Practical info about Communication at HAN

Before you arrive in the Netherlands, you need to arrange some practical matters. You need to organize your accommodation, for example. And, depending on your nationality, you might need to arrange a visa.

Housing

When you study Communication at HAN, you need a suitable place to live. A place within easy distance of the campus. A place you can call home. The HAN Housing Office helps international students like you find a room. Are you from outside the EU/EEA? You get priority: a guaranteed room. From the EU/EEA? You can go on the waiting list.

More info about housing

Visa info

To study in the Netherlands, you need the right visas and permits. Are you from the EU/EEA? Then you don’t need any visas or permits. You just need to register at city hall. Are you from a country outside the EU/EEA? Then you need a residence permit. You might also need an entry visa.

More info about visas

Where do I find my books?

You are free to order your books from whichever online seller you like. You could try amazon.com, for example. Have you considered 2nd-hand books? They’re cheaper and more environmentally friendly. Lots of 2nd-hand books are available online, for example at Bookmatch.nl. Amazon also offers used versions of many of its titles. Just make sure you buy the right edition.

Book list Communication 2024-2025 (Cluster A)

Book list International Business 2024-2025 (Cluster B)
Laptop specifications

Minimum operating system Windows 10+ or MacOS 11+

(Recent) Intel or AMD spec mobile CPU with multiple cores (e.g. Intel Core i3)

Minimum 4 GB working memory (RAM), preferably 8 GB

Minimum 300 MB free disk space

Wireless network card version at least Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)

You must have administrator rights on your laptop (to take digital tests). That means you better not use a laptop from a (internship) company.

You need the browser Edge, Chrome or Firefox. Not the browsers Safari, Opera or Brave, because you cannot take digital tests with those.

Not a Chromebook (Chrome OS), tabelt or laptop with a Linux operating system, because they are not suitable for digital tests.

At Surfspot.nl, HAN students get discounts on laptops, software programs and more. You can log in on Surfspot with your HAN account.

Access to Adobe Creative Cloud is required for Design courses in the first and second academic years. HAN students can purchase it at a discounted price of about €137 per year via Surfspot.nl. The account can also be shared with another student, halving the cost per person.
The International School of Business, together with the HAN International Office, organizes the introduction week for all first-year students of International Business and Communication. Don't miss it! It's the best way to get to know your fellow students, HAN and Arnhem.
- To the Communication intro
Is the HAN Intro already on your calendar? It better be! This week-long event in the last week of August is for all new students at HAN. You’ll get all the info you need so you can get settled in the Netherlands without worries. And it’s fun, because we organize all sorts of activities for you to meet fellow international students and explore the city. Enjoy a barbecue on campus or join others for drinks in town.
- To the Communication intro
After you applied for Communication, you can create a HANaccount.

With your HANaccount you have access to:

the HAN wifi

your own HAN mailbox

HAN Insite, the online environment of the HAN where you will find a lot of information

OSIRIS, where you will keep track of and organize your studies. You can log in to OSIRIS via the browser or download the OSIRIS app for Android or IOS.

the app MyX, where you can find your schedule

BrightSpace is the digital learning environment where you can access all your study materials and find information about your courses.
After your application in Studielink, you need to do a few things to finalize your enrollment.
At hanuniversity.com/enroll you can find a checklist. Sometimes you need to do something, and sometimes you need to wait until we’ve processed something. So start on time!

When your enrollment is finalized, it will say “Enrolled” in Studielink in or after July (for September starters) or in and after December (for February starters).

