1. Man with binoculars on seven planets. The old known and widely famous planet reader J. Haak. C. 1870 - c. 1890.
2. Labyrinth. Jan Brandes, 1770 – 1808.
3. Ugo Piatti and Luigi Russolo with the Intonarumori.
Drawing lessons in the Victorian era. Edinburgh, 1903. Source: Kunst en Illusie.
Icarus Atlanticus - Allegory of the Working Man. When Lataster painted this ceiling in 1987, he was intimidated by the thought that he was surrounded by such great masters as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Rubens. There was a danger of becoming too proud, though. Lataster saw just one way to prevent his own downfall: hard work. In this colourful and expressive ceiling, he therefore incorporated blue work trousers, work shoes and a spade. As a reward, Lataster imagined a sandwich with strawberry jam – which he also painted. Source: Mauritshuis, The Hague.
Welcometothe KABKcommunity 1.0
Welcome to the Royal Academy of Art The Hague, also known as the KABK! Each year, around 900 students from all over the world join us at the KABK, including pupils and students of the Preparatory Courses and PhDarts.
With this booklet we hope to give you some basic information about studying at the KABK and living in the Netherlands and in The Hague. The booklet also gives you information about cultural hotspots, housing and working.
You can find even more information about these topics on www.kabk.nl and on the portal, KABK’s internal website. Here, you can find information about your study, announcements from your department and the academy, open calls and upcoming exhibitions. Log in with your KABK account and password. Bookmark https://portal.kabk.nl in your browser for easy access.
Enjoy your time at the KABK!
Labyrinth. Jan Brandes, 1770 – 1808.
The Chartres labyrinth is a so-called one-way labyrinth. I.e. that if you reach the middle, you have walked through all the corridors. There are no dead ends. One is guided all the way in and out again. Its system is harmonic, there is only one continuous route.
Studyingatthekabk 2.0
THE ACADEMY BUILDING ( 2.1 )
The academy building is a historic monument and occupies over 19,000 m2, located in the city centre of The Hague near the Central Station. In the building we have many diverse types of spaces that you can make use of, such as the auditorium, exhibition spaces, a small cinema, over fourteen workshops and several studios. As a student, you can make use of all this.
Two buildings connected by a mirror tunnel form the academy building. One is the Prinsessegracht building with the main entrance and most of the bachelor’s programmes and the other one is the Blijenberg building where you can find most of the master’s programmes.
Together with the Royal Conservatoire (KC), the KABK forms the University of the Arts. The KC is a five-minute walk from the KABK. The faculty is located in Amare (Spuiplein 150), the brand-new cultural hub of the Hague.
In this chapter, you will read about the building, student-led organisations, the workshops and other student services.
KABK FLOOR PLAN
Our building sometimes seems like a labyrinth. To help you, we have created a floor plan which can be found on the portal. This floor plan can also be found on the red pillars near the rental desk and Student Administration. Scan for floor plan
HOUSE RULES
2.2 )
At KABK the safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount. For this reason, the house rules listed on the following pages apply to everyone in the academy buildings. We, as the KABK community, work safely, responsibly and with respect.
WE WORK SAFELY
Keep the following safety instructions in mind:
• Escape routes are always free of clutter.
• By Dutch law smoking is not allowed in and around the academy building (including courtyards, entrance, and parking).
• Drugs are not allowed. We have a zero-tolerance policy regarding drugs.
• Alcohol may only be used after 18:00. For special events, alcohol may be served earlier, but no earlier than 16:00.
• Hazardous materials are stored safely.
WE WORK RESPONSIBLY
• We minimise the use of environmentally impactful materials.
• We recycle our waste.
• We only use spray cans in the spray booth.
• Left-over paints, solvents and such are disposed of in allocated containers.
• Biking and skating are only allowed outside the building and courtyards.
• Assistance dogs are the only animals allowed on the premises.
WE WORK WITH RESPECT TOWARDS FELLOW STUDENTS, STAFF, AND THE BUILDING
• Theft is not tolerated and is always reported.
• Any damage incurred is charged to the perpetrator.
• We take care of and respect our buildings. That means that we do not drill holes or apply other damaging materials to the building.
• We use designated areas for our posters.
• We use designated areas as bicycle and car parking.
Political animals game. Anonymous, 1845. Source: rijksmuseum.nl.
GENERAL MEASURES IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY
( 2.3 )
WHAT TO DO IF YOU DISCOVER A MINOR FIRE
• Call the reception emergency number on 070 3154 700 or send someone to notify the reception desk.
• Report who you are and where you are.
• The reception desk will immediately notify the Emergency Response Team (BHV team).
