Practical info about Life Sciences 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

As a Life Sciences student, you need a suitable place to live. A place within easy distance of the campus and where you can feel at home. The HAN Housing Office helps international students like yourself 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 Life Sciences at HAN, 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

Foto Bedrijfskunde voltijd Nijmegen, studenten buiten

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 Life Sciences 2024-2025
Laptop specifications

Small laptop (Advice: Windows 11, max 14 inch and not older than 3 years)

Operating system:

Windows (preferred) or MacOS (see below, for use of several applications like Microsoft365, digital lab journal, digital learning platform and digital testing. This is not possible on a Chromebook or tablet.

The laptop must have an HDMI port. If not, you must have an additional HDMI adapter.

The Microsoft365 software and all its functionalities (Word/Excel/Powerpoint/Teams/etc) are actively used. A Microsoft365 license is provided for free by the HAN, it is linked to your personal HAN-account. The Microsoft365 applications need to be installed to make use of the full functionality. Check carefully whether you can do this on your laptop or laptop to be purchased.

For MacOS USERS: During the degree program, at least one Windows-Only application will be used. If you have a MacBook, you will need to borrow a Windows laptop from someone (e.g. classmate) for this or run a Virtual Windows on your Macbook (Bootcamp, Parallels, VMware, etc). Any additional costs will not be reimbursed by the HAN.

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

Digital lab journal: LabArchives
For the digital lab journal, the HAN uses Labarchives. This license will be provided and paid for by the HAN. The only thing you need to do is to create a FREE account with your HAN email address on https://www.labarchives.com. When you are invited by your practical teacher for your first practical lesson, you will automatically be linked to the HAN license.
Practical lessons in the laboratory

A lab coat and lab kit are required for practical lessons in the laboratory. These can be purchased in the campus store. This is where you will go on your first day of classes, on Monday 2 September. Then there will be an opportunity for all new students to purchase a lab coat (payment of €30 via pin).

LabArchives

An account with HAN licence for LabArchives, the electronic lab journal, is compulsory for BML and Chemistry students. The licence should normally be purchased by students, but due to extra budget we are able to pay for this for you. The licence is valid for the entire duration of your studies. However, you still need to create a (free) account yourself via www.labarchives.com with your HAN e-mail address. This will link your account to the licence.
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 Life Sciences intro
After you applied for Life Sciences, 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
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.

You’ll also get a mail from HAN saying your enrollment is finalized. That mail is sent in or after July and 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
Life Sciences in Nijmegen

Life Sciences is based in Nijmegen. Your classes will take place at Laan van Scheut 2. The HAN campus in Nijmegen has all the facilities you need: modern lecture halls, study and multimedia centers, sports facilities, 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 Nijmegen campus
Welcome to Nijmegen! Completely new here, or have you already checked out some of the cool spots? Nijmegen a lively university city. Old city, young vibe. That's the Nijmegen slogan. Looking for a cozy pub or cafe, a bit of culture or a great night out? Nijmegen has all this and more.
- Learn more about the city of Nijmegen
ESN Nijmegen

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 ESN (Erasmus Student Network) Nijmegen! It aims to connect local and international students from both Radboud University and HAN. ESN Nijmegen organizes parties, cultural exchanges, excursions and more.
- More about ESN Nijmegen

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

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

aanmelden hbo-opleiding bijzondere omstandigheden melden tetris puzzel

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.