT ARE HUMAN GEOGRAPHY AND PLANNING ABOUT?
The field of Human Geography and Planning looks into the relationship between people and the space around us. That might look familiar to you, as our field of study ties in with the 'social' side of geography. You won't come across volcanoes and soil surveys, but development aid and housing estates all the more!
So, we study the world around us. This makes the program very interdisciplinary, as issues about space occur everywhere. Therefore, Human Geography and Planning can take you into many different directions. Whether you prefer economics or urban history - there is always a subject that suits you! Of course, you don't have to know that yet; during your studies you can find out what your preferences are.
Certain issues recur throughout the program. For instance, you will soon come to realise that space is always scarce. The environment and climate are also important factors in all the subjects we study.
So, we study the world around us. This makes the program very interdisciplinary, as issues about space occur everywhere. Therefore, Human Geography and Planning can take you into many different directions. Whether you prefer economics or urban history - there is always a subject that suits you! Of course, you don't have to know that yet; during your studies you can find out what your preferences are.
Certain issues recur throughout the program. For instance, you will soon come to realise that space is always scarce. The environment and climate are also important factors in all the subjects we study.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HUMAN GEOGRAPHY AND PLANNING?
Human Geography and Planning are inextricably linked. They deal with the same subject: the relationship between humans and space. Yet they are not the same.
Human Geography studies human behaviour in the world around us. This can be at many scale levels, from global migration to neighbourhood social networks. The focus is on how people behave in and use the space in the world around us. Here you can think about what people do in everyday life, but also, for example, an iPhone produced in parts all over the world. Human Geography is therefore mainly a contemplative study.
The field of Planning studies human intervention in space. The emphasis here is on the physical living environment. The central question is how people change the living environment and who influences these processes. Think, for example, of the housing market, mobility or the construction of a new urban district. Planning, as a field of study, is therefore more focused on intervention.
Human Geography studies human behaviour in the world around us. This can be at many scale levels, from global migration to neighbourhood social networks. The focus is on how people behave in and use the space in the world around us. Here you can think about what people do in everyday life, but also, for example, an iPhone produced in parts all over the world. Human Geography is therefore mainly a contemplative study.
The field of Planning studies human intervention in space. The emphasis here is on the physical living environment. The central question is how people change the living environment and who influences these processes. Think, for example, of the housing market, mobility or the construction of a new urban district. Planning, as a field of study, is therefore more focused on intervention.
IS STUDYING 'HGP' SOMETHING FOR ME?
If you are interested in people, in the world around you and how that world is changing, then certainly! Human Geography and Planning students like to go out into the world to see how things really are. And if you have a larger-than-usual admiration for maps, you can't really choose to study anything else ;-). Human Geography and Planning is geography-related in terms of topics and themes, but we also have plenty of students who did not choose geography in high school.
There may also be specific topics within our program that appeal to you. For example, if you find the housing market, mobility or environmental issues interesting, HGP is probably a good choice for you! The study program is very flexible, and you get a lot of space to delve into the topics you find interesting. Further on in this FAQ you will find an overview of these subjects.
There may also be specific topics within our program that appeal to you. For example, if you find the housing market, mobility or environmental issues interesting, HGP is probably a good choice for you! The study program is very flexible, and you get a lot of space to delve into the topics you find interesting. Further on in this FAQ you will find an overview of these subjects.
WHAT ABOUT JOB OPPORTUNITIES?
The job prospects after studying Human Geography and Planning are very good. If you mention it on your LinkedIn page, you will often be offered traineeships before even finishing your studies. There are various directions you can develop into with Human Geography and Planning, which we will briefly explain.
On the one hand, Human Geography and Planning form their own professional groups. So in practice, you can work as both a Human Geographer and a Planner at companies that deal specifically with our field. In the field of Human Geography, for example, you can think of NGOs (non-governmental organisations) involved in cooperation in development or humanitarian aid. In Planning, for example, you could work for spatial consultancies, which help both municipalities and companies draw up visions for spatial projects or even entire cities. There are also many places in government where you can use the knowledge you gain during your studies.
On the other hand, studying HGP also helps with your job opportunities in other sectors that are not directly related to Human Geography or Planning. After all, our program is about people and space, and you will almost always come across these. You have the unique knowledge and skills to contribute to these issues. From the Military to Aldi, virtually every company and organization needs Human Geographers and Planners!
Wondering who might be looking for you? On the careers section of our website, you will find profiles of companies that sponsor our study association, as they are keen to get to know students of the study. Here you can see some of the places you could end up working at after your studies, but as said, the possibilities are much wider.
Please note that this answer applies to the field of Human Geography and Planning in general. If you are considering staying in The Netherlands after your studies, it is good to know that most job opportunities will require knowledge of the Dutch language. This is of course no cause for concern, because of course you will be studying here for at least three years. So if you start early, you will see that in no time, you will start getting the hang of Dutch. It's not too close to English, but there are similarities, the UK are one of our neighbours after all. And of course you can practice with your fellow Dutch students whenever you like!