• If you know how to use the manual fire extinguisher, try to put out the fire (this only applies to minor fire incidents that have just started).
WHAT TO DO IF YOU DISCOVER A MAJOR FIRE
• Press the fire alarm. This will trigger a direct signal to the fire brigade and will activate the fire alarm.
• If you hear the fire alarm, leave the building immediately.
• Use the stairs. Do not use the lifts under alarm conditions.
• Close doors and windows behind you (but do not lock them).
EVACUATION
• Follow the instructions of the Emergency Response Team (BHV team).
• Leave the building at the nearest exit and go to the assembly point (in front of the building).
• Stay at the assembly point and wait for further instructions.
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT
• Call the reception desk emergency number on 070 3154 700 or send someone to notify the reception.
• Report who you are, where you are, the number of victims and where they are located.
• If possible, provide information about the state of the victims and what has happened.
• The reception will immediately notify a first aid staff member, and if necessary, call 112.
• If you think that 112 should be notified immediately, take action yourself as soon as possible. Make sure you inform the reception desk, so that they can follow up with a notification as well. There are various first aid boxes throughout the building.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
For life-threatening situations, call: 112 (ambulance, fire department or police department) or visit the emergency room at the nearest hospital.
If you are feeling unwell and your symptoms are not life threatening, you can contact your General Practitioner and make an appointment. It is essential to make sure you register with a GP when you arrive in the Netherlands.
For emergencies after 17.00 and during weekends, you can contact the huisartsenpost Hadoks via telephone number +31 (0) 70 34 69 669.
KABK reception desk emergency number 070 3154 700 National emergency number 112 Police (Politie) (non-emergency) 0900-8844
More information about what to do and where to find first aid kits can be found on the portal.
SIRENS
ON THE FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH
If you are new to the Netherlands, you may wonder at noon on the first Monday of the month why you are suddenly being deafened by loud sirens everywhere. This is called the ‘warning system’ (in Dutch: waarschuwingsstelsel ). It is tested every month to ensure it works properly, reaching everybody across the country in case of an emergency, with 4200 sirens.
If you hear this sound and it is not midday on the first Monday of the month, it is a warning to go inside, shut all doors and windows and turn on your television or radio for updates. You can also check the website Crisis.nl (website in Dutch) to see if there are current warnings. You can also install the app NL-alert, then you will be notified about what is happening in your region.
The ideal running curve; a flat base with rounded corners. Source: Theo Jansen, De Grote Fantast.
Ugo Piatti and Luigi Russolo with the Intonarumori. Intonarumori are experimental musical instruments invented and built by Luigi Russolo between 1910 and 1930. Source: www.arthistoryproject.com.
The eye, like a strange balloon, moves towards infinity, Odilon Redon, 1882 Source: rijksmuseum.nl.
SAFE STUDY AND WORK ENVIRONMENT ( 2.4 )
Everyone in our community should feel secure in their daily study or work. The Academy and University Council, study coaches, and student and confidential counsellors are here to listen and help you.
STUDY COACH
You can approach the study coach for all issues that are related to your studies. In one-to-one meetings you can figure out what type of support is needed. The study coach can also refer you to other people if a different type of expertise is needed to help you further. Ask your department if you want more information about the study coach. Study coaches are department bound.
STUDENT COUNSELLOR
The independent student counsellor can assist with concerns about study progress and/or issues of a more personal nature such as mental- emotional problems. If your wellbeing is interfering with your studies, you are welcome to talk to the student counsellor, Anne-Margriet Klaver (a.klaver@ kabk.nl). The student counsellor represents the individual interests of the students and is bound by a duty of confidentiality. The counsellor can also mediate or make referrals to agencies or individuals outside the academy. Third parties are contacted, if necessary, but only with the approval of the student. You can make an appointment via the portal.
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVISOR
The role of the psychological advisor is to help you deal with problems that hinder you in your studies. So the Psychological Counselor can help regain the mental capacities needed to get back on track. It is (always) best to first speak with the student counsellor (Anne-Margriet Klaver). They are the first ones to go to and if needed they can refer you to the psychological counsellor, Jan van Beek (j.vanbeek@kabk.nl).
EXTERNAL CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELLOR
The confidential counsellor is the first point of contact for students who have complaints about undesirable behaviour, integrity issues or safety, including social safety. These could be issues such as sexually intimating behaviour, bullying, aggression, racism and discrimination. There is zero tolerance for this kind of behaviour. The confidential counsellor offers a listening ear and can help clarify the problem, providing you with the guidance and advice you need.
