Menu
en
NederlandsEnglish
HomeAbout usCampus, facilities & bereikbaarheidHousingStudents

How to find a room as a student?

Where and how to find housing depends on your nationality, study level, and programme.

Some students receive a guaranteed housing offer, while others need to arrange their own accommodation. Find out what applies to you and how to get started.

Non-EEA Bachelor's & Master's studentsEEA bachelor's studentsEEA master's studentsExchange studentsFinding housing yourselfExceptions for some programmes
Which countries are EEA?

There are 30 EEA countries:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden

Non-EEA students (bachelor's or master's)

If you are a non-EEA student starting a bachelor’s or master’s programme, you will receive a one-year guaranteed housing offer (for the first year) arranged by the university. As soon as UT has processed your tuition fee, visa payment and bank statement, you will receive an email “Special offer available in Roomspot”. After receiving this e-mail, you can sign up for Roomspot and will automatically see the button “Special Offer UT”, where you will find furnished accommodation. 

Who will get a guaranteed housing offer?

Are you a non-EEA student, and do you require a visa? If you meet the conditions below, UT offers you a room for one year.

  • you need an entry visa and/or a residence permit
  • you will join the UT for the first time 
  • you currently don’t live in the Netherlands.

You will rent this room for one year through UT. Please bear in mind that UT does not offer housing services for families. For example, if you are looking for a house or flat instead of a room, we recommend you look at our links for finding housing (see EEA students).

Deadlines

Since, as a non-EEA student, you need an entry visa and/or residence permit, UT wants to offer you extra help in your search for a room. That is why you will see the tab 'special offer UT' in the online portal Roomspot, which is exclusively available for non-EEA students. As soon as we have received and registered the payment of your entry visa, tuition fee, and bank statement, you will be informed by e-mail on which date the special offer access will become available to you.


September intake

February intake

Sign up for Roomspot for access

before the 31st of July

before the 15th of January

Arrange your payment (for a visa as well as tuition fee) to get access to the special housing offers in Roomspot

30 June

30 November

Secure your housing via Roomspot. 

between 16 May & 31 July

between 16 November & 15 January

After 1 August/16 January, we cannot provide you with a guaranteed housing offer.

If you would like to find accommodation on campus or near our university, create an account at Roomspot, the online housing portal for the cities of Enschede and Hengelo. Here, you can find the current housing offers and apply for the accommodation you are interested in. You can make an account at Roomspot and respond to room offers anytime.

On-campus housing (Veste Wonen)

Veste Wonen is the on-campus housing provider and offers furnished as well as unfurnished rooms (co-optation). Our Housing team only mediates for the furnished rooms. For the exact location of the accommodation offered by de Veste, please see the campus map.

Veste Wonen offers a variety of rooms in an accommodation group, either with or without private bathroom and kitchen facilities. Apartments and studio flats are also equipped with private bathrooms and kitchen facilities (for couples only). One-room apartments have shared bathroom facilities and a private kitchen. All accommodation has a personal fridge available, and electricity, water, gas, as well as a wired internet connection are included in the rent prices. The rent prices depend on the type of accommodation, ranging from €350 - €550 for a room and €600 - €700 for a two-room apartment.

All rooms available can be found and applied for via Roomspot. These types of accommodation can be categorised as follows:

Calslaan old

The Calslaan old complex consists of four-storeyed buildings, with groups of twelve tenants living on each floor. Flat Calslaan 1 has 36 rooms, of which approximately 24 are fully furnished. All rooms are fully decorated and furnished, including bed linen and kitchen equipment. Guests only have to bring their personal belongings and some towels. Monthly basic cleaning of the kitchen and bathroom facilities is done by De Veste. However, tenants are expected to keep their room and the communal areas clean as well.

Bathroom and kitchen facilities are shared with 11 other tenants. Each group has a large balcony, two showers, two sinks, and two toilets. Additionally, there is a communal living room where the tenants may relax or have dinner.

Based on room size and rent, this complex has three types of accommodation available:

  • Calslaan old - type small: 103/107/111/203/207/211
    • 12 tenants per group
    • Private room: 11 m2
       
  • Calslaan old - type medium: 101/102/105/106/109/110/201/202/205/206/209/210
    • 12 tenants per group
    • Private room: 14 m2
       
  • Calslaan old - type large: 104/108/112/204/208/212
    • 12 tenants per group
    • Private room: 16 m2
Calslaan new

The Calslaan New complex consists of four-storey buildings that offers both furnished and unfurnished accommodation. However, as stated, the International Office mediates for the furnished rooms. The group sizes rangefrom four to ten tenants. There is a communal room where the tenants may relax or have dinner, while bathroom and kitchen facilities are shared with the other tenants. Each group has two or three showers and toilets.