On the one hand, Human Geography and Planning form their own professional groups. So in practice, you can work as both a Human Geographer and a Planner at companies that deal specifically with our field. In the field of Human Geography, for example, you can think of NGOs (non-governmental organisations) involved in cooperation in development or humanitarian aid. In Planning, for example, you could work for spatial consultancies, which help both municipalities and companies draw up visions for spatial projects or even entire cities. There are also many places in government where you can use the knowledge you gain during your studies.
On the other hand, studying HGP also helps with your job opportunities in other sectors that are not directly related to Human Geography or Planning. After all, our program is about people and space, and you will almost always come across these. You have the unique knowledge and skills to contribute to these issues. From the Military to Aldi, virtually every company and organization needs Human Geographers and Planners!
Wondering who might be looking for you? On the careers section of our website, you will find profiles of companies that sponsor our study association, as they are keen to get to know students of the study. Here you can see some of the places you could end up working at after your studies, but as said, the possibilities are much wider.
Please note that this answer applies to the field of Human Geography and Planning in general. If you are considering staying in The Netherlands after your studies, it is good to know that most job opportunities will require knowledge of the Dutch language. This is of course no cause for concern, because of course you will be studying here for at least three years. So if you start early, you will see that in no time, you will start getting the hang of Dutch. It's not too close to English, but there are similarities, the UK are one of our neighbours after all. And of course you can practice with your fellow Dutch students whenever you like!
WHAT MASTERS CAN I DO?
Would you like to learn on after finishing your Bachelor's degree? Then you can choose to develop even further by going for a Master's degree. These study programs take one or sometimes two years. You will delve even deeper into a field that interests you. There are three types of Master's you can do after the Bachelor's in Human Geography and Planning:
- Connecting Masters
If you get your bachelor's degree in Human Geography and Planning, you will have access to all Dutch masters directly related to Human Geography and Planning. If your average grade is at least a 7 or higher, this also applies to the master's in Geo-Information Science, focusing on the use of GIS. More information on GIS can be found in the following FAQ section. - Masters with a bridging program
Some Master's programs are not directly linked to our Bachelor's, but do deal with the same subjects. Sometimes a short 'bridging program' allows you parttake in that Master's after all. During the bridging program, you brush up the knowledge you still need. An example is the Master's in Transport, Infrastructure and Logistics at the Technical University of Delft. - Masters with a Pre-Master's degree
There are also Master's programs that you cannot parttake in directly, but that are somewhat in the same direction as our study. In that case, you can sometimes follow a Pre-Master's program. In that case, you will only take the courses of the associated Bachelor's program that are still relevant to you. This is usually tailor-made: your program is really tailored to what you still need.
FAQ about HGP at the UvA
HOW DOES AN AVERAGE WEEK LOOK?
On average you will have about 12 contact hours in a week. These are fixed times when you are expected to be physically present at the UvA. About half of these hours are lectures, where you are mainly listening, just like in high school. The other half are tutorials. In these, you really get to work yourself, discuss content with your fellow students and often work on mini-projects.
Besides the lecture hours, you also spend a lot of time on self-study. This includes reading texts to prepare for the lectures, but also working together on projects. You will also regularly go out into the real world to do fieldwork, because as the motto of our study goes: the city is our laboratory!
This set-up gives you a lot of freedom to organise your time yourself, but that doesn't mean you don't have to do anything. Reading in particular can be time-consuming, and in the beginning many students find it hard to adjust. After all, university is really quite different from high school. But once you get through the first subjects, most students get used to it soon enough.
So, keep in mind that you will spend much more than 12 hours a week studying! In our experience, you will usually have enough time left over for a part-time job, and of course to enjoy being a student ;-).
It is also good to know that the program has two tracks: full English and bilingual. All the lectures as well as the literature are in English. After all, you discuss theory from all over the world. The seminars and the assignments are taught and completed in English in the full English track, and in Dutch in the bilingual track.
Besides the lecture hours, you also spend a lot of time on self-study. This includes reading texts to prepare for the lectures, but also working together on projects. You will also regularly go out into the real world to do fieldwork, because as the motto of our study goes: the city is our laboratory!
This set-up gives you a lot of freedom to organise your time yourself, but that doesn't mean you don't have to do anything. Reading in particular can be time-consuming, and in the beginning many students find it hard to adjust. After all, university is really quite different from high school. But once you get through the first subjects, most students get used to it soon enough.
So, keep in mind that you will spend much more than 12 hours a week studying! In our experience, you will usually have enough time left over for a part-time job, and of course to enjoy being a student ;-).