You can contact the internal confidential counsellor, Femke de Haan (f.dehaan@kabk.nl) or one of the external confidential counsellors, Karlijn Mofers (mofers@devertrouwenspersoon.nl) and Eric de Ruijter (deruijter@devertrouwenspersoon.nl)
STUDENT COMPLAINTS DESK
The University of the Arts the Hague has set up an online Complaints Desk for students’ protection. This desk receives complaints, objections or appeals submitted by students and passes them on to the correct body to ensure that they are dealt with in an appropriate manner. Complaints can be sent in either Dutch or English to: klachtenloket@kabk.nl. More information about the Student Complaints Desk can be found on the portal.
CODE OF INTEGRITY/CODE OF CONDUCT
The Code of Integrity, the procedure for dealing with complaints of inappropriate behaviour and the protocol for the confidential adviser are part of the Academy’s policy to guarantee a safe climate for working and studying at the KABK. You can find the procedure for dealing with complaints of inappropriate behaviour on the portal.
The Code of Integrity or Code of Conduct on Standards of Behaviour sets out the basic principles on how staff and students should behave towards each other and their surrounding: in other words, what is regarded as desirable behaviour. The Code of Conduct also offers scope for challenging individuals whose behaviour can be considered inappropriate. You can find the Code of Conduct on the portal.
Pair of Clappers in Form of Human Hands. Ca. 1539-1190 B.C.E. Ivory, Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund. Source: brooklynmuseum.org.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Almost 60% of our students are from countries other than the Netherlands, and there are many international teachers. The result is a lively international learning community with a wide diversity of cultures. This mix of cultures makes an important contribution to students’ development as they experience the similarities and differences between cultures and learn to discuss and reflect on them. This dialogue broadens and deepens perspectives on international professional practice and your own position in this.
STUDYING WITH A DISABILITY OR CHRONIC PHYSICAL OR MENTAL-EMOTIONAL CONDITION
At the KABK we want every student to be able to participate, including students with a disability or a chronic physical or mental-emotional condition.
For students with a disability or a chronic condition, we will look for a tailor-made solution as much as possible, within what are called ‘the boundaries of reasonableness and fairness’. We do this by considering the student’s personal situation and the possibilities offered by the academy. This process requires both common sense and creative thinking. It is therefore especially important for students with a disability to tell the student counsellor about the nature of their disability at the start of their programme. Find more information on the topic of studying with a disability or chronic physical or mental-emotional condition on the portal.
Landscape with Sunflower. Albert Flamen, 1672. Source: rijksmuseum.nl.
PARTICIPATION BODIES ( 2.5
)
ACADEMY COUNCIL(DMR-KABK) & UNIVERSITY COUNCIL(CMR-HDK)
The University of the Arts The Hague has two faculty councils of representatives, one for the KABK and one for the KC. The councils comprise representatives of teachers, staff and students. The University Council is chosen from the two councils and supplemented by one representative each from the ArtScience interfaculty and the School for Young Talent interfaculty.
The Academy Council of the KABK is actively engaged in moving the Academy towards an environment in which the wellbeing and creativity of all students, teachers and staff is the central principal guiding policy decisions. The role of the Academy Council is to approve new KABK policy, advise on academy-wide issues and initiate new projects. The dates for public meetings of the council are indicated on the portal.
If there is anything you want to bring to the attention of the Academy Council, please contact dmr@kabk.nl.
STUDY PROGRAMME COMMITTEE
Do you have a vision of how your department could improve its study programme and would you like to share your ideas? If so, feel free to talk to the Study Programme Committee – a collective of students and teachers who advise on the promotion and safeguarding of the quality of the study programme by contacting Lisa Walcott (l.walcott@kabk.nl). Read more about this committee and how to join it on the portal.
The Rainbow, From Myth to Mathematics. Carl B. Boyer. La Chambre’s idea of the formation of the rainbow. Rays of the sun are refracted by a subtle material between the sun and the observer and are then reflected by a cloud mass opposite the sun.
The Education and Examination Regulations (in Dutch: Onderwijs- en Examenregeling; OER) describe the objectives, content and structure of KABK degree programmes. Besides, you will find the regulations and provisions prescribing the organisation of these programmes and the related assessments and examinations in these documents. You can find the relevant documents on the portal (Documents & forms in menu).
EXAMINATION BOARD
The Examination Board is responsible for safeguarding the quality of the assessments and examinations. This board also appoints the assessors and examiners. It is responsible for decisions on exemption requests as well. All bachelor’s and master’s programmes share one Examination Board, which consists of teaching staff and at least one external member to the programmes concerned. Find more information on the portal.
STUDENT SERVICES ( 2.7 )
At the KABK we have several student services, such as the Student Administration, Financial Administration, and the International Office.
STUDENT ADMINISTRATION
All general information about studying at the KABK can be provided by the Student Administration. Please inform them if you change your home or postal address, phone number or email address. It is important your home address is always up to date. The Student Administration can be reached via studentadministration@kabk.nl.
