ISS reserves the right to suspend, modify or cancel any of the measures described in the FAQ.
Please contact our Welfare Officer/Student counsellor, Martin Blok.
You can also check the Erasmus University Rotterdam dedicated web page for more information.
No, as you will be studying here for 15.5 months, ISS has a special arrangement with the Immigration Authorities and you do not have to show your birth certificate when registering with The Hague Municipality.
After you arrive at ISS, you will be given a schedule for dates to visit the bank to open your bank account. ISS will assist you in this matter
Experience has shown that a gap in some specific skills will hamper your study success later on. We therefore try to detect possible dangers upfront via diagnostic tests for competences in academic writing in English, numerical skills and computer skills. ISS has specific courses or services on offer to remedy the gaps.
The results of the diagnostic tests indicate the students' level with regard to certain academic skills. ISS staff are then able to determine who should be advised to attend the various academic skills courses available.
Refer to the Academic Calendar for more information on the diagnostic tests.
You have to ensure that your passport is valid at least until six months after leaving the ISS. Your passport should be valid for all European countries, not just the Netherlands since you might make a study visit abroad or pass through other countries on your way to the Netherlands.
Yes, if you cannot submit your language test report before the application deadline, we will consider your application without it. However, any offer made to you will be conditional upon meeting all of the entry requirements. Please plan your test as soon as possible. Once you have taken the test you can submit the test results via: admission@iss.nl
Students have created various clubs and associations through their own network and the university. You will quickly meet other students who share your academic and personal interests. There are also student events both inside and outside ISS, giving you the opportunity to meet students from different universities in The Hague.
The Admission Office will apply for your visa (MVV), once the finances for your participation have been arranged. The whole visa application can take up to 4 weeks. Do not apply for a visa yourself, since this will be more expensive and the process will take much longer.
Please note that ISS will only assist ISS students in the visa application procedure.
You can find information on scholarships on our Funding and Scholarships page.
• Library
The Library of the ISS specializes in English-language literature in the social sciences, with an emphasis on the economic and social development of developing countries and countries in transition. Full information about the library and the services it provides are on the Library pages of our website. The ISS book collection and study areas are accommodated in the basement of the ISS building.
• Facility Desk
This service desk is responsible for, amongst other things, cleaning, security, and technical services.
• Welfare Office - Room 2.29
Throughout your stay, you may have personal questions, big or small. The welfare officer is there to advise you how to go about solving those. It may be done through referral or counselling. This office is also in charge of organizing a variety of activities such as cultural events, workshops, seminars, social gatherings and sports tournaments and the orientation week, mostly in close cooperation with student association SCHOLAS.
• Confidential Counsellors
EUR and ISS have a policy against unwanted behaviour. The ISS Welfare Officer is a confidential counsellor for Erasmus University for students and staff who have become victim of unwanted behaviour. ISS also has 5 in house counsellors who can be approached for matters concerning unwanted behaviour at ISS
• The Teaching and Learning Service Team (TLST) desk - Room 2.06
You can contact the TLST with questions on all academic programmes (majors, courses and all other programmes), registration for courses, timetables and exams, but also if you need assistance with ad hoc problems like translation and explanation of Dutch letters.
This blog post provides a good idea of what to bring with you to ISS.
Please note that this list only provides you with basic information on what you need. If you would like to have detailed information, please contact Darren Baradhan (study@iss.nl) for clarification
The AON insurance covers the following:
- Medical care, including that provided by GPs, hospitals, medical specialists and obstetricians
- Hospital stays
- Medical Appliances
- Medicines
- Planned and unforeseen treatments abroad
- Medical transportation (by ambulance or by public transport, taxi or private car)
- Paramedical care (limited physiotherapy/remedial therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy)
The complete coverage of your insurance can be found in the AON Insurance page.