It is also good to know that the program has two tracks: full English and bilingual. All the lectures as well as the literature are in English. After all, you discuss theory from all over the world. The seminars and the assignments are taught and completed in English in the full English track, and in Dutch in the bilingual track.
HOW IS THE PROGRAM STRUCTURED?
In principle, the Human Geography and Planning program takes three years to complete. In practice, however, quite a few students complete the study in four years. Some because they have to retake subjects they did not pass, but most want to do something extra: a year as board of the study association, taking extra subjects, studying abroad, or just something else. At the UvA, you have a lot of freedom to do so.
In the first year, everyone follows the same program. You get to know the whole field: Human Geography, Planning and how they are related. In the second year, you choose what topics you want to specialise in. During the first half of the third year you have free elective space. You can read about what you can do with your specialisations and your free elective in the next section. In the last semester of your studies, you will finish everything you still need to finish and write your thesis: the 'final dissertation' of your studies.
Besides the substantive subjects, you will also take method subjects during the programme. Here, you learn how to research spatial issues. For instance, how to conduct useful interviews or how to observe properly. You also learn to work with GIS: a computer programme with which you learn to make scientific maps of your data.
Content courses and method courses are taught in 8-week blocks. Unique to HGP at the UvA is that the exams are already in the 7th week. Week 8 is the 'repair week': that's when you can catch up on overdue assignments, and if you have already finished everything, you've got the week off. That's nice, because at university you have less holidays than in high school.
Two 8-week blocks are followed by a 4-week block: the project month. During these months, you do your own research. You start with a fieldwork week. During that week, you will be in a different place, in Amsterdam, somewhere else in the Netherlands and eventually even abroad, collecting data in practice. Back at uni, you get to work with your own data. This way, you apply everything you learned the two blocks before in practice.
Two regular blocks and a fieldwork month make up one semester; each academic year consists of two semesters.
In the first year, everyone follows the same program. You get to know the whole field: Human Geography, Planning and how they are related. In the second year, you choose what topics you want to specialise in. During the first half of the third year you have free elective space. You can read about what you can do with your specialisations and your free elective in the next section. In the last semester of your studies, you will finish everything you still need to finish and write your thesis: the 'final dissertation' of your studies.
Besides the substantive subjects, you will also take method subjects during the programme. Here, you learn how to research spatial issues. For instance, how to conduct useful interviews or how to observe properly. You also learn to work with GIS: a computer programme with which you learn to make scientific maps of your data.
Content courses and method courses are taught in 8-week blocks. Unique to HGP at the UvA is that the exams are already in the 7th week. Week 8 is the 'repair week': that's when you can catch up on overdue assignments, and if you have already finished everything, you've got the week off. That's nice, because at university you have less holidays than in high school.
Two 8-week blocks are followed by a 4-week block: the project month. During these months, you do your own research. You start with a fieldwork week. During that week, you will be in a different place, in Amsterdam, somewhere else in the Netherlands and eventually even abroad, collecting data in practice. Back at uni, you get to work with your own data. This way, you apply everything you learned the two blocks before in practice.
Two regular blocks and a fieldwork month make up one semester; each academic year consists of two semesters.
WHICH DIRECTIONS AND TRACKS CAN I CHOOSE?
After the joint first year, you get a lot of freedom to organise your studies yourself. This starts with a choice of Human Geography or Planning. In your second year, you take two subjects specific to your chosen direction. After that, you will specialise in certain subjects that you find interesting. It does not matter which direction you chose: everyone can follow everything. In principle, you choose two specialisation subjects, but if you wish, you can do more as an extra or as a free elective. At the moment, you can choose from the following subjects:
Finally, one semester of study has been left completely free. This is the free elective, and you can design it all by yourself. For example, you can do a minor, where you follow a kind of 'mini-program' in a completely different field of study. You can also take additional individual courses, from your own program or outside of it. From political science to Arabic, almost anything is possible at the UvA!
HOW MANY STUDENTS CHOOSE THIS PROGRAM EACH YEAR?
You will probably be joined by around 150 to 200 fellow first-year students in your first year. So it's nice and small-scale, within the year layers everybody knows each other at our study, and there is also a lot of contact between the different years. From the second year onwards, you also start seeing students from other years during courses, and in our experience that is quite fun as well as useful from an educational viewpoint. At the study association, students of all generations mingle cozily.
About half of the students are from the Netherlands, and the other half come from abroad. This is a nice balance, and one group does not overshadow the other. As an international student, you can learn more about The Netherlands and its language and culture from your fellow Dutch students, and in turn you as international students can introduce them to the cultures and experiences your bring from your home country. An enriching experience for everyone!
Finally, HGP sometimes has a bit of a reputation for being a 'male study', but nothing could be further from the truth! In terms of proportions, we are one of the most balanced programs, with a male/female ratio of around 60/40. Of course, students who identify outside this spectrum are equally welcome at HGP.
