Get support on choosing a study
Are you a recognised refugee with a higher level of education in your country of origin? You are very welcome to study at the University of Twente (UT).
Before you start your application, take a close look at the offer of bachelor’s and master’s programmes and then decide which programme suits you best and then decide which one is the most suitable for you.
DigiD and BSN
When you receive your residence permit, you have to register in the BRP. After registration, you will receive a citizen service number, the so-called BSN. Everyone with a BSN can apply for DigiD. When you are a recognised refugee, we ask you to log in to Studielink with DigiD. This way, you can see your BSN number and the code of your refugee status. UT is also able to see your refugee status and will be able to act accordingly - the status will grant you some privileges. In Studielink, you can start your application for the UT study programme of your choice.
Application procedure
After you have submitted your application in Studielink, it will be forwarded to OSIRIS, our student registration portal. The Admission Office will then proceed to review your application. If you are over the age of 21, and you are not directly admissible, then colloquium doctum can be a solution. This is an admission test for prospective students who are not directly admissible to the bachelor’s programmes of UT.
If you apply for a bachelor’s programme, you will receive a decision within two weeks after you have completed your application. For a master’s programme the decision takes a little bit longer because the faculty has to decide about it as well. This can take up to six weeks. You will be notified by email.
As a highly skilled refugee with a higher level of education, you have to meet certain deadlines for your application. Please make sure you keep an eye on our deadlines, these are very important.
For bachelor's programmes for which deviating deadlines apply, no exceptions to the registration deadlines will be made for refugees. For those programmes, you simply have to follow the deadlines that apply to non-EEA students (also the deadlines for fully completing OSIRIS registration and remedying deficiencies). Furthermore, the same applies to the Master's in Psychology with a specialisation in Positive Clinical Psychology & Technology.
Tuition fees
As a recognised refugee student, you have the same status as Dutch nationals regarding tuition fees. You pay the same statutory tuition fee for enrolment in a bachelor’s or master’s programme as Dutch students. This also applies if you are a student who currently holds a waiting document (W-document) or a similar document proving to be in the same procedure, as UT regulation makes them eligible for the statutory tuition fee. If you believe you are entitled to this discount and can prove that you are in a waiting procedure, contact Student Services. For the amount of tuition fees, check the tuition fee web pages.
Diplomas
Any diplomas you have been able to take with you from your country of origin will be evaluated to see whether you can start with one of our study programmes. You must at least meet the following requirements:
- Most UT educational programmes are in English, so a sufficient command of English is required. If you are not a native English speaker, you have to submit a valid English language test. Either TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge are accepted – none other. See for the specific scores to the bachelor’s and master’s pages.
- Educational programmes in Dutch: you must have passed the State Exam Dutch NT2, level II.
- A diploma evaluation of the IDW is highly recommended. This will help speed up your application and provide you with a clear insight into your education level according to Dutch standards.
- In case we require extra tests from you to prove (for instance) your level of Mathematics or Physics, the Boswell Institute or CCVX provides courses and exams to help you obtain these. These are recognised institutes and the obtained certificates will be accepted.
Dutch language courses (NT2)
UT only offers optional Dutch language programmes on a higher level. Contact the UT Language Centre for information on these optional B2 programmes and preparation for the state examination.
The university of applied sciences Saxion, also located in Enschede, offers language programmes on all levels: from beginners (CEF A0 level) to state examination II (CEF B2 level).
Finding a place to live
After you have signed your asylum seeker application with the IND, certain things will be arranged for you through COA. One of them is temporary housing in one of the refugee camps which are scattered around the Netherlands. If the application is positive and you have been granted asylum-seeker status, you will be allocated housing where it is available and where COA believes you can live, work or possibly study well. However, housing has to be available and the municipality has to agree with your stay here. Should you have a letter of acceptance from the university, this could help.