In addition to the rooms offered, the complex also has several furnished apartments with private kitchen and bathroom facilities. All rooms and apartments are fully decorated and furnished, including bed linen and kitchen equipment. Guests only have to bring their personal belongings and some towels.

Based on room size and rent, this complex has five types of accommodation available:

  • Calslaan 14B and Calslaan 16B
    • 4 tenants per group
    • Communal use of the living room/kitchen
    • Bathroom facilities shared with 1 other tenant - 26 or 27 m2

  • Calslaan 16A and Calslaan 28A
    • 5 tenants per group
    • Communal use of the living room/kitchen
    • Bathroom facilities shared with 1 other tenant - 15, 22, 26 or 27 m2

  • Calslaan 24
    • 10 tenants
    • Communal use of the living room/kitchen
    • Bathroom facilities shared with 1 other tenant - 22, 24, 25 or 27 m2

  • Calslaan 26, Calslaan 32, and Calslaan 36
    • 8 tenants per group
    • Communal use of the living room/kitchen
    • Bathroom facilities shared with 1 other tenant - 22, 24, 25 or 27 m2

  • Calslaan 38
    • 9 tenants per group
    • Communal use of the living room/kitchen
    • Bathroom facilities shared with 1 other tenant - 15, 22, 24, 25 or 27 m2
Tower / Campuslaan

This eight-story building is located next to the tennis court on campus. It has 14 fully furnished apartments with private kitchen and bathroom facilities. Each apartment has a balcony.

All rooms are fully decorated and furnished, including bed linen and kitchen equipment. Guests only have to bring their personal belongings and some towels. On the ground floor, you will find a washing machine and tumble dryer for communal use (free of charge). There is also an elevator in the building. The Tower / Campuslaan accommodation is for two persons only.

  • Two-room apartments
    • Private kitchen and bathroom facilities
    • 33 m2

    • This accommodation is for two persons only
Mondriaan

The Mondriaan complex is situated near the de Veste office and can be recognised by its particular shape and the colours of the balconies (blue, yellow and red). It has 77 apartments, divided over four different accommodation types – offering a variety of rental options. All rooms are fully decorated and furnished, including bed linen and kitchen equipment. Guests only have to bring their personal belongings and some towels. There is also a laundry room with washing machines and tumble drier.

  • Mondriaan 1-room apartment
    • Private kitchen
    • Bathroom facilities shared with 1 other tenant - 16 square meters

  • Mondriaan 1-room+ (also called “solitary room”) - Calslaan 51-14 and 51-24
    • Bed, living, and private kitchen all in 1 room
    • Private bathroom
    • 23 m2

  • Mondriaan 2-room apartment
    • Private living room/kitchen and bathroom - 41 or 42 m2

    • This accommodation is for two persons only
Matenweg patio

The Matenweg patio rooms are built around a small square and most of them are one-storey buildings. In total there are 13 rooms and 5 studio apartments. All rooms are fully decorated and furnished, including bed linen and kitchen equipment. Guests only have to bring their personal belongings and some towels. All studios have their own private kitchen and bathroom facilities. Depending on the building, 6 or 7 tenants live together. The bathroom and kitchen are shared with the other tenants. Every room has its own washbasin, and some have their own bathroom facilities. There is also a communal living room where the tenants can relax or have dinner.

Based on room size and rent, this complex has three types of accommodation available:

  • Matenweg patio 10
    • 6 tenants per group
    • Shared living room and kitchen/bathroom facilities
    • 10 or 14 m2

    • Exception: Matenweg patio 10-104 (23 m2)

  • Matenweg patio 16
    • 7 tenants per group
    • Shared living room and kitchen/bathroom facilities
    • 14 m2

    • Exception: Matenweg 16-104 (private bathroom facilities, 25 m2)

  • Matenweg patio studios
    • One larger room with private kitchen
    • Private bathroom facilities
    • 33 m2

    • This accommodation is for two persons only
Matenweg 73 pyramids

The Matenweg 73 building can accommodate 40 tenants. At Matenweg 73-1 you share the kitchen with 9 other tenants. There is also a communal living room where the tenants can relax or have dinner. Each room has a private bathroom. Moreover, the self-contained rooms on Matenweg 73-3 have private kitchen and bathroom facilities. All rooms are fully decorated and furnished, including bed linen and kitchen equipment. Guests only have to bring their personal belongings and some towels.