About half of the students are from the Netherlands, and the other half come from abroad. This is a nice balance, and one group does not overshadow the other. As an international student, you can learn more about The Netherlands and its language and culture from your fellow Dutch students, and in turn you as international students can introduce them to the cultures and experiences your bring from your home country. An enriching experience for everyone!
Finally, HGP sometimes has a bit of a reputation for being a 'male study', but nothing could be further from the truth! In terms of proportions, we are one of the most balanced programs, with a male/female ratio of around 60/40. Of course, students who identify outside this spectrum are equally welcome at HGP.
WHY WOULD I DECIDE TO STUDY HGP AT THE UVA?
Human Geography and Planning focuses on the world around us, and in that respect, Amsterdam is a very interesting city to study in. It is the largest city in the Netherlands, and nowhere do you encounter what you learn more in practice. And because we are on the Roeterseiland campus, right in the middle of the city, that practice starts as soon as you step out the door. Also, Amsterdam is quite international, so the links with abroad are good and you encounter many different cultures. Finally, HGP has an excellent staff at the UvA, consisting of professors who are very well known in their field, as well as taking an active part in the public debate.
Furthermore, there are some points where our program performs strongly. Every year, students from all study programs in the Netherlands complete the National Student Survey (NSE in Dutch). In our program, the following points stood out:
Furthermore, there are some points where our program performs strongly. Every year, students from all study programs in the Netherlands complete the National Student Survey (NSE in Dutch). In our program, the following points stood out:
- Freedom to design your own study path
At HGP at the UvA, you really are in charge of your own program. For a large part, you determine what topics you study, and you are given space to deviate from the beaten path. The study advisors will help you to do just that. And would you like to get even more out of your studies, for example by taking extra subjects or going abroad? Then very often there is a way to realise this. Dare to dream! - Opportunities abroad
Of course, we are Human Geographers and Planners for a reason. We are curious about the world around us, and we love to get out and about! At the end of the second year, every student goes on a study trip abroad, one of the highlights of the study. There are also plenty of opportunities to spend six months studying or even doing an internship abroad. Many students take advantage of this, and the program encourages it. The 'repair weeks' (see the FAQ on the structure of the study) also make it possible to go out with the study association independently of the program, without missing subjects. This way, you can discover the world together with your friends from uni! - Guidance and 'soft landing'
There is a lot of focus within the program on the transition from secondary school to university. The first subject, Academic Skills, even focuses entirely on this. You can always go to the study advisers for questions and advice, and every first-year student is assigned a buddy, a second-year student who helps you find your way.
HOW DOES HGP AT THE UVA DIFFER FROM SIMILAR PROGRAMS AT OTHER DUTCH UNIVERSITIES?
Of course, we mostly know a lot about our own program. But we also understand that you are curious about the differences with similar programs. There are five other universities in the Netherlands that offer programs covering the same subjects as ours. However, only three programs are available in English, so on this page we will only be covering those. Below, we will briefly explain how these studies differ from our study. We strongly advise you to look into any program you might like, and talk to the people from that program as well, as they can tell you a lot more about it than we can.
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG) | Human Geography and Planning
Groningen offers not one, but two bachelors in our field of study. The first has exactly the same name as ours. This is not a coincidence - both programs are similar in terms of the subjects they cover. There are however two significant differences. Firstly, the program in Groningen is only thaught in English, there is no bilingual track. If you do not speak Dutch (yet), this will not be of great relevance to you. The other difference is however, as it concerns the stucture of the program. Unlike our program, the one in Groningen does not offer different directions or tracks. Apart from one course of your choosing, all students follow exactly the same program. If you wish to become an allrounder and acquire all sorts of knowledge, this might be an interesting program for you, whereas our program in Amsterdam might be more suitable if there are certain topics within the field that interest you. Either way, we strongly recommend you check out both programs, for as previously stated they are similar in terms of subjects.
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG) | Spatial Planning and Design
Are you already sure you wish to specialise in Planning subjects, and would you prefer to have as little to do with Human Geography as possible? Then the Spatial Planning and Design program at the RUG might be an interesting option for you. This program, which is also taught entirely in English, focuses specifically on design within the field of (Spatial) Planning. As such, the study hovers a bit between the other HGP-related programs and programs offered by the Technical Universities. As a result, there are some requirements in terms of mathematical education that you will need to fullfill in order to be able to join this program, but far fewer than at the Technical Universities. This program at the RUG also has no different directions or tracks, so everyone follows completely the same programme.
At the UvA, the composition of your programme allows you to focus entirely on planning after year 1. But if that is too late for you, or if designing itself really attracts you - then definitely take a look at this program in Groningen as well.
