Working while studying
By Arianna
Studying and working is possible, but the beginnings are always difficult. I wanted to find a job in Wageningen combining my studies with work. Due to my expenses and others, I wanted to have my own salary so I can save some money for the rainy days (and also for travelling hahaha).
Maybe it is important to clarify though that I have a European passport so I could apply for jobs as an EU student. However, if you are a foreign student (non–EU/EEA), you need a work permit to work alongside your studies. In this case, you can work either full-time during the summer months (June, July and August) or part-time work for a maximum of 10 hours a week. Your employer needs to apply for a work permit for you at the UWV WERKbedrij and it might take about five weeks before a decision is made.
You would also need to have a Dutch Basic Health Insurance which is a bit more expensive than the private insurance that is usually sufficient for studying in the Netherlands.
Just landed
When I was about to start my Master’s I was thinking of working while studying since I would like to save money so when I graduate is not all debts.
However, as soon as I arrive in WUR and I saw my schedule I realized that for me the mission will be impossible to achieve. Classes from 8:20 to 17:30 every day will only allow me a job as an “online freelancer”, where I can choose my schedule, or work in a bar or something similar during night shifts.
Applying for a job
Neither of those options caught my attention and also didn’t make any effort to find something better. In the last week of Period 2, when I was stressed about the exams I find an announcement on MyPortal where they were looking for Students Assistants to help to produce MOOCs (of the university) at Edx.
I applied, did an interview, and got selected.
I got the job!!!
Now, I’m working around 10-15 hours a week. The best thing is that I can work from home. Moreover, my schedule is not strictly fixed, so every week I can choose how many hours I could work depending on how busy I’m with university and other projects.
Advice & Struggles
I’m not gonna lie, it’s been difficult to adapt to have a very busy schedule. Mostly, due to this current period, which is only 4 weeks long. Everything is happening so fast! However, I truly believe that the more free time you have, the more you manage to waste it and “do nothing”. But this is my second week working, the second week of period 4 and the third week of the YEAR. So, hopefully, by the end of this month, I will have everything under control.
The best thing is..
The best thing is that I enjoy working, and I even have a working space in Atlas if I want to work from Uni! The building itself is so beautiful and just going there makes me happy. I usually work from there during lunchtime because I have 2 hours free, and I use them to eat and work so when I get home I’m free from work. That way my routine doesn’t feel that intense and full of responsibilities.
Another pro, I’m learning a few of everything since I have to surf over the material of the different MOOCs.
I’ve always loved doing online courses and now it’s so cool to be on the other side of the screen helping to prepare them!
Wageningen University and Research Centre, Atlas Building – Courtesy of Vinoly. https://www.arch2o.com/wageningen-university-research-centre-atlas-building-vinoly/
Hi , I am a european incoming BSc student in Food Technology, and I wanted to get a grant or the basic loan in order to support my studies , but I saw that I have to work at least 56hrs per month to get it. Is it possible to work like in a supermarket/cafe part-time?
Dear Phil,
thank you for your feedback. If you would like to find a side-job, it will be easier since you are an international student with EU nationality. I recommend you to visit this link.
If you have any more questions, please feel welcome to reach me out back as I would be more than happy to assist.
Kind regards,
Ester
Hi Phil I have recieved admit for master program which starts in feb 23 I am from non EU have doubt about the scholarships all of this intake scholarship deadline are completed and should I apply for next year intake to obtain scholarships or can I apply for scholarships after joining I.e for second year of my masters is there any oppurtunity to reduce my tution fee.
Dear Avi,
I will send you an email with the contact of the department you need to email about this topic.
Best,
Luisa
Hi. I am a Non-EU incoming MSc student. Will it be possible to work alongside studying to help foot my bills?
Dear Emmanuela,
As a foreign student non-EU, along your studies in the Netherlands, you are only allowed to work 10 hour/week or do seasonal work (summer). In addition, you need to obtain a work permit for which strict conditions have to be fulfilled. Is not easy, but is not impossible either.
I advice you to take a look to the Dutch Immigration and naturalisation service, which you can access through this link https://ind.nl/en/study
Thank you so much for your question. For further help, please feel to reach me back out as I would be more than happy to assist.
Kind regards,
Ester
Thank you very much for your response.
hello
what kind of side jobs are available for non Europeans willing to work alongside studies
Dear Robert,
Thank you for contacting us. I will send you a private email with some useful information.
Kind regards,
Luisa
Hi,
I will come to wageningen on September 2021, as an non-eu student. Although I paid all the study money of my master program and living expenses for the first year, I am still worried about the second year.
I have to find a job. Could you please tell me what kind of job I can find along with my study?
Dear Sana,
I will answer your question by email.
Best,
Luisa
Hi
I hope you are doing well,
I am about to pay the first-year invoice to join WUR in September 2022, as a non-EU student so I am in the same situation as Sana was last year, worried about the second year. Could you tell me how did manage and if I can work and pay for my second year ? Is the second-year invoice the same as the first one? Does the university offer a lot of student jobs? what are the most common side jobs for students?
Dear Rahim,
The second-year invoice will probably be similar since you have to pay for the tuition fees, although for that you would need to contact the student service center directly. I would not recommend relying on finding a job to pay for your second year as the student jobs you can get would not allow you to work for more than 16 hours a week. As a non-EU student, you also would need to have Dutch basic health insurance and a work permit.
Good luck and let me know if you have more questions.