Based on room size and rent, this complex has two types of accommodation available:

  • Matenweg 73 room
    • 9 tenants per group
    • Shared living room/kitchen
    • Private bathroom facilities
    • 16 m2

    • Exception: Matenweg 73-109 and 73-110 (22 m2)

  • Matenweg 73-3 solitary room
    • Private living room/kitchen
    • Private bathroom facilities
    • 16 m2
Witbreuksweg

The Witbreuksweg accommodation consists of pyramid-shaped four-story buildings.

All accommodations on the first and second floors of the Witbreuksweg have a private bathroom and shared kitchen facilities. Additionally, there is a communal living room where the tenants can relax or have dinner. On the third floor, there are solitary rooms with private bathrooms and kitchen facilities. Moreover, there are also three two-room apartments in the pyramid building which have private kitchen and bathroom facilities.

Based on room size and rent, this complex has three types of accommodation available:

  • Witbreuksweg room
    • 8-12 tenants per group
    • Shared living room/kitchen
    • Private bathroom facilities
    • 16 m2

  • Witbreuksweg solitary room
    • Private living room/kitchen
    • Private bathroom facilities
    • 17 m2

  • Witbreuksweg 2-room apartment
    • Bedroom and living room/kitchen
    • Private bathroom facilities
    • 30 m2

    • This accommodation is for two persons only
Boulevard 1945-4 (also for exchange students)

The Boulevard 1945-4 is located in the city centre of Enschede, approximately 15 minutes from the UT campus, by bike or public transportation.

The rooms at Boulevard 1945-4 are only available for visa students (non-EEA) and PhD students with both a visa and a scholarship.

The shops, market, post office, and railway station are within walking distance. The (partly-)furnished rooms with balconies have a private bathroom and shared kitchen facilities. These living spaces include extras such as a telephone for internal calls, a private refrigerator, and a wired internet connection. WiFi is available throughout the building. 

All rooms available are listed on Roomspot. In addition to UT students, PhD students with a scholarship can book a room in the Boulevard 1945. 

Accommodation

The bed and living room are all in 1 room.

  • Private bathroom
  • Shared kitchen with 13 other tenants
  • 18 m2

Rent

The monthly rent is approximately €555 (GWE included).

Inventory list

  • bed
  • mattress
  • bed light
  • writing desk
  • desk chair
  • desk lamp
  • refrigerator
  • bulletin board
  • chair
  • litter basket
  • bookcase
  • wardrobe

EEA students (Bachelor's or Master's)

If you have a nationality from an EEA country (including the Netherlands), housing through the University of Twente depends on the regular Master's study programme you are admitted to.

Bachelor's students

You will not receive a guaranteed housing offer from UT. You are responsible for finding your own accommodation. See more information below.

Master's students

In most cases, you will also not receive a guaranteed housing offer from UT and need to arrange housing yourself.

However, students admitted to one of the following regular full-time Master’s programmes do receive a guaranteed housing offer for the first year (effective as of intake 1 September 2026, and onwards). Dutch students are excluded from the guaranteed housing offer.

  • Applied Mathematics (AM)
  • Applied Physics (AP)
  • Chemical Science & Engineering (CSE)
  • Computer Science (CS)
  • Electrical Engineering (EE)
  • Embedded Systems (EMSYS)
  • Industrial Engineering & Management (IEM)
  • Mechanical Engineering (ME)
  • Nanotechnology (NT)
  • Robotics (ROB)
  • Sustainable Energy Technology (SET)

If you are admitted (or conditionally admitted) to one of these Master’s programmes, you will automatically receive information about the housing procedure and your guaranteed offer by email after your admission has been processed.

Exchange students

EEA exchange students

If you have a nationality from an EEA country you will not receive a guaranteed housing offer from UT. You are responsible for finding your own accommodation. See more information below, in the section 'Finding housing yourself'.

NON-EEA exchange students

If you have a nationality from a non-EEA country, you will receive a guaranteed housing offer arranged by the university for the duration of your student mobility period. As soon as UT has processed your visa application, you will be able to sign up for Roomspot after which you will receive your on-time guaranteed offer from UT Housing. 

More information about the guaranteed offer

Since you, as a non-EEA exchange student, need an entry visa and/or residence permit, UT wants to offer you extra help in your search for a room. UT will mediate once in your accommodation through a guaranteed booking in Boulevard 1945 (formerly ITC International Hotel). These rooms are exclusively available for non-EU/EEA exchange students. 

Duration of your stay

The contract dates are fixed and depend on the duration of your exchange. For the first semester, contracts will start as of 16 August, and for the second semester, 01 February. The exact dates will be mentioned in your offer. Please note: if you wish to extend your stay, renewal or extension of your current rental contract is NOT possible; you must find other accommodation. Additional costs may apply.