Universiteit Leiden (LEI) | Urban Studies
Although the subject of this program is 'the city', like the programs mentioned above, it actually has nothing to do with Human Geography or Planning, as it uses an entirely different approach to look at cities. That's why unlike all the afforementioned studies, it is classiefied as a Bachelor of Arts instead of a Bachelor of Science. Not that that distinction is particularly relevant, but it does mark a difference in approach. Strictly speaking, therefore, this study does not belong under the heading 'comparable studies', but since it may seem that it does, it seemed us best to mention it anyways.
As said, this study has as its subject 'the city', but does not necessarily treat it from a spatial point of view. Instead, it uses as many different perspectives as possible. Therefore, this study is actually more comparable to Interdisciplinary Sciences (taught at the UvA and the UU, albeit neither in English) than to Human Geography and Planning. Only in this case, the Interdisciplinary Sciences are applied to one subject: the city. Are you interested in cities and life in cities, but feel that the programs within the field of Human Geography and Planning do not suit you well? Then Urban Studies in Leiden might be an interesting alternative.
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG) | Human Geography and Planning
Groningen offers not one, but two bachelors in our field of study. The first has exactly the same name as ours. This is not a coincidence - both programs are similar in terms of the subjects they cover. There are however two significant differences. Firstly, the program in Groningen is only thaught in English, there is no bilingual track. If you do not speak Dutch (yet), this will not be of great relevance to you. The other difference is however, as it concerns the stucture of the program. Unlike our program, the one in Groningen does not offer different directions or tracks. Apart from one course of your choosing, all students follow exactly the same program. If you wish to become an allrounder and acquire all sorts of knowledge, this might be an interesting program for you, whereas our program in Amsterdam might be more suitable if there are certain topics within the field that interest you. Either way, we strongly recommend you check out both programs, for as previously stated they are similar in terms of subjects.
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG) | Spatial Planning and Design
Are you already sure you wish to specialise in Planning subjects, and would you prefer to have as little to do with Human Geography as possible? Then the Spatial Planning and Design program at the RUG might be an interesting option for you. This program, which is also taught entirely in English, focuses specifically on design within the field of (Spatial) Planning. As such, the study hovers a bit between the other HGP-related programs and programs offered by the Technical Universities. As a result, there are some requirements in terms of mathematical education that you will need to fullfill in order to be able to join this program, but far fewer than at the Technical Universities. This program at the RUG also has no different directions or tracks, so everyone follows completely the same programme.
At the UvA, the composition of your programme allows you to focus entirely on planning after year 1. But if that is too late for you, or if designing itself really attracts you - then definitely take a look at this program in Groningen as well.
Universiteit Leiden (LEI) | Urban Studies
Although the subject of this program is 'the city', like the programs mentioned above, it actually has nothing to do with Human Geography or Planning, as it uses an entirely different approach to look at cities. That's why unlike all the afforementioned studies, it is classiefied as a Bachelor of Arts instead of a Bachelor of Science. Not that that distinction is particularly relevant, but it does mark a difference in approach. Strictly speaking, therefore, this study does not belong under the heading 'comparable studies', but since it may seem that it does, it seemed us best to mention it anyways.
As said, this study has as its subject 'the city', but does not necessarily treat it from a spatial point of view. Instead, it uses as many different perspectives as possible. Therefore, this study is actually more comparable to Interdisciplinary Sciences (taught at the UvA and the UU, albeit neither in English) than to Human Geography and Planning. Only in this case, the Interdisciplinary Sciences are applied to one subject: the city. Are you interested in cities and life in cities, but feel that the programs within the field of Human Geography and Planning do not suit you well? Then Urban Studies in Leiden might be an interesting alternative.
FAQ about studying in Amsterdam
IS STUDYING IN AMSTERDAM FUN?
Yes! Okay, we might not entirely objective, and the Netherlands is full of great student cities. But Amsterdam is the largest city in the Netherlands, and therefore an incredibly fun and exciting place to study in. There is always plenty to do in Amsterdam, 365 days a year. From world-famous museums and attractions to a cultural and nightlife agenda that is packed to the brim. Whatever you may like, there is plenty to choose from in Amsterdam!
In addition, Amsterdam is one of the most diverse cities in the world, bringing together people of over 150 nationalities. Interesting from a study point of view, and enriching for yourself. You encounter the whole world in Amsterdam. In addition, Amsterdam is of course known as a place where freedom to be whoever you want to be is held in the highest regard, and where everyone is welcome. In Amsterdam, you will undoubtedly face a vibrant and adventurous, but above all very pleasant student life. Moreover, with a campus in the middle of the city, you will enjoy all the city has to offer day in, day out.
As the city is quite large, there are clearly several central places to be found. Well-known names are of course Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein, but it is likely that you will find your own places where you like to go. Our study association's 'local' pub, Café Brakke in the Jordaan, will surely be one of them ;-).
