Frequently Asked Questions
Studying

Education
There is limited in-person education in the THUAS buildings. And this will only encompass a small amount of our education activities, due to the restrictions of maintaining a 1.5 metre distance. That means that the majority of our education activities will continue to be offered as remote or online education.
At this moment there will be no further relaxations of rules for higher education until at least 26 April. The government intends to allow some relaxation from 26 April, under strict conditions, including the level of infections and the availability of self-tests. The current picture is that from that date onwards, every student may be physically present at THUAS once a week. Behind the scenes we are preparing ourselves as much as possible for this potential easing, so that when it is possible we can implement it quickly and optimally in the best interest of our students and staff. More information about the details and conditions will follow as soon as we know more from the government.
The evening curfew (daily between 09.00 p.m. and 4.30 a.m.) also applies to education. There will be one exception to this measure for higher education: exams and practical classes in the evenings may still take place.
For students, if you have to travel after 10pm for an exam or practical class, you must be able to show the following three things:
1. Your personal curfew statement. You can find this on the website of the Dutch government via this link. Download it, fill it in and save it. NOTE: you need a new personal statement for every trip.
2. Proof that you are a student of THUAS: your student card. You can find your student pass in the student app of THUAS.
3. Proof of your registration for the exam or practical class (make a screenshot of your timetable in Osiris in advance where this is visible)
Members of staff who have to travel after 10pm because of work need an employer's statement in addition to a completed personal curfew statement. These employer's statements can be requested via the HRM service point. This requires written or telephone permission from the immediate supervisor.
Due to the wider curfew, we will also have self-study places available from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm in our library. Please remember, you are still required to be off the streets before 10:00 pm.
Exams
There is limited space for higher education to allow physical activities to take place. This only concerns exams and practical education for which no alternative can be offered. For some exams there an alternative format is possible. Should there be a major change in the test format, the guideline is to inform you at least 10 working days in advance. Online tests can go ahead as planned. Please contact your program for specific information.
Internship and graduation
(Study)activities abroad
The current government advice on travel abroad is to stay in the Netherlands and refrain from making any travel arrangements until 15 May 2021. Therefore you can only start your exchange or internship in a virtual manner until that date. Please consult with your programme and if need be, contact your exchange institution or internship provider to discuss what the options are.
If the advice not to travel is lifted after 15 May 2021, the following applies:
- Outbound student exchanges are allowed within Europe within the set conditions of the Dutch government, the Dutch National Institute for Public health and the Environment (RIVM) and the travel advice from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This can also mean that students will initially start their exchange virtually and travel to the host country at a later stage.
- Incoming exchange students are welcome in the 2nd semester provided they follow the quarantine requirements and the guidelines of the Dutch RIVM. As with outbound exchanges students will initially follow classes online.
- Short-term mobility such as study trips are not allowed until 15 May 2021. After 15 May the situation will be reviewed to see if such trips are possible at a later stage in semester 2.
- Regarding internships abroad, there are no geographic limitations and the same applies as mentioned for the outbound exchanges.
In sum, provided that the advice is lifted, outbound students will be allowed to travel to countries with colour codes green, yellow and orange. This information is included in every travel advice; therefore we urge you to check the travel advice from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs regularly. In practice this may mean that even if the advice not to travel abroad is lifted, there are still very few countries where students are allowed to travel to.
Yes you can. Please note that if you are completing the exchange virtually, from a location other than your host university’s country, you are not eligible to receive a scholarship. In that case you do not have the extra costs that a scholarship is intended to cover.
(Foreign) travel is not allowed until 15 May 2021.
NOTE: Make sure that your stay abroad is registered in OSIRIS at all times. In OSIRIS, keep your location and contact details up to date so we always know where you are and how to get in touch.
Academic progress, study delay and BSA
The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has asked institutions to postpone the issuance of a negative binding study advice to the second year of study. The Hague University of Applied Sciences follows that advice. This means the following for our students:
Were you first enrolled in your degree programme in 2020-2021? |
If you have obtained less than 50 credits, you will receive a postponed advice. We do advise you to think carefully about whether you want to continue your studies and to discuss this with your mentor / academic career coach. |
Were you first enrolled in your degree programme in 2020-2021 but withdrew before 1 February 2021? |
Nothing changes for you. You won’t get a (postponed) binding study advice. |
Were you enrolled for the first time in 2020-2021 but decided to withdraw after 1 February 2021? |
Normally you would have received a negative binding study advice if you withdraw after 1 February. But now you will get a postponed study advice due to COVID-19. |
Were you a first-year in the academic year 2019-2020 and did you get a postponed binding study advice? |
If you obtain at least 50 credits from the propaedeutic phase in the academic year 2020-2021, including any qualitative requirements, last year’s postponed advice will be converted into a positive study advice. |
Are you considering withdrawing because of the current situation? Please think carefully about the consequences. Withdrawing has consequences for, among other things, the right to a study grant and your right of residence in the Netherlands (if THUAS has applied for a residence permit for you). If you have withdrawn, you cannot appeal for extra financial support offered by DUO because of corona. In short, we advise you not to withdraw for this year because of the situation.
International students
If you are returning to the Netherlands, please also read this information about Arrival Formalities.
Support for students
On the Student Portal you will find information on study finance, financial arrangements of THUAS, such as the Profiling Fund, board grants, and useful links to bodies that advise in the field of money matters and money worries.
DUO has acknowledged that this could be a problem. DUO “To be entitled to student finance, you need to show that this is a case of force majeure. To do so ask your (former) employer for a declaration stating that you are not working or working less because of the coronavirus. The declaration must clearly state to what period this refers.” For more information, see https://duo.nl/particulier/footer-engels/contact/index.jsp. We also advise you to discuss this with your study counselor.
No. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science may decide to adjust the tuition fees in the future, but at the moment students are required to pay the full tuition fees.
Despite the situation, our goal remains to provide good quality-and-value for money education. If you feel that your programme is not offering sufficient tools or support for you to meet your educational goals, please contact your study adviser / SLB’er. Also, check https://www.duo.nl/particulier/measures-coronavirus/money-travel-studies-and-repayments.jsp for more information.
Studying is not always an easy road to the finish line. If you can use some help, then that really isn't strange. For example if you need to combine studying with top sports or parenting, if your Dutch language skills are not as good or if you have a disability. But even if you're not feeling well or are unsure whether you have chosen the right study. THUAS can offer you extra support. Look at the Student Portal for more information.