Every participant in ISS degree and certificate programmes is a member of ISS student association SCHOLAS. It has several committees which organize academic, social and sporting events for ISS students. The committees are listed below:
Arts Committee
Editorial Committee
Environmental Committee
Gender and Sexual Diversity Committee
Housing Committee
International Relations Committee
Social Committee
Sports Committee
Volunteer Committee
Teaching and Learning Committee
Institute Council
Visit SCHOLAS page - SCHOLAS
The address is:
Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Kortenaerkade 12, 2518 AX The Hague, Netherlands
Telephone: +31 70 4260460
NB. Although ISS is part of Erasmus University Rotterdam, ISS is located The Hague, NOT Rotterdam.
July 1 every academic year
Your passport must be valid at the time of the application so there is no need to renew it if it is still valid.
However, if you have been awarded with the scholarship and are definitely coming to ISS, you should apply for a new passport as soon as possible as your passport must be valid for 6 months after completing your study programme.
Please send a message to servicedesk@eur.nl, they can reset your account. If this does not help, please try again using a different email account.
Students have easy access to all our high quality facilities at ISS and the Erasmus campus in Rotterdam. The institute has its own restaurant with multicultural cuisine offering a wide choice of dishes.
Next to the restaurant, ISS also has the Butterfly Bar which is open on special occasions and serves drinks at a low price to students.
Please visit this website for more information regarding Dutch word list.
The Dutch has its own unique set of customs. For more information, please visit this page - Dutch Customs and Etiquette
As in many European countries, the Netherlands uses the Euro (€).
• Coins: 5, 10, 20, 50 Euro-cent, 1 and 2 Euro
• Banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100
All Euro coins and banknotes can be used in any of the Euro countries.
ISS will arrange for your bank account into which you can have your income deposited. You can either make cash withdrawals or fill in transfer forms by which money is transferred directly from your account to another account. Online banking is also an option. People mostly use cash or their debit account bank card connected to their bank account using a PIN-code. You can also use your debit card to withdraw money from your account, using an ATM.
Estimated living costs
The costs below show a rough estimate of the average costs for a student at ISS:
Estimated total monthly expenses: €900 per month (including accommodation), depending on type of accommodation and personal lifestyle.
Accommodation: €370 - €530 per month. Costs may vary depending on the type of accommodation.
Electricity, gas, and water: €0 - €100 per month. Costs are included in the price of campus accommodation.
Off campus prices vary depending on the provider and whether they offer inclusive or exclusive contracts.
Text books: €0. Reading materials are included in the tuition fee.
Additionally the library provides access to a lot of books, journals and academic literature.
Photocopying: €5 - €10 per month, Students have access to photocopying machines inside ISS. The cost may vary depending on courses and types of assignments.
Phone costs: €10 - €30 per month, depending on the contract with with phone providers and whether you use prepaid credit or a monthly subscription.
You can also save money by using free wireless internet in the university and WiFi hotspots in the city centre.
Public transport: €10 - €15 per month, depending on the location of your accommodation.
Second hand bicycles can be bought for €20-€50. Cycling is the most common form of transportation and is the easiest and cheapest way to get around the Hague.
Groceries: €20 - €30 per week. Students living on campus often share a kitchen and cook together to save money and to socialize.
Eating out: €15 - €20 per meal, depending on your lifestyle and preferences.
Winter clothing: €50+. Jacket price depend on lifestyle and brand preferences.
Depending on where you live, you will be doing your regular shopping either in a modern shopping centre, in small shops in an old city neighbourhood or at an open market.
The large department stores in The Hague are HEMA and Hudson Bay. The quality of clothes in the larger shops is good.
Blokker is a popular shop for kitchenware, electrical goods, candles, etc.
Articles such as soap, toothpaste, etc. can be purchased from a drugstore e.g. Kruidvat or Etos.
Mediamarkt is convenient for computers, cameras, TVs and all other electrical and home appliances.
Tram 1 or 17 and bus 22 or 24 takes you to the downtown area from ISS (to walk will only take you approximately 10 minutes from ISS).
The most convenient shop for food is the Albert Heijn supermarket, a 5 minutes’ walk from the ISS.
The Hague has a large open market, De Haagsemarkt, popular with many of the ISS students.
Hopefully you will not need any medical care during your studies at ISS, but if you do, here is some important information:
The Netherlands has a very good health system, though the way doctors approach treatment in the Netherlands may be very different from what you are accustomed to. For example, do not expect to be prescribed with antibiotics easily.
General information on the healthcare system in the Netherlands is available on the Medical Care website.
Below you can find the location and contact details to some clinics in the city.
Doctors
De Doc
Boomsluiterskade 299
2511 VJ The Hague
070 - 382 47 77
International Health Centre
Jan van Nassaustraat 125 (in the Rosarium Building)
2596 BS The Hague
070 306 5100 / 070 306 5111
The International Health Centre The Hague has three main areas of practice: General Practitioners, specialists & additional services
Dentists
Tandenenzo
Noordeinde 94A
2514 GM The Hague
070 4277044
The health insurance only covers emergency dental treatments. Regular check ups are not covered.
Pharmacy
Apotheek Java
Javastraat 5
2585 AB The Hague
070 3656062
You will have to re-apply but you will not have to upload your documents again. The procedure to re-apply is on our Deferral procedure page.
If you have accepted your Letter of Admission, the application portal will still state ‘In Progress’. This will change once your funding has been transferred and you arrive at ISS.
You will not receive a notification. Your application will still state ‘In Progress’. This status will change when you arrive ISS. At the meantime, Darren Baradhan from the Marketing Department will be in touch you with possible scholarships that you may be able to apply for.
ISS offers many activities that contribute to the health and well-being of students. Our dedicated Welfare Officer organizes several social and cultural activities throughout the year. These include a sports day, a Dutch evening, an International Food Fair, excursions, film nights, and so on.
Visit our YouTube page to get an idea on the activities that are held at ISS. .
In addition, ISS also has its own Counselling Team that seeks to contribute to a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all members of our community.
The Hague is a great place for international students. The city is vibrant and full of opportunities, both in the business world as well as in relaxation and leisure. The Hague is also the capital city of the province of South of Holland. It has over 500 thousand inhabitants and is the third largest city of the Netherlands.
Beach
The famous Scheveningen beach brings lots of entertainment in various forms. Be it bungee jumping, bowling, cinemas or theatre. There are many great and tasty restaurants offering food from various countries, so there is always something new to try. Events and festivals are sometimes organized at the beach, especially in the summer. There are also plenty of water sports on offer.
Travel and public transport
Trams and buses
Public transport services are affordable and very convenient. There are buses, trams, metros and trains that offer clean and comfortable transportation inside and outside The Hague. The major public transport companies are Conexxion, Veolia and HTM. You can easily plan all your travels through online trip planners that will show the different options to reach your destination.
For more information on public transport, go to:
The Hague public transport system
Public transport planner
Railway services
To pay for travel costs most people use the OV Chipcard. Usually the card must be bought but ISS students receive it free of charge. You can load money on the card and then simply scan the card inside the tram or at stations at the beginning and the end of every trip. This smart card is the size of a bank card and contains an invisible chip.
Get more information on the chip card - OV Chipkaart
Of course, if you want to save money, do as the Dutch, get yourself a (second hand) bicycle! Bicycling is the most preferred form of transportation for both Dutch and international residents. It is cheap and very easy to get around with. There are cycle lanes all over the city and often cycling is faster than using public transport services
Cycling
Cycling is probably the preferred form of transportation both for both Dutch and international residents. It is cheap and very easy to get around with. There are cycle lanes all over the city and often cycling is faster than using public transport.
Trains
One of the benefits of living in The Hague is the ease of transportation and connectivity with other major international cities such as Amsterdam (40 min by train), Rotterdam (20 min by train) or Brussels (120 min by train). You can also take your bike on the train and use it to get around in other cities.
City centre
The city is full of culture and attractions whether your interest lies in art, music, shopping, food or history. You will find many restaurants with delicious food from all over the world in the centre. There are also bars that serve great food and typical Dutch snacks. You will most commonly find this at Grote Markt or the Plein which is a town square where people often go for after-work drinks. There are many clubs that contribute to the city’s active nightlife. Thursday is also known as the student night where some bars and clubs have discounts and cheaper drinks for students.
