Accommodation & cost of living

Accommodation & cost of living

Amsterdam is a fun and vibrant city which attracts international students each year thanks to its low costs of living and vast employment opportunities.

While the cost of living in Amsterdam is relatively low compared to other European cities, affordable housing in the city is scarce. We, therefore, suggest you start researching accommodation for students as early as possible. There are a few options available to you for student accommodation in Amsterdam.

Registering with housing websites

If you decide to stay in Amsterdam for longer than one year, we strongly advise you to register on trusted housing websites such as Studentenwoningweb.nl and ROOM.nl. Please note that these platforms have waiting times and so you should apply as early as possible.

Please be aware of scams while searching for accommodation on various platforms such as Facebook. Check out the Iamsterdam website for tips on how to avoid housing scams.

Accommodation

Student Hotel Amsterdam

IC University of Applied Sciences – Amsterdam has partnered with the Student Hotel Amsterdam which has the following offers for international students:

  • Fully equipped private rooms (around 14 m²)
  • Modern en-suite bathrooms with shower
  • Access to shared kitchen
  • Work desk
  • Flat screen satellite TV
  • Heating
  • Superfast and reliable WiFi
  • Bed linen and towels
  • Regular room cleaning
  • Events all year long
  • All bills included
  • 24/7 reception and security
View accommodation guide

Extra perks include a game and lounge area, study rooms, on-site gym, laundry facilities and a restaurant/bar with daily events which provides a fun environment for international students to get to know one another.

The Student Hotel is located on Wibautstraat, aka Knowledge Mile, the social, creative and entrepreneurial hub of the city. We’re located in former printing press facilities of Het Parool and Trouw newspapers, in a space that is renowned for being a giant playground for travellers, mobile professionals, creative nomads, students and local change-makers.

You can find more information about the Student Hotel on their website.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Amsterdam is approximately 1,000-1,200 euros per month according to the reputable institute NIBUD.nl.

Student’s living expenses in Amsterdam mostly go towards student accommodation, food, and transport. A more detailed view on the monthly expenses can be found on numbeo.com and can be compared to where you live currently.

This estimate does not include tuition fees and unforeseen costs and should be used as a general indication of the cost of living in Amsterdam. How much money you will actually need depends on your lifestyle. Student accommodation, for example, may differ considerably depending on your preferences. Also, if you plan to travel during your stay, this will require more funding.

If you are a European, European Space, or Swiss student, you are entitled to a Public Transport Student Card (‘OV-studentenkaart’). You can use this card to travel with Dutch public transport for free or at a discount. This card can be requested from the Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs.