HAN University of Applied Sciences

Academic Program

Unique sets of courses called ‘minors’ allow students to do in-depth study and gain practical experience concentrated in one of the following areas:
Environmental & Earth Sciences
Economics and Business
Computer Sciences
Natural Sciences
Behavior & Social Sciences
Health & Sport Sciences
Culture & Art
Education
Law & Government
Language & Communication
Engineering & Technology

Course Descriptions and Syllabi

Please review the following link, and search by the Program type ‘Exchange.’

Review HAN’s website for more information regarding course offerings.

Course equivalency information for UAlbany Students

Credits earned on this program may be approved to satisfy the World History/International Perspectives or other UAlbany General Education requirements, if you earn appropriate credit in these areas and receive approval using the General Education Substitution Request form found here: General Education Waivers, Substitutions & Appeals | University at Albany. 

Courses may also satisfy major and minor requirements, with approval by the associated academic department(s). You may file a request to have additional courses approved for equivalency as necessary. 

All courses completed through this program abroad that are not assigned a specific UAlbany course equivalency will at least count as UAlbany General Elective credits. Credits and grades will appear on your UAlbany transcript.

Your Instructors

Your courses are taught by local faculty.

Housing

Accommodation is provided off campus in shared self-catering housing.
More information about housing in Arnhem and Nijmegen can be found here.

Meals

There are multiple restaurants and cafés to enjoy on and near campus. Grocery and convenience stores are close as well.  There is no meal plan included with the program. 

ESTIMATE OF COSTS

More Information

Click for more information on Program Costs and Financial Aid.
Remember to speak with the Office of Financial Aid at your home campus to determine how your aid package could apply towards your program abroad.

Eligibility Requirements

Juniors, seniors, exceptional sophomores, and graduate students are eligible to participate. Applications are welcome from students in all majors. Applicants should have a minimum overall 3.0 GPA with a better average in their major. Knowledge of the Dutch language is not required, but some familiarity would enhance the student’s experience abroad.

Experiential Learning

As a University of Applied Sciences, HAN offered experiential learning built into the curriculum.  Each course will have hands-on engagement in the subject matter. 

Student Clubs and Organizations

There are many student clubs to get involved with at HAN. Also, check out some of the activities and information on Facebook here. 

Funding Opportunities

Most financial aid and academic awards will apply to semester programs.
External scholarships, listed on our website, are a good way to partially fund your study abroad experience. In addition, the Center for International Education and Global Strategy offers two scholarship programs for UAlbany students studying abroad on UAlbany or 4-year SUNY programs.
More information on applying to these scholarships is located on the Scholarships web page.

In Their Own Words

Coming soon!

About the City

HAN University of Applied Sciences has campuses in Arnhem and Nijmegen. Both cities are situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands, close to the German border. The area has excellent rail and road connections to anywhere you might like to travel in the Netherlands or other European countries.

Arnhem

Arnhem is the capital city of the province of Gelderland and has a rich and eventful history. It has a great shopping area, especially for fashion lovers. The ‘Korenmarkt’ and ‘Jansplein’ are 2 popular market squares packed with pubs, cafes, and restaurants.
But Arnhem is not just for city dwellers. It is very green with lots of parks and gardens. HAN’s Arnhem campus is located in the middle of a park. The city is also in close proximity to the spectacular green surroundings of Veluwe National Park.

Nijmegen

The lovely university town of Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands. Nijmegen has everything a student could wish for: museums, theatres, excellent sports facilities, restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife.
Nijmegen is surrounded by forests with excellent hiking and bicycle trails. The city is famous for its Four Days Marches, where people from all over the world walk together for 4 consecutive days. The walking event takes place each July.

The Netherlands 

Commonly referred to as Holland, the Netherlands is a small country with 12 provinces, bordered by Belgium and Germany. In the low-lying country of the Netherlands, the Dutch are most well known for windmills, clogs, tulips, bicycles, and their unique political and social tolerance. Visitors to the Netherlands can anticipate an annual visit from Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) in December and celebrate Koninginnedag (Queen’s Day) every April with a citywide festival in Amsterdam. The Netherlands is also home to several National Parks that are available for recreational purposes, as well as nature and environmental education, nature-oriented recreation, and research.

Travel Documents

A valid passport is required to participate in this program. HAN staff will help you get your residence permit when you arrive. HAN’s International Office also has resources for you online. More information regarding the visa application process is available upon acceptance to the program.

Program Dates

Academic Year 2026

8/27/2026 to 7/9/2027

Fall 2026

8/27/2026 to 1/22/2027

Spring 2027

1/28/2027 to 7/9/2027

More information about the Academic Calendar for HAN is available online. Exact travel dates will be provided after admission. Dates vary slightly depending on your selected primary Faculty (Department). 

*The regular Fall semester ends in February, but many courses can be finished early. As an exchange student, you can take your exams early or remotely for some courses. Contact us to see if the courses you want to take are able to be finished on time for your return to the USA and the start of your spring semester. 

Application Availability

Applications become available online one semester before the program start date, based on the following timeline:

• Spring/Winter/Spring Break programs: July
• Fall/Year/Summer programs: December

About the Program

HAN University of Applied Sciences is one of the 5 largest universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands.
HAN offers high-quality, practice-based education to more than 30,000 students. HAN’s centres of expertise provide tailored research to companies and institutions.
HAN’s courses are spread across 2 campuses, each with a separate profile. The Arnhem campus mainly has programmes in the technical and economic arena. Nijmegen’s profile is mostly in the fields of health, sport, behaviour and society, and education. Both campuses offer a wide range of economic courses and primary school teacher education. They also both have an international profile..

Program Orientations

Upon acceptance to the program, you will be required to attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation. During this time, you will have the opportunity to meet other program participants, discuss in-depth the details of your program, and prepare for the overall education abroad experience. The fall semester pre-departure orientation will be conducted mid to late May, and in late November/early December for the spring term abroad.
Upon arrival at HAN, you will attend a mandatory program orientation. This is an important and informative set of sessions organized by the International Office of your host university.

Support Services

UAlbany’s Office of Education Abroad staff assists you during the application process, in your preparation to travel abroad, and on-site if necessary. HAN’s International Office staff serve as an experienced resource for resolving issues that you may encounter while abroad.