In addition, Amsterdam is one of the most diverse cities in the world, bringing together people of over 150 nationalities. Interesting from a study point of view, and enriching for yourself. You encounter the whole world in Amsterdam. In addition, Amsterdam is of course known as a place where freedom to be whoever you want to be is held in the highest regard, and where everyone is welcome. In Amsterdam, you will undoubtedly face a vibrant and adventurous, but above all very pleasant student life. Moreover, with a campus in the middle of the city, you will enjoy all the city has to offer day in, day out.
As the city is quite large, there are clearly several central places to be found. Well-known names are of course Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein, but it is likely that you will find your own places where you like to go. Our study association's 'local' pub, Café Brakke in the Jordaan, will surely be one of them ;-).
IS IT EASY TO FIND A ROOM IN AMSTERDAM?
Again, we can give a short and honest answer: no!!!. While finding a room is less difficult than a few years ago, it is still quite a challenge. This is true in all student cities in the Netherlands, but especially in Amsterdam, Groningen and Utrecht. For Dutch students goes that they have a good chance of finding a room within the first half year of their studies, but of course you do not have the option to study when still living at home with your parents. Therefor, it is extremely important to start looking for accommodation as quickly as possible! Waiting times can be a year or longer, so you can't afford to wait for visa's, etc before you start looking for a place to say. The UvA is very clear in this, and urges international students not to come to Amsterdam for your studies unless you have secured proper housing.
As for your search, it is good to have some insight in how the student housing market works. There are two ways of looking for accommodation: through formal channels like websites offering student housing, and through informal channels like Facebook groups. Many Dutch students find accommodation through the informal channels, but this may be more difficult as an international students. Not all, but a significant part of the rooms offered are not offered to international students as the other residents prefer to speak Dutch at home.
We would like to stress that we are not saying any of this to scare you off, but we prefer to be honest, so that you can start in time with your search and hopefully join us in september :-). More elaborate information can be found on the UvA website.
As for your search, it is good to have some insight in how the student housing market works. There are two ways of looking for accommodation: through formal channels like websites offering student housing, and through informal channels like Facebook groups. Many Dutch students find accommodation through the informal channels, but this may be more difficult as an international students. Not all, but a significant part of the rooms offered are not offered to international students as the other residents prefer to speak Dutch at home.
We would like to stress that we are not saying any of this to scare you off, but we prefer to be honest, so that you can start in time with your search and hopefully join us in september :-). More elaborate information can be found on the UvA website.
WHAT IS THE 'INTREEWEEK'?
Starting a new phase of your life at university can be exciting, but it's perfectly normal to be at bit nervous too at first. That is why there is the Intreeweek, a warm welcome for all new students at the UvA. It is organised for all new students, but if you register, you will join a group of prospective fellow students. Under the guidance of two senior students, you will be introduced to the university, but above all to Amsterdam and student life.
We warmly encourage all of you to sign up for Intreeweek. It is the perfect start to your time as a student, and friendships are formed within the groups that sometimes last for the rest of your studies and well beyond. And because everyone is new, everyone is secretly a bit nervous. Together, you will shake off those nerves and get ready for a wonderful student life.
Are there no more tickets available for Intreeweek, or do you have to miss it for some other reason? Don't you worry! Besides the Intreeweek for the entire UvA, study association Sarphati also organises an introduction programme of its own. This consists of various introductory activities to get to know each other, the study and the study association, the buddy system in which every student automatically participates, and of course the highlight of the first month: the Intro Camp. Keep an eye on our website, socials and your UvA mail for more information!
We warmly encourage all of you to sign up for Intreeweek. It is the perfect start to your time as a student, and friendships are formed within the groups that sometimes last for the rest of your studies and well beyond. And because everyone is new, everyone is secretly a bit nervous. Together, you will shake off those nerves and get ready for a wonderful student life.
Are there no more tickets available for Intreeweek, or do you have to miss it for some other reason? Don't you worry! Besides the Intreeweek for the entire UvA, study association Sarphati also organises an introduction programme of its own. This consists of various introductory activities to get to know each other, the study and the study association, the buddy system in which every student automatically participates, and of course the highlight of the first month: the Intro Camp. Keep an eye on our website, socials and your UvA mail for more information!
WHAT IS STUDY ASSOCIATION SARPHATI?
Besides hard work, studying is, of course, also about having fun. To ensure that all students have a good time, there are two types of associations you can join. The first one you probably already know: study association (Studievereniging in Dutch) Sarphati!
The study association is there for all students of one specific program, making the program not just a place to study, but also a close-knit community of students. Sarphati is therefore an association exclusively for students of Human Geography and Planning at the UvA. That is however the only exclusive thing about our association, because everyone is welcome! No hazing, just equal participation from the start. Whether you sit in the front row at every activity or are with us for the first time: we will do everything to make sure you get the most out of your time at the UvA ;-).
