Tip: Non-EU students enjoy a 100% housing guarantee in Leeuwarden (more below).
Finding a place to live in the north of the Netherlands where NHL Stenden’s branches are located is relatively easy. We even have a room guarantee for students from outside the EU, through our partner StudentStay.
Once you have been admitted and have registered for a study programme at NHL Stenden, you should start looking for accommodation. We recommend you to start early with finding a suiting accommodation. This way you can ensure you find the right place to live during your study.
Types of accommodation
In the Netherlands, it is common for students to rent a room in a shared house or apartment with other students. There are also options to rent a one-bedroom or studio apartment. Student accommodation is usually provided by real estate agents or private landlords who advertise their rooms on different platforms.
Accommodation guaranteed for Non-EU students
For students from countries outside the EU we have a room guarantee agreement with our official accommodation partner StudentStay. This way you do not have to worry about finding a room and you can choose between a rental contract for one or two semesters. Depending on the room availability EU students are also welcome to register for a room via their website.
Rental contracts and costs
In the Netherlands, you will generally be asked to sign a lease of at least 12 months and pay at least one month’s rent as a security deposit. Most landlords offer unfurnished rooms with a complete kitchen and bathroom which you share with your housemates. StudentStay is an exception; they offer completely furnished rooms. The rent is usually paid per month.
StudentStay has exclusive access to affordable accommodation (furnished and unfurnished + shared and independent) located near the university campus and the city centre.
If you have enrolled in a course at either our Emmen or Meppel branch, you are 100% guaranteed accommodation if you apply through Student Stay (our partner agency; see above).
Students from outside the EU are guaranteed furnished accommodation on our Leeuwarden campus.
To view all room options, please create a profile on the StudentStay website.
Leeuwarden
The rooms in shared apartments have prices that are between €443 and €479. The bigger the room, the higher the price.
Emmen
The room sizes vary between 16m2 and 20m2 and the prices between €385 and €395 (with one exception of 12m2 which costs €340).
Meppel
The prices and room sizes in Meppel vary from €300 for 9m2 until €475 for 30m2.
Many people use Facebook to advertise accommodation and to find flatmates. Keep an eye on these Facebook pages to find up-to-date offers, as you may be able to avoid to avoid paying additional service charges and save on security deposits. Be sure to check the pages regularly, as new offers are posted all the time – but many are snapped up right away.
Facebook pages/groups include:
There are also plenty of online platforms which publish vacant rooms, apartments and houses by different agencies in different price categories. Some of them are free to join while for others you may be required to pay a one-off registration fee or a monthly fee.
Some examples:
