Getting started
Maastricht University in Venlo
Venlo is in the heart of Europe. It is close to several (international) airports, and within 2-3 hours of travelling, you will find yourself in Amsterdam or Brussels. The university has two main locations in Venlo:
Inner city campus
Our inner city campus is in Venlo’s historic centre. It houses the:
- bachelor’s programme University College Venlo
- master’s progamme Health Food Innovation Management
- master’s progamme Global Supply Chain Management and Change.
Living here will turn the city into your campus. Shops are close at hand; cultural events happen at your doorstep. In our building or one of the many cosy bars or restaurants, you will always find a place to study or chill.
Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo
This campus is in the green outskirts of Venlo. It’s calm and surrounded by nature. You’ll study among fields, gardens, and trees. It’s a peaceful place to focus.
The Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo hosts the:
- bachelor’s programme Sustainable Bioscience
- master’s programme Crop Biotechnology and Engineering
- as an inner city student, you might follow some courses at this campus as well
At Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo you will find Maastricht Universities research facilities, like our cutting-edge sustainable greenhouse and laboratories, which will soon include high tech agriculture labs focusing on innovation in autonomous systems.
Here, you can also find companies and research groups, all working on sustainability, the food chain, and innovation. It is a great place to learn, explore, and be part of a community that wants to make the world better.
Inner city campus housing
If you are accepted to University College Venlo, Sustainable Bioscience, or the pre-master in Health Food Innovation Management, you might be eligible for one of 28 student studios in our building. Each studio is furnished and has its own kitchen, bathroom, and living area. They’re close to shops and restaurants and right across from the cinema.
If your application for one of these study programmes has been conditionally approved and you are interested in housing at our inner-city campus, send an email to maxvenlo@brightlands.com.
Other housing providers
There are other excellent housing options around Venlo. You can find help through these housing organisations:
About Venlo
Venlo is the second largest city in Limburg, after Maastricht. It is a beautiful and friendly place with a mix of history, culture, shops, and restaurants. There are lots of festivals, museums, and cosy places to relax.
As a student here, you will join a close academic community where it is easy to connect with teachers and fellow students. People from all over the world come to study here, so you will meet students with many different backgrounds.
A bit of history
Venlo has a long and interesting history. It was first mentioned as a trade post in the 9th century and became an official city in 1343. After the Napoleonic Wars, it became part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
In World War II, Venlo was occupied but did not suffer as much damage as some other cities. After the war, it focused on rebuilding and growing.
In 2003, Venlo was named the Greenest City in Europe. It also won the award for Best City Centre in the Netherlands.
What to do in Venlo?
Grenswerk
Grenswerk is Venlo’s main cultural venue. It hosts concerts, dance parties, workshops, and more. You can even volunteer or join events to meet new people and try new things.
Limburgs Museum
The Limburgs Museum takes you on a journey through the past. You’ll learn about the people and history of the region. The museum tells stories that do just that. Inspiring tales that evoke your own memories.
Sports in Venlo
Studentsports Venlo is the ultimate sporting destination for everybody who studies in Venlo! With a wide variety of indoor and outdoor sports, top-notch facilities, generous opening hours, and a welcoming atmosphere, your fitness aspirations have no limits.
There is a lot more to do, see and experience in Venlo. Please refer to Check Venlo for more information.
What to arrange when coming to Venlo
Registration in the municipality of Venlo Coming from abroad
Planning to live in the Netherlands while studying in Venlo? Anyone from abroad who wishes to live in the Netherlands for more than four months is required to register with the municipality (gemeente) in which they live within five weekdays of arrival.
Your first registration
If this is your first registration in the Netherlands, the municipality will provide you with a citizen service number (BSN). You will need this number for your health insurance, opening a bank account, and accessing all kinds of government services. It can take up to five weeks to be issued your BSN number, so it is best if you register as soon as possible.
During the introduction week, timeslots are reserved for our students at the municipality of Venlo to enable a smooth and quick registration.
Need to register in Venlo? Please send us an email. We will provide you with more information and a link to make an appointment.
You must collect and bring the following documents (not older than 6 months):
- Original birth certificate Non-EU nationality: maybe you need an apostille or legalisation stamp; check the website NetherlandsWorldwide > Legalisation of foreign documents for use in the Netherlands
- A copy of the birth certificate
- A certified translation of the birth certificate (only if the original document is not in English, Dutch, French, or German)
- Valid passport or ID card
- UM certificate of enrolment or a copy of the conditionally approved email received from the admissions office
- Filled out form of city hall (available at Campus Venlo or download here). Please fill it out digitally, print, and sign it.
- Proof of residence (signed rental agreement)
- Only for students with a non-EU nationality: a copy of your residence permit (front and back). If you do not have it yet, a copy of the email from the Maastricht University Visa Office ‘confirmation receipt of decision’; the email that mentions the assigned V=number
Please make copies of all these documents beforehand!
You must hand in the copies at the municipality of Venlo. The originals of all documents will be returned to you at the end of the appointment.
Registration in the municipality of Venlo Already living in the Netherlands
If you move to Venlo from another Dutch city, you can arrange registration online with your DigiD.
Opening a Dutch bank account
International students only need a Dutch bank account when they do not have a SEPA account in another EU country.
What is SEPA?
SEPA stands for Single Euro Payments Area, a single common payment system within the EU plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Monaco, and San Marino.
Visa
If you are a national of a country other than those within the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you need an entrance visa and/or residence permit to live in the Netherlands for more than three months. The application for this entrance visa and/or residence permit is done by the Visa Office of Maastricht University after you have been (provisionally) admitted. Depending on your nationality, you may also have to do a tuberculosis test. Nationals from an EU member state or Switzerland may voluntarily register their residence in the Netherlands.
After their arrival, all international students need to register in the municipal register of the city where they are going to live.
If you have any questions about residence permits or visas, you can email the Visa Office.
If you need help or have a question, just ask us. We are happy to help!