We do this with a wide range of activities. We organise outings, exciting parties and, of course, our weekly 'borrel' (common Dutch word that has no English equivalent roughly translates to get-together). In addition, our magazine Den Uytvreter is published four times a year, supplemented by an annual Almanac. We also try to make sure we learn something together - by organising educational activities, excursions and visits to companies in our field of study. And of course we are Human Geographers and Planners for a reason, so we organise trips frequently, both within and outside of Europe! As a member of Sarphati, you also get a discount on your study books, so that is already one good reason to become a member, which almost all HGP students usually to do.
Everything Sarphati does is organised entirely by students, just your friends from college, and maybe by you too! You can gain extensive experience within the association by joining a committee and helping to organise activities. And maybe you would like to become chair of a committee one day, or even join the Sarphati board. Or perhaps you are more into participating than organising, which is also fine of course. Our motto is: nothing is manditory, but a lot is possible!
Want to know more about what exactly we all do at Sarphati? Take a look around on our website. It is not hard to find, as you are already there ;-).
The study association is there for all students of one specific program, making the program not just a place to study, but also a close-knit community of students. Sarphati is therefore an association exclusively for students of Human Geography and Planning at the UvA. That is however the only exclusive thing about our association, because everyone is welcome! No hazing, just equal participation from the start. Whether you sit in the front row at every activity or are with us for the first time: we will do everything to make sure you get the most out of your time at the UvA ;-).
We do this with a wide range of activities. We organise outings, exciting parties and, of course, our weekly 'borrel' (common Dutch word that has no English equivalent roughly translates to get-together). In addition, our magazine Den Uytvreter is published four times a year, supplemented by an annual Almanac. We also try to make sure we learn something together - by organising educational activities, excursions and visits to companies in our field of study. And of course we are Human Geographers and Planners for a reason, so we organise trips frequently, both within and outside of Europe! As a member of Sarphati, you also get a discount on your study books, so that is already one good reason to become a member, which almost all HGP students usually to do.
Everything Sarphati does is organised entirely by students, just your friends from college, and maybe by you too! You can gain extensive experience within the association by joining a committee and helping to organise activities. And maybe you would like to become chair of a committee one day, or even join the Sarphati board. Or perhaps you are more into participating than organising, which is also fine of course. Our motto is: nothing is manditory, but a lot is possible!
Want to know more about what exactly we all do at Sarphati? Take a look around on our website. It is not hard to find, as you are already there ;-).
WHAT ARE STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS?
Besides study associations like Sarphati, there are also student associations. Although the names are quite similar, there are important differences. First and foremost: whereas study associations are aimed at one particular program, student associations do exactly the opposite: they are aimend at bringing students from different programs together. They often do this by focussing on one particular interest. Amsterdam has a very diver
Naast studieverenigingen, die gericht zijn op één bepaalde opleiding, zijn er ook studentenverenigingen. Deze verenigingen zijn er juist op gericht om studenten van verschillende studies bij elkaar te brengen. Dat doen ze vaak rond één gezamenlijke interesse. Amsterdam has a very diverse range of student associations. From a rowing association to an LGBTQ+ association and from Finnish speakers to table tennis players, plenty to choose from!
Some student associations tend to have a bit of a reputation, and have appeared in the news frequently. These are the fraternities and sororities, known in the Netherlands by the Dutch term 'Studentencorps'. They often have a long history and have a lot of traditions. Loyalty is very important, but things can also get a bit rough from time to time. Some find this absolutely splendid, others less so. That is no problem of course, there is plenty to choose from for everyone. Some other student associations are a bit similar to the 'Studentencorpora' (plural), others are completely the opposite.
Have you decided to study in Amsterdam? Be sure to check out what student associations are out there and if some of them are to your liking. It is good to note that there are both Dutch and English speaking associations. And whether or not you end up deciding to join a student associations, as an HGP student you will always be welcome at study association Sarphati!
Naast studieverenigingen, die gericht zijn op één bepaalde opleiding, zijn er ook studentenverenigingen. Deze verenigingen zijn er juist op gericht om studenten van verschillende studies bij elkaar te brengen. Dat doen ze vaak rond één gezamenlijke interesse. Amsterdam has a very diverse range of student associations. From a rowing association to an LGBTQ+ association and from Finnish speakers to table tennis players, plenty to choose from!
Some student associations tend to have a bit of a reputation, and have appeared in the news frequently. These are the fraternities and sororities, known in the Netherlands by the Dutch term 'Studentencorps'. They often have a long history and have a lot of traditions. Loyalty is very important, but things can also get a bit rough from time to time. Some find this absolutely splendid, others less so. That is no problem of course, there is plenty to choose from for everyone. Some other student associations are a bit similar to the 'Studentencorpora' (plural), others are completely the opposite.