STUDENT CARD
All students receive a student card at the start of their study programme. Your student card remains valid for the entire duration of your study programme. You can use your student card both inside and outside the academy. Within the academy you can use it to pay for your materials in the workshops, to print or copy. To do so, you need to top up your card with money using the top-up machines which you can find in the corridor near the Student Administration. You also need your student card to make use of our library facilities, the rental facilities, and workshops.
Outside the KABK, you can use it to get discounts at certain museums, shops, or food places. This will always be listed on their website or in their shop if this is the case. If you are not sure, simply ask them! You will be issued with your student card during the introduction days and/or during your first classes in school. If your student card gets lost or stolen, you will have to purchase a new card at a charge of €10.
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
If you have any questions related to tuition fees, you can contact studyfees@hdkdenhaag.nl. If you have any other questions, for example about payments or expense claims, please contact financien@kabk.nl.
INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
One of the tasks of the International Office is to stimulate international student exchange and manage international contacts. It provides information about the various mobility programmes of EU and non-EU/EEA partners, the Dutch government, and the scholarships that are available for students who take courses or do an internship abroad. You can contact the International Office via exchange@kabk.nl. More information about student services can be found on the portal.
ACADEMY-WIDE EDUCATION
In addition to departmental programmes, bachelor’s students participate in academy-wide courses. From the first year onwards, collaboration between students
from different departments and disciplines is actively encouraged. Courses and subjects that are offered at an academy-wide level are the Individual Study Track (IST), Common Ground, and Studium Generale. If you have any questions regarding the Academy-wide education, check the portal (Academy-wide education in the menu).
WORKSHOPS
( 2.8 )
The KABK has fourteen workshops spread over the entire building. As a student, you can use all the different workshops! Operating the machinery can be dangerous and complex, which is why the KABK offers short courses in using the machinery safely. If required, the workshop instructors will provide personal protective gear, such as safety shoes in a variety of sizes, safety goggles, hearing protection, welding gloves and masks, etc. You can find all the information regarding courses, the available machinery and opening hours on the portal.
EXTERNAL WORKSHOPS
Besides our own specialised instructors and workshops, you also have access to an even wider variety of industry standard tools, which expand the possibilities offered by the academy’s own workshop facilities. As a student of the KABK, you may be given a discount when using technical support in any of the companies within our external workshop facilities network.
Our workshop instructors are keen to help you with your projects but sometimes you might need a different technique or bigger machinery to realise your artistic ideas and design concepts. For these occasions and when it is too busy at the academy’s own facilities, you can make use of this network.
If you need a company outside the network mentioned, please contact Bart Vissers (Head of Technical Services) via b.vissers@kabk.nl to discuss your proposal. Check the portal for an overview of external workshops.
Entrance area of the Royal Academy of Art, 1930.
LIBRARY
The KABK has a very well-equipped library/multimedia centre with a collection of more than 13,000 materials about art and design ranging from visual arts, architecture, photography, graphic design, architectural design, philosophy, art appreciation, history and to art and cultural history. In addition to the extensive collection of books, the library has subscriptions to roughly 80 magazines and daily newspapers. Theses written by graduate students can be found in the library as well.
KABK students are also invited to make use of neighbouring libraries, including The Hague Public Library. Students can register free of charge at the Leiden University Library (with the possibility to transfer books from Leiden and pick them up at the campus in The Hague) and the library of the Royal Conservatoire. A subscription to the National Library of the Netherlands (KB) can be arranged with a student discount. More info can be found on the portal.
CANTEEN
This is a place for get-togethers, as well as for meetings and coaching talks. And, of course, for food and drinks. Our caterer is Juni Lekkernijen, a local company dedicated to working as much as possible with fresh, organic, and fair-trade products.
As you probably know by now, we work with the portal, the internal website of the KABK. Besides the portal, we use several applications which you should be aware of during your studies. You will read more about these applications in this chapter.
ASIMUT
ASIMUT offers your personal schedule and the possibility to book rooms and make reservations for workshops. Log in with your KABK account. You can also add your schedule to the calendar on your smartphone or tablet. If you book a room, please clean up your things after use. Contact the bookings office at the Student Administration (PD.009) or send an e-mail to boekingen@kabk.nl if you have any questions. You can find more about ASIMUT, including tutorials, on the portal.
OSIRIS
Osiris is the student information system of the KABK. In Osiris, you can find information about your courses, study programme, assessments and study progress. You can enrol here for IST (Individual Study Track) classes. You can log into OSIRIS Student using your KABK account. If you have any questions, please contact fbosiris@kabk.nl. Find more information about OSIRIS, including manuals, on the portal.
