Health and welfare

Students who need help from a doctor, psychologist or would like pastoral care  can get professional and confidential help from the student doctors, psychologists or pastors.

Student doctors

The Student Medical Service (Bureau Studentenartsen) is a shared facility between the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS/HvA) and  the University of Amsterdam. If you are enrolled as an (international) student at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam, University of Applied Sciences, you may use the services of the student doctors regardless of where you live in Amsterdam. The student doctors do the same work as regular general practitioners (GP), but are also focused on the various aspects of student life. In addition to their work as a GP, the student doctors conduct research into the relationship between health issues and studying and they develop preventative care.

The student doctors’ website offers you information on how to register, but it also features the stories of students who talk about their problems and how they found help. You are entitled to use the student doctors’ medical service free of charge if you are properly insured. In other cases access to the student doctors requires an annual fee or payment per consultation. These fees do not cover the cost of prescriptions. Check with your insurance company on how your medical costs are reimbursed. International students from European countries can apply with the local health authority in their country for a European Health Insurance Card, which simplifies the procedure when receiving medical assistance during your stay in a European Union member state.

Contact information

Student Doctors (Bureau Studentenartsen)

Oude Turfmarkt 151
1012 GC Amsterdam
Telephone: 020-525 28 78 / 47 72
Emergency: 020-525 28 89

More information is available at: student doctors

Psychologists

The Student Psychologists’ Office (Bureau Studentenpsychologen) is a shared facility between the Hogeschool van Amsterdam, University of Applied Sciences, and the University of Amsterdam. Should you experience any personal problems, a lack of motivation or concentration, or suffer from depression, anxiety, psychosomatic complaints or culture shock, you may consult the university psychologist. Consulting the psychologist is free of charge. All psychological consultations are, of course, strictly confidential. The psychologist can find you a therapist who speaks your native language.

Contact information

Student Psychologists (Bureau Studentenpsychologen)

Binnengasthuisstraat 9
PO Box 19268
1000 GG Amsterdam
Telephone: 020-525 25 99
Telephone consultation hour: Monday to Friday between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm
More information is available (in Dutch) at: bureau studentenpsychologen 

Pastoral Care

Amsterdam has long been an international cosmopolitan centre and enjoys the benefits of a wide range of religious and secular support services.  The city enjoys the benefits of a multi-cultural tolerant society and has an extensive network of institutions and organisations offering pastoral care and support to students of different faiths and denominations. Besides contacting the Dutch student pastors you can also contact the International Student Chaplaincy which offers hospitality to students from all countries who study in the Netherlands, regardless of their cultural and religious background. 

More information is available (in Dutch and English) at: student pastors.