Have you decided to study in Amsterdam? Be sure to check out what student associations are out there and if some of them are to your liking. It is good to note that there are both Dutch and English speaking associations. And whether or not you end up deciding to join a student associations, as an HGP student you will always be welcome at study association Sarphati!
Do I NEED TO LEARN DUTCH?
Whereas previously we have been able to give some short and simple answers, this one is a bit more complicated. What is very important to know, is that you do not need to have any knowledge of Dutch before signing up for the program. The presumed starting point of your knowledge of Dutch (if you are in the English-only track of course) is 0. As for how much Dutch skills you will need to acquire, we have split that up in three segments.
For my studies
During your studies, all your lectures, tutorials and assignments will be in English, so you don't need to have an academic level of Dutch at all. However, that does not mean that learning Dutch is not encouraged. Like no other field of study, Human Geography and Planning is aimed understanding the world around you. And although in class we discuss topics from all over the world, learning doesn't end at the classroom door. Since much of the world around you in The Netherlands speaks Dutch, it is very useful to also acquire at least some listening and perhaps reading skills. That way, you can get height of what is being discussed on the streets, in the supermarkts, on the news, etc. The program also finds this important, and as encouragement an introduction to Dutch is also included in one of the courses.
For my career
If you are considering staying in The Netherlands after your studies and would like to start working here as a Human Geographer or Planner, it is good to know that the vast majority of companies and organisations in the field operate entirely in Dutch. It is good to realise this at the start of your studies, because in three years, you can come a very long way in learning a language! If you take it up seriously from the start, there is a good chance that you will be able to speak the language quite well by the end of your three or four years at HGP.
For interaction with other students and the rest of the city
As for the interaction with other international students, that is simple, English is usually the common denominator (unlike for instance in Belgium, where that can often be French). As for interaction with Dutch students, the picture is a bit more complicated. Dutch people are generally quite proficient in English, and are on average the best non-native English speakers in the world.
But those two nuances, on average and non-native, are quite important. Almost all Dutch students speak Dutch fluently, but when it comes to English, the differences are bigger. The Dutch students at the UvA all have decided not to study abroad, but remain in their home country instead. Some students will have done so because they find speaking another language difficult. So whereas some Dutch students may sound as if they just moved here from London, others may find it difficult to express themselves in English.
This does not need to be an issue at all, and as a matter of fact it is one of the many ways in which Dutch and international students can learn from each other. But Dutch students can have a tendency to fall back on Dutch, not out of arrogance but because they are 'at home', and often can express themselves better in Dutch. Speaking English will do you just fine for basic conversations ánd at university, but if you wish to form deeper connections during your studies, learning even a bit of Dutch can help a lot in getting along and really becoming a real 'Amsterdammer' :-).
For my studies
During your studies, all your lectures, tutorials and assignments will be in English, so you don't need to have an academic level of Dutch at all. However, that does not mean that learning Dutch is not encouraged. Like no other field of study, Human Geography and Planning is aimed understanding the world around you. And although in class we discuss topics from all over the world, learning doesn't end at the classroom door. Since much of the world around you in The Netherlands speaks Dutch, it is very useful to also acquire at least some listening and perhaps reading skills. That way, you can get height of what is being discussed on the streets, in the supermarkts, on the news, etc. The program also finds this important, and as encouragement an introduction to Dutch is also included in one of the courses.
For my career
If you are considering staying in The Netherlands after your studies and would like to start working here as a Human Geographer or Planner, it is good to know that the vast majority of companies and organisations in the field operate entirely in Dutch. It is good to realise this at the start of your studies, because in three years, you can come a very long way in learning a language! If you take it up seriously from the start, there is a good chance that you will be able to speak the language quite well by the end of your three or four years at HGP.
For interaction with other students and the rest of the city
As for the interaction with other international students, that is simple, English is usually the common denominator (unlike for instance in Belgium, where that can often be French). As for interaction with Dutch students, the picture is a bit more complicated. Dutch people are generally quite proficient in English, and are on average the best non-native English speakers in the world.
But those two nuances, on average and non-native, are quite important. Almost all Dutch students speak Dutch fluently, but when it comes to English, the differences are bigger. The Dutch students at the UvA all have decided not to study abroad, but remain in their home country instead. Some students will have done so because they find speaking another language difficult. So whereas some Dutch students may sound as if they just moved here from London, others may find it difficult to express themselves in English.
This does not need to be an issue at all, and as a matter of fact it is one of the many ways in which Dutch and international students can learn from each other. But Dutch students can have a tendency to fall back on Dutch, not out of arrogance but because they are 'at home', and often can express themselves better in Dutch. Speaking English will do you just fine for basic conversations ánd at university, but if you wish to form deeper connections during your studies, learning even a bit of Dutch can help a lot in getting along and really becoming a real 'Amsterdammer' :-).