MS TEAMS
The KABK uses Microsoft Teams as an online platform for communication, collaboration, file sharing, class meetings and class assignments. You will be added to a class team if your department uses Teams. You have access to MS Teams with your KABK account. If you have any questions, please contact ict@hdkdenhaag.nl.
SURFSPOT
SURFspot is the IT shop where students from the KABK can buy official software and other ICT products at low prices. Choose ‘Login’ for MBO, HBO and WO and search for ‘Royal Academy of Art’. Log in with your studentnumber@kabk.nl and password. You can ask questions regarding software at the service desk of the Computer Workshop.
STUDENT-LED INITIATIVES
( 2.10 )
There are lots of student initiatives, find below some of the most known.
MUSHROOM RADIO
The radio station, initiated by KABK alums Jack Bardwell, Benjamin Earl and Esther Vane, was set up as a research tool that eventually developed into a platform for students to use and discuss topics. Radio Mushroom is open for collaboration on any occasion; simply send them a message! Follow them on Instagram @mushroomradio.
GREEN OFFICE
The Green Office, also known as GINKGO (Growing In Kabk Green Office) is a student-led initiative established in February 2023. Together with staff members, GINKGO implements actions to accelerate the prioritisation of sustainability within the academy. This initiative stands for biodiversity, circularity, and regeneration, with respect for humans and nature.
The aim is to promote responsible ways of artmaking and living, as well as a culture of sharing. Its projects are organised across four interconnected categories: community, education and research, material and energy flow and collaboration. Current activities include: the rehabilitation of outdoor areas; the creation of a recycling centre and the coordination of round tables to highlight sustainability concerns and discuss potential solutions.
The Green Office is funded and approved by the KABK management. Contact the green office via greenoffice@ kabk.nl or @kabkgreenoffice.
STUDENT UNION
The Student Union is led by students for students. It sees academy-wide politics as a practice for life. Studying and being aware of one’s academic context as well as the broader social and political context are not things that should be thought of as separate. Within the Student Union students can witness their voices and opinions being heard. They can also experience the effects of their agency within the wider context of their educational community in dialogue with the governing board of the institution. This will be done with care and respect towards differences and in the spirit of reaching an agreement. The Student Union has a main operating board, but we also welcome every student becoming an active member.
Keep an eye out for the Student Union on the KABK Portal!
A double-exposed photograph showing Nikola Tesla in his Laboratory. Ca. 1899. Tesla forced his “magnifying transmitter” to produce inefficient arcs by turning the machine rapidly on and off. Source: Wikimedia.
Two trees trained up a wall, only in part exposed to frost. Source: The Complete Encyclopedia of Illustration.
Hendrik Willem Mesdag - Panorama Mesdag, 1881. Museum Panorama Mesdag, The Hague. The panorama is a cylindrical painting more than 14 metres high and about 40 metres in diameter. From an observation gallery in the centre of the room the cylindrical perspective creates the illusion that the viewer is on a high sand dune overlooking the sea, beaches and village of Scheveningen in the late 19th century. Source: Museum Panorama Mesdag.
Movement of the Earth around the Sun and evolution of the days and nights. Sébastien Leclerc (I), 1706 Source: rijksmuseum.nl.
Celestial Vault, Kijkduin, The Hague. James Turrell. In order to reach the artificial crater you first climb up adune on wooden stairs and then walk through a six meter long concrete passageway. The slopes on the inside of the crater have been sun with grass and a monumental natural stone bench is in the middle on which two people can lie back and observe how the sky is a vault.
Source: Stroom Den Haag.
The sun behind clouds and the colouring of clouds by the sun. Source: The Complete Encyclopedia of Illustration.
( 2.11 )
COPYRIGHT OF WORK BY STUDENTS AT KABK
Copyright is an important form of protection that gives students rights over the reproduction, public display, public distribution, public performance, and creation of derivative works from their works. At the KABK, the student has the copyright over their work, but gives the KABK the right to use their work for, for example, communication purposes. For more information, check the OER (Education Examination Regulations) on the portal.
Unknown artist. Anamorfisch portret van Eduard VI. Source: Kunst en Illusie.
QUITCLAIM PORTRAITS RIGHT
Photos, film, and podcast recordings are regularly made for promotional or educational use at KABK. These recordings may include you. As the protection of portrait rights matters to us, we urge students and staff to ask for your permission beforehand by filling in the quitclaim form. The form can be found on the portal.
INFORMATION SECURITY & PRIVACY
The University of the Arts naturally attaches significant importance to ensuring that personal data are processed carefully. We regard this as a task for everyone and therefore expect employees and students to manage their own and other people’s personal data correctly. To guarantee your information security, it is important that you only use your @kabk email account for communication with fellow students, teachers, and staff members. You are only allowed to use your KABK email!