International organizations
Many international organizations have their seat in The Hague. Judicial branches of the UN such as the International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are based in the city. You can also find the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Europol, and the Peace Palace which is within walking distance of ISS. The Hague is internationally known as the city of peace and justice and is the UN’s fourth major centre. Students sometimes visit these institutions during class trips; it is certainly an experience you do not want to miss.
The Netherlands is generally very safe, especially The Hague. You will feel secure when travelling alone or when you are out and about at night.
One of ISS main priorities is for our students felt safe during their studies at ISS. We ensure that all information on safety and security while studying at ISS is introduced during the first few weeks at ISS.
A certified copy is a copy of a filed document, legal or otherwise, which contains a seal that establishes the document as genuine. Thus, it should have a stamp and signature stating that it is a true copy. Only an officially authorized person can certify a document (for example a notary or a university official). A student copy of the academic transcript is not valid. You have to ask your university to stamp and sign it as a true copy.
Please fill-in the chat with a student form.
If you have a lot of luggage, we would suggest to take a taxi from this station.
The address is: Kortenaerkade 12.
After you have arrived at Station Holland Spoor, proceed to the tram stop and take Tram 1 towards Scheveningen. Alight at Station Mauritskade. As soon as you alight from the tram turn right and walk about 300 meters and you will see the ISS building. If by chance you do get lost, please ask for direction. The Dutch people are friendly and are very willing to offer assistance to you.
Participants arriving in the Netherlands will (most of the time) arrive at Schiphol Airport, near Amsterdam.
After you have completed passport and customs formalities, it is possible to make use of the currency exchange facilities in the arrival hall of the airport. As you will probably be travelling by train from the airport to The Hague, you should have some Euros with you. We suggest about 80 Euros.
At the train station at Schiphol, proceed to the main ticketing counter and mention that you would like to go to The Hague Central Station or Station Holland Spoor. After you have bought your ticket, do not forget to ask the ticketing person what platform the train will depart from.
NB. Although the ISS is part of Erasmus University Rotterdam, ISS is NOT located in Rotterdam but in The Hague.
After you arrive at ISS, you will be given a schedule for dates to visit the bank to open your bank account. ISS will assist you in this matter
Everyone living in the Netherlands must have medical insurance which covers medical expenses, legal liability and other items. This insurance does not cover extra costs related to pregnancy and childbirth,n or the costs of dental treatment. Since Dutch dentists are quite expensive, you are advised to visit your own dentist before your travel to the Netherlands.
Illnesses that were contracted before the period covered by the insurance are excluded, as well as costs for childbirth and pregnancy. For Dutch students, the 'Basis verzekering’ is mandatory; ISS will arrange insurance for non-Dutch students (through AON).
If you already have insurance with European coverage, please inform the Admission Office and bring the policy with you.
Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea do not need a visa to enter the Netherlands. However you will need a Residence Permit. ISS will assist you in attaining the Residence Permit.
No you do not. ISS will assist you by applying for your Visa.
No, as you will be studying here for 15.5 months, ISS has a special arrangement with the Immigration Authorities and you do not have to show your birth certificate when registering with The Hague Municipality.
A sworn translator can provide an official translation. Nowadays, most universities provide separate translations or bi-lingual degree certificates and transcripts of records. These documents are regarded as official translations as well. Please note: you must send a copy of the documents in the original language along with the translation.
Students are always supported if they want to practice sports. Every Sunday evening from 17:00 - 21:00, ISS has pre-booked the sport complex about 15 minutes away from ISS for you to use. You can play sports such as football, volleyball, badminton, basketball and so on.
Yes, you can apply and we will consider your application. We will need a temporary academic transcript (in English) and a letter (which you can upload under 'degree') stating your approximate graduation date. However, if you receive an offer, it will be conditional upon meeting all the entry requirements. Once you have uploaded your diploma, the Admission Board will go through your documents. If you qualify, you will receive an Unconditional letter within 4 weeks from the day you submitted your application to ISS.
