Room types and locations

Since Dutch law prevents universities from owning their own student housing, the AUAS collaborates with various housing providers. Through these partnerships, students have access to more than 20 off-campus buildings located throughout Amsterdam and Diemen. These buildings are owned and managed by our housing providers and different room types and price ranges are available. 

Room types AUAS housing

Shared bedroom with shared facilities (budget category 1 and 2): 
You live in one room (sleep, study, eat) with another student of the same gender, with separate beds. In most cases, the kitchenette is inside the room. There is no separate common room. In your housing application form, you can indicate your wish to share with a friend who is also eligible for housing. You and your roommate will have to make agreements on basic household rules.

The AUAS strives to be committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Therefore, we think it is important that everyone is given the space to be themselves and feel safe. To provide all students in shared rooms with a suitable roommate, we will initially match them by gender; roommates are not matched by age or study programme. 

Private bedroom with shared facilities (budget category 1, 2, and 3): 
You have your own room (for sleeping and studying), but you share facilities (kitchen and bathroom) with 2 to 20 other students of mixed gender. In some cases, a common room is also available. It is not possible to sign up with a friend. 

Private bedroom with private facilities (budget category 2 and 3): 
You have your own room/studio (for sleeping and studying) and your own kitchenette and bathroom. Some of these rooms are suitable for couples (budget category 3). The more expensive rooms in category 3 are generally larger, and some have a more decorated and/or contemporary interior or include sports- or entertainment facilities within or around the building.

Rooms within a room type may be different, but the basics of the rooms remain the same. All our rooms have basic furnishings. 

Room inventory

All rooms are furnished with standard bedroom furniture, unless stated otherwise. This includes a bed, wardrobe, a desk or workstation and a chair. Some housing providers also provide starter kits: a bedding set and kitchen utensils sets. For environmental reasons, small household and kitchen equipment from previous tenants will be re-used. Your housing provider will inform you about this before your arrival.

AUAS housing locations across Amsterdam

AUAS does not own one big campus where all rooms are located. Instead, we offer housing in several different off-campus buildings throughout the city of Amsterdam and the neighbouring town Diemen. The student housing buildings are mostly situated in residential neighbourhoods. You will live like a true local!

The maximum travel time from student housing to the AUAS campuses is relatively low for Dutch and European standards. Amsterdam is a fairly small city compared to other capital cities. All student buildings can be reached easily by public transport or by bike within 50 minutes max. Unfortunately, you cannot choose your location or a specific building. All students are assigned randomly to rooms within their budget category.

Location and budget category are not linked. Student housing in a higher budget category is not necessarily more conveniently located than accommodation offered in a lower budget category.

The Dutch student housing style

In the Netherlands, student housing buildings are mostly situated in residential areas/neighbourhoods where locals reside. You will live together with other (international) students in your student building with cooking facilities in your own room, mixed-gender floor or apartment.

If you prefer more of an on campus living style with catering/meal plans, security, additional facilities/amenities or a 24/7 doorman, we advise that you search for upmarket housing. You can do this on the private market.

Is Amsterdam a safe city?

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is a city with a pleasant and multicultural atmosphere that will quickly make you feel at home. Recently, it was ranked as one of the safest cities worldwide and the second safest city in Europe. However, as in every city, incidents do occur so it is wise to take normal safety precautions. 

Amsterdam was listed as one of the top safest cities worldwide in The Economist's Safe Cities Index (opens in new window). In this list, Amsterdam scored high for both infrastructure and personal safety. Students also indicate that they view Amsterdam as a safe place to live.

Precautions
As with any city, it is always helpful to take precautions. ‘Petty crime’, theft – especially of bicycles – and pickpocketing does occur in Amsterdam, particularly in the city centre, on trains, trams and near the tourist sites. Pickpockets are known to target major events (especially during the summer season).

Here are a few precautions you should take when visiting any big city:

• Make sure you always watch your belongings, especially in crowded places, when waiting at a bus stop, travelling by public transport, shopping and so on.
• Avoid walking alone in poorly lit and unpopulated areas after dark.
• Do not use ATM’s at night in quiet areas.
• Bike theft is common in Amsterdam. If you have a bicycle, make sure you always properly lock both the wheel and frame, preferably by locking it to a bicycle rack.

Mixed floors

Most international student rooms are situated on floors with only international students and sometimes a few Dutch students, from several universities and institutions of higher education in Amsterdam. You will be expected to comply with existing house rules and respect cultural differences. Mixed-gender (M/F/X) housing is common in the Netherlands. If you have a private room with shared facilities (kitchen/bathroom), you will share with both female and male tenants. 

Resident Assistants & care takers in AUAS housing

Resident Assistants (RA’s) are Dutch and English speaking students who live together with international students in a number of buildings of our housing providers. They can help with all kinds of questions about the building, your room or Amsterdam in general. Also, the RA’s often organise social outings and activities to get to know your neighbours or house mates. If you have any questions regarding RA's, you can contact [email protected]. You can also check the building information of your housing provider for contact details and consulting hours.

Most buildings also have a designated caretaker who will take care of maintenance issues and repair requests.

AUAS housing providers

AUAS student housing has a partnership with several (social) housing associations which offer affordable student housing across Amsterdam and the surrounding area. The rooms are owned and managed by the housing providers, but reserved by the AUAS for our international students.

Various student accommodations in the Netherlands are owned by (social) housing associations. These organisations offer accommodation which is cheaper than the private market because they are subsidised by the state. The government sets the rules for the allocation of social housing. AUAS Housing has been allocated a limited number of rooms every semester which are offered through our AUAS housing lottery.

When you have applied for AUAS housing, your information will be forwarded to one of these housing providers, who will send you a room offer. You will sign a rental contract and rent directly from one of these housing partners:

• Lieven De Key (opens in new window)
• DUWO (opens in new window)
• StuNest-Spartaan (opens in new window)
• Student Experience (opens in new window) (location NDSM)