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27 February 2026
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Student Life & Society

Students 24 April 2023

Election results: four new parties in University Student Council

With five seats, the SRVU remains the biggest party, but als ChangeVU, De Vrijmoedige Studentenpartij, BAAD and the Liberal Student Party were elected. The turnout was a bit higher this year, maybe thanks to all the free grilled cheeses handed…
Job market 21 April 2023

Unions head to VU to protest against high workload

The universities are still not doing enough to combat the high workload, say the trade unions. And things are not moving swiftly with regard to permanent contracts either. They are going to protest next Tuesday. On 25 April, the unions,…
Politics 20 April 2023

Government investigates potential risk posed by Chinese PhD candidates

Chinese PhD candidates attending Dutch universities on a scholarship sometimes pass on sensitive information to China, according to various media reports. After months of delay, Education Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf announced he is launching an investigation. Replying to written questions from…
Politics 13 April 2023

Government wants more permanent contracts: will lecturers benefit?

Fewer flexible contracts, more security for staff… This week, the government put forward a plan to reform the labour market. What will that mean for higher education? After lengthy discussions with trade unions and employers, the government has sent the…
Students 30 March 2023

The hurdles of learning Dutch

Learning Dutch can be a vital step in connecting to Dutchies, two internationals agree. But between expensive courses and Dutch people constantly switching to English, the process doesn’t exactly make them feel like tasty chickens.
Society 29 March 2023

A whole life in two rooms and a suitcase

The Ukrainian refugees in the living units near Uilenstede might be here for tragic reasons outside of their control, they’re also just living life. ‘I like watching the planes from my bed.’
Students 16 March 2023

VU gamers unite to compete in Dutch Student League

Universities all over the country are virtually duking it out in the games League of Legends and Rocket League. VU Amsterdam gamers have also entered the fray and are competing for the prize money of seven thousand euros, but do…
Society 7 March 2023

‘People get uncomfortable if you say you’re Jewish’

Professor of Jewish studies Jessica Roitman wants to show the diversity of Judaism. ‘People are surprised when they hear that there are Black and Asian Jews.’
Politics 23 February 2023

Politicians fear return of grant will attract more foreign students

The reinstatement of the basic student grant has met with a positive reception from all sides of the House of Representatives. But some parties have expressed concern: will this overhaul of student financing end up attracting even more international students…
Housing 14 February 2023

At least 338 international students lack housing

Of the 1363 international VU students who filled in a survey by the International Office, 338 of them do not have a stable housing situation. That is a quarter of them.