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Welcome to the Eindhoven Student Wiki.

This website is meant for international students studying in Eindhoven, the Netherlands and especially at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). Regardless of whether you are about to start your new life in the Netherlands or have lived here for a while, this wiki contains lots of information and tips that help you survive in the city and at the university.

To navigate on the site, you can use the Contents below or see a list of all pages.

The wiki is managed by the the international student association of TU/e Cosmos, and some others who deserve Special Thanks. Please note that it is under continuous development, so missing and incomplete pages are possible. We are working hard to improve and expand the content.

If you would like to contribute yourself, you can create an account and edit any page you would like. All edits will be approved by an administrator before they are made public to combat spam, but this should happen quickly.

Prospective Students

Application Procedure

The TU/e website explains the procedure for applying to the TU/e. For exchange programs, the general application procedure is explained here. For any other programs, including Bachelor's, Master's, PHD, and PDEng programs, more information can be found here. To find out if you are eligible to apply for the program of your choice at the TU/e and steps you need to take in order to enroll, you can check here.

Before You Arrive

Moving can be scary, especially if it is to a new country. We want to help you adjust to your new life before you arrive.

TU/e International Student Team

The TU/e International Student Team is a Facebook group to connect the international community of the university. You can meet fellow internationals from all departments and study phases, be informed about what is happening at TU/e and ask any specific question that you were unable to find the answer to elsewhere.

If you are a current or prospective TU/e student, or you are helping the international community in some way, you can simply request to join. Please help us identify spam requests by answering the questions shown upon requesting membership.

The group has a few rules to make sure only relevant posts appear in the group, please familiarise yourself with the rules in the description before posting.

Housing

For details on accommodation and housing benefits, go to our housing page.

How to get to Eindhoven from Schiphol

When you arrive in the entry hall at Schiphol airport, you do not need to go far to get to the train station because it is located under the entrance hall. To check out the train schedule, visit NS. For the direct line to Eindhoven, sometimes the exact track is not determined until a few minutes before arrival. The signs on the platforms should be the most immediate and accurate information. You can purchase tickets at the ticket booth in the entry hall or at the ticket kiosk next to baggage claim (it's bright yellow).

When getting a ticket, if it looks like a card, remember to check in by tapping it against a yellow NS pole. It should beep and indicate you are checked in. You will check out in Eindhoven by using the ticket again at the mechanical gates.

How to get to Eindhoven Station from Eindhoven Airport

To get to Eindhoven Station from Eindhoven Airport, you will have to take the bus. To find the bus schedule, visit 9292.

It is important to note that the buses do not run 24/7 so make sure they will be running when your plane arrives. If they are not available, there is a taxi lane in front of the airport.

How to get to TU/e Campus

From Eindhoven Station, it takes roughly 5 minutes to walk from the north side of the station to the entrance of the campus. Signs inside the station will indicate the north side as “noordzijde,” which is in the direction of the buses. Once you leave the train station, the campus should be noticeable towards the east by seeing Vertigo with the TU/e logo on top.

From the Eindhoven ring, it takes 10 minutes at most to bike to the campus.

Your First Days

Your first days in Eindhoven can be a little confusing.

Depending on when you arrive, you might be in Eindhoven just when the Introduction Weeks begin, or slightly before. The Introduction Weeks will take up almost all your time while they are happening, and the university will give you a good overview of when and how to register at city hall, applying for insurance (more on Dutch Health Care, opening a bank account etc). If you are here before introduction weeks, or have free time before classes start, see our page for things to do in Eindhoven or come visit us in the Common Room on the campus! You could also read up on the history of Eindhoven if you find that interesting.

Health Services

The Netherlands most likely has a different way of providing health care than in the country you are coming from. To read more about the Dutch system, you should check Dutch Health Care which includes an explanation of applying for health insurance, and mental health for resources specific to mental health.

Transportation

The easiest way to get around Eindhoven is using bikes. If, for whatever reason, you don't want to travel by bike, public transport is very good in Eindhoven and the rest of the Netherlands. It might also be possible to survive just by walking, but having a public transport card or spare bike is never a bad idea just in case.

There is a subscription service called NS Flex, which provides discounted fares for a monthly fee.

Dutch culture and Student life

Click Dutch Culture if you want to know more about this! This page tells more about the student life, how Dutch students are like and what events can be expected. Also Dutch festivals and important days are told on this page. If you also want to know more about learning the Dutch language, the local food and Dutch peoples' personality, this is the page to peek into.

TU/e Campus Area

Want to know more about the TU/e Campus? Click TU/e Campus for more information. This page shows the map of the campus, the buildings in the campus, services offered by TU/e and some other Campus related information.

Helpful Websites

There are a variety of websites you will use during your studies. Majority of the websites we have listed are run by the TU/e, however, there are a few government run websites that you will need to use.

TU/e Websites

1. MyTue: MyTue is a portal for all things TU/e, such as links to Osiris, Canvas, Cursor, your schedule, and more! You will not be able to sign into MyTue until you have your student email (password will be the same as the one for your email).
2. Osiris You can use Osiris to view your grades, register for courses and examinations, and to keep track of your progress
3. Canvas: A platform where teachers post information about the classes and where you can submit assignments. How this platform is used varies on department and teachers. Can be located via MyTue.

Government Websites

Studielink is needed for study enrollment and they provide English language option on their site. Belastingdienst is the Dutch tax office and their pages are only in Dutch. DigiD is your online ID when dealing with government organizations online. You need a BSN number for these sites.

• Studielink
  • "Studielink is a national enrolment system for degree-seeking university students in the Netherlands. By way of this system all students can request registration on (most) degree programmes at universities in the Netherlands. For international students (i.e. students with non-Dutch diplomas and/or nationality) registration in Studielink is only one step in the process. The other essential step is submitting an application for admission via the university's online application system. After registering for a study programme in Studielink, you will be provided with a link to the online application system." Source:Studielink
• Belastingdienst
  • This is the Dutch tax office, and they collect taxes, custom duties and excise duties in the Netherlands. Belastingdienst is under the Dutch Ministry of Finance and also manages the social allowance payments such as Zorgtoeslag (healthcare benefits, check Dutch Health Care) and Huurtoeslag (housing benefits, check Housing). More information here
• DigiD
  • From About DigiD: "If you go to your City Hall or to the counter of a different government organisation, in many cases you will have to prove your identity using your ID card, passport or driving licence. Over the Internet, you can prove your identity by logging in with your DigiD. Government organisations will then know that it really is you they are dealing with."
  • How it works: "Say you wish to request an excerpt from the municipal personal records database through your local council's website. You will then automatically be redirected from the local council's website to the DigiD login page. Here you would enter your DigiD username and password. You will then automatically be redirected to the local council's website, where you can request the excerpt." source: About DigiD
  • DigiD request page for applying for a DigiD
• DUO
  • The Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO) is the Dutch governmental body responsible for student finance, residence tests, and verification of your (former) diplomas from educational institutions.

Erasmus Card

If you are an Erasmus student, you might want to look into getting an Erasmus card.

Your First Year

Your first year is complete! Now what?

Enrollment to next academic year

Each academic year, you must re-enroll to continue your studies at TU/e. This requirement also applies if you intend to change your major. Re-enrollment is completed through Studielink, for which you will need your DigiD credentials. Additionally, make sure to arrange your tuition payment, either in full or through installments, before the specified deadlines.

First year requirements

During your first year, you are required to obtain a minimum of 45 ECTS in order to receive a positive Binding Study Advice (BSA) and continue your program at TU/e. If you meet the 45 ECTS threshold, you receive a positive BSA and may continue your studies normally.

If you do not meet the minimum requirement, you will receive a negative BSA, which means you must discontinue the program and are not allowed to re-enroll in the same program at TU/e for the next three academic years.

In exceptional circumstances that significantly affect academic performance, such as personal, medical, or family-related issues, students may apply for a postponed BSA. A postponed BSA allows the university to delay the final decision to a later academic year, giving the student additional time to meet the study requirements. To request a postponed BSA, students must notify their academic advisor or the ESA (Education and Student Affairs) as early as possible, and then provide appropriate documentation such as medical statements and official reports.

In addition to the BSA:

• EU Students: No minimum annual ECTS requirement.
• Non-EU Students: Must obtain at least 30 ECTS per academic year to maintain their residence permit. This applies not only for the first year, but also for all the following years.

These regulations may change, so contact TU/e if you require clarification or if special circumstances apply.

Becoming Part of the TU/e Community

While your first year may have been focused primarily on your courses, university life at TU/e offers many additional opportunities. Students can get involved in:

• Student Associations: Cultural, study-related, or social associations that enhance student life.

• International Community Groups: For example, Cosmos, the international student community.

• Student Teams: Multidisciplinary, project-driven teams that work on innovative, real-world challenges. Examples include teams focused on solar vehicles, robotics, autonomous driving, biomedical technology, sustainability, and more. Participation in student teams often provides hands-on engineering experience, industry exposure, and strong additions to your CV.

• Honors Academy: If you get all 60 ECTS in your first year, then you are eligible to apply for the 2-year-long Honors Academy program. For details, you can check the related university page.

Getting involved in these communities helps students build skills, expand their network, and form new friendships. Sports and recreation also play an important role in student life. SSCE offers an affordable sports card that provides access to various sports facilities, group lessons, and training programs.

Sports and recreation also play an important role in student life. SSCE offers an affordable sports card that provides access to various sports facilities, group lessons, and training programs.

Things to Do

For stuff to do in Eindhoven, check out our event calendars and other info at Things to do in Eindhoven.

Personal Development

TU/e and Eindhoven in general offers a lot of opportunities to develop yourself.

There are a lot of student teams in TU/e who develop and build a lot of new interesting technologies.

If you are interested in working besides your studies, read more about Part-time jobs.

TU/e offers Dutch classes for free. In case you are interested in learning Dutch, visit Dutch Classes.

Administration

Read more about Taxes.