WHAT TO DO AFTER GRADUATION 2017-2018
WELCOME TO THE VU ALUMNI COMMUNITY WWW.VUMAGAZINE.NL
CONGRATUATIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE! After graduation you are an alumnus of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. You are part of our VU Alumni Community, a network of more than 95.000 graduates. FOR OUR ALUMNI Even after graduation we would like to share our scientific knowledge and network with you. We offer workshops, lectures and activities such as coaching and reunions exclusively for alumni. You also profit from benefits such as access to scientific articles, discount on sport and theatrical shows at Uilenstede, and VU MAGAZINE our alumni magazine and alumni platform all-in-one. WE LOVE TO YOU SEE AGAIN You are more than welcome to give guest lectures, coach students or share your knowledge about the work field for the use of our educational programmes. Helping the students of today to think about their choice of profession, sharing knowledge and experience you might have wanted yourself whilst studying. In short, we love to STAY IN TOUCH.
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PRACTICALITIES IF YOU HAVE RECENTLY GRADUATED, OR ARE TO GRADUATE SOON, THEN THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PRACTICALITIES WHICH YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF. THIS LEAFLET POINTS OUT A NUMBER OF MATTERS YOU SHOULD ATTEND TO BEFORE YOU LEAVE VU UNIVERSITY AMSTERDAM AND THE CITY OF AMSTERDAM.
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INFORMATION FOR NON-EU/EER STUDENTS ABOUT THE RESIDENCE PERMIT
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GRADUATING AT THE END OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR
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STUDENTS GRANTS AND LOANS/ STUDENT TRAVEL CARD (OV-CARD)
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STAYING IN THE NETHERLANDS
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REPAYING YOUR STUDENT LOANS
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ACCOMMODATION
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DIPLOMA RECOGNITION
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VU VERENIGING
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CONTACT DETAILS
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INFORMATION FOR NON-EU/EER STUDENTS ABOUT THE RESIDENCE PERMIT If you have a residence permit for study, then terminating your enrolment will have consequences for your residence in the Netherlands. Following termination of your enrolment, the university will inform the Immigration Authorities (IND) that you are no longer enrolled as a student at VU University Amsterdam. This means that your residence permit is no longer valid following the date of termination of enrolment and that you must leave the country (this applies regardless of the period of validity indicated on your residence permit card).
LEAVING THE NETHERLANDS? If you are leaving the Netherlands, don’t forget to hand over your (expired) residence permit at the airport ID checkpoint in the Netherlands. Alternatively, you can return it by post to the IND later. You are personally responsible for surrendering your residence permit. You can send the card to the following address: IND Bureau Documenten PO Box 7025, 8007 HA Zwolle The Netherlands
CLOSE YOUR DUTCH BANK ACCOUNT Before leaving the Netherlands, you will have to close your bank account. Your bank can give you more information about the procedures involved. You can also ask your bank if you can continue operating your account in your new country and whether banking services will be available.
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GRADUATING AT THE END OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR If you are graduating in June, July or August, you do not need to terminate your enrolment. Your enrolment will terminate automatically on the 31st of August. TERMINATING YOUR ENROLMENT DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR If you complete your degree during the academic year and you will not continue studying at the university, then you may terminate your enrolment as of the end of the month in which you graduate. When applying for your degree certificate, inquire about your exact date of graduation. Then terminate your enrolment through Studielink as of the last day of the month in which you will graduate, indicating the reason for terminating your enrolment. It is not possible to terminate your enrolment in the current academic year in the month of August. You may also choose to terminate your enrolment at a later date. In this case, indicate the date in Studielink, but do not indicate that you are terminating your enrolment due to graduation. If you do not submit a request through Studielink to terminate your enrolment, then you will remain enrolled until the end of the academic year. RESTITUTION OF TUITION FEES If you have paid tuition fees for months in which you are no longer enrolled, then this excess will be refunded to you. This only applies to those enrolled as students, and only if you are not enrolled in any other programme at VU University Amsterdam. If you terminate your enrolment as of 1 July or 1 August, tuition fees will not be refunded. If you terminate your enrolment as of an earlier month, you will be refunded 1/12th of the annual tuition fee for each month you are no longer enrolled.
THE STUDENTADMINISTRATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TERMINATING YOUR ENROLMENT AND PROCESSING ANY REFUND DUE TO YOU. YOU WILL RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION EMAIL FROM STUDIELINK.
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STUDENT GRANTS AND LOANS / STUDENT TRAVEL CARD (OV-KAART) PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT ONCE YOU TERMINATE YOUR ENROLMENT, YOU ARE NO LONGER ENTITLED TO STUDENT GRANTS AND LOANS OR A STUDENT TRAVEL CARD FROM DUO. As of September 2015 the students grants and loans system changes: more information can be found on WWW.DUO.NL WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO? • Make certain that your student grant and loan are terminated on the same date that you terminate your enrolment at the university. See WWW.DUO.NL for further information on terminating your student grant and loan and transferring to the income-contingent loan system. You are entitled to your student grant and loan through the end of the last month of your enrolment. • Cancel your student travel card no later than the fifth working day of the month in which you are no longer entitled to a student grant and loan. You can cancel your student subscription for travel at any OV card machine; see the Student travel card website for more information (in Dutch only).
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STAYING IN THE NETHERLANDS? If you are continuing to study in the Netherlands or if you are staying for another purpose, for example for a job-seeking year, then the following information is important: Continuing your studies at VU University Amsterdam: If you will continue to study at VU University Amsterdam, then your residence permit needs to be extended. Information about the procedure is available here: WWW.VU.NL/VISA
Continuing your studies at another educational institution: If you will continue to study at another institution in the Netherlands, VU University Amsterdam will inform the IND about the termination of your enrolment with us. Your new educational institution has to extend your residence permit or apply for a new residence permit. Please inform the international office of VU University Amsterdam by sending an email to: STUDENTIMMIGRATION@VU.NL. Finding a job in the Netherlands, application for an orientation year (Search Year) The Dutch government stimulates non-EU/EER Bachelor’s and Master’s students to start a career in the Netherlands after graduation by offering a residence permit for an orientation year or Search Year. This permit is valid for twelve months and gives you free access to the Dutch labour market to find a job as a highly skilled immigrant. While you are searching for a job you will have to pay your own way, either from your own funds or by finding other (temporary) employment. You may not claim state benefits. Detailed information on the application procedure and requirements is available on the Nuffic website
WWW.HOLLANDALUMNI.NL/CAREER/ RESIDENCEPERMITS
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REPAYING YOUR STUDENT LOANS You must start repaying your student loans on the 1st of January following the end of your entitlement to student grants and loans. During the initial phase (the first two years), you may choose to delay repayment of your loans. See WWW.MIJNDUO.NL for further information.
HOW MUCH OF THE LOAN AMOUNT MUST BE REPAID? The repayment rules for student loans are still being developed. See WWW.DUO.NL for the latest information. Performance-related loans are still being issued. These loans can be converted into non-repayable grants. The official duration of your degree programme determines how much of the loan can be converted. You must earn your degree within ten years in any case to be eligible for this scheme. ‘Normal’ loans must always be repaid.
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ACCOMMODATION If you have rented accommodations via VU University Amsterdam, the housing corporation will send you information about the departure procedures. You must leave your accommodations in a clean and tidy state and make sure that you have paid all outstanding bills. Do not forget to return your keys to the housing corporation. Failure to return the keys on departure could result in additional costs. If you are renting private accommodations, you must inform your landlord about your departure in a timely fashion.
DEREGISTRATION FROM THE MUNICIPALITY If you are leaving the Netherlands, you will have to deregister yourself and your family members from the Municipal Personal Records Database (GBA). You can deregister up to a month before leaving the Netherlands and you are required to indicate your date of departure. The municipality will remove your personal details from the database and informs other government authorities of your departure. Different procedures apply if you are moving to another municipality in the Netherlands. For deregistration from the municipality of Amstelveen: WWW.AMSTELVEEN.NL/HOUSINGANDLIVING For Amsterdam: WWW.IAMSTERDAM.COM/EN-GB-LIVING/OFFICAL-MATTERS/ REGISTRATION
STAYING IN THE NETHERLANDS Having earned a Bachelor’s degree, you can go straight to work, study for a Master’s degree, or perhaps take a year off to see the world. After your Master’s, you could go for a second advanced degree, look for a job, apply for a position as a PhD researcher or apply for a traineeship. FURTHER STUDIES For more information about continuing your studies at VU University Amsterdam: WWW.VU.NL/EN/ALUMNI/FURTHER-EDUCATION-OR-PHD CAREER IN THE NETHERLANDS After graduating international students can stay in the Netherlands to find a job. If you are an EU national, you do not need a permit. • WWW.VU.NL/EN/ALUMNI/FURTHER-EDUCATION-OR-PHD • WWW.STUDYINHOLLAND.NL/EDUCATION-SYSTEM/AFTER-YOUR-STUDIES 9
DIPLOMA RECOGNITION When going abroad, getting your degrees and other qualifications recognized can be a major issue. Many countries will only accept legalized documents. The DUO (Diploma recognition & Legalization section) legalizes Dutch educational documents on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.
WWW.DUO.NL/LEGALIZATION
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JOIN VUVERENIGING MEET SCIENTISTS AT ONE OF OUR ACTIVITIES Visit our lectures and debates on current social, ideological en philosophical issues. You’ll stay up-to-date while gaining more profound insights. SUPPORT THE VU AND VUmc COMMUNITY Contribute to scholarships for students, projects that benefit teaching and research, and endowed chairs. JOIN US Use your knowledge to help us organize our activities and enlarge your and our network.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE? BECOME A MEMBER?
WWW.VUVERENIGING.NL
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CONTACT ALUMNI RELATIES WWW.VUMAGAZINE.NL ALUMNIRELATIONS@VU.NL
STUDENTADMINISTRATION De Boelelaan 1105, AMSTERDAM
020 59 85020
STUDENTDESK@VU.NL
VUVERENIGING
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2038000_HB 2017
WWW.VUVERENIGING.NL