Deadline

The deadline to secure your Boulevard 1945 room for the September (first semester) intake is 31 July, and for the February (second semester) intake, 15 January. After the deadline, we cannot provide you with a guaranteed housing offer anymore.

If you are not interested in a room at Boulevard 1945, you must find accommodation yourself. Please be aware that finding housing for a short period is a challenge. 

Residential complex for exchange students, Boulevard 1945-4

The Boulevard 1945-4 is located in the city centre of Enschede, approximately 15 minutes from the UT campus, by bike or public transportation.

The rooms at Boulevard 1945-4 are only available for visa students (non-EEA) and PhD students with both a visa and a scholarship.

The shops, market, post office, and railway station are within walking distance. The (partly-)furnished rooms with balconies have a private bathroom and shared kitchen facilities. These living spaces include extras such as a telephone for internal calls, a private refrigerator, and a wired internet connection. WiFi is available throughout the building. 

All rooms available are listed on Roomspot. In addition to UT students, PhD students with a scholarship can book a room in the Boulevard 1945. 

Accommodation

The bed and living room are all in 1 room.

  • Private bathroom
  • Shared kitchen with 13 other tenants
  • 18 m2

Rent

The monthly rent is approximately €555 (GWE included).

Inventory list

  • bed
  • mattress
  • bed light
  • writing desk
  • desk chair
  • desk lamp
  • refrigerator
  • bulletin board
  • chair
  • litter basket
  • bookcase
  • wardrobe

Finding housing yourself

Finding accommodation in the Netherlands can be a challenge, so we strongly recommend that you start searching as early as possible, at least three months before your arrival. Finding housing in Enschede is generally more affordable and accessible than in most other Dutch student cities, but you still need to act early to ensure a smooth start to your studies.

Useful websites for finding a room

We advise you to keep an eye on the websites Roomspot, Student Union Kamersite, Kamernet, and Pararius. These websites are updated with rooms regularly, and you can filter on price, location, room size, and much more. 

You can also check out Huurwoningen.nl, Kamersenschede.nl or social media platforms such as the UT Market Place Facebook. Please be aware that we are not direct partners of these national platforms, and we cannot guarantee the quality and reliability of the rooms.

Other useful links

Tips & tricks

Register for housing platforms

We advise you to keep an eye on the online portals Roomspot, Student Union Kamersite, Kamernet and Pararius. These websites are updated with rooms regularly and you can filter on price, location, room size, and much more. You can also check out Huurwoningen.nl and Kamersenschede.nl or social media platforms like Facebook. Please be aware that we are no direct partners of these national platforms, and we cannot guarantee the quality and reliability of the rooms.

Start on time

The sooner you start your house hunting, the sooner you can start finding your accommodation. We advise you to start your house hunting in May for the September intake. When you start to search for accommodation early, you have more chances of finding housing before the start of your studies. Don't worry if you can't find housing immediately after you start your search. Sometimes it may take up to two months before you find something suitable.

Find housing before the start of your studies

Studying at a university might be completely new for you, or even moving to a new country can be overwhelming. To ensure a smooth start to your student life at the University of Twente, you should arrange accommodation before the start of your studies.

Be realistic in your wishes

Who wouldn’t like to live in a three-bedroom apartment with a nice view over the city? Sometimes it’s better to accept a housing offer when it comes along and search from there. Once you’re living in the area, you can use your newly built network to search for accommodation better suited to your personal preferences.

Watch out for scammers

Don’t be too picky, but watch out for scammers as well. A lot of different tricks are being used, mostly trying to take advantage of the fact that people are not able to come and check out the property in person. Red flag alerts:

  • The landlord says he stays abroad for the moment and asks you to send the money to a foreign account
  • The landlord asks for your credit card number
  • The landlord says he cannot show you the accommodation, but he'll send you the keys once the deposit is transferred
  • The rental price is considerably lower than other similar accommodations in the area
  • You cannot register yourself for the address of the accommodation at the municipality.

Download the Goin' app

Would you like to get in touch with other first-year students at UT before you even arrive in Enschede? You can do so via the app Goin'. You will be invited to the Goin' app. Goin' is a social platform where you can meet both other new students and students already in the UT community. The mobile app helps you connect with students who are, for example, looking for a flatmate.

If you want more tips and tricks on finding housing, see the Erasmus Student Network website for a housing guide.

