Welcome back; we hope your stay abroad was valuable and fun!
It is important that you arrange the transfer of the grades and credits you received abroad carefully.
Read the information below to check what is important after your return. We hope that you will share your experiences with future exchange students.
Most of our partner universities send the transcripts directly to us. When we receive your transcript we will send you an email to come and pick it up (for UCU and UCR students: your transcript will be sent to your international officer). You need to arrange the transfer of your grades and credits with the Board of Examiners (= Examencommissie) of the degree programme yourself.
At Utrecht University, there are no general rules for converting study credits and marks you gained abroad. This authority lies with the Board of Examiners of each individual study programme. This means that each Board of Examiners may apply its own system of conversion.
One of the challenges of student exchange programmes is the “translation” of credits and marks obtained abroad to those of the home university. Most other European universities use the EC credit system, which makes it easier to transfer your credits. Normally, 30 EC credits are awarded per semester. More information on the EC credit system.
To get your credits recognised so they can count towards your degree in the Netherlands, you may need to provide additional information besides the transcript of grades. Your Board of Examiners may, for instance, require an overview of the number of hours you spent on a particular subject, as well as the study materials used. In certain cases, you can also be requested to provide an explanation of how a course taken abroad was assessed. This will be of particular relevance when studying in countries with a different grading system - where the highest grade is a 1, for example, or where letter grades are used instead of numbers. The summary of each partner university on our website also contains information about the credit and grading system at that university.
By writing a report
Erasmus students/other students. Your report will be made available to UU students preparing for an exchange, placement or research period abroad. We will hide your name and student number.
By attending a Study Abroad Presentation or Pre-Departure Meeting
Talk about your experiences with other students, and answer their questions. They, as well as the International Office staff, will greatly appreciate your help! Contact your exchange coordinator at the International Office.
Use your international experience in Utrecht
If you are interested in getting to know international students in Utrecht, visit the website of ESN Utrecht. ESN is a student organisation that helps international students feel at home in Utrecht and the Netherlands by organising activities and through a mentor programme.
BuddyGoDutch
BuddyGoDutch connects international students to Utrecht students. The idea is to meet up in pairs for cultural exchange on a personal level. In addition, informal activities and get-togethers are organised for the participating students.
BuddyGoDutch is always looking for enthusiastic Utrecht students to take part. Would you like to be a buddy to an exchange student? Sign up at www.buddygodutch.nl or check Facebook.com/BuddyGoDutch.
Read more about the phenomenon of 'reverse culture shock' that you might experience when returning home.