Best,
Luisa
I wish to join wageningen for pursuing M.sc in plant breeding and genetics. And I also want to work to earn some money for my expenditures. I am a B.sc agriculture graduation student and what kind of job can I get and how much can I earn through it. And the main thing is I am an international student.(India)
Dear Shara,
Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, you need a special work permit in the Netherlands. If you are not from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, there are some restrictions if you want to work alongside your studies. You can either work for a maximum of 16 hours a week during the year, or you can work full-time during the months of June, July and August, but only with a work permit. Your employer has to apply for your work permit (TWV) at least 5 weeks prior to the start of your employment. The application is free of charge. You cannot apply for the permit yourself, but your employer has to do it. The organization that issues work permits is called the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV).
However, it is also important to have in mind that if you are planning to also start your studies at WUR, the Master Programmes are very intensive so there is not a lot of time for a job that will take a lot of hours. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further questions.
Kind regards,
Luisa Gomez
Team International Students Advice |
Is there a possibility that the 16 hour work per week can be done on weekends?
I wish to join Wageningen for a master’s in Organic Agriculture.
Non EU student
Dear Kaushik,
I think it is possible but just as we mentioned before If you are not from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, there are some restrictions if you want to work alongside your studies. You need to have Dutch basic health insurance and your employer has to apply for a work permit for you. The organization that issues work permits is called the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV). I suggest you check the website of the Immigration and Naturalisation service at this address https://ind.nl/en/Pages/default.aspx.
Best regards,
Luisa Gomez
Team International Students Advice |
Hello! I am from the EU and thinking about studying the Environmental Sciences program at Wageningen after finishing high school next year, but I have some issues regarding the financing aspects. Is it manageable to work 56 hours a week in order to access the DUO loan? Are there part-time jobs available in supermarkets, cafes, or such? Is it possible to get employed by speaking English only or else, what level of Dutch do I need?
Dear Irina,
I suggest you contact one of the current students as they probably have a better idea of what is possible in terms of jobs and the DUO loan. You can contact one of the Environmental Students through Unibuddy. You can do it in this link https://www.wur.nl/en/Education-Programmes/Chat-with-our-students.htm.
Best regards,
Luisa Gomez
Team International Students Advice |
Hi,
I’m non European master student right now, what kind of part-time jobs are available for me so that I can work alongside study? Is there any information?
Monica
Dear Monica,
Thank you for your question. Student jobs like working in a hotel, a restaurant, a store and sometimes at the university, are available for both Non-EU and EU students. The issue is that you need to have Dutch basic health insurance and your employer has to agree to apply for a work permit for you. The organization that issues work permits is called the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV). I suggest you check the website of the Immigration and Naturalisation service at this address https://ind.nl/en/Pages/default.aspx.
Best,
Luisa
Dear Luisa,
I am a non-European master’s student and seeking a student job while studying master’s degree in WUR.
I saw you mentioned “Student jobs like working in a hotel, a restaurant, a store and sometimes at the university, are available for both Non-EU and EU students.” From where I can find these kinds of jobs and apply for them? Especially for the ones within the University? Should I be in Wageningen for it or is it possible to do it online beforehand?
Thank you
Dear Nihan,
Thank you for your question. Like I said in my comment, those types of jobs might be available but you need to have a work permit. As a non-EU/EEA or Switzerland, there are some restrictions if you want to work alongside your studies. Your employer has to provide you with a personal work permit. You can only work if you have this specific work permit and can either work for a maximum of 16 hours a week during the year or full-time during the months of June, July and August. Your employer has to apply for your work permit (TWV) at least 5 weeks prior to the start of your employment. The organization that issues work permits is called the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV). It is recommendable that you are already in Wageningen when you start looking for jobs and it is also good to remember that you would have to get a Dutch Basic Health Insurance.
Best,
Luisa
I plan to start my msc in 2022. Although I have sufficient funds to meet the 1st year expense,worried about the living cost for 2 nd year.my course offers internship in the second year so will the invoice be similar to 1st year?
Dear Surya,
Thank you for your question. Indeed, the costs would be similar because you would still have to pay for the second year’s tuition fee. But I suggest you contact the student service center to ask them if they can give a more precise answer.
Best,
Luisa
Hi,
I have received admit for master’s governance in sustainability transformation. I am non-EU but have been in Netherlands from past 3 months on dependent Visa with valid work permit. Can I be able to get part time on campus to pay back my expenses?
Dear Shreya,
Thank you for your question. I suggest you directly contact the student service centre at ssc@wur.nl.
Kind regards,
Luisa Gomez
Hi,
I have recieved my admit for master’s in food technology.Is it hard to find a part-time as an international student . Will I be able to find a job eventually or will it take a lot of hurdles.
Dear Laya,
Working in a hotel, a restaurant, university or cleaning are usually available for both Non-EU and EU students. But it also depends whether your employer agrees to apply for a work permit for you. There is a big international community here and plenty of opportunities for student jobs so I wouldn’t say it will be a big issue 🙂
Paula
Very insightful article.
I would also like to work as a student assistant producing MOOCs for the university. Could you tell me more about how I could apply for this job?
Thank you in advance!
Best,
Olga
Dear Olga,
I’ve seen MOOC jobs advertised through the JobTeaser platform (also internship placements and student assistant vacancies are published there for the WUR community) or sometimes vacancies are also announced through the newsletters of your study program 🙂
Paula