LivinginTheHague andintheNetherlands
The Hague, or Den Haag in Dutch, is the largest city by the sea in the Netherlands and one of the greenest cities of Europe. It has a coastline that stretches over 11 km, wide sandy beaches, dune areas and many large parks. You can get to the beach from the city centre within 15 minutes. The Hague stands for space, green, art and culture. The Netherlands is a small country as well, so you can easily travel to another city or forest.
In this chapter, you will get to know more about important things such as healthcare, housing and finances, but also about nice things to do in Den Haag.
ADMINISTRATIVE FORMALITIES
( 3.1 )
REGISTERING AT THE MUNICIPALITY & BSN NUMBER
Every student who stays in the Netherlands for more than 90 days has to register at the municipality they are living in. In most cases, this will be The Hague. When you register, you will get a Citizen Service Number (BSN). You need this number, to open a bank account, for example, and to take out a health insurance policy. You need proof of an address in The Hague to be able to register.
To get your BSN, you have to make an appointment via the website of the municipality. If you are going to live outside The Hague, you will need to contact the municipality where you live for a registration appointment. Then you will receive your BSN. Find more information, including which documents to take with you on the portal.
LIABILITY INSURANCE
All students (including Dutch students) at the KABK are required to be insured for any damage caused to school property as well as any damage caused to a third person’s property outside the school. All students need to provide both their insurance documents (health and liability) after they have been admitted to the KABK. Travel insurance is not accepted, as it covers neither healthcare expenses (health insurance) nor damages to third parties (liability insurance). Find more information on the portal.
HEALTHCARE
( 3.2 )
HEALTH INSURANCE
Every person who lives or works in the Netherlands is legally obliged to take out standard health insurance to cover the cost of, for example, consulting a general practitioner, hospital treatment and prescription medication. It will give you the peace of mind needed while you are studying that if something happens to you, you will be taken care of. International students who are privately insured in their own country should bring along a statement (in English) with details about their health insurance coverage. Useful information on how to arrange your health insurance as an international student in the Netherlands can be found on the website.
HEALTHCARE ALLOWANCE
You can only apply for a health care allowance (in Dutch: zorgtoeslag) if you are eligible for a Dutch public health insurance via the Dutch Tax Office. Check the website for more info.
GENERAL PRACTITIONER (GP)
It is important to register with a General Practitioner (GP) when you arrive in the Netherlands. You need a health insurance contract to be able to make use of a GP. The Dutch GP or family doctor (in Dutch: huisarts) is the main link to any specialist or hospital. Students are advised to choose a family doctor practising in their neighbourhood and to inquire whether they can accept you as a new patient, even before
you need to consult them. To search for a local doctor, go to ‘zorgkaartnederland.nl’ (in Dutch) and enter your postal code. The KABK is in contact with a GP who is happy to take on international students as clients. Feel free to register via their website, thestudentdoctors.nl.
Many medicines are only available on prescription and are prepared at a pharmacy (in Dutch: apotheek). Chemists (in Dutch: drogisterij) sell ‘over the counter’ medicines, such as aspirin and cough medicine that do not require a prescription. More information and useful links can be found on the website.
A GP does not treat dental problems. Dental care is privatised in the Netherlands. It is not covered by basic insurance policies (except for children under 18 and specialist dental care, such as surgery), so please check the conditions of your health insurance before you make an appointment.
If you are not insured for dental care, you will need to pay the dental bill yourself. There are many dentists all over the city. You are free to choose your own dentist. Several practices have dentists who speak English and other foreign languages. Check out tandarts.nl to search for a conveniently located dentist.
The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp is a Baroque oil on canvas painting created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1632. It lives at the Mauritshuis in The Hague. Source: Mauritshuis, The Hague.
MUNICIPAL MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE SERVICE (GGD)
The GGD monitors, protects, and promotes public health in the municipalities of the Haaglanden region. Please contact them for tests and vaccination procedures if you are living in the Haaglanden region. For any general questions on health and health care, you can contact your Municipal Medical and Health Care Service (in Dutch: Gemeentelijke Geneeskundige en Gezondheidsdienst, www.ggd.nl), also called the GGD.
Drawing Houses, from Sixteen Films. David Haxton, 1982. 16mm film on digital video, color, silent; 12:00 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum. Source: americanart.si.edu.
HOUSING
( 3.3 )
FINDING AN APARTMENT, STUDIO, OR ROOM
The KABK is not situated on a campus and does not have university-owned accommodation, so you need to find accommodation yourself. Despite the housing shortage in the Netherlands, a wide range of rooms and apartments are offered in The Hague by private individuals and organisations.
