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The largest university with buildings in the centre, UvA (Universiteit van Amsterdam) offers English-language International Study Programs in a range of subjects from undergraduate level upwards. For information, contact the Office of Foreign Relations.

In a suburb of Amsterdam, VU (Vrije Universiteit) runs Englishlanguage courses in economics, law, arts and social sciences for exchange or contract students (whose home university has no official exchange relationship with the VU).

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.

Producing your student union or ISIC rail-card in Amsterdam is no guarantee of discounted prices, and only Dutch students are entitled to theOV Jaarkaart , which gives them free use of public transport. Anyone under the age of 26 is eligible for a Cultureel Jongeren Passport , which costs €12.50 from Tourist Offices or the AUB.

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 Sources of Information).

An independent organization, 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.

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.

Most major bookshops stock English textbooks, but the best academic bookshop is VU Boekhandel.

To borrow from the UvA Main Library, you need aUniversiteit 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.

All foreign students who plan to stay in the country for longer than three months must register with theVreemdelingen Politie (Aliens Police) within three days of arrival. They must then apply for a VTV (residence permit) and register with the civil registry.