Preparing for your departure

Preparing to leave home: Academic and other important official documents

There are a number of important documents you need to bring with you when you travel to the Netherlands:

• A valid passport with your MVV entry visa, if required
• Originalsof your academic transcripts: academic school certificate, grade list, English test certificate in original language and English translations
• Personal identification (passport)
• Birth certificate translated for registration in the municipality
• Proof of health insurance, if not arranged via THPC (AON Complete)
• Accommodation contract in the Netherlands
• Cash, credit card, or a Maestro debit card. Keep in mind that credit cards are not accepted everywhere
• Passport-sized photographs
• Medical certificates, including vaccination records, if you have them

 Preparing to leave home: Some recommendations on what to bring

• Contact numbers of any family/friends in the Netherlands
• Contact details of family/friends in the event of an emergency
• Adaptor for European plugs (230v with a two-pin plug)
• Prescription medication you may need during the first weeks of your stay
• Comfortable and smart clothing, including a warm coat that can stand a bit of rain
• A laptop or tablet if you have one: it is not required during your studies, but it can be very useful

Getting to The Hague by yourself – Transportation in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, traveling by public transportation is straight-forward and convenient. Dutch cities have buses or trams, and for longer distances, we have trains that can take you to any part of the country.

If you don’t arrive on one of the pick-up days, you can travel from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to The Hague by public transport. The train station is situated directly below the airport. Single train tickets for domestic travel are available from the yellow ticket machines near the platforms and from the ticket counters, which are situated close to the red & white-checked cube at Schiphol Plaza. From the airport, there is a direct connection to a railway station called "Den Haag HS" (HS stands for Hollands Spoor), which is located opposite The Hague University of Applied Sciences - a 3-minute walk from the Student Hotel. The train from Schiphol airport to "Den Haag HS" takes around 30 minutes.

Taxis are easily available at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. For your own safety, use only taxis waiting at the official stands or Uber taxis.

Before leaving home, check with The Student Hotel The Hague when your room will be ready. If you have arranged your own accommodation, be in touch before arrival to inform your landlord about your expected arrival time.

Starting your studies at The Hague Pathway College

Induction week

The Induction Week is an introduction for all new THPC students. During the week, you will meet your fellow students and get to know The Hague and the campus. The THPC will also help you arrange formalities, like registration. And of course, we will help you get a clear understanding of what the coming months will look like.

During the Induction Week, you will also receive full information about healthcare in The Netherlands, how to pick up your residence permit, how to register with the municipality, TB testing (if applicable), how to pick up your student ID card, how to open a Dutch bank account, and your academic timetable. A detailed induction schedule outlining the above will be sent to you shortly.

Term dates and timetable

By now, you must be  eager to start discovering what your time here is going to be like. During the Induction Week, you will get a full picture of this. The sample timetable below  give you an idea of how your weeks will be organised. Your own timetable will be different, depending on your Pathway stream.

Getting your student ID card

Your student number is key to getting access to (very fast) Wi-Fi on campus, the library, sports facilities, as well as many other facilities across our campus. You will be able to pick up your student ID-card during the Induction Week.

Student and Academic Services

You will also meet our Student Support team during the Induction Week. Academic and student services are here to support you throughout your foundation year at THPC. Our team will help you to settle in and make the most of your time at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. More detailed information about the team will be made available in the induction schedule.

Late arrivals

If you expect to arrive late, for whatever reason, please let us know as soon as possible. Arriving late may have consequences for your study success, your enrolment in the programme, and your registration with the Dutch Immigration department (IND).