We have created an overview with helpful information on the website for finding accommodation in The Hague. We also advise you to look at the website of Study in The Hague where many more tips regarding housing are listed.
FINANCES
( 3.4 )
COST OF LIVING
Experience has shown that students living and studying in the Netherlands spend approximately € 1,600 a month. This amount is needed to cover daily expenses such as meals, accommodation costs, insurance, and material costs. This estimate does not include tuition fees and unforeseen costs, and should be used as a general indication of the cost of living in the Netherlands.
The costs for housing, for example, may differ considerably. In addition, the costs for materials can be higher for some departments than for others.
Whether you qualify for student finance from DUO depends on your age, course, nationality, residency status and the number of hours your work per month. If you are under 30 and have a residence permit type I, or the nationality of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you may qualify for student finance (through DUO). More information can be found on: https://duo.nl/particulier/ student-finance.
WORKING DURING YOUR STUDIES
It might be that you will have to work beside your studies to supplement your income, put your studies into practice, learn new skills or meet new people. If you want to work during your studies, you should keep in mind that there are some formalities you need to take care of.
If you are a non-EEA student and you want to work in addition to your studies, you need to have a work permit (in Dutch: TWV-tewerkstellingsvergunning), unless you are from Switzerland. Keep in mind that your employer will need to apply for the TWV (work permit) and that you have to have a contract when starting the process. Once you have received a work permit, you can work for 16 hours a week throughout the year, or full-time during the summer months June, July, and August.
Having a part-time job may mean that you need to switch to a higher health insurance plan if you are not Dutch. Make sure you check whether it is worth the effort and money to switch plans; it may be that it is financially better for you not to be employed while you are studying in The Hague. Your student grant may also not allow you to earn additional money.
There are several student job agencies that can help you find work in The Hague. While their websites are primarily in Dutch, it is worth stopping by at their office or giving them a call to see if they have opportunities for you.
BANK ACCOUNT
You should have no problem obtaining cash from your overseas account using an ATM (in Dutch: geldautomaat). All ATMs provide instructions in the English language and accept a wide range of debit and credit cards. The amount you can withdraw and any extra service charges will depend on what kind of account you have. There should be no charge if you are using a card from one of the Eurozone countries (the UK is not one of them). Cash is still widely used, but the most common method of payment is using a debit card. Non-EEA students will have to open a Dutch bank account.
If you will be staying in the Netherlands for several months or years, we would recommend opening a Dutch bank account. We have compiled a detailed overview of what you need to apply to these banks. You can find this overview on the portal.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT ( 3.5 )
GETTING AROUND
Public transport in the Hague, and throughout the whole of the Netherlands, is well organised. But if you are new, you might need some tips.
There are many ways to get around in The Hague. Public transport possibilities in The Hague include the bus, tram and subway, and you can pay everywhere with an OV chipcard and/or bank card. But let’s not forget one of the most popular means of transport in the Netherlands: cycling. We recommend you to buy a second-hand or new bike as soon as possible! It’s very rewarding to cycle along the canals and the beach, and you can even cycle through the dunes. Not only that, it’s also a cheap way to get around.
STUDENT OV CHIPCARD
The student OV (public transport) chipcard is a great perk that Dutch students can make use of when studying. If you are a student from another EU country and you receive student finance (tuition fee loan) from the Dutch government, you are also entitled to a student OV chipcard. It allows you to travel free of charge by any form of public transport (train, tram, metro, and bus). For more information about the OV chipcard, visit www.ovchipkaart.nl.
The flying machine of Jacob Degen, 1809. Source: rijksmuseum.nl.
Two Eyes Watching a Ball, Sébastien Leclerc (I), 1679.
CULTURAL HOTSPOTS
( 3.6 )
If you are interested in Dutch art, culture, history, or science, you can be sure there is plenty on offer, see the following pages for a few suggestions. Of course, there is much more to discover and visit!
