Corona, UCR & You

Since the Coronavirus outbreak, and like many Dutch universities, we have switched to online education. This allowed our current students to continue with their studies uninterrupted. Using specialized software, our faculty and students now meet in virtual classrooms, where they continue to learn through instruction, information sharing, conversation and debate. Our faculty acted quickly by revising their courses to ensure that both teaching and assessments continue to meet the high quality that UCR is proud to uphold. Our IT Support Desk quickly implemented new technologies that allow us to assist students with technical problems, wherever they are in the world. And whilst online learning can never be the same as in-person classes, we are doing everything we can to ensure we simulate it as much as we possibly can.

Within hours of the Dutch Government announcing emergency measures in light of the Corona outbreak, a Crisis Team was assembled and a dedicated information page published. Since then, the page has been updated daily to ensure that our students, faculty and staff are informed about all measures taken on a national, regional and local level. More importantly, we have been providing detailed information about how all of these measures impact every element of life at UCR; from teaching and accommodation, to social life and travel. In addition to the web page, we send regular communications to all parties to ensure total transparency for everyone in the UCR community.

Corona has a major impact on the lives of our students. Education is online and social contact is avoided. That is difficult for our international students, and even local students who find themselves unable to be with their family and friends. We understand their concerns. Fortunately UCR has always had a strong support network and a total commitment to providing our students with the best possible support. This is why our Crisis, RISC, and Study Skills teams have come together to form a well-being group. The team meets every week to coordinate activities and to:

• Respond to questions our students may have regarding their health and well-being;
• Personally contact any student who may be ill to offer check-in;
• Arrange meetings with a Student Counselor and a Psychologist online if emotional or psychological support are needed; and
• Organize weekly online mindfulness sessions.

Part of what makes UCR so unique is that we have a relatively small student body. All our students live and socialize on campus, which is in the heart of a small, medieval town in Zeeland. Being so small, both as an institution and as a campus, means that our community of students, faculty and staff is close-knit. Everybody knows one another and often stops in the street to catch up and have brief conversations. We did not want our sense of community to be at risk because we switched to online education or because of the national measures in place to curb the spread of Corona. Which is why we launched an online Community Diary. Here, our students, alumni, staff and faculty share stories weekly from their everyday lives in the times of Corona – allowing us to still have those little conversations we value so much. As a community, we are still connected, wherever we happen to be.

Yes, we are currently still accepting application for Fall 2020 from European passport holders. The deadline for submission in July 1st. The application deadline for non-European passport holders has passed. We recommend that you consider applying for a Spring 2021 start. The application for a Spring start will open in July.

Yes, in principle we will admit anyone who makes it through our selection procedure and meets our minimum entry requirements, regardless of how assessment has changed. This includes the VWO, International Baccalaureate, A-levels, French Baccalauréat and College Board Advanced Placement exams.

We recognize that these are highly unusual circumstances, and we are committed to supporting students and ensuring that the admissions process continues as normal as possible. We encourage you to continue the application process and to submit your application on time, despite any uncertainties.

Even if you are unsure whether you have the right documents, make sure to submit your application as soon as possible and before the application deadline. If a document is missing from your application or does not meet the required standards, we will let you know by email and you will be able to email it to us directly or upload a new document in OSIRIS Online Application.

Ultimately, you will need to submit a formal copy of your diploma to enroll. These documents can be submitted until August 31st.

We will do our utmost to take your circumstances into consideration and offer flexibility in terms of documents and deadlines. However, please be aware that in some situations the only option may be for you to delay your studies until a later date.

For your online application it is not necessary to have passed the English test already. In the Osiris Online Application you will be able to choose the option: ‘I have not taken a test yet’. For the time being, we will evaluate your application as a whole, including a review of your grade for English in school, your written English in your motivation letter and your spoken English during the interview. You may also ask your English teacher to complete the English Proficiency Form and add it to your application.

Please note that you will still need to submit test result to be enrolled. You can do so until 1 June (non-EEA students) or until 1 September (EEA students).

Yes, you can take the iBT TOEFL Special Home Edition and submit this as proof of proficiency.

We cannot predict whether there will be any changes to matters such as travel regulations or the availability of Dutch embassies/consulates in affected areas.  At this time, the visa/residence permit application procedure has not been changed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. If you need a visa and/or residence permit to study in the Netherlands, we will contact you directly with instructions.

You can cancel your application any time even if you have previously accepted the offer of admission in OSIRIS Online Application. If you cancel before 1 September 2020 you will also be reimbursed for any tuition fees already paid (minus the deposit payment of 300 euros). You may also consider deferring your application to a Spring 2021 or Fall 2021 start.

If you have a question that is not answered in the above, please reach out to us via email admissions@ucr.nl.

We would love to welcome you to the UCR community. So we are thinking ahead. We want to ensure that incoming students will have a memorable and enjoyable start to their studies at UCR – and that they would be able to hit the ground running from the moment they join us at the beginning of the 2020-2021 academic year.

Exactly what form our teaching and the much anticipated orientation week will take is something we cannot say for sure yet. And we prioritize your and our health and safety above everything else. What we are able to do at the time depends very much on the possibilities given to us by the Dutch government. We have put together an internal task force that will consider and evaluate all our options. The team is working hard to come up with viable alternatives together with our community and other Dutch universities via the VSNU.

For each course, we are looking carefully at each of the components – whether it can and should be delivered in physical context or online. We are considering the implications of groupwork, discussions, assessments and the technologies that may be required.

Yes, in principle we will admit anyone who makes it through our selection procedure and meets our minimum entry requirements, regardless of how assessment has changed. This includes the VWO, International Baccalaureate, A-levels, French Baccalauréat and College Board Advanced Placement exams. Ultimately, you will need to submit a formal copy of your diploma to enroll. These documents can be submitted until August 31st.

Formal copies of your diploma and transcript will need to be submitted by August 31st.

For your online application it is not necessary to have passed the English test already. In the Osiris Online Application you will be able to choose the option: ‘I have not taken a test yet’. For the time being, we will evaluate your application as a whole, including a review of your grade for English in school, your written English in your motivation letter and your spoken English during the interview. You may also ask your English teacher to complete the English Proficiency Form and add it to your application.

Please note that you will still need to submit test result to be enrolled. You can do so until 1 June (non-EEA students) or until 1 September (EEA students).

Yes, you can take the iBT TOEFL Special Home Edition and submit this as proof of proficiency.

We cannot predict whether there will be any changes to matters such as travel regulations or the availability of Dutch embassies/consulates in affected areas.  At this time, the visa/residence permit application procedure has not been changed as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak. If you need a visa and/or residence permit to study in the Netherlands, we will contact you directly with instructions.

You can cancel your application any time even if you have previously accepted the offer of admission in OSIRIS Online Application. If you cancel before 1 September 2020 you will also be reimbursed for any tuition fees already paid (minus the deposit payment of 300 euros).

You may also consider deferring your application to a Spring 2021. A Fall 2021 start may also be possible. This can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

Yes, you will be able to defer your start to a Spring 2021 start. A Fall 2021 start may also be possible. This can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

If you have a question that is not answered in the above, please reach out to us via email admissions@ucr.nl.