You’ll also get a mail from HAN saying your enrollment is finalized. That mail is sent in or after July (for September starters) and in or after December (for February starters) is sent to the email address you entered in Studielink.
Curious about your schedule or class? If you have a HANaccount you can find that info on Insite. This is the online (login) environment for HAN students. You'll find the info under the item Timetables, Lecture Times and Academic Calendar. You'll be informed about your class division by the program.
- Go to Insite
Communication in Arnhem

Communication is based in Arnhem. Your classes will take place at Ruitenberglaan 31. The HAN campus in Arnhem has all the facilities you need: modern lecture halls, study and multimedia centers, canteens and cafes. Also important: a reliable wireless network (Eduroam). And you can easily reach the campuses by train, bus or bike.
- More info about the Arnhem campus
Welcome to Arnhem! Arnhem is the green and bustling capital of the province of Gelderland. With a population of around 160,000, the city has plenty to offer. Whether you’re interested in fashion, history, museums, pubs, concerts, or nightclubs, there's something for everyone. And with its lovely green surroundings, you can also enjoy nature at its best.
- Learn more about the city of Arnhem
ISA Arnhem

Excited to meet new friends, endulge in new experiences and make the most out of your time as an international student? Why not join the ISA (International Student Association) Arnhem! It aims to connect local and international students in the Arnhem area. ISA Arnhem organizes parties, trips, workshops and more.
- Follow ISA on Instagram

Healthcare and insurance

Going to study in the Netherlands? Then you need to know about the healthcare system. And you need to organize your student health insurance. Are you from the EU/EEA? Your health insurance policy in your home country might cover you. Non-EU/EEA students receive health insurance through the financial guarantee. Other useful insurances are liability insurance, repatriation insurance and household contents insurance.
- Read more about student healthcare and insurance
Working

The rules on working depend on your nationality. Are you from the EU/EEA? Then you are free to work in the Netherlands. Are you from outside the EU/EEA? Then you are free to do self-employed work. If you work for an employer, you need a work permit and the hours are restricted. All international students working in the Netherlands must have Dutch public health insurance.
- Read more about working in the Netherlands
Public transport

The Netherlands has excellent public transport. In the Nijmegen and Arnhem area you can get almost everywhere by train or bus. In the bigger cities, you can also use the tram or metro. To pay for these services you use an OV chip card (OV-chipkaart in Dutch).
- Read more about public transport
Government

When living in the Netherlands, you need a citizen service number (BSN). This number is important for all your dealings with the government. For example, to open a bank account or to visit a doctor. You get a BSN number after registering at city hall.
- Read more about getting a BSN

A great decision

“The way the communications program was set up, was exactly what I wanted.” Read more...

Preparation for future market

“The curriculum of HAN is constantly changing to the needs of the market, so they put more emphasis on digital marketing and branding for example.” Read more...

Reach all my goals

"HAN taught me that everything is possible and that I can reach all my goals in my own way". Read more...

Unique and dynamic environment

“It’s is very unique and dynamic environment. I also like that I can just walk to the lecturer’s area to have a chat with them”. Read more...

Free tutoring for ISB students

Could you use some help with your studies? What better way to learn from students who've already been through the course? Our tutors are happy to help you out! Tutoring is available for students from all clusters, everyone is welcome. So far, the tutors have helped over 70 students succeed. Tutoring is available for several courses such as Finance, International Economics, English, Spanish and more.

Sign up for tutoring

International Students Tam and Nyugen (Patrick) studying at the library on the Arnhem campus of HAN University of Applied Sciences.

Study coaching

When you start studying at HAN you will be assigned a study coach. The study coach guides you during your studies, lends a listening ear and advises you if you fall behind. And if you need more specialized help, they can refer you to the right person. The senior coach, student counselor or psychologist, for example.

More about study coaching

Studying with Special Circumstances

Do you have a disability or other special circumstance that will affect your studies? HAN offers support and services to ensure your study environment fits your needs. For example, extra time on exams. Or alternatives to certain parts of the study program.

More about studying with special circumstances

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International Office

As an international student, there are lots of practical matters you need to arrange. International Office knows about all these issues and can lend you a helping hand. Going abroad for a semester as part of your program? International Office can answer all your questions about this as well.

More about HAN's International Office

Gebouw Ruitenberglaan 31 International Office

Student Support Center

Do you want to work on your study skills? Or perhaps you want to improve your writing skills? Or do you need to see a counselor or psychologist about a personal matter? HAN Study Success provides counseling, training courses, workshops and coaching for all HAN students. The aim? To give you the tools to study successfully.