Most foreign students that come to Hanze University Groningen want to find accommodation in the city of Groningen. In the Netherlands, the organization of student accommodation differs from that in many other countries. Most universities do not own residence halls or other types of student accommodation. Instead, Dutch students find their own accommodation on the private market.
The international guests of Hanze University Groningen can apply for furnished accommodation through the Housing Office, which is an organization that acts as an intermediary in finding temporary accommodation for students and staff from abroad. The Housing Office tries to find suitable accommodation for a reasonable price.
Before you can apply for housing through the Housing Office, you will need to be accepted by Hanze University Groningen. The Housing Office will ask the ISO to verify this before they proceed with your housing application.
Alternatively, the Housing Office may offer you accommodation owned by a private person or company. This may be a room in a house where you live with Dutch students, it may be a private apartment or flat, or it may be accommodation with a Dutch family. Usually the rental contract will be for a minimum period of five months. Whether there is a limit to the rental period depends on the owner of the property.
The accommodation offered by the Housing Office is furnished and the rent is generally all-inclusive (covering water, electricity, gas, heating, municipal taxes and levies and some basic service facilities). In most types of student accommodation, you will have shared kitchen and bathroom facilities.
If you are looking for a room, you should expect to pay a monthly rent of € 265 – 450. Private apartments and flats cost around € 350 – 1200 per month.
Housing reservation costs / deposit
When you apply for a room with the Housing Office, you will be required to transfer reservation costs for the amount of € 625 (300 administration costs, 325 deposit). From this deposit an amount of € 325 is refundable and will be returned to you when you check out of your room, providing that the room has been left in good order.
Application deadline for housing
Even though there is no deadline set for the service offered to you through the Housing Office, the capacity of the Housing Office is limited. Our advice is to apply at least 3 months in advance. It is highly recommended to send in your application before 1 June. After this date the Housing Office may not be able to offer you a room anymore. Please be reminded that the Housing Office cannot proceed with your application before you have been fully accepted by Hanze University Groningen. For February intake, it is advised to send in your application before 1 November.