CULTURAL HOTSPOTS IN THE HAGUE
• 1646 — 1646.nl
• Kunstmuseum Den Haag — kunstmuseum.nl/en
• West Den Haag – westdenhaag.nl
• KM21 — km21.nl/en
• Fotomuseum Den Haag — fotomuseumdenhaag.nl/en
• Stroom — stroom.nl
• Nest — nestruimte.nl/en
• Page Not Found — page-not-found.nl
• Museum Voorlinden – voorlinden.nl
• Mauritshuis – mauritshuis.nl
• Escher in the Palace – escherinthepalace.nl
Tip: The Hague Contemporary offers a platform where the leading art that the Hague has to offer is brought to the attention of a diverse audience of art lovers. This takes place in the form of an art guide and the annual festival The Hague Contemporary Art Weekend: thehaguecontemporary.nl
During the year there are several major art events organised all over the country, including:
• Art Rotterdam — artrotterdam.com
• TodaysArt The Hague — todaysart.org
• Dutch Design Week — ddw.nl
• Unseen Amsterdam — unseenamsterdam.com
• International Film Festival Rotterdam — iffr.com/en
• Rewire Festival — rewirefestival.nl
• Hoogtij The Hague — hoogtij.net/en
• The Grey Space in the Middle – thegreyspace.net
MUSEUM CARD
A good piece of advice is to purchase a Museum card, because it gives you free access to over 400 museums in the Netherlands. The easiest way to obtain the card is to visit one of the big museums in The Hague but you can also order a card online. You can buy a card that is valid for one year or you can take out a subscription that extends your museum card automatically after one year. More information can be found on: museum.nl/en
ART SUPPLY STORES
We have also compiled a short list of art supply stores in the Netherlands. Some might offer you student discount if you show your student card. Some of these – but not alloffer a webshop.
• Artifac (The Hague) — gerstaecker.nl
• Goedman Art Supplies (The Hague) — rolfgoedman.nl
• Harolds (Rotterdam) — gerstaecker.nl/rotterdam
• Van Beek Art Supplies (Amsterdam/Rotterdam) — vanbeekart.nl
• Academy Shop in KABK — academiewinkel.nl
BECOMING A DUTCHIE
( 3.7 )
DUTCH LANGUAGE COURSES
There are times when you might find it useful to have some understanding of the local language. It is therefore a good idea to consider attending a Dutch language course. You can also find a glossary with some words which might be of help on the last few pages of this booklet. The academy offers language courses. Find some possibilities on the portal.
GLOSSARY WITH DUTCH WORDS WHICH MIGHT COME OF HELP
Hello Hi
Good morning
Good afternoon
Good evening
See you later Bye
Here you are Please Thanks I am sorry
Hallo Hoi/Hi
Goedemorgen Goedemiddag Goedenavond Tot ziens Dag Alstublieft Alsjeblieft Bedankt! Neem me niet kwalijk
The story of the Tower of Babel explains the origins of the multiplicity of languages. God was concerned that humans had blasphemed by building the tower to avoid a second flood so God brought into existence multiple languages. Thus, humans were divided into linguistic groups, unable to understand one another. Illustration of “Human Origins”, by Samuel Laing. Source: Wikimedia.
Source: rijksmuseum.nl.
Illustration The Crow King and his Councillors, from a manuscript of Kalīlah wa-Dimnah, ca. 1200-1220.
Image: Stork Coat of arms of The Hague, 1560 - 1585.
USEFUL
• Dutch Government — government.nl
• Nederland Wereldwijd — netherlandsworldwide.nl
• Municipality of The Hague — denhaag.nl/en
• Embassies, consulates, and other representations
• The Hague International Centre — thehagueinternationalcentre.nl
• Expatica — expatica.com/nl
• Royal Academy of Art, The Hague — www.kabk.nl/en
• Royal Conservatoire, The Hague — www.koncon.nl/en
• University of the Arts, The Hague — hogeschoolderkunsten.nl/en
• Public Transport Planner — 9292.nl/en
• Dutch Train Service – ns.nl
NEWS WEBSITES
• NOS (Dutch) — nos.nl
• NU (Dutch) — nu.nl
• De Volkskrant (Dutch) – volkskrant.nl
• NRC (Dutch) – nrc.nl
• Dutch News — dutchnews.nl
• NL Times – nltimes.nl
CALENDAR
The Dutch have several national holidays and other festive days that are celebrated. In general, this means that schools and offices are closed. Most shops in shopping areas will be open but will have adjusted opening hours.
2024
19 September — Prinsjesdag
5 December — Sinterklaas
25 December — Christmas Day
26 December — Second Christmas Day
31 December — New Year’s Eve
2025
1 January — New Year’s Day
18 April — Good Friday
20 April — Easter
21 April — Easter
26 April — King’s day
4 May — Remembrance Day
5 May — Liberation Day
29 May — Ascension Day
8 June — Pentecost
9 June — Pentecost
29 June — Veterans’ Day
Summer Break – 12 July - 24 August
Man with binoculars on seven planets. The old known and widely famous planet reader J. Haak. C. 1870 - c. 1890. Source: rijksmuseum.nl.
Disclaimer: The information shown in this publication has been compiled with care by the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague, but the correctness and completeness of it cannot be guaranteed. We have done our best to trace all copyright holders with regard to visual material. No rights can be derived in any way from the contents of this publication.
