WUR Life Uncovered – Instagram Q&A (June 25 Edition)
By Devi Muralee Krishna
Hey everyone, it’s Devi again! 🌱
This blog comes straight from a recent Instagram Q&A session where lots of future WUR students reached out with questions, and trust me, I totally get it.
Moving to a new country and starting university can feel both exciting and a little overwhelming. When I was preparing to come to Wageningen I had so many questions too – about where I would live, what I would eat, how to get around, and what student life would actually be like.
So if you’re wondering about the same things, you’re not alone. In this post I’ve gathered some of the most common questions and shared honest answers based on my own experience here at WUR. I hope it helps you feel a bit more at ease and a bit more at home even before you arrive.
Q1: Housing – What are the housing options in Wageningen?
The most frequently asked question during the Instagram Q&A session was about housing. Housing in Wageningen is mostly organized through Idealis , the main student housing provider. They offer several types of accommodation:
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🏢 Dorms with shared facilities: You get your own room, but share the kitchen, bathroom, and sometimes even a living room with other students.
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🚿 Self-contained rooms: These are private rooms with your own bathroom and kitchen – a bit more expensive, but worth it if you prefer more privacy.
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🌳 Shared houses with outdoor areas: For example, Droevendaal is quite popular – a unique community of wooden houses where you share everything and enjoy a greener, more social lifestyle.
Where do I live? I live in a self-contained Idealis room close to the campus. That means I have my own private bathroom and kitchen, which gives me a bit more privacy and flexibility. It’s really convenient, especially when I have a busy schedule and it’s still easy to meet other students in the building or through student events.
Q2: Food at WUR – What food is available on campus?
There’s no shortage of food options around campus:
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🥪 Each building has its own cafeteria, serving sandwiches, snacks, and warm meals – perfect for a quick lunch.
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☕ You’ll also find vending machines and hot drink stations pretty much everywhere.
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🍱 Microwaves are available in all buildings – so you can always bring your own food from home and heat it up!
I usually bring my own lunch and heat it up, it’s a budget-friendly option, and the microwaves are super easy to use. On days when I forget, I grab a warm meal at Aurora or a sandwich from the Forum cafeteria.
Q3: Groceries – What are the best places to buy groceries and what is the average weekly groceries budget?
Wageningen has several supermarkets, with Jumbo being the most popular (and just a short walk from campus!). Other options include Albert Heijn, Lidl, and Plus. There’s also an organic market on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the city center.
From my own experience, I spend around €35–€45 per week on groceries. It depends a bit on whether I cook big meals with friends or stick to simple student dishes. Buying in bulk and planning meals ahead definitely helps!
Q4: Transport – What is the price of a Student Pass for public transport?
Unfortunately, international students don’t get free travel passes like Dutch students. BUT there are subscription options that give discounts or allow free travel on certain days – great if you want to explore the rest of the Netherlands!
That said, you don’t really need to use public transport in Wageningen itself – everything is reachable by bike in under 15 minutes 🚲. Biking here is super safe and very much part of the daily life.
Want to know how to get to Wageningen from the airport or other cities? Check out this helpful blog: How to Get to Wageningen
Q5: Books – Do students have to buy textbooks for each subject?
This really depends on your programme and the specific course. Some courses require books, while others just use slides and articles.
From my experience, I’ve only had to buy a couple of textbooks. Most of the time, I borrow them from the WUR Library , they have multiple copies and even e-books available, so you can save a lot of money!
Q6: Gym memberships – How much does it cost to join a gym in Wageningen?
WUR has its own sports center called De Bongerd – and it’s amazing! 🏋️♂️🏸
For €120 per year, you get access to:
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A fully equipped gym,
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Over 70 sports – from swimming to yoga to martial arts,
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And loads of group classes and open sessions.
I go to De Bongerd a few times a week – it’s a great way to stay active and meet other students. The facilities are modern and there’s something for everyone, no matter your fitness level.
I hope this post has answered some of your most pressing questions and made things feel a little clearer (and maybe even more exciting) as you get ready to join Wageningen University.
Whether you’re figuring out housing, planning your meals, or just wondering what daily life will look like, know that you’re not alone – we’ve all been there. And the good news is, Wageningen is a welcoming and supportive place where you’ll quickly find your rhythm and your people. Keep an eye out for the next Instagram Q&A session – we hold them every month!
See you soon!
Devi
Please I want to know if I can contact a potential Research supervisor whose research can fund my tuition and living expenses. Thank you.
Yes, you can reach out to a potential research supervisor. But it’s best to first explore the relevant chair group at WUR that matches your research interests.
You can find all chair groups here:
👉 here
From there, you can contact the right person directly and ask about any possible funded research opportunities. Wishing you the best!
Thanks for the article. My daughter is starting her master there and wonder if she needs certificate of birth for future use ?or household registration transcript can be the substitute?
If you know the answer,please tell us s d many thanks.
You’re very welcome! And how exciting that your daughter is starting her master’s at WUR. Wishing her a wonderful journey ahead!
As for your question:
In most cases, a birth certificate is the official document requested for things like visa processes, municipal registration (BRP). While household registration transcripts might work in some countries, in the Netherlands, the original birth certificate (preferably in English or with an official translation) is more commonly accepted and safer to bring.
It’s not always needed right away, but it’s definitely good to have it with her — just in case it’s requested later during official procedures.
I am glad to be among those who are involved about WUR, it’s my passion to get a chance to take my higher education WUR, although my challenge can be economic situation. For whom he had resolved as my challenge, and now he reads UWR, how did he do?. Meaning of college life does not go uncertain fees, food, shelter and pocket money
I truly feel your passion for WUR, and I understand the financial concerns. Many students here have managed through early planning, careful budgeting, and part-time jobs. It’s not always easy, but with determination and the right support, it’s definitely possible. Don’t lose hope, your dream can become reality! 🌱✨
Great feeling after reading all these. My daughter has veen interested in research field.She, just completed her BTech degree in Food tech and undergone internship in a reputed institute of defence research at Mysuru, DRDO. She has been completed inter nj ship in another institute, NIFTEM, at Thanjavoor. She is also a dancer, completed her study in india’s traditional dance ,”Bharatha natyam and Mohiniyattam”….
She’s interested to study Masters in Food technology at Waggner university, Netherland, and wanted to know the fees, and details of scholarship available in the course…. Waiting for your guide and advice….
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! It’s really heartwarming to read about your daughter’s achievements
As a current student at Wageningen University, I can definitely say that this is a great place for someone passionate about food science and research. The environment here is very international, research-oriented, and supportive.
check here
The tuition fee for the academic year 2025-2026 is €21.200 for non EU students
For scholarships, you can find more information here