Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How can I register? 

You can register via this website. New is the option to create an account. You can manage your newletter subscription, select your payment method and save your personal details (name, address, city). Next time you can login with your email address and your password; you won't have to enter these details again.

How can I pay?

You can use the Dutch online payment system, iDeal or pay by credit card. 

My employer agrees to pay for the course and requires an invoice. How can I register?

Please send an email to secretariaat@vua-ams.nl, including the confirmation from your employer and details for the invoice.

Can I buy a gift voucher to spend on a course at Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam? 

If you would like to gift a specific course or a course credit, please email secretariaat@vua-ams.nl. After payment, we will send the gift voucher to you via email (with the desired amount, in the name of the recipient).

How to pay if living abroad and no Ideal payment available?

Please send us an email via: secretariaat@vua-ams.nl and we'll gladly inform you about de possibilities.

Can I use the STAP-budget for a course at Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam? 

No, Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam is not listed in the STAP training register. 

Can I pay NT2-courses (Dutch as a second language) with the DUO-loan for civic integration?

No, at Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam you cannot use the DUO-loan for your civic integration or state exam (see: zoek inburgerschool)

Can Volksuniversiteit help me in applying for a study visa?

No, Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam is not recognized as a sponsor (see: IND). 

What if my chosen course is fully booked?

If you try to register for a course which is already fully booked, you will receive a notification of this on the website, and the option to join a waiting list. If a place becomes available or we organise an extra group, we will contact you.
If you have paid for a course which is already fully booked, we will return the money to your bank account.

When do the next courses start?

New courses start regularly. Most courses start around September, January and May. Usually, lessons take place once a week and last one and a half hours. Alongside these standard courses, Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam also regularly offers more intensive courses and shorter conversation courses. Please see the full course programme for more information. All the courses except the beginnerscourses Dutch NT2 and some English courses are held in Dutch.

I would like to work on my Arabic/German/Turkish/Swedish etc again, but am not sure what my level is.

For language courses starting in September or January, we organise an Online Language Fair. You can attend an online information session and ask you questions to the teacher of the language of choice. For most languages, the starting and finishing levels of the European Reference Framework are clearly indicated. If you are unsure or have doubts about your language level, you can sign up for an intake. An intake costs 25 euros. One of our teachers will contact you shortly. If you register for a course in this language at Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam after the intake, we will refund the money you paid for this intake to your account!

Can I speak to a teacher directly to ask a question?

You can email your question to us and we will ensure that it reaches the appropriate teacher. Send your question to secretariaat@vua-ams.nl. We do not give teachers’ telephone numbers or email addresses to third parties.

When does the new course programme appear online?

The autumn programme, with details of courses starting in the period from September to December, appears online mid-July. 
The winter and spring programme of courses starting in the period January to June goes online in December.
In early May the programme of activities taking place in the summer months of July and August is announced.

The course I want to take has already started, can I still join it?

According to our policy you can miss two lessons. The third week is therefore the latest you can join the course. For most other courses our policy is that it is not possible to join the course once it has started. No discount will be given for any lessons missed.

I have booked the wrong course by mistake, how can I change my online registration?

Please let us know about this by emailing us at secretariaat@vua-ams.nl .You can also call us on (020) 626 16 26, Monday-Thursday from 9:00-16:30. If you let us know what has gone wrong, a member of our team can change this for you.

Does the fee for a language course include the books I will need?

No, you should buy the books yourself, before the start of the course. Full details of the books needed are listed in the course details. 

Are online lessons recorded? 

Online lessons/lectures are not recorded by default. The choice whether or not to record lessons lies with the teacher, but only after consent from all participants. If necessary, the student can request the teacher to record a lesson. If the teacher wants to record a lesson, the teacher asks permission from all students. 

Do you have a question which we haven’t answered?

Email your question to  secretariaat@vua-ams.nl . We will respond within one working day.