Yes, if you cannot submit your language test report before the application deadline, we will consider your application without it. However, any offer made to you will be conditional upon meeting all of the entry requirements. Please plan your test as soon as possible. Once you have taken the test you can submit the test results via: admission@iss.nl
If you are unable to obtain a reference from your university professor because you studied a long time ago, or if you are unable to obtain a reference from your supervisor or head of office because you have your own company or are unemployed, you can also upload references from persons who are in a position to judge your academic qualification and performance.
References are accepted from persons who are well acquainted with you, your work and your studies. Reference letters should not be more than two years old. They must be on letterhead paper, in English, dated and signed by your referee and include your referee's email address.
ISS is well known for its international environment. Both our students and staff come from all over the world, and our responsibility is to ensure that all cultures and religions are represented. The campus provides a prayer room as well as opportunities to network with people from your own and many other cultures. The Hague also offers houses of worship for all faiths which students can easily visit or join.
Please visit the student housing page.
Cable internet is provided for students staying in Bazarlaan and Dorus. However, to receive WiFi, you will need to purchase a router.
Many students purchase a second-hand router or you may purchase one from a current student. Alternatively, you may also bring a router from your country. However, please note that the router that you have brought from your country may not work at the ISS accommodation.
In Buitenom and Gondelstraat WiFi is available.
When your housing request is approved, you are required to sign the tenancy agreement and ISS will pay the first month rent in advance (including the administration fee 100€) and later the first month rent will be balanced when you arrive at ISS. When you arrive in The Hague you will receive the keys to your room from DUWO or ISS. The rent for the other months has to be paid before the first day of the new month.
MA students, who have confirmed their participation at ISS with the Admission Office, will receive an email about accommodation 1 to 2 months prior to arrival.
The ISS Housing Team will determine if the housing request can be approved and will send you further details about how to register for a specific room.
The rent is between € 395 – € 545* per month for a single room and around € 650 for a double room*. This includes:
- A rental contract
- furniture,
- linen set, blanket and pillow,
- fully-equipped kitchen,
- internet access,
- electricity, water and heating, insurances and municipal taxes,
*Prices for 2019. Prices are in line with common practice for furnished rooms in the Netherlands.
*Please note that we have very limited double rooms available and it will be given on a first come first serve basis.
We often hear that students think that our rental prices are rather high, because they compare these prices with the rent of a 'standard' student room. But those dorms are not furnished and do not include all the additional costs. We can assure you that ISS is not making any profit in student housing.
For more information, please visit the student housing page for more information regarding rental prices
The International Institute of Social Studies offers four different type of accommodation for you to choose from. Dorus, Bazarlaan, Gondelstraat and Buitenom. Two of the accommodations, Dorus and Bazarlaan are managed by DUWO (Dutch student housing corporation) and the other two are managed by ISS itself. All accommodation offered by ISS meets the same basic quality standards. They vary in terms of location, size and atmosphere.
For more information, please visit the student housing page.
- Students can apply for housing for the first 12 months of the study period during which classes take place.
- Students with NFP/OKP or Stuned scholarship get a tenancy agreement for the ISS residences for the full duration of the programme.
- The dorms are available on a fixed-term tenancy only.
- Double rooms are reserved for couples, students with spouse, but it is not possible for two ISS students to rent a double room.
- Rental fees are calculated by Dutch governmental point system ("Huurprijscheck onzelfstandige woonruimte") and in line with common practice for furnished rooms in the Netherlands.
- Children are not allowed in ISS housing.
- Pets are not allowed in any of the ISS housing
The tenancy agreement ends in the last week of August of the following year. Extension of the agreement is only possible on the basis of availability. ISS will inform you in a timely manner when to apply for an extension and under which conditions.
Some scholarship programmes include guaranteed housing for the entire study period: Students with a OKP or Stuned scholarship get a tenancy agreement for one of the dorms for the full duration of the programme.
ISS offers housing to all MA students who applied on time for the first 12 months of the study period during which classes take place: we have reserved dorms in 4 student residences.
Living together with your fellow students provides an excellent opportunity to get to know each other well and to build solid, often lifelong, friendships. Moreover, it enhances the overall academic community and enables you to immediately focus on your studies without having to worry about housing.
Please note that for OKP and STUNED students, your housing contract will last for the entire period of your studies.
This will depend how big your family is. If it is with your wife/husband only, then we have a few double rooms that you must booked and will be given on a first come first serve basis. In general, it will be difficult to accommodate a larger family. We advise you to contact admission@iss.nl. If you would like further information, please visit our housing page.
Please email your document to admission@iss.nl. Our Admissions Officer will add them to your file.
If it is a required document you will be able to upload it. Otherwise, please contact: admission@iss.nl and explain your situation.
Please email your document to admission@iss.nl. Our Admissions Officer will add them to your file.
Yes, you can apply and we will consider your application. We will need a temporary academic transcript (in English) and a letter (which you can upload under 'degree') stating your approximate graduation date. However, if you receive an offer, it will be conditional upon meeting all the entry requirements. Once you have uploaded your diploma, the Admission Board will go through your documents. If you qualify, you will receive an Unconditional letter within 4 weeks from the day you submitted your application to ISS.
You can start working in the Application Portal, save your entries and use your login information to return to the Portal later. We will only start processing your application after you have submitted it via the Portal, by clicking on the ‘submit’ button at the bottom of the last page of the questionnaire. The status of your application will then change to ‘submitted’. If that does not work, please contact servicedesk@eur.nl to ask for assistance.
If you have accepted your Letter of Admission, the application portal will still state ‘In Progress’. This will change once your funding has been transferred and you arrive at ISS.
You will not receive a notification. Your application will still state ‘In Progress’. This status will change when you arrive ISS. At the meantime, Darren Baradhan from the Marketing Department will be in touch you with possible scholarships that you may be able to apply for.
Please use the link provided below to accept the offer: https://sis.eur.nl/osiris_io_inkomend/LoginDirect.do - go to view and edit/additional questions.
Please send an email to: admission@iss.nland request a change of Major.
Please request a temporary transcript from your university and upload it in the application portal.
You should upload the documents when you are answering the questions on your academic background.
Please send an email to ISS via admission@iss.nl, they can change the status of your application.
You will have to re-apply but you will not have to upload your documents again. The procedure to re-apply is on our Deferral procedure page.
You can only change your personal details in Studielink, the changes will then automatically go through to the Erasmus Admission Portal. Once your details have been checked by Erasmus University you will not be able to change them anymore and will have to send a request to servicedesk@eur.nl.
Please check your spam or junk folder, if you haven’t received an email please send a message to servicedesk@eur.nl.
Please send a message to servicedesk@eur.nl They will be able to determine what the problem is and if needed reset your password.
At times it can be very busy at the Service Desk help desk, please be patient. If you haven’t received any response after 3 working days, you can send a reminder.
Please send a message to servicedesk@eur.nl asking them to reset your password.
Please send a message to servicedesk@eur.nl, they can reset your account. If this does not help, please try again using a different email account.
Please contact servicedesk@eur.nl and ask for assistance.
Please contact our helpdesk desk at servicedesk@eur.nl and ask them to provide your login details as soon as possible. Please note: automatically generated emails may end up in your spam or junk folder. Please check these folders!
In the EUR Admission Portal you need to answer some additional questions and upload the required documents. After checking your entries, you need to submit your application. Please note: only applications with the status ‘submitted’ will be processed.
Studielink is the Dutch national registration system for higher education programmes. We can only register you as a student at our university if you enrol through this system. Subsequently, you need to finalize your application in the Admission Portal of Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR). Please note: once you have enrolled in Studielink, you will receive an email with your login details for the EUR Admission Portal.
This will depends on what your goals are. To give you an idea of the career trajectory of our alumni, please visit out LinkedIn page.
It depends on the source of funding you have received. If you had received a scholarship/loan, please check your scholarship conditions with your scholarship provider. Some scholarship providers requires students to return home upon graduation.
In addition to that, please visit the Dutch government website for further details.
Please visit the Dutch Government website for further information.