Exceptions for some study programmes

As UT is a campus university, you have the option to live either on campus or in the city. But if you are going to study one of the programmes below, your situation is different.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

I have a Dutch/EEA passport, but I live outside the European Economic Area (EEA). How can I find accommodation?

You can register in Roomspot to find accommodation that is most suitable to you. Please inform UT Housing of this situation, so they can advice you about housing. You can contact UT Housing via studentservices@utwente.nl.   

What is co-optation (room application)?

Through Roomspot you have the option of co-optation (room application). This is one of the accommodation options. With room application, students live together and share communal areas such as the living room, kitchen and bathroom/shower. Many flats eat and cook together, play games in the evenings, go clubbing or do other things as a group. In short: they spend a lot, maybe even the major part of their free time together. A good fit is thus important and therefore students select their own flat mates. The selection procedure, known as room application (Dutch: coöptatie/hospiteren), aims to ensure a good fit. This process is not organized by UT, but by the flat inhabitants themselves. In most cases, flats will invite you (or even a couple of students interested in a room at once) for a meeting in order to get to know you. After that, they decide as a group who they would like to offer the room to and will let you know whether you can move in or not. Don’t be afraid to reject the room yourself if you cannot picture yourself living in a particular flat and don’t feel down if a flat rejects you. Most students visit several flats before they find what they are looking for. If it’s not possible for you to visit the flat beforehand, ask the flat for a meeting via videochat. More information is available at https://su.utwente.nl/en/rooms/ 

How is finding housing in the Netherlands different from other countries?

Coming to a different country can be exciting, but challenging. The same goes for finding housing before the start of your studies. You might be used to a system where the responsibility of finding housing lies with the university. An important distinction between finding housing in the Netherlands or in other countries is that in the Netherlands, you are expected to find your own accommodation. The housing office at UT can in some cases play a mediating role, but chances are you will have to look for accommodation yourself. The Erasmus Student Network provides a housing guide with tips, tricks, and information for (prospective) students to keep in mind while finding housing in the Netherlands. Take a look at their website to check what applies to you.

Can I reject accommodation?

It is advisable to consider the guaranteed housing offer you get carefully. We cannot guarantee a new offer if you reject the offer. Please consider this when rejecting offers. 

Sometimes, it's better to accept a housing offer when it comes along and search from there. Once you live in the area, you can use your newly built network to search for accommodation better suited to your personal preferences. 

Can I apply for housing benefit?

Depending on your situation, you can apply for a housing benefit. For more information check this website. 

Where can I pick up my keys?

You will find information about where you can pick up your keys in your booking confirmation. Please note: make sure you also meet the payment criteria for housing mentioned in your booking (on-campus accommodation only). 

Can I cancel my booking before arriving?

The cancellation policy for your booking may differ per rental agency. Please contact your rental agency for more information regarding their cancellation policy. 

What housing options are available for students with a disability or special needs?

If you have a physical, sensory, or other functional limitation that affects your housing needs, there are possibilities for tailored accommodation. UT collaborates with housing providers such as Veste Wonen and Boulevard 1945 to help find suitable rooms or facilities when possible.

We strongly advise you to contact the housing providers or the Student Guidance & Well-being (SGW) department as early as possible (preferably before your arrival) to discuss your specific situation. SGW can talk through your needs, provide advice, and help coordinate if special arrangements are required.

Types of student housing

Finding a new place to live is a big decision. Will you live on your own or together with other students? Take time to think about which living situation is best for you. In Enschede, there are various types of accommodation available:

Living with others

Living with other students can be a great experience. You can share the rent and hang out with each other. Usually, there are two options for student houses: 

  • Fully shared: you have your own bedroom, but share a bathroom (toilet and shower), kitchen and living room.
  • Partly shared: next to your bedroom, you have your private bathroom, and share the kitchen and communal space. 
  • Living with a host or guest family: staying with a host or guest family will give you a soft landing in a new city, and is the perfect way to get in touch with Dutch culture and language. You will have your private room and shared facilities like a kitchen and bathroom.
Your own place

When you live alone, you are completely in control of everything that goes on in your apartment. If you have lived at home all your life, this kind of freedom can take some time to get used to. It’s your place, your rules. You are not responsible for anyone and don’t have to share anything.

Room in a student house

The vast majority of Dutch students rent rooms in a student house on campus or in Enschede or a nearby city. Sometimes you live together with up to 18 people, although there are also plenty of groups for five or more. In the city, you usually live with two to six people. So when you start looking for a room, you can look both on campus and in the city.

Student or studio apartment

On campus or in Enschede or a nearby city, you can also live on your own in your own flat or self-contained room.

Student stories

See all:  Stories
Close
Suggestions